and why I choose the Tefal Cuisine Companion
Come join the new Shine with your Cuisine Companion Facebook group to find out more!
Note: This post was written shortly after I purchased my Tefal Cuisine Companion in 2015 to help others make their decision. I will provide an update based on my knowledge now and the latest machines on the market, however I thought it was important to leave this post untouched, as it was, long before I wrote Shine with your Cuisine Companion, The Essential Guide.
As it started to become clear how much impact the spondyloarthritis was having on my day to day life, several friends suggested I buy a Thermomix. I was certainly intrigued by a super kitchen gadget that could save me chopping by hand, stop the pain of stirring a saucepan and allow me to sit down whilst it cooked dinner. So out came Google.
After a Thermomix demo and a few days of researching I was confused! In addition to the Thermomix, there was a basic Bellini (Intelli), a fancy Bellini (Super cook), a Thermochef, Mistral (sister product to the Bellini Intelli), a good looking Kitchen Aid Cook Processor and a Tefal Cusine Companion.
On paper I eliminated the Thermochef, as it just appeared to be a Bellini Intelli but at 3 times the price. The Bellini Intelli seemed to do everything the Thermomix (TMX) did, at a tenth of the price, so it was certainly in the running.

I then went to the amazing home department store, Peter’s of Kensington to have a closer look at the Kitchen Aid Cook Processor. It was even more gorgeous in real life, in the most beautiful colours and I had to constantly remind myself, I was shopping based on ergonomics, not beauty. It was then, the store assistant took me over to see the Tefal Cuisine Companion (CC). In the next 5 minutes my mind was made up, all the doubts I had over spending a large amount on a kitchen appliance went and I knew it was the one for me.
As the Tefal Cuisine Companion was a new product to the Australian market, I discovered very little about the CC, it’s pros and cons, recipes and reliability. Still a little hesitant, due to the price tag, I decided to test things out on a much cheaper alternative, the Bellini Intelli.
The Bellini Intelli was an impressive appliance, it really could do everything a Thermomix could do, but it was clear the design was not as finessed and easy to use. At a tenth of the price it can not be crossed off your list of serious considerations.
At this point it became clear to me that I could not stay with the Bellini Intelli long term. The pain of activities like turning dials repeatedly and the dexterity required to change blades negated the benefits, over saucepan cooking. I was then down to the choice between the Tefal Cuisine Companion, Kitchen Aid Cook Processor and a Thermomix. To decide I wrote down all the things I needed in a machine:
- Two handed lid
- Two handed lift of the food bowl
- No dials or knobs to turn
- Large parts, to assist assembly, use and washing
And all the things I wanted it to do for me:
- Cook main meals
Yes, my list of things i wanted it for was small. I wasn’t buying a thermal cooker because I wanted to mill my own gluten free or nut flours, enter cakes competitions or bake all my own bread, I just needed to make dinner easier. I needed a healthy meal on the table each night that didn’t consume all my energy and “pain allowance”. (As an aside, it’s so good, I now do make all my own bread and lunch box snacks, and have gone on to write an Essential Guide and Cookbook for the Cuisine Companion).
The next to be crossed of the list was the Kitchen Aid Cook Processor. The 4.5L bowl was far too big for me to lift empty, let alone full. The controls had a mix of levers, dials and buttons which make it hard for me to program.
The Thermomix TM5 made second place, but was let down my it’s small touch screen that is hard to use with low vision or in my case, fat clumsy fingers. The screen requires a decent push, rather than a gentle tap that you’d normally expect on a touch screen (you probably wouldn’t notice this unless you have arthritis or some other hand issue). The bowl is also a jug style, with one handle requiring the user to have the strength to lift one handed. The handle is also directly in front of you, so you are not lifting with your wrist in a neutral position.
The Tefal Cuisine Companion, not only ticked all my boxes, but then some more. It had the highest temperature, great for browning onions, a stirring blade that gently mixed stews and pasta without shredding, and a keep warm function for staggered weekday dinner times or whilst I was busy driving my Mum’s taxi. None of the other machines had these useful features.
My researched showed no one machine had it all, and you really have to work out why you want one of these machines. I’ve explained my rationale, but to help others who have different needs I have highlighted below the strengths and reasons I would buy each machine over the others.
Buy a Tefal Cuisine Companion if you…
- Want to make main meals – it’s the stand out machine for this feature
- Want easy ability to convert your favourite stove top recipes
- Want to make great cakes and breads
- Have limited function in your hands or have low vision (the parts and buttons are the biggest, with no dials)
- Want to deal direct with a company. I’ve had great customer service from them.
Note, You can mill nuts and make smoothies in the TCC, but it’s not as refined as a TMX for these activities. I also have a Nutri Ninja Auto IQ for smoothies as we eat a lot of them and I didn’t want to have to keep washing a larger thermal cooker bowl after breakfast. The combined price of these was still less than a Thermomix and I’d rather have two best in category machines than one good all rounder.
Buy a Thermomix if you…
- Want to mill a lot of nuts and flours
- Want a large quantity of readily available recipes
- Want one machine that does all things (milling, cook dinner, dough making, smoothies, grind spices) and to all good standard
Note, it’s also the most expensive machine and takes approximately 2 weeks to order via multi layered marketing / in home demo presentation. All other machines can be purchased in stores and are available to take home that day.
Buy a Bellini Intelli if you…
- Are on a limited budget
- Want to test the waters, especially if considering buying a Thermomix (as it’s the closest in functionality)
- Want one all rounder machine
Buy a Bellini Supercook (superior model to the Intelli) if you…
- Want all the benefits of the Intelli plus:
- Want the ability to have guided cooking on a recipe chip. The Supercook allows users to add their own recipes, unlike the Thermomix which is a fixed set. I think this is a great feature.
Note, I’ve also had good customer service from Bellini.
If you’ve found this review useful, I’d love to know, please leave me a comment or send me a message.
10 thoughts on ““You need a thermal cooker…” they said”
Thank you so much for your insight! Love this blog. Thanks again.
I have had my Cuisine Companion for about a year now. And for the last 6 weeks or so, I have also had the opportunity to use a TM5 (on loan).
The Thermomix is an awesome machine. The built in scales and guided cooking are fantastic features, and I have even found that not everything has been shredded.????
However, I am starting to fall back on my beloved CC.
She just seems like a sturdier, stronger machine. She is bigger and quieter. Her preset programs seem so much more versatile than specific built in recipes. And she will quietly keep my food warm for me if I can’t get back to her immediately.
It’s been fantastic to have the opportunity to compare the two machines, but CC is still my machine of choice.????
It’s so wonderful to hear from someone who has got to road test both side by side. Good job you fell back on the one you own!
Great blog, thanks for your effort! Straight to the facts with practical advice, helps to make decision so much easier. The plus points for other brands helps decide what you actually want to do with the machines. Cannot wait to make my purchase of Cuisine Companion.
Have at last made my purchase of the tefal Cuisine Companion. Thanks to this review of the machines. Also the fact that Karen is so helpful on the facebook page loving the cuisine companion helped me realise it is the right purchase. We would be lost without people like Karen.
I did a lot of research before I decided on Tefal Cuisine Companion. I don’t need to mill my sugar or flour (that’s the handiness of shopping in a store and I am not a pioneer woman). I love the big bowl and selection of blades. The new attachments make it an even better investment. The customer service is incredible and the fact that I can make basically any thing the other thermal cookers can do makes me know I made the right choice.
I have the Bellini Intelli and love it but if I had the funds I would definitely get the Tefal Cuisine Companion. I am looking forward to finding out what improvements the new Bellini Intelli will have and have heard it will have the reverse function instead of having to change the blades from chopping to mixing. The Bellini Addicts Facebook page is great, very informative and helpful.
Yes, I agree, Sue Kling does an amazing job at running the great Bellini group. I found their information really useful in making my decision and using my Bellini. You’ll not regret adding a Tefal Cuisine Companion when funds allow. Thanks!
I think you have done extensive research & it would definately help anyone in their decision when buying a machine. People are needing these machines for different purposes & some don’t need the bigger bowls, some would like the chips, some people won’t. Price will defenitley have an impact on other people’s decisions too. Great job on all your hard work!
Enjoy your cooking ???? ????
A great read and very informative! Definitely made my choice easier! Thanks so much for sharing.