Lidl Monsieur Cuisine Smart vs Thermomix TM6 & TM7: Honest Review from the Demo in Cork with Gina Daly
Curious About the Lidl Monsieur Cuisine Smart? I Went to See It for Myself
Yesterday, I visited the newly revamped Lidl store in Cork City’s Cornmarket Shopping Centre for a special Monsieur Cuisine Smart demo—the much-talked-about €499 Lidl Thermomix alternative. I’d seen a lot of videos online comparing it to the Thermomix TM6 and the newly launched TM7, so I was curious to get a closer look.
Right near the entrance was a well-presented stand with the machine, a table of food, and the lovely Gina Daly chatting with a couple of curious shoppers. On display: a vibrant soup made with oranges, and the steamer tray with broccoli and fresh fish ready to be cooked.
I wasn’t there as a rep for Thermomix or Lidl—I was just genuinely curious. And here’s what I found.
First Impressions at the Demo
I’d seen videos of the Lidl Monsieur Cuisine Smart, sometimes called the Lidlomix in Spain or Poland, and thought it looked pretty sleek. Seeing it in person, it really does look and feel like a true Thermomix competitor—solid build, clean interface, and impressive functionality for a middle aisle kitchen appliance.
I was still surprised at how robust and well-built it felt in person. It has a solid base that grips to the counter, giving a sense of stability. The machine comes with just a few essentials: bowl, steamer, basket, whisk and spatula—a very minimalist setup.
I also have to say, I’m genuinely impressed by Lidl’s marketing team—the way they’ve launched the Monsieur Cuisine Smart has been spot on. From the revamped store design to the in-store display and national ads, you can tell they’ve put real thought into it. They clearly understand the Irish market, with recipes and features that feel practical, family-focused, and relevant to everyday life.
While the machine wasn’t being used for live cooking (understandable given the shopping centre setting and I imagine insurance requirements), I still had the chance to see it up close and ask lots of questions, not just about the machine, but about real life with it in the kitchen.
Talking with Gina Daly: Cooking, Kids & Real Life
One of the highlights of the visit was meeting Gina Daly, who welcomed everyone with a smile.
Listening to Gina explain how it works and overhearing the couple’s questions, it hit me—regardless of the machine or price, the questions are always the same. People want to eat better, save time, and improve their health. And I think that’s something really special.
It shows a shift in Irish households—a growing awareness of what we eat and a desire to take back control in the kitchen.
A few moments from the Lidl demo in Cork with Gina Daly—showcasing the machine, chatting with customers, and sharing a lovely conversation together about food, family, and everyday cooking.
I introduced myself to Gina and we had a great chat—not just about the machine, but about juggling work, food, and family life.
We chatted about using kitchen robots to feed toddlers and teenagers, and how appliances like the Monsieur Cuisine Smart or Thermomix can be a huge help to parents trying to cook healthy meals from scratch in a busy household.
As a busy mum of three, she knows the challenges of answering the constant "What's for dinner?"—even when you love cooking. What struck me most was her honesty: although she enjoys cooking, she wasn’t much of a baker until she got this machine. Now she’s baking with her teens—what a beautiful way to bond, share something new, and enjoy time together in the kitchen.
We spoke about how having a kitchen appliance like this can make a huge difference when you’re feeding toddlers. When you want to cook fresh, nutritious meals, but there are a hundred other things going on, machines like Thermomix—or Lidl’s—really do help. I've used my Thermomix so much when weaning my daughter to make baby purées, batch-cooked dinners, and quick soups—and I can see how the Lidl model could support other mums in the same way. Now with a second baby on the way, I am confident healthy cooking is something it's already taken care of by using my Thermomix.
You can follow Gina Daly on Instagram or watch her demo of the Lidl Monsieur Cuisine Smart here.
What Stood Out About the Lidl Monsieur Cuisine Smart
Here’s what genuinely impressed me:
✅ 3L bowl capacity – great for larger families or batch cooking
✅ Two side handles on the bowl – Makes lifting, carrying, and pouring much easier, especially when the bowl is full.
✅ Steamer has its own lid, so no need to cover the bowl beneath—clever design
✅ Built-in safety lock – blades don’t spin unless the lid is secured
✅ 600 built-in recipes, plus the option to download more via Wi-Fi
✅ Simple interface, with clear instructions and photos that guide you through each step
✅ Preset scales and recipe layout help new cooks feel confident
✅ Dishwasher-safe parts and a self-cleaning function
✅ Easy-to-remove blades for quick cleanup
I followed the steps of a pizza dough recipe on the screen and was genuinely impressed by the experience. It showed the final image of the dish from the start, and walked me through each step clearly. For anyone new to cooking, this visual and structured approach is encouraging and confidence-boosting.
I liked how the machine had the option to include nutritional values in the recipes—another sign that this isn’t just about convenience, but about better food choices.
These features make the Lidl Monsieur Cuisine Smart one of the most accessible and family-friendly smart cooking appliances in Ireland. It might not have all the bells and whistles of a Thermomix TM6 or TM7, but it covers the basics extremely well.
One thing I wish I’d seen? The machine in action—to hear the motor, see the speeds, and how quickly it reaches temperature. But I understand why they couldn’t cook in-store, especially in a busy shopping centre.
The Power of Simplicity
I took a quick look through the recipes available on the screen. With 600 stored in the machine, it may seem limited compared to the 100,000+ on Thermomix Cookidoo® app, but honestly—less is sometimes more.
Like with shopping in Lidl: having fewer options can actually make decision-making easier. Fewer distractions, quicker choices, less overwhelm. It reminded me how I often get lost in big supermarkets trying to compare ingredients and brands. With fewer choices, it’s easier to just get cooking.
But Is It Cheating?
Some might say cooking with machines like this—or Thermomix—is cheating. But I’d ask: is it really?
We’ve embraced washing machines, dishwashers, robot hoovers—all to help free up time and mental load. Cooking appliances are no different. They help us cook from scratch, know what goes into our meals, and do so with confidence and less stress.
If anything, “cheating” would be leaning too often on ready meals, jars of sauces, or multiple takeaways a week. These cooking robots make it easier to cook real food, nourish ourselves, and enjoy the process—isn’t that the whole point?
Price & Perspective
At €499.99, the Lidl machine is one of the most expensive items Lidl has ever sold in the middle aisle. I heard people at the stand express surprise at the price—but it's important to put it in context.
Think about how many nights out, coffees, or streaming subscriptions add up over the year. This is a one-off investment that benefits your whole household—your time, your meals, your health. It really is a matter of priorities.
The Monsieur Cuisine Smart will be on sale in Lidl Ireland stores from Wednesday, April 3rd, 2025. Stock will be limited, with only a certain number of units available per store. You can find more details on the official Lidl Ireland page here.
There’s no option to pre-order, so once it’s gone—it’s gone. Based on the buzz and interest I saw at the demo, I wouldn’t be surprised to see queues forming early on the day of release. It’s likely to be one of Lidl’s fastest-selling middle aisle items this year.
If Thermomix (TM6 model is €1,499 or TM7 model is €1,599) isn’t currently within your budget, this could be a great first step into smart cooking.
Final Thoughts – No Matter What Brand You Choose
A big thank you to Gina Daly for being so welcoming and generous with her time. It was great to chat not just about the machine, but about real-life cooking, the joys and pressures of feeding a family, and how tools like these can truly make a difference. Her openness and honest reflections added so much value to the experience—and it’s easy to see why she’s been chosen as the face of this launch.
Side-by-side view of the Lidl Monsieur Cuisine Smart, Thermomix TM7, and TM6—three smart kitchen appliances, each offering a different level of functionality, design, and investment for home cooks.
I don’t work for Lidl or Thermomix. I’m just someone who loves cooking from scratch, and I want to see more people feel empowered to do the same. Especially children—I want to see kids eating better, learning about food, and feeling inspired to cook. It’s something my mother and grandmother passed on to me, and it’s a tradition I’m proud to continue with my kids.
If your budget or lifestyle makes Lidl’s Monsieur Cuisine the right fit, that’s great. If you’re considering Thermomix TM6, TM7 and want to see how the two compare to Monsieur Cuisine , I’ve written a full blog on that here:
No matter which route you take, it’s clear that more people in Ireland are cooking at home, caring about what goes into their meals, and making space for healthier habits.
And that’s something worth celebrating. 🎉
👩🍳 Curious about which smart cooker is right for you? Let’s chat! What’s the most important thing you want from your kitchen appliance?
And if you're a Thermomix client who bought your machine through me, but you know someone who can’t afford one right now—maybe a friend, neighbour, or family member who could benefit from cooking with a kitchen robot—feel free to share this blog with them. It might be just what they need to take that first step.
Because let’s be honest, this really is the cooking of the future—and everyone deserves a way to make healthy, home-cooked meals a little easier.
Want to See Thermomix in Action?
💡 Interested in seeing how Thermomix can transform your cooking? I can connect you with a Thermomix advisor in Ireland for a free demo.
📩 Message me, and I’ll introduce you to someone who can help!
What do you think? Let’s keep the conversation going—I’d love to hear your thoughts.
I hope you found this review helpful. Remember, while I'm not selling the machine, I'm here to connect you with the right people so you can make the most of your cooking experience with ongoing support after your investment. Contact me in Whatsapp or email me sara.demiguel@hotmail.com
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