21/07/2026
I have a very special wee lady on my workbench today.
Meet the Purple Princess.
The KM500 was released in 1997 as a limited edition to celebrate Kenwood's 50th anniversary. Each mixer is numbered.
Due to de longhi buying out Kenwood some years ago, most of the history and records didn't make the transition across. As such, no-one really knows how many of these machines were made. Needless to say, they are not common. And this one has a very low number (0393), indicating that maybe the first few hundred off the production line went to Aussie. My own personal one is 1862.
It often took 1-2 years for certain models to make it down under, and this was no exception.
A soon-to-be 18 years old saw it in the windows of Myers in Aussie, turned to her Mum and said "That's what I want for my 18th!" And she got it.
For nearly 30 years this machine has been in her kitchen until one day the Purple Princess stopped working. The capacitors have blown and so she ground to a halt.
However, she has now landed on my workbench and over the weekend she will have a relaxing spa-bath, a blow-dry, some fresh parts installed, her toes prettied up and she will be back up baking again in no time.
So folks, have a good look at this gorgeous wee lady, and next time you see her she will be clean, shiny, and best of all, operating properly.
