BERLIN, GERMANY - Media OutReach Newswire - 21 November 2025 - xTool, a global leader in desktop laser cutters and smart fabrication tools, today launched its “Make It Here” initiative, underscoring its expanded commitment to Europe through localisation efforts, community programs, and new tools designed for creators, local workshops, and education.
Revealed at the company’s European brand launch event in Berlin, xTool presented a roadmap to empower creators, small businesses, and local studios — the ecosystem driving Europe’s modern making renaissance. With new partnerships, tools, and community initiatives, xTool aims to bring manufacturing power closer to where ideas begin.
Driving Local Manufacturing Forward
As part of its long-term European strategy, xTool announced new investments that strengthen its operational footprint and support the region’s shift toward flexible, localised production.
With a soon-to-open German office, more than 200 demo rooms, and a growing partner network, xTool enables SMBs, designers, educators, and independent makers to build high-quality micro-manufacturing systems that are accessible, professional, and locally rooted.
“Europe has one of the strongest traditions of craftsmanship and creativity,” said Jessie Liu, President of xTool. “Our mission is to support that spirit with accessible, industrial-grade tools and long-term local investment.”
Building Success From the Ground Up
The event highlighted real success stories, including German entrepreneur Kerstin Bauer, who used xTool technology to turn custom apparel from a service into a scalable micro-production model.
To expand access to such opportunities, xTool introduced its 1% Donation Initiative, committing 1% of annual profit to local maker communities, youth programs, Fab Labs, and skill-building organizations.
In 2025, beneficiaries include TU Berlin, Fraunhofer, Z-Lab, MotionLab Berlin, and smz-karlsruhe — institutions supporting hands-on innovation and maker education across Europe.
Innovation for Every Workshop
xTool also unveiled the F2 Ultra UV, a precision laser designed for premium personalization and delicate materials. Using UV “cold” processing, it delivers clean, micron-level engraving on glass, crystal, ceramics, and engineered plastics. The F2 Ultra UV will be available in Europe from 27 November 2025, starting at 3,919 EUR.
Panel Highlights
In a panel featuring Jessie Liu, Kerstin Bauer, and Jean-Michel Molenaar from the Fab Foundation — moderated by tech communicator Sascha Zöller — speakers explored how technology, community, and micro-production can accelerate Europe’s creator-led manufacturing movement.
Hashtag: #xTool
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About xTool
xTool is a global leader in desktop laser cutters, engravers, and smart fabrication tools. Since 2020, xTool has empowered creators in over 62 countries, supported by 515 patents and 48 world-first innovations. xTool is transforming how people learn, create, and build—from classrooms to research labs, from garages to retail stores. Combining powerful technology with intuitive design, xTool makes advanced fabrication tools accessible to makers, educators, and entrepreneurs everywhere. Learn more at xTool.com.
** The press release content is from Media OutReach Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
xTool Launches “Make It Here” Initiative to Fuel a European Renaissance of Making
Reveals Four Breakthrough Benefits During Testing in Texture, Umami and Kokumi
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 19 May 2026 - Exotica Umami (EX M), the revolutionary multifunctional cooking sauce, has recently been adopted by acclaimed Hong Kong Chinese cuisine master Anthony Lai, a chef with over five decades of culinary experience. Through five distinctively contrasting dishes incorporating EX M from everyday stir-fries to the handling of premium ingredients, Master Lai showcases the sauce's unique capabilities and identifies four core breakthroughs, drawing significant attention across the industry.
Qing Dynasty Imperial Chef Descendant Anthony Lai Adopts Exotica Umami EX M Sauce A Legacy of Imperial Culinary Heritage: Five Decades at the Stove
Master Anthony Lai hails from a distinguished culinary lineage. His great-grandfather served as an imperial chef during the Guangxu reign of the Qing dynasty, passing down six precious imperial recipe manuscripts that have been transmitted through three generations to Master Lai today. Entering the trade at the age of 14 and rising to head chef by 23, he has held positions including Senior Instructor at the Chinese Culinary Institute, and Assessor for the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications. Specialising in Sichuan and classical Cantonese cuisine, Master Lai was recently bestowed with the prestigious "2025 Hong Kong Gastronomic Yearbook Lifetime Achievement Award" and named "2025 Hong Kong Culinary Intangible Heritage Ambassador" — dual honours.
In a video recipe collaboration, Master Lai has incorporated EX M into five dishes: EX M Wok-fried Chicken with Asparagus, EX M Chinese-style Beef Tenderloin, EX M Braised Lamb Brisket, EX M Fish Maw, and Soup Meat dipped with EX M sauce — spanning casual stir-fries, high-heat tender meat preparations, robust braises, and the elevation of premium ingredients with just dipping the sauce. The application demonstrates how this revolutionary sauce performs across the entire spectrum of ingredients, elevating each to new heights.
Drawing from these five dishes, Master Lai has identified four core breakthroughs of EX M:
1. Locks in Amino Acids and Replenishes Moisture for Juicy, Tender Meat
According to Chef Lai, loss of amino acids and moisture during cooking is the principal cause of flavour depletion. EX M penetrates meat fibres during marination, sealing in amino acids while replenishing moisture. EX M Braised Lamb Brisket offers the most compelling demonstration of this effect. Using only approximately 10% EX M in the braising liquid, with no need for elaborate spice blends, the brisket emerges enveloped in braised aromatics while retaining its own juices, with meat juices visibly releasing as each piece is lifted. "Traditional Cantonese braising demands a heavy hand with seasonings simply to mask gaminess, leaving diners tasting condiments rather than the lamb itself," Master Lai explains. "EX M does not overpower; it locks in the natural juices and allows the lamb's intrinsic sweetness to come through." The same principle applies to EX M Chinese-style Beef Tenderloin — under high-heat wok-frying, EX M seals in amino acids and moisture, preventing the beef from weeping liquid or turning tough; the cuts remain succulent, harmonising wok hei with the meat's natural flavour.
2. Naturally Relaxes Muscle Fibres for Tender Texture and Mouthfeel
While preparing EX M Wok-fried Chicken with Asparagus, Master Lai observed that chicken marinated with EX M required minimal chewing, with a texture that remained tender yet retained its bite. This quality distinguishes EX M from baking soda: while the latter can tenderise meat, it often produces a mushy, compromised texture accompanied by an unpleasant alkaline aftertaste. EX M, by contrast, relaxes muscle fibres naturally without compromising the meat's structural integrity and leaves no off-flavours behind, delivering a combination of benefits that conventional food aids cannot match. The same effect is plainly evident in EX M Chinese-style Beef Tenderloin, where the meat fibres relax without disintegrating, achieving a texture far superior to that produced by baking soda or traditional meat tenderisers.
3. Significantly Amplifies Flavour and Freshness
What sets EX M apart is its ability to magnify an ingredient's intrinsic character without overshadowing it. Master Lai describes it as a "flavour amplifier" that draws out the deep protein sweetness of meats — echoing the ancient imperial culinary philosophy of "harmony without conflict". This effect is most thoroughly demonstrated when using EX M to dip the remains of meats used to cook soup. In Hong Kong's deeply rooted soup-making culture, the simmered meat is too often discarded, or eaten only with soy sauce as a reluctant accompaniment. Master Lai terms this the "flavour gap": traditional soy sauce renders the meat sour and cloying, all weight without freshness. EX M instantly fills the flavour void left in the meat fibres, drawing forth deep protein sweetness and transforming what was humble leftover soup meat into a delicacy, with a clean savoury finish rising naturally from the palate.
4. Delivers a Lasting, Rich Kokumi Experience
Kokumi represents the highest aspiration of imperial culinary philosophy — a sensation that expands fully within the mouth and lingers long after swallowing. As Master Lai notes, imperial chefs have always pursued purity of taste, harmonious balance, and lasting depth — precisely what is now termed kokumi. Even with centuries of refined imperial technique, achieving this combination of full moisture, natural tenderness, vivid flavour, and longer lasting mouthfeel in everyday cooking has remained a formidable challenge. The effect of EX M is particularly striking when applied to fish maw: rather than added during the rehydration stage, EX M is introduced during the quick braising stage, where it helps to remove the fishy notes while infusing the gelatinous structure with rich, lasting umami.
Reflecting on his experience with EX M, Master Lai summarises: "EX M locks in amino acids and replenishes moisture, keeping meats juicy and tender; it helps to naturally relax muscle fibres for refined texture and mouthfeel; it dramatically amplifies flavour and freshness; and it delivers a lasting, rich kokumi experience. Across these five dishes, these four breakthroughs reveal themselves for most part. For chefs, incorporating EX M into the kitchen saves time while elevating every dish to a higher standard."
Sun Fook Kee Restaurant Launches the Imperial "EX M Lu Ming Banquet"
Master Lai also serves as culinary consultant to Sun Fook Kee Restaurant Yu Yuan (Causeway Bay), where he will introduce a signature Historical Qing Dynasty themed Imperial Mini-Manchu-Han "Lu Ming Banquet" built around EX M. The menu translates the sauce's textural and flavour advantages into a series of refined courses, inviting diners to experience first-hand the masterful fusion of imperial culinary heritage and "advanced culinary formula" through EX M.
The banquet comprises ten elegantly named courses, each evoking the refinement of the imperial table theme, with EX M threaded to elevate umami, kokumi, moisture retention, and textural quality in various dishes. The courses are as follows:
- EX M Stuffed Chicken Wings with Asparagus and Yunnan Ham
- EX M Pan-fried Scallops Stuffed with Hairy Gourd, topped with Crab Roe
- EX M Braised Fish Maw in Pumpkin Sauce
- EX M Braised Vegetarian Shark's Fin Soup
- EX M Steamed Star Garoupa with Chicken Oil and Huadiao Wine
- EX M Bamboo Pith with Seasonal Vegetables
- EX M Tri-coloured Fried Rice
- Osmanthus Cake in Empress Cixi style
- EX M Scallion Oil Noodles
- Snow Fungus and Lotus Seed Sweet Soup
HK$1,088 per person. Reservations open from 1 June 2026 at 2156 1688.
Video Series Launch: "EX M: Unlocking the 6th Sense — Imperial Heritage Taste of Umami and Kokumi"
Starting from 14 May 2026 and continuing over approximately one month, the official YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook channels of Exotica Umami EX M Sauce will progressively release a series of videos featuring recipe demonstrations and professional commentary across the five dishes of the collaboration.
Hashtag: #ExoticaUmami #exmsauce
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Exotica Umami (EX M)
Exotica Umami (EX M) is a multifunctional cooking sauce and flavour enhancer with deep, full-bodied umami richness — designed for marinating, seasoning, cooking, and finishing, helping chefs reach new culinary heights.
It was invented in Hong Kong by food visionary Dan Gan. Inspired by an ancient Roman recipe, it was developed and created in Hong Kong at Gan's Exotica Gelatea Restaurant.
It is available in Hong Kong via:
Instagram: @exmsauce
Online store: https://knt1tx-0y.myshopify.com/
info@exoticaconcepts.com
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 19 May 2026 - Exotica Umami (EX M), the revolutionary multifunctional cooking sauce, has recently been adopted by acclaimed Hong Kong Chinese cuisine master Anthony Lai, a chef with over five decades of culinary experience. Through five distinctively contrasting dishes incorporating EX M from everyday stir-fries to the handling of premium ingredients, Master Lai showcases the sauce's unique capabilities and identifies four core breakthroughs, drawing significant attention across the industry.
Qing Dynasty Imperial Chef Descendant Anthony Lai Adopts Exotica Umami EX M Sauce
A Legacy of Imperial Culinary Heritage: Five Decades at the Stove
Master Anthony Lai hails from a distinguished culinary lineage. His great-grandfather served as an imperial chef during the Guangxu reign of the Qing dynasty, passing down six precious imperial recipe manuscripts that have been transmitted through three generations to Master Lai today. Entering the trade at the age of 14 and rising to head chef by 23, he has held positions including Senior Instructor at the Chinese Culinary Institute, and Assessor for the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications. Specialising in Sichuan and classical Cantonese cuisine, Master Lai was recently bestowed with the prestigious "2025 Hong Kong Gastronomic Yearbook Lifetime Achievement Award" and named "2025 Hong Kong Culinary Intangible Heritage Ambassador" — dual honours.
In a video recipe collaboration, Master Lai has incorporated EX M into five dishes: EX M Wok-fried Chicken with Asparagus, EX M Chinese-style Beef Tenderloin, EX M Braised Lamb Brisket, EX M Fish Maw, and Soup Meat dipped with EX M sauce — spanning casual stir-fries, high-heat tender meat preparations, robust braises, and the elevation of premium ingredients with just dipping the sauce. The application demonstrates how this revolutionary sauce performs across the entire spectrum of ingredients, elevating each to new heights.
Drawing from these five dishes, Master Lai has identified four core breakthroughs of EX M:
1. Locks in Amino Acids and Replenishes Moisture for Juicy, Tender Meat
According to Chef Lai, loss of amino acids and moisture during cooking is the principal cause of flavour depletion. EX M penetrates meat fibres during marination, sealing in amino acids while replenishing moisture. EX M Braised Lamb Brisket offers the most compelling demonstration of this effect. Using only approximately 10% EX M in the braising liquid, with no need for elaborate spice blends, the brisket emerges enveloped in braised aromatics while retaining its own juices, with meat juices visibly releasing as each piece is lifted. "Traditional Cantonese braising demands a heavy hand with seasonings simply to mask gaminess, leaving diners tasting condiments rather than the lamb itself," Master Lai explains. "EX M does not overpower; it locks in the natural juices and allows the lamb's intrinsic sweetness to come through." The same principle applies to EX M Chinese-style Beef Tenderloin — under high-heat wok-frying, EX M seals in amino acids and moisture, preventing the beef from weeping liquid or turning tough; the cuts remain succulent, harmonising wok hei with the meat's natural flavour.
2. Naturally Relaxes Muscle Fibres for Tender Texture and Mouthfeel
While preparing EX M Wok-fried Chicken with Asparagus, Master Lai observed that chicken marinated with EX M required minimal chewing, with a texture that remained tender yet retained its bite. This quality distinguishes EX M from baking soda: while the latter can tenderise meat, it often produces a mushy, compromised texture accompanied by an unpleasant alkaline aftertaste. EX M, by contrast, relaxes muscle fibres naturally without compromising the meat's structural integrity and leaves no off-flavours behind, delivering a combination of benefits that conventional food aids cannot match. The same effect is plainly evident in EX M Chinese-style Beef Tenderloin, where the meat fibres relax without disintegrating, achieving a texture far superior to that produced by baking soda or traditional meat tenderisers.
3. Significantly Amplifies Flavour and Freshness
What sets EX M apart is its ability to magnify an ingredient's intrinsic character without overshadowing it. Master Lai describes it as a "flavour amplifier" that draws out the deep protein sweetness of meats — echoing the ancient imperial culinary philosophy of "harmony without conflict". This effect is most thoroughly demonstrated when using EX M to dip the remains of meats used to cook soup. In Hong Kong's deeply rooted soup-making culture, the simmered meat is too often discarded, or eaten only with soy sauce as a reluctant accompaniment. Master Lai terms this the "flavour gap": traditional soy sauce renders the meat sour and cloying, all weight without freshness. EX M instantly fills the flavour void left in the meat fibres, drawing forth deep protein sweetness and transforming what was humble leftover soup meat into a delicacy, with a clean savoury finish rising naturally from the palate.
4. Delivers a Lasting, Rich Kokumi Experience
Kokumi represents the highest aspiration of imperial culinary philosophy — a sensation that expands fully within the mouth and lingers long after swallowing. As Master Lai notes, imperial chefs have always pursued purity of taste, harmonious balance, and lasting depth — precisely what is now termed kokumi. Even with centuries of refined imperial technique, achieving this combination of full moisture, natural tenderness, vivid flavour, and longer lasting mouthfeel in everyday cooking has remained a formidable challenge. The effect of EX M is particularly striking when applied to fish maw: rather than added during the rehydration stage, EX M is introduced during the quick braising stage, where it helps to remove the fishy notes while infusing the gelatinous structure with rich, lasting umami.
Reflecting on his experience with EX M, Master Lai summarises: "EX M locks in amino acids and replenishes moisture, keeping meats juicy and tender; it helps to naturally relax muscle fibres for refined texture and mouthfeel; it dramatically amplifies flavour and freshness; and it delivers a lasting, rich kokumi experience. Across these five dishes, these four breakthroughs reveal themselves for most part. For chefs, incorporating EX M into the kitchen saves time while elevating every dish to a higher standard."
Sun Fook Kee Restaurant Launches the Imperial "EX M Lu Ming Banquet"
Master Lai also serves as culinary consultant to Sun Fook Kee Restaurant Yu Yuan (Causeway Bay), where he will introduce a signature Historical Qing Dynasty themed Imperial Mini-Manchu-Han "Lu Ming Banquet" built around EX M. The menu translates the sauce's textural and flavour advantages into a series of refined courses, inviting diners to experience first-hand the masterful fusion of imperial culinary heritage and "advanced culinary formula" through EX M.
The banquet comprises ten elegantly named courses, each evoking the refinement of the imperial table theme, with EX M threaded to elevate umami, kokumi, moisture retention, and textural quality in various dishes. The courses are as follows:
- EX M Stuffed Chicken Wings with Asparagus and Yunnan Ham
- EX M Pan-fried Scallops Stuffed with Hairy Gourd, topped with Crab Roe
- EX M Braised Fish Maw in Pumpkin Sauce
- EX M Braised Vegetarian Shark's Fin Soup
- EX M Steamed Star Garoupa with Chicken Oil and Huadiao Wine
- EX M Bamboo Pith with Seasonal Vegetables
- EX M Tri-coloured Fried Rice
- Osmanthus Cake in Empress Cixi style
- EX M Scallion Oil Noodles
- Snow Fungus and Lotus Seed Sweet Soup
HK$1,088 per person. Reservations open from 1 June 2026 at 2156 1688.
Video Series Launch: "EX M: Unlocking the 6th Sense — Imperial Heritage Taste of Umami and Kokumi"
Starting from 14 May 2026 and continuing over approximately one month, the official YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook channels of Exotica Umami EX M Sauce will progressively release a series of videos featuring recipe demonstrations and professional commentary across the five dishes of the collaboration.
Hashtag: #ExoticaUmami #exmsauce
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Exotica Umami (EX M)
Exotica Umami (EX M) is a multifunctional cooking sauce and flavour enhancer with deep, full-bodied umami richness — designed for marinating, seasoning, cooking, and finishing, helping chefs reach new culinary heights.
It was invented in Hong Kong by food visionary Dan Gan. Inspired by an ancient Roman recipe, it was developed and created in Hong Kong at Gan's Exotica Gelatea Restaurant.
It is available in Hong Kong via:
Instagram: @exmsauce
Online store: https://knt1tx-0y.myshopify.com/
info@exoticaconcepts.com
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