A blender that literally does it all. Truly a fabulous machine, from its wonderful silky-pink matte paintwork and sensuous styling right down to the multiplicity of programmes and industrial-strength motor.

Whatever you want it to do, this machine is up to the task in hand. Smoothies? Yup - no problemo. Blending soups  - natch. Crushing ice - there's a setting for that.

The sticker price might seem - at first glance - to be a bit on the high side. Bus, as my parents always used to say, "buy cheap, buy twice". SO yes, if you want to avoid sending inferior machines to landfill, get a KitchenAid - you won't regret it.