Russell Hobbs kettles are a kitchen classic. The brand invited me to a retro 50s-themed evening at the Balcony Room at Swan, a restaurant above Shakespeare’s Globe on Bankside. With vintage-style doo-wop band, chintz china teacups, canapés and craft cocktails it was an atmospheric evening celebrating the 60th anniversary of their K1 kettle.
· Updated 2026, event coverage of Russell Hobbs kettles anniversary (2015).
Even though I’m not a tea drinker, a good kettle is a workhorse in my kitchen. I might not brew daily cups, but filling the kettle is often the first step to dinner: whether it’s filling saucepans for pasta or, in one instance, a quick noodle recipe using boiling water straight from the kettle (you can see my Quorn chicken noodle miso soup recipe here).
Kettles, like handbags or purses, are one of those everyday items you pick up frequently each day. A good kettle is at the heart of your home. Choosing a well-designed kettle, one made to last, is worth it.
Russell Hobbs kettles – enduring design classics
A well chosen kettle should last years — just like my parents’ and grandparents’ K2 Classic, a British design icon from the 1960s (shown above, the silver one to the left).
I think my parents had a K2 kettle as a wedding present and it was still in use nearly twenty years later. In those days, the element was visible inside but in modern kettles these are covered to make the kettle easier to descale. I still remember the feel of the bakelite handle and the feel of tugging off the lid.
The Event & Venue
Russell Hobbs’ 50s-themed evening celebrating their 60th anniversary took place at Swan London, at the iconic Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre on London’s Bankside. The party was held in the penthouse-level Balcony Room, as we sipped our cocktails, there were stunning views at dusk, over the Thames looking north towards St Paul’s Cathedral.
Cocktails & Canapés at Russell Hobbs anniversary event
During the evening we enjoyed cocktails themed after vintage Russell Hobbs kettle models:
In a martini glass, the K1 Classic (gin, lime, cucumber, tea-infused dill syrup),
In a flute, The Russell Hobbs Diamond (vodka, green tea, peach, basil),
and in a chintz china tea cup, The Legacy (vodka, Kahlua, coffee, Aztec chocolate bitters).
Alongside our tea and coffee themed cocktails, we enjoyed a canapé menu comprising:
- Montgomery cheddar rarebit, Worcestershire sauce
- Black’n’blue steak, horseradish cream, celery
- Lamb kofte, tzatziki
- Asparagus and hollandaise
- Salt cod fritter, chilli chutney
- Coconut tiger prawn, curry dip
- Chicken Caesar, pancetta & parmesan
- Blue Monday arancini, pear chutney
Finally, as a sweet treat, we had pink meringues bearing the Russell Hobbs logo.
Russell Hobbs Heritage & Kettle History
Russell Hobbs’ European Vice President, Tim Wright, gave a welcome speech. He gave us some company history background, explaining how Bill Russell and Peter Hobbs invented the world’s first fully automatic electric kettles. The Russell Hobbs K1 kettle came to market in 1955, followed by the K2 in 1960. The Independent newspaper published an informative history of Russell Hobbs K2 kettle that’s worth a read.
Both Hobbs and Russell were engineers and former army majors who had previously worked for rival appliance companies before founding Russell Hobbs in 1952. Russell Hobbs kettles have been a mainstay of the domestic small appliances market since, with further gadgets now in the range such as hand mixers and steam irons. I wrote about my experience with Russell Hobbs hand mixers, when making my toffee apple tart.
Live Music & Retro Vibes
Keeping in with the 50s vibe, we were entertained by a harmonious girl trio accompanied by their band, singing hits from the late 50s and early 60s.
The band featured a double bass player, saxophonist and drummer. The old songs and girls’ harmonious voices were in keeping with the vintage flavour of the evening. A few of the assistants were also styled with 1950s style clothes, hair and make-up. I wish I’d known in advance as I’d have dressed up too!
Products in Action
Shown above is Russell Hobbs’ limited edition “6” handled version of their more recent pyramid-shaped Legacy kettle. Pyramid kettles are a fashionable shape for cordless kettles, suited to sitting on bases connected to the mains. They’re the same shape as the Morphy Richards Accents kettle but the number six style handle lends a stylish look reminiscent of Italian Alessi designs.
Several Legacy kettles were lined up to come up to the boil and make cups of tea served in these gorgeous vintage china tea cups and saucers. My grandma always insisted on using china tea cups and saucers for her tea, and I think she’d have enjoyed the post-war musical entertainment.
Why a kettle matters
Even if you don’t drink tea or coffee often, a reliable kettle is indispensable. How the Americans cope without them I have no idea. The alternative is boiling water on the stove, which might boil dry if you forget about it. Far better to have a shut-off for the power when the water comes to the boil – for this we have Mr Russell and Mr Hobbs to thank. Let’s raise our cocktails and cups of tea to them in salute.
My own use for boiling water – whether for pasta, noodles, or infusions – proves that this humble gadget is central to everyday cooking. This event reminded me that a well-chosen kettle can be an item for daily enjoyment and long-term use.
For anyone interested in cooking or quick meals, I recently shared a simple Quorn Chicken Noodles Miso Soup inspired by using boiling water straight from the kettle. Or for a summer refreshing drink, iced raspberry green tea – another example how kettle-brewed tea can be served, beyond hot milky drinks.
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