November 2009 - Oser Communications Group
Transcription
November 2009 - Oser Communications Group
& K ITCHENWARE NEWS H o u s e w, a r e s R e v i e w S E R V I N G K I T C H E N WA R E VOLUME 15, NUMBER 11 H O U S E WA R E S A N D TA B L E T O P M A R K E T S NOVEMBER 2009 Consumer Education Fuels Pressure Cooker Sales by Ellen Ranta, Associate Editor Interest in pressure-cooking is increasing in this down economy as consumers look to make more out of less and save some time and energy in the process, manufacturers say. “With the current state of the economy, people are looking to make more out of less whether it be taking an inexpensive cut of meat and transforming it into a tender delicious dinner, or perhaps those who are interested in making healthful meals filled with whole grains and beans in a fraction of the time with little to no pre-soaking involved,” said Jennifer Park, marketing communications manager for Fagor America Inc., manufacturer of pressure cookers and other small electrics. In September, Fagor forged a relationship with retailer Crate and Barrel for a roll-out of the Fagor Duo Pressure Cooker on Crate and Barrel’s Web site and nationwide retail stores, marking a new level of accessibility for an appliance that has earned a slightly negative reputation in the past. Continued on Page 20 Young Chefs Head to the Family Kitchen by Karen Martin, Managing Editor Retailers looking for new markets may need to think small…and young. Whether it’s Paula Deen promoting her new cookbook, Paula Deen's Cookbook for the Lunch-Box Set, or manufacturers developing tools specifically for small hands, vendors are creating kitchen products for the newest chefs in the kitchen—kids. Broadway Panhandler, a New York City-based kitchenware retailer, recognized the opportunity of catering to kids in the kitchen years ago. “Basically, we’ve had a kids’ department for around five to seven years,” said Heather Lamster, director of marketing for Broadway Panhandler. “Originally it was more play kind of stuff, but now manufacturers are really paying attention to developing tools for kids,” she added. When the kids’ section was first formed, the store offered products that centered around making lunch fun. They offered items such as melamine dishes, lunch boxes and thermoses. Now that the manufacturers are catching on to the kids market, the store carries tools that are specifically designed for small hands. Continued on Page 22 w w w . k i t c h e n w a r e n e w s . c o m 2 | Kitchenware News & Housewares Review • NOVEMBER 2009 s h o r t s King Arthur Flour Receives A+ in ‘The Better World Shopping Guide’ Norwich, Vt. – King Arthur Flour is the only Baking Goods & Baking Supplies company ranked with an A+ in The Better World Shopping Guide. King Arthur Flour is noted in the guide as a “Corporate Hero” for being employeeowned, and receiving honors such as a Business Ethics award and Better Business Bureau Torch Award. The guide, written by Ellis Jones and published by New Society Publishers, considers companies’ records on human rights, the environment, animal protection, community involvement and social justice in creating the rankings. The rankings are based on more than 20 years worth of research provided by 35 nonprofit resources, including the Better Business Bureau, Business Ethics, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Greenpeace and more. Companies in 75 categories are ranked in the guide, ranging from airlines to condiments to gasoline and wine. Fewer than 45 companies in the guide received A+ rankings. Other A+ companies include Seventh Generation, Patagonia, Equal Exchange, Aveda and Preserve. More information about The Better World Shopping Guide is available at betterworldshopper.org. HIC and Mrs. Anderson Expand Baking Line Lakewood, N.J. – Harold Import Company (HIC) and Mrs. Anderson expand their successful baking relationship with the addition of a line of sprinkles, sugars and nonpareils designed for any occasion. The colorful collection is a natural extension to the Mrs. Anderson’s line, which has proven its success as a source of essential tools for the baker, including the Mrs. Anderson’s Pie Shield. will be expanded in the marketplace, giving consumers more opportunities to purchase the brand. The new baking items will be distributed by KNK. “We’re very excited to have expanded the reach of the Mrs. Anderson’s brand, which is known for its high quality and sharp price points,” explained Robert Laub, president of Harold Import Company. “The introduction of this new line of colorful and versatile line of decorating sugars, sprinkles and nonpareils continues to reinforce the well-known brand, while providing consumers with a broader range of products under the Mrs. Anderson’s name.” On August 1, 2009, HIC granted KNK, Inc. of Mayopack, N.Y., the producer of the sprinkles, sugars and nonpareils, the use of the Mrs. Anderson’s brand. Through this partnership, the availability of the Mrs. Anderson’s brand of baking products One of the leading brands in the specialty marketplace, Mrs. Anderson’s Pie Shield has sold over 20 million pieces over the last ten years, and is branded under the HIC Brands That Cook line. The new addition to the HIC line of products further builds the Mrs. Anderson’s baking brand, which helps home bakers achieve professional-quality results. Whether it is from scratch or from a mix, the HIC baking and canning category includes hundreds of tools that are integral to creating and preserving the best foods. For more information, contact HIC at 800526-2163 or visit www.haroldskitchen.com. on the cover a THE HANNON GROUP Todco Advanced Ceramics Knife [tel] 888-282-0797 www.hannongroup.com b LAMSON LamsonSharp Silver Forged Cutlery [tel] 800-872-6564 www.lamsonsharp.com c VICTORINOX 7” Granton Edge Stamped Santoku [tel] 800-243-4045 www.swissarmy.com d ERGO CHEF Guy Fieri Knuckle Sandwich Knife [tel] 877-796-0884 www.ergochef.com e MESSERMEISTER Stealth Chef’s Knife [tel] 800-426-5134 www.messermeister.com f KYOCERA Classic Series 6-Inch Chef’s Knife [tel] 714-428-3710 www.kyoceraadvancedceramics.com g SOLICUT Resolute Utility Knife [tel] 877-469-0204 www.solicut.com a b c d e f g CONTENTS INSIDE THIS ISSUE... NEWS ON 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 CUTLERY & CUTTING BOARDS 12 ADVERTISER INDEX . . . . . . . . 22 TO MARKET . . . . . . . . . 21 & 23 CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Kitchenware News & Housewares Review • NOVEMBER 2009 | 3 news on 4 HIC—Harold Import Company announced that Anne Galvanek has joined the HIC team as their new product development coordinator. Galvanek previously worked in the merchandising department at Macy’s (NYC) and more recently with specialty store chain Le Gourmet Chef (Shrewsbury, N.J.). Galvanek will work with HIC’s existing vendor base to bring new products to the specialty marketplace as well as help further develop HIC’s own group of proprietary brands. For more information, contact: HIC—Harold Import Company Inc., at 800-526-2163, www.haroldimport.com. Sarah Goodwin joined The Companion Group as communications manager for the organization. Goodwin will direct all aspects of the company’s strategic communications plan, including a social media marketing program. In addition to her B.A. in French Literature from Indiana University, Goodwin earned an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science from the Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago, a Cordon Bleu of North America school. Goodwin spent several years working in the food marketing industry before taking time to raise her family. Goodwin resides in Oakland, Calif. with her husband and two young sons. Headquartered in the Bay Area since 1984, The Companion Group develops and markets an array of brands in the outdoor living category, including Charcoal Companion®, Steven Raichlen Best of Barbecue™ and Patio Companion®. For more information, visit www.companion-group.com. Chef Jennifer Epker Dawes has joined Hearthware Home Products in the newly created position of executive chef. She reports to Gene H. Kim, vice president, and Jay S. Moon, president. Dawes’ responsibilities will include testing and developing recipes for the NuWave Pro Infrared Oven, the company’s popular countertop oven that combines far infrared, conduction and convection heat to accelerate the cooking process. She will also appear in online instructional video segments that demonstrate recipes using the oven. Dawes, a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, has worked in the culinary industry for 22 years. She has spent the majority of her career as the head chef at the Plimsol Club at the World Trade Center in New Orleans, and as the executive chef at the Pound Sterling Club in the French Quarter. Prior to joining Hearthware, Dawes was a caterer and taught local cooking classes in Chicago. She has been featured in Indianapolis Monthly as a rising culinary star, and has appeared on a PBS cooking segment. She has cooked for Paul Newman, Tom Cruise, Mimi Rogers, Alex Haley, Sam Donaldson, Larry King and Diane Sawyer. For more information, visit www.hearthware.com. Verilux®, a leader in healthy lighting products announced the appointment of Jim Carr to vice president of sales. In this newly formed position, Carr will oversee the company’s growing organization of sales representatives and report to the company’s president, Nicholas Harmon. “We’re excited to welcome Jim on board our growing team of seasoned and talented sales and marketing staff,” said Harmon. “Jim’s sales expertise and strong relationships with national chain and mass merchant retailers will be instrumental in helping us continue to grow our business.” Prior to joining Verilux, Carr was the national accounts manager at Philips, where he achieved extensive new distribution for multiple product categories. In addition to his five-year tenure at Philips, Carr’s 16-year sales background includes positions with Lexmark and Power Sentry. “We’re confident that Jim’s sales leadership will not only rapidly increase our brand’s channels of distribution, but also focus retailers’ and consumers’ attention to this burgeoning category of lifestyle products offering enhanced health and wellness through the power of light,” said Harmon. For further information about Verilux, please visit www.verilux.com or call tollfree 800-454-4408. IKEA has earned its first ever Good Housekeeping Seal on select kitchen products, including the Framtid range, Nutid refrigerator and Renlig dishwasher. The Seal is earned by select products that have undergone evaluations by the scientists and engineers at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute (GHRI). IKEA will also join the GHRI on Tour (www.ghriontour.com)—an interactive, traveling exhibit of the Research Institute that began on Sept. 26, 2009 in Tampa, Fla., to celebrate the 100th birthday of the Seal. GHRI on Tour presented by IKEA will stop in 11 cities across the United States and provide visitors hands-on access to a fully constructed IKEA kitchen to view products that received the prestigious Seal. “Now more than ever, the Good Housekeeping Seal delivers an invaluable service to consumers,” said Miriam Arond, director of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute. “The three IKEA products earned the seal because they perform as promised—and now the IKEA products, as with all seal products, carry a limited two year warranty from Good Housekeeping: if the product is defective 4 | within two years of purchase, we replace the item or refund the consumer.” San Francisco-based Formation Brands LLC announced the acquisition of Clay Art, a 30-year-old producer of distinctive, hand-painted ceramic tabletop and novelty gift products. Formation, a longtime private label supplier to major merchants, has carved its own singular niche over the past several years with the Slant Collections, a contemporary glassware and tabletop line and the Stir product family of interactive mugs and accessories. “We’re extremely pleased to welcome Clay Art into the fold. It’s just a tremendous brand with a wellestablished history of bringing unique and creative product to market,” said Mark Shepherd, CEO, Formation Brands. “It was really a perfect fit. There’s a huge amount of synergy between the companies and our mutual desire to really push the envelope in terms of innovative technique and design.” Expect a fresher, funkier Clay Art this fall, said Leslie Miller, executive vice president of sales. “Our objective with Clay Art, as with all our products, is to really capture our customers’ imaginations,” said Miller. “You’re going to see that philosophy and aesthetic represented through brighter, more colorful, more engaging tabletop and accessory items.” Key individuals from Clay Art, including Karen Funkhouser, vice president of sales, will transition to the Formation team. Customers will be able to order and re-order products from Clay Art, Slant and Stir directly from the brands’ new wholesale Web sites, accessible through the main sites. Contact www.clayart.net or 800-252-9555 for more information. Artland, Inc. execuive vice president William Flaherty announced that Chet Mattia will be joining the Artland management team in the newly created position of vice president of sales and marketing. Flaherty said Mattia is an industry veteran with over 20 years of tabletop experience, possessing an impressive resume that includes retail experience as a senior crystal buyer and merchandise manager for Federated, followed by a regional sales manager position at Mikasa. After Mikasa, Mattia added to his reputation in the industry with positions ar Block China & Crystal, where he served as senior vice president of marketing and product development. Following his successful stint at Block, Mattia worked on the manufacturing side with St. George Crystal as vice president of marketing and product development. Most recently, he worked with the SJM Home Group with responsibility for marketing, product development and brand positioning. Mattia commented on his new role at Artland by saying, "I am very excited about the opportunity to become part of the Artland team. Even with consideration of the current economic malaise the industry has been enduring, Artland has been steady and strong, and I believe is uniquely positioned for growth in both sales volume and market penetration. My role will be to help maintain the current successful path as well as exploit several new initiatives." Kitchenware News & Housewares Review • NOVEMBER 2009 From the Publisher & KITCHENWARE NEWS New product innovation helps retailers create excitement in stores and make a stronger story to entice consumers into opening their wallets. Housewares Review w w w. k i t c h e n w a r e n e w s . c o m PUBLISHER Karen Taylor karen_t@oser.com [tel] (323) 397-9507 MANAGING EDITOR Karen D. Martin kdmartin@kitchenwarenews.com [tel] (207) 775-2372 ASSOCIATE EDITORS JoEllen Lowry joellen_l@oser.com Ellen Ranta ellen_r@oser.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Valerie Wilson val_w@oser.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER Yasmine Brown art@oser.com SUBSCRIBER SERVICES 1877 N. Kolb Road Tucson, Arizona 85715 [tel] (520) 721-1300 [fax] (520) 721-6300 KITCHENWARE/HOUSEWARES ADVERTISING SENIOR ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Kate Seymour ADVERTISING SALES One relatively brand new company I spoke with recently launched a design-driven product line featuring housewares and home accessories that have cutting edge designs. Their positioning statement is to create functional, well made products with humor, using green materials and fresh designs. Now this is a concept that retailers can sink their teeth into and is a great story for consumers, who need a compelling reason to spend right now. The National Retail Federation has predicted that holiday sales are expected to decline only one percent this year. The good news is that this drop is not as drastic as last year’s 3.4 percent drop in holiday sales. While consumers are still uncertain about the overall economy, and as the job market continues to contract, it’s expected that they will shop on a budget and gift more practical items. That’s good news for the kitchenware and tabletop industry. So as manufacturers provide more product innovation to retailers in our industry, consumers will have great pricing and design options during this challenging holiday season. kate_s@oser.com [tel] (520) 721-1300 MID-ATLANTIC REGION As we go to press for this issue, the International Housewares Association is holding a press preview called Affordable Innovation, featuring over 20 companies launching new and exciting products that are design-driven and affordable. The products appeal to consumers with high-end taste and K a r e n Ta y l o r curtailed budgets. Companies that fearlessly step out during an economic downturn with new products, marketing and advertising win on many levels. They can gain greater market share as other manufacturers pull-back in these areas, build greater brand awareness and equity with consumers and retailers and do it all for less money. These companies are also in a stronger position as the economy rebounds by stepping out while other companies retreat. Karen Taylor, Publisher karen_t@oser.com Bonnie Nelson bnelson@gourmetnews.com [tel] (914) 478-4408 From the Editor Kitchenware News & Housewares Review is a publication of ELM Communications, a division of Oser Communications Group, Inc. 1877 N. Kolb Road Tucson, AZ 85715 www.oser.com PRESIDENT I doubt anyone is surprised by the Retail Forward forecast for the 2009 holiday season (released Sept. 22). The forecast predicts a goose egg for holiday sales growth between 2008 and 2009. That’s right – 0.0 percent. Two weeks later, the National Retail Federation released a forecast that sales will decline one percent for the holiday season. Lee M. Oser Periodicals postage paid at Tucson, AZ and additional mailing office. Kitchenware News & Housewares Review (USPS012-625) is published 12 times per year (Jan., Feb., March, April, May, June, July, Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov. and Dec.) by Oser Communications Group, 1877 N. Kolb Road, Tucson, AZ, 85715 (520) 721-1300. Publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material or prices quoted in newspaper. Contributors are responsible for proper release of proprietary classified information. ©2009 by Oser Communications Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or in part, without written permission of the publisher, is expressly prohibited. Back issues, when available, cost $8 each within the past 12 months. Back issue orders must be paid in advance by check. Kitchenware News & Housewares Review is distributed without charge in North America to qualified professionals in the retail and distribution channels of the upscale kitchenware and tabletop trade. For subscriber services, including subscription information, call (520) 721-1300. Printed in the USA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Kitchenware News & Housewares Review, 1877 N. Kolb Road, Tucson, AZ 85715. Karen Martin If you’re an optimist, we can certainly say that this forecast is a vast improvement over last year, where sales declined 4.5 percent during the fourth quarter. If you’re a pessimist, you look at the actual numbers and say “we are still 4.5 percent lower than 2007.” Retail Forward went with the headline “Holiday 2009—Second Worst in 42 Years.” The senior economist for Retail Forward Frank Badillo tried to soften the blow by saying that growing consumer confidence was growing and sales will start to strengthen “quarter by quarter” in 2010. Unfortunately he then told us that specific retail channels such as homegoods will continue to decline. Forecasts are always useful tools, but they never tell the individual stories. Put the forecast in the context of your own business. What are you going to do differently? How are you going to beat the odds? What’s different about your store that a general forecast can’t possibly know? Let’s try to prove the forecast wrong. Believe me, Retail Forward would love to be wrong about their forecast—as long as we prove them wrong by posting better, not worse sales numbers. Karen Martin, Editor kdmartin@kitchenwarenews.com Kitchenware News & Housewares Review • NOVEMBER 2009 | 5 h e a d l i n e s Regal Ware Production Segment Aired on Discovery Channel Kewaskum, Wis. – Production of Regal Ware’s Kitchen Fair® brand cookware was featured Friday, Oct. 2 on the Discovery Channel’s new show, “Factory Made.” In June of this year the Discovery Channel crew spent a full day filming the start-tofinish production of Kitchen Fair cast aluminum cookware at Regal Ware’s Kewaskum, Wis. facility. Independent distributors sell the Kitchen Fair line direct to the consumer via in-home sales. One of the segments of filming focused on the foundry where aluminum bars are melted in preparation for the casting process. Jeff Reigle, president and CEO of Regal Ware said, “We take a great deal of pride in making these products in the USA, and are pleased that more people will know about Regal Ware and our quality Kitchen Fair line as a result of this Discovery Channel program.” The Discovery Channel crew spent a second day in June taping the steps involved to manufacture American Kitchen™ stainless steel cookware, a new retail line introduced by Regal Ware. The American Kitchen cookware line is manufactured in the company’s West Bend, Wis. manufacturing plant. That segment will be scheduled to air on the Discovery Channel later this season. About Regal Ware Worldwide Headquartered in Kewaskum, Wis., Regal Ware Worldwide is a leading manufacturer of high quality stainless steel cookware in the United States. Regal Ware’s product offerings include stainless steel cookware and cast aluminum cookware available through both the direct selling and retail sales channels and drinking water treatment systems for the home. Regal Ware products are made in the USA at manufacturing facilities located in West Bend and Kewaskum, Wis. For more information on Regal Ware, visit www.regalware.com. ® Circulon Unveils New 25th Anniversary Ad Campaign Vallejo, Calif. – In celebrating the brand’s 25th anniversary, which officially begins this January, Circulon® announces the roll-out of a new national print advertising campaign that celebrates the cookware’s historic “firsts.” The new campaign, which will begin appearing in several popular lifestyle magazines in December, follows closely at the heels of the October retail launch of Circulon Contempo™, a new hard-anodized nonstick collection with modern styling and solution-based features. (See p. 11 for more information on Circulon Contempo™) “We’re excited to reach this important milestone for Circulon, our first cookware brand, and one that remains a gold standard in hard-anodized nonstick cookware,” says Suzanne Murphy, Vice President of Marketing at Meyer Corporation, U.S. “Our ad campaign serves as a refresher on why Circulon has been so successful and long-standing. Additionally, the launch of the ad campaign will help spark consumer demand for our newest and accessibly priced Circulon Contempo cookware collection.” Designed as a high-impact four-page insert, Circulon’s new “first” ad campaign immediately sets the tone by re-stating the definition of the word “first” – that which precedes all others in time, order or importance. Subsequent pages recount the history of Circulon “firsts,” culminating with a “call to action” in the last page. Featuring the induction-friendly Infinite Circulon 3-Quart Saute Pan on top of the Infinite Circulon Portable Induction Burner, the final page invites readers to participate in the brand’s anniversary celebration by visiting Circulon’s Web site for a special promotional offer, along with further information, such as delicious recipes, healthy hints, gift ideas and cooking tips. Spanning 12 months—from December 2009 through December 2010—the multimillion dollar ad campaign targets key epicurean, bridal, home design and women’s lifestyle magazines, including: Bon Appetit, Cooking Light, Brides, Modern Bride, Architectural Digest, Self and Good Housekeeping. The campaign, which will spotlight all Circulon cookware collections, including Contempo, Espree, Elite and Infinite, will generate more than 45 million consumer impressions. About Circulon One of the world’s leading brands of hardanodized nonstick cookware, Circulon was introduced in 1985 as the first hard-anodized nonstick cookware. The growing line includes the following collections: Infinite Circulon and Circulon Elite. Widely available at major department and specialty stores nationwide, Circulon is offered by Vallejo, California-based Meyer Corporation U.S. In addition to Circulon, brands sold by Meyer Corporation U.S. include Anolon®, Farberware®, KitchenAid®, Rachael Ray,® Paula Deen® and SilverStone®. CAROLYN’S KITCHEN HOLIDAY APRONS Carolyn’s Kitchen carries aprons, dish gloves and matching garters, available in a variety of styles and colors inspired by fashion from the 1940s and ’50s. The vintage-inspired holiday aprons make great gifts. The apron is carefully constructed with 100 percent cotton fabric and made in Los Angeles. Suggested Retail Price: $39.95 each Carolyn’s Kitchen [tel] 310-387-8964 carolynskitchenonline@gmail.com www.carolynskitchenonline.com 6 | Kitchenware News & Housewares Review • NOVEMBER 2009 h e a d l i n e s Specialty Stores Host Festa Vietri North Carolina – Over 200 top specialty stores across the U.S. are having a Festa Vietri event on Saturday, Nov. 7 to celebrate the wholesaler of handcrafted Italian products. Vietri has provided national ads, email blasts and postcards mailed to stores’ customers, plus extensive Web, blog, YouTube and Twitter marketing. Festa Vietri stores are featured on Vietri’s Web site. Plus, the company provided posters, Italian recipes, gifts-with-purchase and a special Italian gift, signed by Vietri founders, for a winner at each store on Nov. 7. “Our Vietri collectors will see new holiday and gift collections and celebrate with other fans all over the country,” said Lauren Teal of My Favorite Things in Tallahassee, Fla. “Vietri events are always a success for us,” she added. “I’ve loved the online and social marketing of Festa Vietri,” said Carey Pearlman of Salutations Home in Pasadena, Calif. “We expect new customers as well as regulars, so I’m planning an Italian feast of displays and foods,” added Pearlman, a Vietri traveler to Italy in 2008 on the Sea Cloud. Vietri founders, Susan and Frances Gravely, shared four favorite Italian recipes which are printed on Festa Vietri cards for all shoppers in stores across the country on Nov. 7. “We personally invited our customers and consumers, signed every special give-away for each Festa Vietri store and are going to be at top stores in North Carolina and Colorado on the big day,” said Frances Gravely. “It’s an Italian party for Vietri friends and family in wonderful stores! We’re thrilled with the participation this first year.” Festa Vietri is the fourth prong of the company’s program to help stores increase sales in this challenging economic year with risk-free inventory, extended terms and company-supported events. The “Vietri Stimulus Package” gave retailers extended dating and the opportunity to return half their purchases within a set time period. The Bellezza Bonus program allowed stores to purchase Bellezza, Vietri’s top-selling bridal collection, with guaranteed success or stores could return the product with zero fees. Vietri’s Event Program has supported store events throughout 2009, with company founders, executives and Italian artisans, visiting hundreds of stores. “As America’s largest importer of handcrafted Italian tabletop, home and garden products to beautiful stores, we’ve got a lot to celebrate at Festa Vietri,” said founder Gravely. TASSIMO HOT BEVERAGE SYSTEMS Backed by the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval, the Tassimo Hot Beverage Systems by Bosch guarantee first-cup freshness every time, no matter what was brewed in the units previously. The Tassimo systems offer a choice of coffee, real milk cappuccino and latte, espresso, crema, tea and hot chocolate. Tassimo uses T DISC technology to deliver a perfect first-cup experience in less than 60 seconds. Twelve distinctive beverage brands, including Gevalia, Maxwell House, Suchard, Mastro Lorenzo, Twining’s®, Kenco, Jacob’s, TAZO®, Nabob, Carte Noire Seattle’s Best Coffee® and four distinctive Starbucks® premium brand coffee varieties are now available for use with Tassimo. Through patented technology developed and designed by Kraft Foods, the Tassimo brewer scans the special bar code printed on each T DISC and signals to the machine the optimal amount of water and temperature required to make the perfect cup every time. Bosch’s efficient flow-through water heater ensures virtually no pre-heat time and just a brief pause between uses. Suggested Retail Price: $129.99-$199.99 Tassimo by Bosch [tel] 877-TDISKS1 www.tassimodirect.com 7 h e a d l i n e s CleanWave Sanitizing Wands Reported to Kill H1N1 and MRSA Viruses on Surfaces, According to Independent Lab Waitsfield, Vt. – Independent testing at ATS Labs, a nationally recognized antimicrobial testing laboratory, confirms Verilux CleanWave Sanitizing Wands effectively eliminate H1N1 and MRSA viruses on surfaces. During testing, MRSA and H1N1 culture organisms were exposed to the CleanWave sanitizing light for one second at a distance of 22mm (0.86 inches) and showed a 99.99 percent reduction in MRSA and a 98.7 percent reduction of H1N1 virus. The H1N1 culture organism showed an additional reduction of 99.98 percent after a five second exposure. Verilux has been in development of the CleanWave sanitizing system since 2006. CleanWave Sanitizing Wands use chemical-free UV-C light to eliminate up to 99.99 percent of viruses, bacteria and dust mite and flea eggs on otherwise difficult-to-sanitize surfaces. “UV-C light technology is a proven and powerful means of eliminating biological contaminants,” said Nicholas Harmon, president of Verilux Inc. “We’ve taken a highly efficient technology that’s been used for over 30 years in hospitals, food processing facilities and water treatment plants and adapted it for easy and safe use by consumers.” Chemical-free, odorless UV-C light penetrates the membranes of biological pollutants and disrupts their reproductive capabilities. Used properly, the Verilux CleanWave Sanitizing Wands eliminates bacteria, viruses, dust mite and flea eggs and other organisms on surfaces, without the use of cleansers and disinfectants. “Our sanitizing wands eradicate harmful organisms without relying on potentially irritating cleansers and disinfectants, which is a boon to anyone who suffers from chemical sensitivities, allergies and asthma,” said Harmon. “They also make it possible to sanitize hard to clean and delicate items that could be damaged with sprays and traditional chemical cleaners, such as electronics and computer equipment, mattresses, upholstered furniture, light switches, phones, soft toys, pacifiers and more.” Verilux Series of CleanWave Sanitizing Wands Four different CleanWave Sanitizing Wands are available for use at home, in the office and on the road. The CleanWave UV-C Sanitizing Wand (model VH01) is the most powerful version, ideal for tackling drapes, upholstery, mattresses and bedding. The wand sanitizes a single size mattress in as little as six minutes, and telephones and cell phones in a few seconds. Slim and lightweight, the rechargeable, cordless wand measures 20.75 inches high by 2.5 inches wide and weighs just 1.5 pounds. Comfortable to use, one end of the wand is tapered and features a grooved design to ensure a secure and comfortable grip. Key features include a long-life UV-C bulb (replacement bulbs are available for purchase), an easy to read LCD panel time indicator, and a built-in safety switch that automatically shuts off the UV-C light if the device is turned upward to protect eyes from exposure. The suggested retail price is $89.95. The CleanWave UV-C Sanitizing Light Wand (model VH11) sports a cylindrical shape that’s easy to grasp and hold. This rechargeable, cord-free wand comes with a portable charging stand, a built-in timer and a built-in safety switch. Lightweight and easy to operate, it is 22 inches high by 1.125 inches wide and weighs 1.2 pounds. The CleanWave UV-C Sanitizing Light Wand is priced at $99.95 suggested retail. The third wand in the series is the batterypowered CleanWave UV-C Sanitizing Travel Wand (model VH03). This wand is intended for areas such as pull-out trays and headrests on planes and trains, hotel and motel blankets, telephones, doorknobs, remote controls and drawers. Designed with a built-in safety switch, the compact wand, which easily fits inside carry-on luggage, measures 10.39 inches high by 1.5 inches wide and weighs less than half a pound (.3 lbs). The CleanWave UV-C Sanitizing Travel Wand has a suggested retail price of $59.95. As its name implies, the CleanWave UV-C Sanitizing Pocket Wand (model VH12) – can be slipped inside a pocket, purse or briefcase. This feather-light wand—weighing only 0.19 pounds—folds in half for easy transport and space-saving storage. Folded, the wand’s measurements are 4.5 inches high by 1.625 inches wide. Unfolded, the 8-inch wand can be used to discreetly eliminate surface bacteria and viruses on shopping cart handles, computer mouse and keyboards, baby changing stations and public restroom facilities. The cordless, rechargeable wand has a built-in safety switch and also features a convenient built-in flashlight. The suggested retail price is $69.95. For further information about the Verilux CleanWave Sanitizing Wands, please visit www.verilux.com or call toll-free at 800-454-4408. About Verilux Founded in 1956, Verilux Inc., the “Healthy Lighting Company,” designs and manufactures environmentally friendly lifestyle products utilizing Natural Spectrum® lighting technology. Best-selling products include the expanding Verilux HappyLight® series for light therapy and the Verilux CleanWave UVC Sanitizing Wands and Toothbrush Sanitizer for chemical-free sanitizing from harmful bacteria and viruses. The name Verilux is Latin and means “true light.” including Lotus-Nenuphar, Lime Zest & Cypress and Winter Berries. Each refill lasts approximately six to eight weeks. FRUITS & PASSION’S ELECTRIC DIFFUSER Fruits & Passion introduces an easy-touse, refillable electric plug-in Fine Fragrance Diffuser. The Fine Fragrance Diffuser plugs into an ordinary electrical outlet and gently warms the desired fragrance, gradually releasing its aroma without overpowering. Diffusers are available in three fragrances 8 | The fragrances contain no DE/DEH phthalate, no alcohol, no formaldehyde and no benzene in the formula. The product design uses recyclable glass and recyclable moulded plastic. The outer packaging is printed on FSC certified cardboard with plant-based inks. Fruits & Passion does not test on animals. Suggested Retail Price: $18, Refills-$10 Fruits & Passion [tel] 800-276-9952 [email] info@fruits-passion.com www.fruits-passion.com Kitchenware News & Housewares Review • NOVEMBER 2009 Kitchenware News & Housewares Review • NOVEMBER 2009 | 9 h e a d l i n e s New Members and Officers Elected to IHA Board Rosemont, Ill. –– Four new directors have been elected to the board of directors of the International Housewares Association (IHA), the full-service trade association for the housewares industry. In addition, the Association has elected its first international chairman—Robert L. Trudeau of Canada. The new directors are Evan M. Dash, CEO, Dash Holdings Group LLC; Kenneth D. Lefever, president, Wilton Armetale; Michael L. Magerman, president/CEO, Quickie Mfg. Corp. and Joseph T. Mallof, president/CEO, World Kitchen LLC. They were elected to three-year terms that began on Oct. 1 and expire Sept. 30, 2012. Newly-elected board officers are: Chairman—Robert L. Trudeau, chairman, Trudeau Corporation; Vice Chairman/Chairman Elect—Bruce Kaminstein, CEO, Casabella Holdings LLC.; and Treasurer—Barry D. Harper, president/CEO, Harper Brush Works Inc. All officers serve one-year terms from Oct. 1, 2009 to Sept. 30, 2010. Retiring from the board is Peter B. Cameron, CEO of Lenox Inc. Re-elected to a second three-year term were Marty Armstrong, senior vice president, sales & marketing, Master Brands HK Ltd.; Richard L. Boynton, Jr., president/CEO, Jura Capresso Inc.; Marc J. Navarre, president/CEO, Groupe SEB North America, and William (Bill) Reibl, president/CEO, Progressive International Corp. Dash has nearly a decade of experience in the housewares industry, as both a retailer and a supplier. He was senior vice president & GMM of the Macy’s Home Store from 2003-05; senior vice president & general merchandise manager for hardlines at Linens ‘n Things from 2001-03, and moved to the supplier side in 2005 when he established Dash Holdings LLC, which jointly owns Innovative Technology Electronics Corp., Primula Coffee and Tea and Prepara, a manufacturer and marketer of chef ’s performance tools and kitchen tools and accessories. Lefever joined Wilton Armetale in 1999 as chief financial officer. He was named president in 2003 and CEO in 2004. The company manufactures, markets and distributes alternative metal serveware and giftware. Before joining Wilton Armetale, he served as regional controller at Republic Industries, the third largest waste and recycling company in the United States, from 1994-99. Magerman joined Quickie Mfg. in 2005. The company designs, manufactures and markets a variety of cleaning tools, including brooms, brushes (from kitchen to bathroom to car washing), mops, scrubbers, scouring pads, dust pans and squeegees. Before joining Quickie, Magerman was senior director at Centre Partners, a private equity firm, from 19992005 and president/CEO of Odyssey Golf, a golf club manufacturer. Mallof has nearly 25 years of experience in the consumer products industry. He joined World Kitchen, a leading global housewares supplier, in 2006. Before that he was CEO at CIBA Vision from 200206; president and regional director of various world markets at S.C. Johnson and Son from 1995-2002; and held various marketing and management positions at Procter & Gamble from 1975-1995. Trudeau began his career in the housewares industry in 1967 when he became the third generation to join the company (then called Genin-Trudeau) his grandfather had created in 1904. He was named president/CEO in 1971 after purchasing the company from several shareholders. He became chairman of the board in 1996 when Genin-Trudeau simplified its brand portfolio and launched the Trudeau and Home Presence brands, creating two organizations, Home Presence and Trudeau Corporation, successfully reinventing itself. The company is headquartered in Montreal, with divisions in Woodridge, Ill., Amsterdam and Madrid. Trudeau designs and markets housewares such as kitchen accessories, tableware, wine accessories, thermal products and licensed children’s products. In 2009, the company is celebrating its 120th anniversary. Trudeau served as IHA’s Vice Chairman/Chairman Elect in 200809 and as Treasurer in 2007-08. Kaminstein created Kaminstein Imports in 1989, an importer of household cleaning products. In the mid-1990s, the company established the brand name Casabella® and began designing and manufacturing its line of fashionable and functional cleaning products, along with kitchen and bath products. Before starting his own company, Kaminstein was president of his family’s retail store, Kaminstein Bros. Hardware, from 1980 to 1990. He is a Board Liaison of IHA’s Government Affairs Committee and a member of IHA’s executive networking groups, Chief Officers Reaching Excellence (CORE). Harper has served as president/CEO of Harper Brush Works Inc. since 1990. The 109-year-old family-owned business manufactures and sells high-performance, hand-held cleaning products. Harper served as chairman of IHA’s Industry Education Committee from 2003-05 and is a member of the Housewares Export 10 | IHA membership elected Robert L. Trudeau, Trudeau Corporation, as Board Chairman. Trudeau will be the first international chairman for IHA. Bruce Kaminstein, Casabella Holdings, LLC will serve as Vice Chairman/Chairman Elect for the IHA Board of Directors. Barry Harper, Harper Brush Works, will serve as Treasurer for the IHA Board of Directors. Council (HECNA) and IHA’s executive networking groups, Chief Officers Reaching Excellence (CORE). He also is a board member of the American Brush Manufacturers Association and served as its president from 2007-09. Also serving on the IHA Board are Marty Armstrong, senior vice president, sales & marketing, Master Brands HK Ltd.; Richard L. Boynton, Jr., president/CEO, Jura Capresso Inc.; Mark Eichhorn, president/CEO, Anchor Hocking Co.; Steven Fraser, CMO, SAI Home Products Inc.; Sheldon Goodman, president, Spectrum Diversified Designs Inc.; Keith Jaffee, Focus Investments; Gavin Lam, CEO, Lynns Concepts Inc.; Marc J. Navarre, president/CEO, Groupe SEB North America; William (Bill) P. Reibl, president/CEO, Progressive International Corp. and Jeff Siegel, president/CEO, Lifetime Brands Inc. and immediate past IHA Chairman. Serving on the executive committee of the board are Robert Trudeau, Bruce Kaminstein, Barry Harper, Marty Armstrong, William Reibl and Jeff Siegel. Kitchenware News & Housewares Review • NOVEMBER 2009 Each buddy is handcrafted of metallic finished steel, accented with matte black. For easy display they ship with a handsomely labeled bottle of Old Dutch “Faux Merlot,” which can be replaced with your own bottle of wine. TYPHOON’S KLIP IT STORAGE CONTAINERS Under an exclusive distribution agreement for the United States and Canada, the Klip It® brand of plastic storage is available from Typhoon Plus, Inc. The Klip It Sistema plastic storage containers are manufactured in New Zealand with a patented twoclip system, which is arthritic and child friendly. The large clips attach to the base for easier stacking and storage. The large side clips allow ease of closure for hands lacking in strength or dexterity. Klip It containers are freezer and dishwasher safe, as well as stain resistant. The round Klip It containers are watertight; the square and rectangular containers are airtight. The containers are manufactured without BPA. OLD DUTCH’S WINE BOTTLE BUDDIES™ Old Dutch introduces Wine Bottle Buddies™, a collection of light hearted, hand crafted bottle holders Each buddy is designed to accommodate a 750-ml wine bottle, but can also hold a 22-ounce beer bottle and other similarly sized containers. The Wine Bottle Buddy “Chef” could hold a gourmet bottle of olive oil. There are 12 styles available, including Happy Fisherman, Ship’s Captain, Male & Female Golfers, Downhill Skier, Cowboy, Carpenter, Sitting Cat, Chef, Elvis Impersonator, Waiter and Frustrated Golfer. Available for immediate shipment. Suggested Retail Price: $46 Old Dutch International, Ltd [tel] 888-826-7737 [email] info@olddutchco.com www.OldDutchCo.com Typhoon Plus, Inc. [tel] 415-884-9060 [email] sales@typhoonplus.com www.typhoonplus.com CIRCULON CONTEMPO COOKWARE Circulon refreshes its assortment with Circulon® Contempo, a new collection with modern styling. Constructed of highly durable, professional heavy gauge hard-anodized aluminum, a material that is twice as hard as stainless steel, Circulon Contempo provides fast and even heating and eliminates hot spots for perfect cooking results every time. A boon to health-conscious cooks looking to cook with less fats, and anyone who wants to limit clean-up time in the kitchen, Circulon Contempo features Circulon’s signature Total® Nonstick Food Release System. Designed with a youthful eye and contemporary sensibility, new Circulon Contempo features stylish, ergonomically designed handles and lids that are double riveted to prevent loosening. The sleek and comfortable stainless steel and black silicone handles provide a secure, slip-free grasp. Suggested Retail Price: $19.99-$49.99 open stock Circulon [tel] 800-326-3933 www.circulon.com 11 CUTLERY & CUTTING BOARDS ERGO CHEF® GUY FIERI KNUCKLE SANDWICH KNIVES After using Ergo Chef knives on stage during his demos, Guy Fieri teamed up with Ergo Chef to design the Guy Fieri Knuckle Sandwich Knives. Fieri said, “After a year of wear and tear in my kitchen—trust me, it can be a knife gauntlet—I was hooked on the quality and design of Ergo Chef’s product. Before I knew it, I was teaming up with them to develop my own collection. We sketched a range of designs lookin’ for the select few that really rocked technically and aesthetically.” The resulting Knuckle Sandwich Knives have blades that are precision heat-treated to 56RC to keep a great edge. The patented ergonomic design is created to be an extension of your hand for natural comfort. The knives are made of high carbon German stainless steel (X50CrMoV15). Suggested Retail Pricing: 8 " Chef Knife $75.99 / 5-1/2” Utility Knife “Dragon Dagger” $44.99 Ergo Chef [tel] 877-796-0884 [email] customerservice@ergochef.com www.ergochef.com MESSERMEISTER STEALTH CHEF’S KNIFE Messermeister created their new Stealth chef’s knife by grinding the blade of their 8" Meridian Elite chef’s knife to a thinner profile. By doing so, they have created the thinnest, sharpest Messermeister knife—ever. Although it weighs only 1 ounce less, the spine thickness on this blade is noticeably thinner, and the cutting edge is very sharp. This knife is still made of the fine German steel alloy and now has a stealth-like profile that makes the elite edge the most efficient Messermeister knife edge. Suggested Retail Price: $133 Messermeister [tel] 805-640-0051, 800-426-5134 www.messermeister.com KYOCERA CLASSIC SERIES 6-INCH CHEF’S KNIFE Kyocera’s Classic Series Chef’s Knife features an advanced ceramic white blade and pakka wood ergonomic handle. The ceramic blade is known for its superior edge retention, germ resistance and lightweight. The handles in the Classic Series are riveted in three places for long life. Knives are available in five different sizes in this series, from 3" paring knives to the 6" chef’s knife featured here. Kyocera calls this knife the perfect tool for everyday slicing of vegetables, fruits and boneless meats. Kyocera [tel] 714-428-3710 [email] katie.shaw@kyocera.com www.kyoceraadvancedceramics.com 12 ROBINSON HOME PRODUCTS, INC. CIA MASTERS COLLECTION HYDE PARK™ 8" CHEF’S KNIFE The Masters Collection® Hyde Park® 8" chef’s knife is forged from one piece of high carbon, no-stain German steel. To ensure superior balance and strength, the knife has a full tang that runs the entire length of the handle. The handle and bolster have been contoured for ultimate comfort and control, making a lifetime of slicing perfection always within reach. Unique Balance-Forward™ handle design positions the hand forward for a secure and extremely comfortable grip. Hygienic poly resin handle is reinforced with fiberglass and triple-riveted for extra durability. Lifetime warranty. LAMSON & GOODNOW LAMSONSHARP SILVER FORGED CUTLERY Lamson’s Silver Forged Cutlery line is precision forged from the finest highcarbon stainless steel, which is then hardened and tempered to a perfect 58 Rockwell. The knives in this collection have full tang blades and resin-infused pakka wood handles that are heat and water-resistant. The triple riveted handles create a knife with perfect balance and weight. The rivets are made of nickel silver. The taper-ground blades are polished, hand-edged and honed. These knives are made in the U.S.A and carry a lifetime warranty. They are packaged in an attractive gift box. ROBINSON HOME PRODUCTS, INC. ONEIDA PERFORMANCE COLLECTION SANTOKU KNIFE Robinson Home Products adds Oneida Cutlery to its line of gourmet products for the home chef. This Santoku knife is from the 13-piece Performance Collection which features forged bolsters, high carbon stainless steel blades and stainless steel handles. A wood block with labeled knife slots is included. Suggested Retail Price: $79.95-set Lamson & Goodnow [tel] 800-872-6564 www.lamsonsharp.com [tel] 716-206-1100 [email] sales@robinsonus.com www.robinsonus.com | Kitchenware News & Housewares Review • NOVEMBER 2009 C U T L E R Y & C U T T I N G B OA R D S SOLICUT® FIRST CLASS DELUXE SERIES With First Class Deluxe, Solicut adds elegance to performance. Instead of black plastic handles, First Class Deluxe comes with handles from elegant, dark-brown Pau Preto wood. Due to the high content of resin in the raw wood, Pau Preto prevents absorption of water in the sink and other humid environments. The three rivets, which fix the handles on the knife, are made of stainless steel instead of aluminum. First Class Deluxe knives are forged from one piece of stainless German steel and are entirely processed at the Solicut premises in Solingen, Germany. More than 40 working steps are required to finish a knife—many of them have to be done by hand. Solicut has reworked all its forging dies for First Class Deluxe, in order to achieve utmost precision. The collection includes seven different knives (parer, petty, utility, Santoku, chef’s, bread, steak knife) plus two gift sets. All Solicut products are lifetime guaranteed against manufacturing defects (workmanship & materials). Suggested Retail Prices: $91- $189 VICTORINOX 7" GRANTON EDGE SANTOKU The popular Santoku knife is the Japanese equivalent of a European chef’s knife— the differences are the shorter knife size, narrower blade and low tip. The flutes of the granton edge create paper-thin slices and prevent food from sticking to the blade. Like all Victorinox Stamped Cutlery (SKU: 41529), their Santoku knife with black Fibrox handle is made with a high carbon, stainless steel blade that is hand finished in Switzerland.A special tempering process is used to protect the edge so it retains its razor sharpness. The Fibrox handle is approved by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and is ergonomically designed to minimize wrist tension. Suggested Retail Price: $44.50 Victorinox-Swiss Army [tel] 800-243-4045 [email] cutleryinfo@swissarmy.com www.swissarmy.com Solicut [tel] 877-469-0204 www.solicut.com THE HANNON GROUP TODCO ADVANCED CERAMICS Made with durable, stabilized zirconium oxide, the Todco Advanced Ceramic Knives feature ultra-sharp, long-life blades with superior hardness and exceptional cutting ability. The very high hardness is diamond strength that assures a longerlasting sharp cutting edge than traditional steel knives. The line of rust-free knives have attractive decorative, curved dark red or black handles that fit any kitchen décor and blades ranging from three to six inches long. Black handles are available in 3, 41⁄2 and 6-inch lengths while the dark red handles are available in 3, 31⁄2, 4 1/2, 51⁄2, 6-inch and Santoku lengths. All of the knives have a recessed, well-balanced grip designed for safe and effortless full blade use. Depending on the style selected, the blade edges vary from scalloped to serrated to curved. Included in the line are paring and slicing knives, Santoku knives, tomato slicing knives, bread knives, chef knives or vegetable cleavers. The knives are available individually or in sets of two, three or four. Suggested Retail Price: $19.99 to $99.99 WÜSTHOF-TRIDENT OF AMERICA CLASSIC NAKIRI HOLLOW GROUND KNIFE Wüsthof’s Japanese-style 7-inch Nakiri Knife is available in a Hollow Ground or Fine Edge. This Japanese vegetable cleaver features a wide, rectangular blade designed for cutting with a forward thrust action.The knife has a much thinner blade, compared to other knives in the collection, which facilitates precision cutting. Suggested Retail Price: $99.99 Wusthof-Trident of America [tel] 914-923-6000, 800-289-9878 www.wusthof.com Todco [tel] 888-282-0797 [email] questions@roastedgarlicexpress.com. www.hannongroup.com TRIBEST CHOISONS™ ORIGINAL SERIES 6" CHEF’S KNIFE Tribest offers the Choisons™ Ceramic Cutlery line. Choisons™ ceramic knives are second in hardness to diamonds, light weight, perfectly balanced, rust- and stain-resistant and can hold an edge for months or years without sharpening. They also feature a solid plastic handle for durability and are seven to 10 times as hard as steel, making them far more wear-resistant and less susceptible to corrosion from household cleaners and acidic fruits. Choisons™ Ceramic Knives are available in two collections: Original Series and Precision Series. Choisons™ Original Series knives feature blades made of zirconium oxide and are available in a white finish. The Choisons Precision Series knives are made of high quality zirconium carbide. The blades are forged with more heat and pressure to create an ultra-hard blade in an anthracite color. Suggested Retail Price: $49.95 Tribest [tel] 888-254-7336 www.tribest.com Kitchenware News & Housewares Review • NOVEMBER 2009 | 13 C U T L E R Y & C U T T I N G B OA R D S CHEF’SCHOICE® NEW MODELS ® Chef’sChoice offers three new sharpeners, the electric AngleSelect™, the manual Pronto™ and the Pronto™ Asian. Packaged in an elegant brushed metal casing, the Chef’sChoice Diamond Hone® AngleSelect™ Model 1520 is designed to sharpen Asian, European and American-style knives. The sharpener is engineered to provide astonishingly sharp edges using highly precise knife guides that automatically position the knife. The multi-stage sharpening system features 100 percent diamond abrasives and patented flexible stropping polishing discs that create a “gothic arch” edge structure recognized for incredible sharpness and durability. The easy-to-use, quiet and extremely fast Chef’sChoice Pronto™ Manual Diamond Hone Sharpener 464 and 14 Pronto™ Asian M463 are fast manual knife sharpeners. The new Chef’sChoice Pronto™ Manual Diamond Hone Sharpener 464 puts an extremely sharp and long-lasting edge with lots of bite on straight edge and serrated knives. Using the Chef’sChoice perfected Criss-Cross™ technology, this two-stage sharpener features 100 percent diamond abrasives and precise bevel angle control for a 20 degree edge. The Pronto™ Asian puts a flawless, razor sharp, durable, double beveled “Gothic-Arch”-shaped 15 degree edge on serrated and straight edged double-sided Asian-style knives. Suggested Retail Price: $169-$199 model 1520, $39.99 Pronto 464 EdgeCraft Corporation [tel] 610-268-0500, 800-342-3255 [email] service@edgecraft.com www.edgecraft.com CULMETA CHATTAHOOCHEE CUTTING BOARD MERCER CUTLERY SET With a strength and thickness to handle even the most intense food cutting projects, the Chattahoochee also packs sleek design and functionality into a product that offers an ode to the modern kitchen. A stainless steel surface on one side of the board combines aesthetic appeal with a technical twist—the board uses a powerful internal magnet to hold knives and other utensils firmly in place. This rubberwood board looks just as comfortable in an old fashioned kitchen as it does sitting next to space-age appliances. Culmeta [tel] 404-952-7980 [fax] 404-393-9665 [email] inquiries@culmeta.com www.culmeta.com | The Genesis® knife collection offers seventeen assorted one-piece, fully forged German steel open stock cutlery, six-piece Forged Knife Block Set , seven-piece Forged Steak Knife Set, four-piece Forged Starter Set and a four-piece Forged Carving Set. These sets are configured in a heavy-duty, professional style, nylon roll. Genesis open stock knives from Mercer Cutlery have their own serial number and product registration, making the purchase a personal experience. Registering the open stock or set purchase online not only activates the limited lifetime warranty, but entitles the purchaser to a free item. Mercer [tel] 631-243-3900 [email] warranty@mercercutlery.com www.mercercutlery.com Kitchenware News & Housewares Review • NOVEMBER 2009 C U T L E R Y & C U T T I N G B OA R D S Wüsthof Celebrates Opening of New U.S. Headquarters Norwalk, Conn.—Wüsthof-Trident of America Inc. celebrated the official opening of its new U.S. headquarters, distribution center and on-premise shop in Norwalk, Conn. with a festive ceremony for more than 50 guests, including local city and state officials, customers, business associates and the press. The celebration took place on September 14. The highlight of the grand opening event was a culinary-themed “cake cutting” ceremony, featuring two extraordinarily large Wüsthof Classic cook’s knives—and the presentation of a Wüsthof $5,000 scholarship check to the Connecticut Culinary Institute. “We were delighted to welcome our distinguished guests, friends and business associates to see our new and expanded warehouse and distribution center, our new corporate offices in an adjacent historic building and our new and inviting outlet store, serving the local community,” says Rene Stutz, president of Wüsthof-Trident of America Inc. “We thought it would be timely to further celebrate the occasion by inviting students and faculty from the Connecticut Culinary Institute to accept our inaugural scholarship fund in support of tomorrow’s great chefs.” Twenty students and several chef- instructors, donning white chef jackets and checkered chef pants, came to the grand opening ceremony, bringing with them a Lieutenant Governor, Michael Fedele presented their congratulations and thanks to Wüsthof for selecting their city and state for the company’s new home. Other distinguished guests at the event included Connecticut Senators Bob Duft and L. Scott Frantz. Prior to the presentations in the warehouse facility, guests were treated to German beer, grilled sausages and authentic Germanstyle pretzels. Following the Wolfgang Wusthof is surrounded by students from the Connecticut official cake cutting ceremony and Culinary Institute during the presentation of a $5,000 scholarship check. presentation of the scholarship check to the culinary school, guests were cake in the shape of the state of given group tours of the new facilities. Connecticut and professionally decorated with moldings of Wüsthof knives, a Having outgrown its previous warehouse Wüsthof sharpening steel and a Wüsthof facility in Westchester, Wüsthof began chef ’s carrying case. building the new 45,000-square foot warehouse in Norwalk, Conn. in 2008, In attendance from the company’s world and began the transition to the new headquarters in Solingen, Germany were Harold Wüsthof, global chief executive, Connecticut location in mid-June this year. The company has 45 employees in the and Wolfgang Wüsthof, who established U.S. division. the brand in the United States in the 1960s and retired in 2008. Also in attendance Wüsthof cutlery is made in Solingen, from the U.S. division was chief executive Germany, the manufacturing base and officer, Scott Severinson and vice president headquarters for Wüsthof-Trident since of sales, Todd Myers. 1814. Wüsthof products are sold at select The Honorable Mayor of Norwalk, specialty and department stores in more than 70 countries. Richard A. Moccia and the Honorable Kitchenware News & Housewares Review • NOVEMBER 2009 | ACCUSHARP MANUAL KNIFE SHARPENER The Accusharp® manual knife sharpener is easy to use. No oils or stones are needed. In about 10 seconds, sharpen knives (even serrated knives), cleavers, axes, machetes and many other cutting tools. The large ergonomic handle fits either hand safely and securely. The full length finger guard protects your fingers. The sharpening blades are made of diamond honed tungsten carbide for years of reliable use. AccuSharp Knife Sharpeners will not rust and can be cleaned with soap and water or in the dishwasher. Replacement sharpening blades are available. Suggested Retail Price: $10.99 Accusharp [tel] 830-693-6111 [email] jay@accusharp.com www.accusharp.com 15 C U T L E R Y & C U T T I N G B OA R D S J.K. ADAMS POUR SPOUT BOARDS Smith’s Santoku Pulll-Thru Knife Sharpener (Model #50033) Smith’s Diamond Edge 3-Stage Knife Sharpener (Model #50069) Smith’s Diamond Edge 2-Stage Knife Sharpener (Model #50060) SMITH’S NEW SHARPENERS Smith’s announces the expansion of its Edgeware™ line with two new electric items for release in the Fall of 2009. Smith’s also announces a change to an existing Pull-Thru sharpener (Model #50033) which will accommodate the thinner Santoku and Asian knives. Both new electric products will incorporate manual and mechanical sharpening elements, while offering great design that fits in any kitchen environment. This combination gives the consumer the broad capability to easily sharpen dull or damaged blades and maintain razor sharp edges, while prolonging the life of their blade. The new Diamond Edge 3-Stage (Model #50069) and 2-Stage Electric Knife Sharpeners ( Model# 50060) feature diamond-coated sharpening wheels (Coarse & Fine Wheels on 3-Stage model) for quick and precise sharpening of straight edge blades. The dual sharpening slots allow sharpening on both sides of the blade using blade guides that hold the knife at the correct sharpening angle. Suggested Retail Price: $39.99 for the 2-Stage Sharpener and $59.99 for the 3-Stage Sharpener J.K. Adams updated their perennially favorite turnabout carver by adding a precisely engineered pour spout and pooling well to both sides. The spout will direct flow of juices cleanly back into a roasting pan for a quick reduction of gravy. J.K. Adams increased the size of the juice grooves and lightened the weight. A contemporary cut out for securely holding poultry while carving is on one side, while the reverse side is flat for beef or fish. Made of maple wood, the Pour Spout Boards are available in three sizes: 16" x 12", 20" x 14", and 24" by 16". Suggested Retail Price: $46.50-$77 J.K. Adams [tel] 800 451-6118 www.jkadams.com KAI PURE KOMACHI Kai USA Ltd presents Pure Komachi 2, a collection of brilliantly colored, exceedingly sharp knives that are purely delightful, fun and creative. The Pure Komachi 2 collection of 12 open stock knives each have a different vivid color so cooks can use color-coding to guard against crosscontamination of food. The Pure Komachi 2 nine-piece set is a modern departure from the bulky, heavy European block sets. The high-carbon stainless steel blades provide a razor-sharp edge while the colorful coatings on the blades make it easy to choose the right knife for the right job from the clear acrylic knife block. The brilliant colors are achieved by bonding a food-safe, FDA-approved liquid color coat to high-carbon stainless-steel blades. The food-safe coating also resists corrosion, is easy to clean and glides right through foods.The Pure Komachi 2 color-matched handles are lightweight and ergonomically shaped for a comfortable grip. Suggested Retail Price: $7.95-$9.95 for open stock knives, $89.95 for nine-piece set Smith’s [tel] 800-221-4156 [fax] 501-321-9232 www.smithsedge.com Kai USA Ltd. [tel] 800-325-2891 [email] kurt@kai-usa.com www.shuncutlery.com CHICAGO CUTLERY’S BAMBOO CUTTING BOARD Chicago cutlery offers the Woodworks™ collection of cutting boards. These boards are constructed of various wood types, including Chilean wood, bamboo and hardwood. The 14-inch by 20-inch bamboo cutting board is sized for almost any task, from cutting bread to carving a roast. The board displays the characteristic bamboo grain pattern in two tones, making this board at home on the tabletop as well as on the counter. Suggested Retail Price: $24.99 Chicago Cutlery [tel] 800-999-3436 www.chicagocutlery.com 16 | Kitchenware News & Housewares Review • NOVEMBER 2009 C U T L E R Y & C U T T I N G B OA R D S CURTIS STONE “CHEF’S STATION” WORKBENCH Celebrity Chef Curtis Stone introduces the newest item from his range of kitchen solutions: the “Chef’s Station” Workbench. Made from eco-sustainable, hygienic bamboo, the Curtis Stone “Chef’s Station” Workbench has three built-in stainless steel measurement bowls that hold exactly one cup, in addition to a stainless steel chef’s scoop with silicone grip and a stainless steel waste disposal drawer to dispose of scraps easily. Suggested Retail Price: $299.95 Curtis Stone Range Products [tel] 866-729-6690 [email] customerservice@curtisstone.com www.curtisstone.com ANYSHARP’S GLOBAL KNIFE SHARPENER The new AnySharp Global Knife Sharpener is now available from Harold Import Company (HIC). This easy-to-use sharpener puts a perfect edge on any blade—from kitchen cutlery to gardening shears and lawnmower blades. Even the highest quality blade will dull with regular use. By using diamond precision, the AnySharp Global Knife Sharpener hones the blade to its proper angle. This versatile sharpener makes this oftenfeared task of knife sharpening easier than ever. Simply place the blade between the guides and pull through. AnySharp will hone it to a perfect angle, removing only microscopic amounts of metal. It is safe to use with high-end hardened knives as well as serrated bread or hunting knives. The unit’s PowerGrip suction cups gives the user the freedom to use wherever needed. Simply attach the sharpener to any surface—horizontal or vertical—and start sharpening. Measuring 21⁄2 inches high by 21⁄2 inches wide, its compact design allows it to be stored when not in use. Suggested Retail Price: $19.99 HIC—Harold Import Company [tel] 800-526-2163 [email] info@haroldskitchen.com www.haroldimport.com NORPRO’S GRIP-EZ MINI CUT/SLICE PREP BOARD Slice, dice and chop ingredients into prep bowl or pan with the Norpro Grip-EZ Mini Cut/Slice Prep Board. The boards are the perfect size and shape for entertainment buffets or bars. The raised sides contain juices from fruit, vegetables or meats and crumbs from bread and cheese. Also, the boards can be used to serve hors d’oeuvres. Nonstick and stain resistant, they won’t dull knives. Soft grip handles prevent slipping. The boards are FDA approved. The 7.5 inches wide x 11 inches long boards are available in green, orange or white. Norpro, Inc. [tel] 425-261-1000 [email] sales@norpro.com www.norpro.com Kitchenware News & Housewares Review • NOVEMBER 2009 | 17 CASABELLA’S CHOP’N FLEX BODUM’S FLATBED TOASTER Made of stainless steel with a rubberized, colored finish, the Bistro Flatbed Toaster promises to brighten up the kitchen. For those that prefer a traditional European – in particular Danish – toasting experience, Bodum unveils the Bistro Flatbed Toaster. This toaster features a flat heating surface – similar to a grill – that allows users to toast larger slices or loaves of bread, croissants, bagels and other baked goods. Simply place the bread on the grating above the heating surface to toast one side at a time – and, at any point during the toasting process, the user can remove the bread. Consumers can select from eight stylish colors, including: red, pink, purple, green, black, brown, grey and white. The Flatbed Toaster will be available in late fall 2009. Suggested Retail Price: $79.99 Chop, scoop and funnel with Casabella’s new Chop’n Flex Cutting Board. Use the 9.5-inch by 13-inch board to slice, chop or mince, then grasp the silicone easy-grip handles to form a funnel and slide the ingredients into your bowl or pan. The board can be used for cutting and chopping on both sides. The cutting board is dishwasher safe. Casabella [tel] 845-348-0012 [email] info@casabella.com www.casabella.com DANESCO’S GRAVY BOAT This Thermal Gravy Boat from Danesco is double-walled to seal in the heat and to keep gravies and sauces warm for hours. The attached, insulated lid keeps heat from rising out of the pitcher. Features include an easy-topour spout that eliminates messy spills and a stay-cool, ergonomic handle for easy lifting and pouring. The gravy boat can hold 14 oz. and is made of 18/8 stainless steel with a mirrored finish. For easy clean up, the gravy boat is top rack dishwasher safe. Bodum Inc. [tel] 877-992-6386 [email] sales@bodumusa.com www.bodum.com CUISINART CLEANWATER™ FILTRATION SYSTEM The new Cuisinart CleanWater™ Countertop Filtration System is available in a 2-gallon capacity unit that comes with two fast flow spigots for dispensing hot, cold or room-temperature filtered water, as well as an Energy Saver mode that cuts energy use by 50 percent when the function is engaged. The filtration system has a GF-80 filter which significantly reduces contaminants such as chlorine, mercury and copper. The filter has a life of 80 gallons, or three months, for average household use, and is certified by the Water Quality Association. Suggested Retail Price: $149 Danesco International [tel] 800-667-6543 [email] sales@danescoinc.com www.danescoinc.com Cuisinart [tel] 800-726-6247 [fax] 203-975-4660 cuisinart@conair.com www.cuisinart.com SIMPLEHUMAN STEEL BAR STEP CAN Inspired by the clean lines and upscale aesthetics of professional kitchens and high-end appliances, the simplehuman steel bar rectangular step can has a reinforced steel bar that encircles the front base to create an expansive step area. The steel bar is engineered with an exclusive double-hinge mount that eliminates weak points for a smooth and easy motion wherever you step. The streamlined, fingerprint-proof stainless steel step can is designed without any superfluous ornamentation; the rectangular shape has an internal hinge so it fits flush against the wall and the lid is completely flat. The underside of the lid has an integrated holder designed to hold a carbon filter. The carbon filter, which is included with the step can, neutralizes unpleasant odors naturally— without harmful chemicals. The holder removes for easy cleaning and recharges simply by exposing it to sunlight. This larger size comes with two bonus recycling buckets; so you can either use the two bonus buckets to sort trash and recyclables or you can remove them and just use the large 55L bucket for trash. Suggested Retail Price: $250 simplehuman™ [tel] 888-988-8880 www.simplehuman.com 18 | Kitchenware News & Housewares Review • NOVEMBER 2009 h e a d l i n e s ™ EDITOR’S PICK VitaClay Rice and Slow Cooker by Karen Martin, Managing Editor Fall arrived right on time here in New England, making me want to dust off all the hearty stew and soup recipes in my possession. And, since Essenergy kindly sent us a six-cup version of their VitaClay™ Smart Multicooker to try, I had a new tool in my arsenal for my favorite stews. Since this slow cooker was voted as a “Top Rated Slow Cooker” by Good Housekeeping earlier this year, I was excited to get started. Product Details The multicooker is aptly named since it performs both as a rice cooker and a slow cooker. The other unusual feature about this multicooker is the clay-cooking vessel. The cooking vessel is made of unglazed Zisha clay, which is intended to preserve the flavor of foods and produce a very tender result. Zisha is a particular clay found in China and is better known for its use in teapots. While there are many benefits of using the clay insert, you do have to be careful not to expose it to extreme temperature changes, which could crack the pot. Another difference in the multicooker versus traditional slow cooker design is the double lid. The clay vessel, which has a lid, fits inside the multicooker on a cupped heating pad, designed to promote even heating. Once the vessel is on the heating pad, the multicooker lid is closed surrounding the clay vessel. According to the manufacturer, a double lid design not only creates micro-pressure to maximize steaming, but also results in energy savings over traditional slow cookers. cooked rice with no burning on the bottom. I did discover that you definitely need a good potholder standing-by. Once you open the mulitcooker, you need to lift off the lid to the clay insert, which is very hot. Next I thought I would try a recipe from the included cookbook. One of the great ideas in the cookbook was the one-pot pasta dishes. You can throw your dried pasta and your sauce and vegetables in the pot all at once, hit the slow cooker function for 20-25 minutes, and dinner is ready. No boiling water to watch. No multiple pans to clean up. The convenience factor is impressive. I used their recipe for homemade macaroni and cheese with great success. The result was a meal that would make any child happy, but included real cheese and milk to make adults happy. Again—one pot, one step. Did I mention the fact that after it cooks, it automatically switches to warm? Again, throw everything into the pot, set the timer and forget about it. No need to worry about a phone call, a homework emergency or a late spouse. It will still be ready when you are. My next challenge was a savory stew. Since the clay vessel is supposed to really be impressive when you’re working with meats, I wanted to make sure I tried a stew. A stew recipe is what won over the Good Housekeeping folks. They rated this slow cooker number one in their beef stew recipe comparisons when they were testing slow cookers. While I didn’t do a side-by-side comparison of beef stew cooked in my traditional slow cooker and the Vita-Clay multicooker, I can say that my beef stew cooked faster and had good results. Summary I loved the convenience factor of using the VitaClay™ Multicooker. The fact that it can double as a rice cooker and a slow cooker is a real plus. The ability to set the multicooker and walk away is another incredible bonus for anyone with busy evening schedules. This cooker gives you a little more flexibility than a traditional slow cooker, since it comes up to temperature much faster. It allows you some of the convenience of the slow cooker without having to set it in the morning before work. You can make an evening meal with the Multicooker, even if you start at 6 p.m. By the time most of us get home on a weekday, a true one-pot meal sounds heavenly. And if it can adjust to a few interruptions, giving everyone time to get to the table, it might just be a miracle. For a full line of VitaClay™ chef cookers, please visit www.essenergy.com or email sales@essenergy.com or [tel] 877-877-9121. The VitaClay Smart Multicooker is fully programmable, thanks to a computerized heating technology. According to the manufacturer, the multicooker brings food to a boil faster than conventional slow cookers, then reduces the heat to simmer for the desired time. This process is intended to retain the texture of food and to reduce the cooking times needed for a regular slow cooker. One-button programs are available for savory stews, porridge, soups, fluffy rice, brown rice and sticky rice, making the cooker easy-to-operate. The delayed timer and automatic-to-warm features add convenience. The Smart Multicooker retails for $149 with a sale price of $99.99. Replacement clay vessels are available for $24.99. Experience I started with rice. Using the cooker could not have been easier. I made sure to follow the instructions in the accompanying cookbook, and I used the measuring cup included with the multicooker. The basmati rice cooked perfectly. I did notice that the bottom was slightly burned, which no doubt was my fault for popping the lid open to see what was happening inside during the cooking process. I tried a second batch. Just for good measure, I did coat the bottom with a light spray of oil. I let the rice cook with no interruptions and found perfectly Kitchenware News & Housewares Review • NOVEMBER 2009 | 19 COOKER (continued from page 1) “We've recently seen a rise in consumers coming into stores and specifically asking about them,” Park said. “There is a certain amount of people who do fear the pressure cooker—typically I've found this fear is much more often based on a story they’ve heard from friends or relatives rather than a first-hand experience. Typically, once re-introduced to the concept of pressure cooking, and thoroughly explained the operating and safety features of the new generation pressure cooker, many can be swayed to embrace it.” Park said she thinks that consumer education and live demonstration are key factors in the success of selling pressure cookers. Fagor is training Crate and Barrel sales associates about techniques and benefits of pressure cooking and is also participating in a series of bridal events at the stores to convey the convenience and efficiency of pressure-cooking to registrants, many of whom are newcomers to pressure cooking, Park said. “There are more people that are totally unaware of what it is over being fearful,” she said. “It’s a good time to introduce this group with a fresh perspective.” Not everyone in the industry is sold on the idea of pressure cookers as a hot trend, though. Cindee Murphy of Pies and Plates, a gourmet retailer in Punta Gorda, Fla., said she doesn’t carry any pressure cookers in her store. “My clientele are older and they mostly had bad experiences with them in the good old days so they shy away from them,” Murphy said. A.J. Riedel, of Phoenix-based Riedel Marketing Group, conducted an online pressure cooker survey of her panel of HomeTrend Influentials, a group of 160 “trend-setting, trend-spreading” consumers that meet strict criteria, such as homeownership, interest in home decorating and appliances, and a tendency to share tips and trends with friends and family. “Twenty-two percent of the respondents use a pressure cooker and the majority of those—64 percent—have been using it for over five years. Only two of the respondents have been using a pressure cooker less than a year,” Riedel said. “The primary reason the panel members use pressure cookers is to save time.” Through this survey, Riedel said she concluded that there is not an increase in interest in pressure cookers among the panel. “Although pressure cooking is ideal for cooking cheaper cuts of meat and eating at home more, if an item was going to get a response due to the economy, we should have seen it by now,” Riedel said. According to The NPD Group, a market research company, total pressure cooker sales have increased—13.4 percent over the previous year. Total dollar sales for pressure cookers from September 2007 to August 2008 was $18,323,300 or 2.4 percent of the dollar share of the cookware category; from September 2008 to August 2009, total sales were $20,770,663 or 2.9 percent dollar share of the cookware category. These figures do not reflect sales from WalMart or Bed Bath and Beyond, said Janine Marshall, of The NPD Group. Based on data from The NPD Group’s consumer tracking service, the “top three reasons for purchase concerning stovetop cookware were good value, price and easy to clean,” Marshall added. Chris Wert, marketing executive for Fissler USA said that Fissler has seen strong recent sales in the pressure cooker category. Fissler Blue Point Set www.fisslerusa.com KALORIK’S STEAM MICROWAVE OVEN Kalorik’s new 800-W microwave integrates a separate steam function for steam cooking, allowing food to cook with the speed of a microwave, but without the excessive dryness common in microwaved foods. The oven also features a convection oven and a broiler function. This versatile oven offers five modes: microwave plus grill, microwave plus steam, microwave plus convection, convection plus steam and grill plus 20 steam. The grill power of the oven reaches 1,300 W. The convection feature offers 1,500 W with a rear fan. The oven’s exterior features a stainless steel front finish and a blue LED display. The interior of the oven features a stainless steel cavity with a nonstick coating on the bottom. Suggested Retail Price: $349.99 Kalorik—Team International Group Of America, Inc. [tel] 305-430-9688 [email] sales@teamappliances.com www.teamappliances.com “As people turn their focus back to the kitchen, with family meals growing in RÖSLE COLLAPSIBLE COLANDERS The new RÖSLE Collapsible Colanders were awarded a “Kitchen Innovation of the Year® 2009” Award at the Tendence Fair in July. The annual award, given by FoodVision Deutschland GmbH, is designed to provide a practical guide for shoppers and to stimulate consumption by highlighting particularly consumerfriendly products. The award winning colander combines the strength and stability of stainless steel with the non-stick, | Fissler Blue Point Pressure Pan Set with Novogrill Frying Surface importance, we believe that the Blue Point pressure cooker (a Fissler product) offers the perfect alternative to fast food or convenience food, with the opportunity to have healthy meals quickly at home,” said Wert. Wert said that the possibility of a homecooked meal in half the time makes pressure cooking increasingly attractive and that consumers see a pressure cooker as a worthwhile investment. “Even with the hard economic times that many people are facing, the pressure cooker is still recognized as a durable investment,” Wert said. “There are still many home cooks that are afraid to use a pressure cooker, though, and as an industry we must still educate the consumer on the benefits and safety of pressure cooking.” flexible properties of silicone. The product is sturdy, easy to clean and saves storage space. The 8" and 10" diameter colanders are manufactured with metal frames that include handles and bases that allow cooks to safely carry the colanders from counter to sink or sink to pot. Available in black, red and green. Suggested Retail Price: $35-$45 Rosle [tel] 302-326-4801 [email] info@rosleusa.com www.rosleusa.com Kitchenware News & Housewares Review • NOVEMBER 2009 t o m a r k e t Ambiente 2010 Offers Three Leading World Trade Fairs: Dining, Giving and Living Frankfurt, Germany – Three leading international trade fairs, some 4,300 international exhibitors and 180,000 square meters of net floor space will come together at Ambiente, from Feb 12-16, 2010 in Frankfurt, Germany. The market revolves around tableware, kitchenware, household goods, gift items and decorations as well as home furnishing accessories. Under the Ambiente umbrella, products are organized into three dedicated fairs: Dining, Giving and Living. Because of a new concept for the halls, the exhibition area for Ambiente 2010 will enable exhibitors to present their products in a clearly structured and targeted framework. For trading companies, wholesalers and retailers, the new structure will mean that they can organize their visit along strategic lines and more easily select the relevant halls. Halls with particular focus on design, such as Hall 11.0 (newly opened in September) with “Loft,” Hall 4.0 with “Table Contemporary Design” and Hall 1.2 with “Kitchen Trends,” will showcase a selection of products from design classics to avantgarde design items. Nicolette Naumann, Ambiente vice president, said, “The restructuring has enabled us to sharpen up, still further, the profile of the individual dedicated fairs and thus to react to current market needs. With the new concept, we shall be matching the floor-space requirements of the individual product groups to exhibitors’ changed product ranges and marketing channels. At the same time, we shall be optimizing the visitors’ paths through them.” More Design Ambiente provides opportunities for young designers to display their work. Opportunities include an area with an emphasis on interior design and personal accessories in Hall 11.0, and for the first time, a dedicated area in the Table and Kitchen section in Hall 4.0, specially dedicated for newcomers, young designers and final-year university students. “Next,” the program designed to encourage young companies just starting out in the sector, will have an allocation in “Loft,” “Kids World” and “Carat.” Berking, Rosenthal, Seltmann Weiden, Villeroy & Boch and WMF. This fair will occupy Halls 1 to 6 and will, for the first time, move to the eastern end of the exhibition centre, nearest the city. “Kitchen Trends” in Halls 1.1 and 1.2, with its kitchen accessories, textiles for table and kitchen, bar utensils and drinks accessories will be all about equipment for the modern kitchen. Knives, pans and innovative electrical appliances, cooking, frying and baking utensils, cutlery and knives, kitchen equipment and appliances are all to be found in Hall 3.0. Amongst the “Kitchen Consumer Brands” in Hall 3.1, the focus is on strong brands for the end consumer. Large helpings and sumptuous tables are the order of the day in Hall 4: the product areas “Table Contemporary Design” (Hall 4.0), “Table Prestige” (Hall 4.1) and “Table Daily Life” (Hall 4.2) represent classics in glass, porcelain and ceramics, as well as crystal, silver and metal items, modern ideas for table decoration and contemporary design. The product group “Table Top Trade” (Halls 6.2 and 6.3) offers glass, porcelain and ceramic items for large-scale buyers. Practical household aids of all kinds find a platform in Halls 5.0 and 5.1 (Housewares & Storage) as well as 6.0 and 6.1 (Housewares). Moreover, a good many suppliers of quality brands will be concentrated in Hall 5.1, also with a product portfolio for the end consumer. Traditional gift ideas in all their variety provide the keynote of the product group “Gifts Unlimited” in Halls 9.1 and 9.2. Handcrafted, one-of-a-kind items and limited editions provide the focus for “Manufakturen & Collectables” in Hall 9.2; “Kids World”—also in Hall 9.2—will showcase games, toys, textiles and accessories for children. The “Carat & Personal Accessories” product group will move to Hall 9.3 in 2010 and provides the framework for jewelry, costume jewelry, watches and personal accessories as well as beauty and wellness products. From 2010, “Young & Trendy” will exhibit unusual gift ideas and accessories as well as designoriented and trendy products in Hall 11.1. Living At the “Living” trade fair, everything revolves around interior design, with exhibitors such as Authentics, Design House Stockholm, Drescher, Eurographics, Fatboy, Henry Dean, Lambert, Nic Duysens, O Living and Scholtissek. In 2010, Living will shift to the western end of the Exhibition Centre. Some 1,000 exhibitors will occupy five hall levels. Hall 11.0 offers just the right space for more design. This hall, which only opened in September of this year, forms the ideal backdrop for “Loft,” the platform for designer and avant-garde accessories for the home, as well as furniture, lamps and textiles. In Halls 8.0 and 9.0, the “Interiors & Decoration” section presents a broad selection of international furnishing ideas with accessories for the home, furniture, fabrics and lighting in all kinds of styles. Decorative items, garden furniture, plant holders and outdoor products will be on show in the “Outdoor Living” and “Seasonal Decoration” sections in Hall 8.0. Passage: Big Business For buyers from large-scale trading companies, “Passage” is a fixed component of all three trade fairs. Volume suppliers from Asia and Latin America will be displaying their goods as part of “Passage Table & Kitchen” in Halls 10.2 and 10.3. “Passage Table & Kitchen,” with established suppliers from all over the world, is an integral part of the international trade fair “Dining” and will be located in the Festhalle and the Forum. Also in Hall 10.2 is the product group called “Asian Vision,” exhibiting up-market and particularly high-quality products from the Asian continent. “Passage Home & Garden” is to be found in Hall 10.1; “Passage Gifts” in Hall 10.0. About Messe Frankfurt With annual revenues of € 440 million (2008) and over 1,500 employees around the world, Messe Frankfurt is Germany’s biggest fair and exhibition company. The corporate group has a global network of 28 subsidiaries, five branch offices and 52 international sales partners, which represent Messe Frankfurt in over 150 countries of the world. Events “made by Messe Frankfurt” are held at over 30 venues worldwide. In 2008, the Messe Frankfurt group organized over 100 fairs, more than half of them outside Germany. The company is publicly owned with 60 percent being held by the City of Frankfurt and 40 by the State of Hesse. For further information, visit www.messefrankfurt.com. Giving As a leading international trade fair for gifts and presents, Giving will be showcasing the whole gamut of products. Companies represented here with their new products include the Boltze Group, Denk, Gilde Handwerk Macrander, Goldbach, Kare Design, Philippi and Räder. The “Giving” exhibitors, some 1,250 of them in all, will be moving to the western end of the Exhibition Centre, together with fellow exhibitors from “Living.” Fresh, new design ideas are also offered by “A Mano” in Hall 4.1. Here, the focus is on young design companies that have still to break into the international scene. They will be presenting their handcrafted products and short-run items. Dining Dining is one of the leading international trade fairs for the tableware, kitchenware, household and gourmet product sectors. More than 2,000 exhibitors include important brand names like Alessi, Bodum, Dibbern, Fissler, Iittala, Kahla, KitchenAid, Le Creuset, Leifheit, Riedel, Robbe & Kitchenware News & Housewares Review • NOVEMBER 2009 | 21 YOUNG CHEFS (continued from page 1) “Adult tools just don’t fit comfortably in a child’s hand,” explained Lamster. The store’s bestseller in the department last holiday season was the Head Chefs® tools by Fiesta Products. According to the manufacturer, the tools are fully functional, professional quality tools for kids. After experiencing steady growth and evolution in the kids’ department, Lamster said the store is offering its first cooking class for the younger set. “This is the first time that we have done a kids’ class, and we’re partnering with a company that is launching their first line of products for kids.” Research on current trends in cookware back-up the idea behind products with a child’s eye view. Mintel International Group referred to “kid’s oriented products” as a major innovation in 2009. In its Sept. ’09 Assessment of the Cookware Industry, the company said, “Outreach to kids—and with them, to moms—has led to innovation in sets that allow kids to work side-by-side with moms (Tailor Made, Meyer, Mastrad) and themed baking sets (Hannah Montana, Marvel characters, Transformers) that allow moms to make baked goods that will appeal to their children (Lifetime Brands, Wilton.)” Tailor Made Products is one of the companies investing in kids in the kitchen. They’ve launched an entire line of tools for kids called Curious Chef. The Curious Chef line includes an assortment of 49 specially designed cooking tools for young chefs. The line includes mixing and measuring tools, cutlery and cutting boards, cookie cutters and cooking apparel. “Children’s cooking is such a big trend,” said Megan Piotrowski, account manager with Tailor Made Products. “We did a lot of research with children to get the logo, the packaging and the products just right. Just by observing children, you can learn so much. They are the basis of our whole product line, and we think that’s a home run.” Piotrowski explained that the development of the line is not about making small tools. “These tools are not miniature,” she explained. The tools are all full-sized, but have design elements that are geared to children, such as bright colors and a soft touch. Pointing out that children are very tactile, Piotrowski said tools in the Curious Chef line have soft bumps in the handles that kids love to touch. “You get it in their hands, and they don’t want to let go,” she said. “The most important idea in cooking with children is that they want tools to be their own. They are proud to have their own cooking utensils.” ADVERTISER INDEX The 15-piece Pizza Party Kit from Curious Chef retails for $39.99. Contact Tailor Made at 262-560-2200 or www.tmadeproducts.com Accusharp Knife Sharpeners . . . . . . . . 14 Culmeta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 D and H Distributing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Dydacomp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 As retailers head into an uncertain holiday season, cooking tools aimed at children may have some traction. Tools for children are relatively new; they promote family time, and they help build life-long skills. At Broadway Panhandler, Lamster believes the category is one way they can stand out in a crowd. “We spend a lot of time looking at research to find new vendors and product lines to help differentiate ourselves from other stores,” said Lamster. Essenergy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Fusion Brands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Playful Life makes cooking kits for children to create opportunities for parents to connect with children while accomplishing a tangible goal. Contact Playful Life at 408-858-8859 or www.playfullife.com. Harold Import Company . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Howard Naturals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 International Housewares Association . 7 J.K. Adams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Kitchen Resource . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Head Chef Tools from Fiesta Products were a best seller in Broadway Panhandler’s section of children’s cooking items last holiday season. Contact Fiesta Products at 732-396-9759 or www.fiestaproducts.com. Curious Chef from Tailor Made Products includes cooking kits for children like this eight-piece fruit and vegetable tool kit. Contact Tailor Made at 262-560-2200 or www.tmadeproducts.com. Messe Frankfurt, Inc./Ambiente . . . . . 24 Parrish’s Cake Dec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation Publication Title: Kitchenware News & Housewares Review Publication Number: 012-625 Filing Date: October, 2009 Issue Frequency: Monthly Number of Issues Published Annually: 12 Annual Subscription Price: Controlled Circulation Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: P. O. Box 30520, 1877 N. Kolb Rd., Tucson, Pima Co., AZ 85751 Contact Person: L. Baumann, Telephone: 520-721-1300 Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: P. O. Box 30520, 1877 N. Kolb Rd., Tucson, Pima Co., AZ 85751 Publisher: Karen Taylor, 6665 Franklin Ave. #3, Los Angeles, CA 90028 Editor: Lee Oser, P. O. Box 30520, 1877 N. Kolb Rd., Tucson, Pima Co., AZ 85751 Managing Editor: Karen Martin, 130 Oakhurst Rd., Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107 Owner: Oser Communications Group, LLC, Lee M. Oser, P. O. 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No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date 7,550 0 SCI Scandicrafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 250 57 7,857 Todco/The Hannon Group . . . . . . . . . 13 3,783 0 0 50 3,833 11,690 88 11,778 67.21% Tribest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Victorinox Swiss Army Brands Inc. . . . 2 Zak Designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. /s/Lorraine L. Baumann, Business Affairs Manager 10-15-09 22 Prodyne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 11,775 | Kitchenware News & Housewares Review • NOVEMBER 2009 t o m a r k e t Author Rick Segel to speak at 2010 Gourmet Catalog Member Conference Dallas — Gourmet Catalog Buying Group announced that Rick Segel, author of The Retail Business Kit for Dummies, will be the featured speaker at the Group’s Member Conference in January 2010. “Since our first start the year Member Conference was held in January 2004, we have grown and expanded attendance among store and vendor members,” said Janis Johnson, founder and president of Gourmet Catalog. “This growth speaks to a great desire for education and knowledge by industry professionals. Rick Segel is a noted retail consultant and an expert at helping businesses move to the next level. We are thrilled that Rick will be offering important advice to our membership during this two-day conference.” Gourmet Catalog’s exclusive Member Conference will be held Jan. 8-9 at AmericasMart Atlanta. The event will include an extended vendor showcase, where top executives from the group’s vendor members will preview their new products. The annual conference focuses on networking, new product introductions, sales demonstrations and learning opportunities for members. Highlights include small-group discussions, a networking lunch, a buffet supper, a cocktail party and the vendor showcase. The showcase is a private trade show for Gourmet Catalog members, where vendors can demonstrate products and store members fill goody bags as they visit each vendor’s booth. Extended to five hours in 2010, the showcase offers stores and vendors valuable face time to discuss products and sales strategies. “The vendor showcase provides store and vendor members with the opportunity to interact, while reviewing important new introductions,” said Johnson. “Top selling products and displays also are featured in this private, relaxed environment where retailers and vendors share ideas and opinions.” Segel, who will speak on both days of the conference, is the author of multiple books Dallas Market Center Creates Mini-Markets Dallas — Dallas Market Center announced the launch of special opportunities for the fall buying season at First Monday & Tuesday Mini-Markets held on the first Monday and Tuesday of non-market months. The upcoming mini-markets will be held Oct. 5-6, Nov. 2-3 and Dec. 7-8, 2009. These First Monday & Tuesday MiniMarkets offer buyers the chance to place fill-in orders or make last minute inventory additions prior to the holiday season. More than 70 percent of the gift and home décor showrooms participate in the First Monday & Tuesday program. New for fall 2009, many showrooms are offering show specials. Buyers that place an order with a permanent exhibitor will have the opportunity to enter a drawing for a chance to win a $100 American Express Card. Each purchase order qualifies as a separate entry. Additionally, Dallas Market Center’s in-house travel agency, MarketTravel®, is offering an overnight rate of $139 at the Hilton Anatole. Rate includes free parking and breakfast. Attendees can contact MarketTravel by calling 1-800-DAL-MKTS. During the November Mini-Market, Dallas Market Center will host Dine + Design, a must-attend networking and educational luncheon for design professionals featuring Fran Mooney, color and design specialist from Benjamin Moore Company, who will present Design Forecast 2011. Mooney tracks directional color and design influences in the global market and is a key presenter of Benjamin Moore’s color forecast, Color Pulse™. The luncheon will take place on Nov. 3 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Dallas Market Center’s World Trade Center (WTC), room 9065. Also in November, Texas Association of Interior Design (TAID) will hold its final 2009 program, giving state registered interior designers and architects one last chance to fulfill their continuing education requirements. Courses will take place on Friday, Nov. 20 in WTC, room 9065. The program features a luncheon and welcomes thousands of interior design professionals from around the area. For more information or to register for courses, contact TAID at 281-257-3523 or www.supporttaid.org. Make plans now to attend the next Dallas Total Home & Gift Market taking place Jan. 13-19, 2010. MMPI Announces New Additions to the Chicago Gift Team Chicago — MMPI announced two new additions to the Chicago Gift sales team, Sara Dahlstrom and Robin Gadomski. Gadomski joins MMPI from Helen Newman Showroom in the Apparel Mart, where she was the regional midwest account representative. Gadomski received a B.A. in Art History from the University of Iowa. Dahlstrom returns to MMPI after working seven years with Lang Holdings Inc. as a sales director and brand manager. Before that time, she was a member of MMPI as a part of the sales team for the Beckman’s Handcrafted Show® upon its acquisition. “Sara and Robin are great additions to our team. They bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise in sales to MMPI,” said Joan Ulrich, senior vice president, MMPI. “Their contributions will be noticeable to attendees as they work to bring the best resources to Chicago. I am particularly pleased to welcome Sara back to our team. I have worked with Sara in the past and know firsthand how hard she will work to make our shows a success for exhibitors and attendees.” About MMPI MMPI is a trade show and property management firm, specializing in managing buildings devoted to wholesale showrooms and commercial office space. MMPI produces more than 300 trade shows, market events and conferences each year. MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart and 350 West Mart Center in Chicago; Market Square, the Suites at Market Square, Hamilton Market, Plaza Suites, Furniture Plaza and the National Furniture Mart in High Point, N.C.; the Architects & Designers Building and 7 W New York in New York; the Boston Design Center in Boston; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center and Federal Center Southwest in Washington, D.C. Robin Gadomski, as sales associate, will be responsible for sales for the Beckman’s Handcrafted Show. She will work with established artists, develop key relationships for and attract new resources to the Beckman’s Handcrafted Show in Chicago. For more information please visit www.mmart.com or call 800-677-6278 (MART). The Chicago Market: Living and Giving is a trademark of MMPI. Beckman’s Handcrafted Gift Show is a registered trademark of MMPI. Vornado Realty Trust, owners of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO. As Managing Director of Market Suite Sales, Sara Dahlstrom is responsible for the Chicago Market Temporaries. She will work with the sales team to support existing exhibitors as well as attracting new resources to the market. Kitchenware News & Housewares Review • NOVEMBER 2009 | and training videos and has been a retail professional for 25 years. He is also the director of retail training for the Retailers Association of Massachusetts and a founding member of the Retail Advisory Council for Johnson & Wales University. According to Segel, “Bringing the business to the next level is the term I hear most to describe what I do…I have a way of making ideas easy to understand and easy to implement. I believe there is brilliance in simplicity.” The 2010 Gourmet Catalog Member Conference theme will be “Regroup, Recover, Regrow,” signifying the group’s commitment to helping members recover their retail footing and move toward renewed success in the new year. The conference is open only to store and vendor members of Gourmet Catalog Buying Group. About Dallas Market Center Founded in 1957, Dallas Market Center is a complete wholesale marketplace. Within its marketplace of more than five million square feet, retailers from around the globe source products ranging from home furnishings, gifts, decorative accessories and lighting to textiles, fashion accessories and men’s, western, women’s and children’s apparel. With more than 50 markets each year attended by more than 200,000 retail buyers from all 50 states and 84 countries, Dallas Market Center offers hundred of events and seminars geared toward helping retailers expand business and increase profits. As a result, more than $8 billion in estimated wholesale transactions are conducted annually within the Dallas Market Center complex. The Dallas Market Center Web site is available at www.dallasmarketcenter.com. 2009 & 10 TRADE SHOW CALENDAR NOVEMBER 2009 2-5 ProcureCon 2009 Hotel Le Plaza, Brussels +44 (0) 207-368-9465 www.procurecon.com JANUARY 2010 6-13 Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market AmericasMart Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 800-ATL-MART, www.Americasmart.com 10-13 National Retail Federation 99th Annual Convention & Expo Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, NY, 202-626-8154, www.nrf.com 12-18 California Gift Show L.A. Mart, Los Angeles, CA, 800-LAMART4, www.lamart.com 23