BY A.J. FLICK

The success of this spring’s sold-outInternational Home + Housewares Showand its inaugural fourth day is shored up byencouraging figures on March retail sales.

In keeping with the economic times andhome-cooking trends, cookware that makesfood preparation easier was prevalent onthe IH+HS show floor. Silicone paired withnon-stick coatings was the magiccombination used for bakeware from KuhnRikon’s IHA Innovation Award-winningPushPan, which eliminates the leaky spring-

BY NANCY POWAGA

Since their invention more than 300 yearsago, pressure cookers have gained steam inkitchens around the world. Pressure cookersseal ingredients in a vessel that does not allowair or liquids to escape. This process increasesthe boiling point—allowing liquids such aswater or broth to reach a temperature higherthan its boiling point. Some popular foods tocook in a pressure cooker include dried beans,lentils, vegetables, chicken and stews.

Hugh Rushing of the Cookware

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Pressure Cookers Gain MarketSteam With Home-Cooking Trend

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GIFTWARE:HOME FRAGRANCESSEE PAGE 30

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S E RV I N G K I T CH ENWA R E , HOU S EWA R E S AND TA B L E TO P MA R K E T S

Manufacturers Association said the marketfor pressure cookers runs in eight-yearcycles, with this year being the beginningof an upswing.

“Right now, our lives are robbed of time,”Rushing said, “and consumers are looking fora shortcut. Many view the pressure cookeras this shortcut.”

Thirty years ago, 72 percent of main dishes

BY NANCY POWAGA

Fall beckons a return to colder weatherand thus, a return to days and nightsspent inside. One way for consumers tomake a home especially cozy during crispweather is to indulge in a seasonal home fragrance.

According to www.etherea-aromatics.com,home fragrance sales are expected to reachupwards of $6 billion in 2012. Consumerssimply want their homes to smell nice,therefore in 2007, 80 percent of adult

Pumped for Pumpkin: TraditionalFragrances Trending for Fall

Expanded Housewares Show Sees Success as U.S. Retail Sales Rise

Americans purchased an air care product.These products include candles, candleaccessories, sprays, plug-ins, roomfresheners, potpourri, air fresheners and air purifiers.

Americans have learned that their homescan smell good all year round and not justduring the holiday season. After all, whocan resist the smells of fall? Fall conjuresmemories of hot pumpkin pie in the oven,

form bakeware, to Aussie celebrity ChefCurtis Stone’s Pop Outs, which allow bakersto gently push out baked goods from pans.

This year, the not-for-profit InternationalHousewares Association, which owns andoperates the IH+HS, opened the gates onSaturday with a half-day.

“The show’s new fourth day was wellreceived and well used based on reports from both buyers and exhibitors,”

VOLUME 18, NUMBER 5 MAY 2012

ALESSIO ALESSI: FAMILY DESIGNS...8

THE WEST: UNIQUE RETAILER........10

GOURMET MARKET EXPANDS.....31

REVIEWS: FIRE WIRE, VITACLAY...12

http://www.fissler.com

GENERAL NEWSwww.kitchenwarenews.com n MAY 2012 n KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW

NSF International, an independent globalorganization that writes standards, tests andcertifies products for the food, water andconsumer goods industries, has launchedthe NSF Home Product CertificationProgram to test and certify home kitchenproducts and appliances. NSF announcedthe program at the International Homeand Housewares Show in Chicago.

Product categories covered by the NSFHome Products Certification programinclude coffee makers, slow cookers,blenders, food storage containers, cookwareand more. NSF regulatory and public healthexperts worked with retailers, manufacturersand regulatory experts to develop protocolsfor each product category, whichincorporate all relevant regulatory andretailer requirements. NSF’s scientists andengineers then verify that a productcomplies with the protocol by evaluating itsquality, performance and material safety.

The process also includes a packagingreview and testing to substantiate

performance and marketing claims and anaudit of the facility in which the productis made. Products that comply with therequirements will bear the NSF “Certifiedfor Home Use” certification mark.

Many retailers and industry groups arealready using the NSF Home ProductCertification program including Costco,Jarden Consumer Solutions and theCookware Manufacturers Association.Jarden Consumer Solutions’ Crock-PotSlow Cooker, Oster Blender and Mr.Coffee Coffee Maker are the first productsto earn NSF Home Product Certification.

The new NSF Home Product Certificationbuilds on NSF’s protocol development,testing and certification experience to helpensure the safety and quality of consumerproducts and appliances used in and aroundthe home. In addition to providingconsumers added assurance regarding thesafety and performance of their appliances,the program enables manufacturers tostreamline regulatory and retailer-specific

product specifications into one set of testingrequirements, which helps increase aproduct’s speed to market and can reduceoverall testing costs.

“The new NSF Home Product CertificationProgram benefits suppliers because it uses asingle set of transparent and retailer-acceptedtesting requirements. Streamlining thisprocess saves manufacturers time and costsassociated with meeting multiple retailerrequirements while verifying product qualityfor both retailers and suppliers,” said TonySatcher, Director of Sales Operations, TeamCostco, Jarden Consumer Solutions.

“We believe that the NSF Home ProductCertification program will benefitmanufacturers, retailers and consumers inhelping to standardize product testingacross channels, helping to control testingcosts and reduce lead time between design,production and shipment of product,” saidDoug Reigle, COO of Regal Ware and the2012 President of the CMA.

NSF International Launches Program to Test, Certify Kitchen Products, Appliances

Building on its legacy of making greatdesign accessible to all through innovativeretail partnerships, Target is introducinga new design program, The Shops atTarget. Through this ongoing program,Target will partner directly with the shopowners of specialty stores and boutiques toco-create affordable, limited-editioncollections for consumers.

The first flight of The Shops at Targetfeatures five exclusive collections from fiveU.S. specialty stores: The Candy Store,Cos Bar, Polka Dog Bakery, Privet Houseand The Webster.

The collections reflect each shop owner’s unique perspective, offering Target customers the opportunity toexperience each shop’s distinct aesthetic simply by visiting their localTarget store or Target.com beginning May 6.

Target Introduces NewDesign Program

General News3

Joseph Joseph, the award-winning U.K.-based design company known for itsstylish and contemporary kitchenwareproducts, has won a landmark victory in China over a group of Chinesecompanies that not only produced copies of Joseph Joseph’s Index ChoppingBoard, but claimed to own the designand brand name.

The two-year court case involved NingboJohn and its subsidiaries: Ningbo JiangbeiGolden Mate Imp & Exp Co., NingboJiangbei Infull International Trading Co.,Ningbo Jiangbei Dollar GeneralInternational Industrial Co. and NingboEvertop Industrial Co.

Ningbo John patented the Index board inChina three years ago, used that patent toget buyers and exported the productaround the world, helping to take itsturnover to $40 million, records show.

Now, a Chinese court has found in favorof Joseph Joseph on the key design featuresof the iconic Joseph Joseph Index™Cutting Boards, and the patent owned byNingbo John has been revoked.

“This is an unprecedented victory in Chinafor Joseph Joseph,” said Richard Joseph,Managing Director for Joseph Joseph. “It

was such a blatant rip-off of our brandname and trademark that this was asignificant win. We’ve taken manyChinese companies to task over productinfringement, but this was the first timethey’d dared to register our design andbrand name as their own.

“When we challenged them on it,” Josephsaid, “they actually threatened to sue usbecause the products were their design.They claimed to customers that theyowned the design registration and brandname and therefore could sell the copies,which is just a blatant lie.”

Joseph said that there is still “a long listof infringers” of Joseph Joseph productswaiting to be challenged.

Joseph Joseph employs an in-houseintellectual property lawyer because caseslike these have become such a critical issuefor the company.

“We’re totally committed to fightingcopies head on wherever they appear andare determined to win however long thattakes,” continues Joseph. “This case alsoforcefully demonstrates the necessity offighting to the bitter end: if you reallycare about your brand name and designyou fight until you win.”

China Court Rules for JosephJoseph in Patent Infringement Case

GENERAL NEWS4 www.kitchenwarenews.com n MAY 2012 n KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW

A series of free educational programs andspecial events will be among highlights ofthe summer 2012 debut of ArtisanResource™ at the New York InternationalGift Fair® (NYIGF®). Value-addedactivities, which include seminars for bothexhibitors and attendees and onsitereceptions, will be offered over four fulldays—Aug. 18-21—at New York City’sPassenger Ship Terminal Pier 92.

Artisan Resource is a first-of-its kind showoffering U.S.-based volume importers,direct import retailers and wholesalers theopportunity to meet with internationalartisanal producers. It will runconcurrently with NYIGF, offering aproduction-sourcing venue for overseasartisan enterprises to showcase theirproducts and production capabilities – atexport terms – from their country of origin.

“Artisan Resource programming will addreal value for both exhibitors and attendees,”said Christian Falkenberg,NYIGF directorand GLM vice president. “Exhibitorsessions will help to orient and prepareinternational artisans for successful businessactivities in the United States, and attendeesessions will provide an essential overview

of volume importing basics.”Two exhibitor education sessions will be presented on Aug. 18, the day beforethe market officially opens, with topicsincluding U.S. tradeshow etiquette and the importance of a product ’s“backstory.” During the show, additionalsessions on U.S. design trends, U.S.product development and globalhandmade product marketing also will beoffered for exhibitors.

On each morning of the three-daytradeshow, an “Importing 101” primer willbe presented at Pier 92 for ArtisanResource attendees. Carol MacNulty, aspecialist in handmade and artisanalproduction and handcraft importing, willaddress the logistics, vocabulary and theroles and responsibilities of both exporterand importer. Participants will learn howto build international businessrelationships, and to assess the risks andopportunities inherent in the internationalmarketplace. Pre-registration is requiredfor the free session.

Two evening receptions will be hosted on the Artisan Resource exhibit floor. On Aug. 19, NYIGF will host a receptionfor all exhibitors and attendees. The

NY International Gift Fair Gearing Up With Educational Programs, Special Events

preview reception on Aug. 18 is open byinvitation pnly.

Artisan Resource participants also mayregister for NYIGF’s extensive seminarseries, which addresses color and designtrends, social media, sustainability and retailstrategies, as well as social events such asNYIGF’s popular “Night on Broadway,”which features specially priced tickets to theAug. 20, performance of “Ghost.”Information and registration is availableonline at www.nyigf.com/programs.

Artisan Resource, which will be managedby GLM and organized with ByHandConsulting, will feature 50 exhibitors inthe inaugural show.

In other NYIGF happenings:• 100 Days of Design, a community-basedblog published by the NYIGF, will returnfor the summer 2012 edition, with amodified format highlighting the design-driven products at NYIGF, as well NewYork City attractions and entertainment.The blog, which is accessible atwww.100DaysofDesign.com, will bepublished twice weekly beginning on May1 through the summer NYIGF.

• A monthly series of free “MarketReadiness” webinars—addressingmarketing and selling strategies,tradeshow operations and lead follow-up—is being offered to exhibitors.Produced jointly by NYIGF and Right Angle Strategies, the seriesincludes four pre-show webinars, one

post-show webinar, and free, 15-minutebusiness consultations during NYIGF. As an added benefit, Right Angle Strategies will offer all webinar participants a free, in-booth 15-minutebusiness consultation upon request duringNYIGF. Registration is available online atwww.nyigf.com/Exhibitors/ExhibitorEducation.aspx#registration

• A new “Open House” exhibit willshowcase 2013 home furnishings trends—from materials and color to commerce andbranding. Presented in partnership withOne Kings Lane, Sandow Media andPantone, the display will illustrateproducts in six key trend categories,followed by an online flash sale of featuredmerchandise to benefit Gift For Life, thehome, gift and stationery industries’ solecharity partner. In connection with thedisplay, a seminar titled “Open House—What’s Hot in Home Design?” willexplore trends influencing home products,from materials and color to commerce andbranding. The session is scheduled forAug. 19, from 8:30-9:30 a.m.

• New York’s Newest, one of 10 divisions,will move from Pier 92 to the Jacob K.Javits Convention Center for the summer2012 market. This shift coincides withthe repositioning of Artisan Resource.New York’s Newest will run Aug. 18-21,in the Javits Center’s Hall 1E.

For exhibitor information, contact AllisonRober, sales manager, at GLM, at914.421.3212) or arober@glmshows.com.Attendee information is available bycalling 800.272.SHOW (7469) or212.204.1060. Additional information andregistration is available online atwww.artisanresourceny.com.

The Summer Fancy Food Show returns toWashington, D.C., with the latest inchocolate, cheese, olive oil, spices, snacksand natural and organic products from2,400 food artisans and entrepreneurs fromacross the U.S. and around the world.

The show, now in its 58th year, will take placeJune 17-19 at the Walter E. WashingtonConvention Center. It is the largestmarketplace devoted exclusively to specialtyfoods and beverages in North America.Registration is at www.fancyfoodshows.com.

Buyers representing the top names inretailing and restaurants from 125countries from Argentina to Vietnam areexpected to attend the show to spot trends,discover emerging flavors and connect withnew food producers.

“The specialty food industry is thriving,and so is the spirit of innovation from ourexhibitors, whether industry veterans oremerging food entrepreneurs,” said Ann

Daw, President of the NationalAssociation for the Specialty Food TradeInc. (NASFT) the show’s owner. “We areseeing renewed energy and growinginterest from suppliers and buyers alike.”

The show takes place as the NASFTcelebrates its 60th anniversary. A showhighlight will be an interactive exhibittracing the history of specialty food inAmerica. This year’s best products will bein the spotlight at a red-carpet ceremonyhosted by noted Chef José Andrés, whowill present the NASFT’s 40th annualsofi™ Awards for the outstandingspecialty foods and beverages of 2012. Asofi Award is the top honor in thespecialty food industry.•The Summer Fancy Food Show relocatedto Washington, D.C., last year from itslongtime home at the Jacob K. JavitsConvention Center in New York due toongoing construction. It is slated to beheld in New York again in 2013.

Summer Fancy Food Show Features History of Specialty Food in America

GENERAL NEWSwww.kitchenwarenews.com n MAY 2012 n KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW 55

Christian Falkenberg, a GLM Vice Presidentand 20-year trade show industry veteran, hastaken the helm of the New York InternationalGift Fair® (NYIGF®) as Show Director.Falkenberg, who has been NYIGF ShowManager since 2008, reports directly toCharles McCurdy, CEO of GLM.

Falkenberg will have comprehensive oversight

of the NYIGF, including strategicdevelopment, brand positioning, sales,audience marketing, public relations andoperations, as well as day-to-day managementof the fair’s 15-person sales team.

“In recent years, the NYIGF has undergonea series of strategic refinements to enhance theoverall product offering, cross-category synergy,

GLM Names Falkenberg Show Director of NYIGF

market differentiation and presentation, tobetter serve the needs of our customers,” saidMcCurdy. “Christian has played a key role inthe fair’s evolution. Given his deep experiencewithin the gift and home industry, and theNYIGF specifically, the fair’s growth andsuccess will thrive under his guidance.”

“I am looking forward to bringing the fairthrough the next phase of Focus Forward2013, launching Artisan Resource Marketthis summer, and strengthening theNYIGF’s position as the premiermarketplace in the gift, home and lifestyle

industry,” said Falkenberg.’

Falkenberg joined GLM in 1992. During histenure, he has held sales and managementpositions with the International Hotel, Motel+ Restaurant Show®, Las Vegas InternationalHotel & Restaurant Show, AH&MALodging Expo and the Air & WasteManagement Association Conference andExpo. He was promoted to Vice Presidentin 2003. Falkenberg holds a bachelor of artsdegree in psychology from Hamilton Collegeand is a member of the InternationalAssociation of Exhibitions & Events.

Cuisinart, a dominant leader incoffeemakers and other culinary appliancecategories, and illycaffè, a worldwideleader in premium specialty coffee, haveannounced a global partnership to developa new line of espresso machines designedand manufactured by Cuisinart.

The collection, co-branded Cuisinart forilly, will feature illy ’s proprietaryiperEspresso capsule system, a patentedtwo-stage extraction process producingexceptional results through rapid infusionand extraction during the brewing cycle.

The partnership leverages Cuisinart’s

preeminent status as an innovativecoffeemaker brand across all segments ofthe product category and aligns it with illy,the company that pioneered the modernespresso method and the world’s first single-serve espresso pods, now an industrystandard. The Cuisinart for illy product lineis scheduled to debut by the first quarter of2013 at Cuisinart and illy’s retail channels,encompassing department and specialtystores, including online segments.

“Cuisinart has maintained a dominant marketshare in the coffeemaker category since theintroduction of our first auto-drip unit in1994,” said Ron Diamond, President of

Cuisinart, Illycaffè Announce GlobalPartnership Agreement

Conair Corp., Cuisinart’s parent company.“By collaborating with illy on this new lineof espresso machines, we are utilizing theexpertise and resources of both companies toprovide consumers with innovative productsfrom two trusted and highly regarded brands.”

“Illy maintains unsurpassed quality standards,and it was clear that Cuisinart was the idealpartner for us,” said Andrea Illy, Chairmanand CEO of illycaffè. “It is a privilege topartner with Cuisinart on a high-calibercollection of espresso machines madeespecially for illy’s iperEspresso capsules.Illy’s mission is to delight coffee lovers;aligning with a highly respected partner likeCuisinart will help take our mission further.”

Cuisinart is a market leader in its class oftrades, and the coffeemaker category is by farthe largest in the small appliance business,

where Cuisinart has a dominant presence.The company’s success stems largely from adeep dedication to quality and innovation,combined with strong consumer insightsand marketing expertise.

Partnering with illy, long known for itsdedication to the highest-quality coffee,innovation and an innate sense of design, willculminate in an exciting collection of single-serve espresso machines that will deliver cupafter cup of exceptional espresso, representingthe product features and aesthetics mostimportant to consumers around the globe.

Under the terms of the agreement, Cuisinartwill initially develop products designed foruse with illy’s iperEspresso capsules.

Other terms and conditions of thelicensing agreement were not disclosed.

GENERAL NEWS6 www.kitchenwarenews.com n MAY 2012 n KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW

Dallas Market Center has announced thefinalists of The Next Big Thing, a nationalproduct search contest: Brobe, AccessoryConnectz and PotBra. The finalists will exhibitbefore an estimated 50,000 attendees during theFINDS Dallas Temp Show, June 21-24.

Brobe is a robe with a built in bra for personaland medical use. There are three types of Brobes:The Original “O” Brobe for extra support and

coverage, the Mommy Brobe for the nursingmother, and the Recovery Brobe for womenwho have undergone mastectomy or breastreconstruction. For more information, visitwww.thebrobe.com.

Accessory Connectz makes accessorizing flipflops, headbands and pet collars simple andfun. The product is a strap device that allowscustomers to clip, pin or button on their

Next Big Thing National ProductSearch Finalists Announced

favorite accessories to their items. In additionto the straps, Accessory Connectz offers aline of button on flowers. Accessory Connectzis a product that allows customers to get thelook they desire in a matter of seconds on abudget. For more information, visitwww.accessoryconnectz.com.

PotBra is a unique kitchen gadget designedfor food transportation. Made out of asilicone rubber, the band has three cut outsthat can stretch to fit any pot or pan toprevent the food from spilling duringtransport. For more information, visitwww.potbra.com.

Judges include members of the media andindustry experts who will select the winnerduring market based on the finalists’ productdesign and ability to sell. The winner will receivea prize package worth more than $12,500including $2,500 in cash, exhibit space at theJanuary 2013 Dallas Total Home & GiftMarket, a profile in one of Dallas MarketCenter’s award-winning custom publications,consultations from leading industry expertsregarding branding, public relations, visualmerchandising and more.

The Dallas Market Center website is availableat www.dallasmarketcenter.com.

Tervis, the leader in insulated drinkwaresince 1946, has promoted Richard Kaplanto President, Chief Brand Officer.

Board member Patrick Redmond was alsorecently named President and ChiefExecutive Officer of Tervis Tumbler Co.

“At Tervis, we put astrong emphasis onbringing in top-notchtalent to elevate thecompany,” said OwnerNorbert Donelly. “It’stalented people such asRich and Pat who willcontinue to lead Tervison a path of strategicgrowth.”

Over the past fouryears, Kaplan played asignificant role ingrowing the company.As Chief Sales &Marketing Officer, he led the sales force,the direct-to-consumer channel (Tervis-owned stores and tervis.com), licensingand the marketing and productdevelopment teams. In his new position,he’ll continue to lead those areas while

also playing a more substantial role indriving Tervis’ strategic direction.

Kaplan led the product developmentteam’s expansion beyond the traditionalTervis tumbler with the introduction ofthe already wildly popular new 24-ounce

water bottle (introducedin January) along with avariety of new sizes andaccessories within thedrinkware line.

This past year, Kaplan ledthe marketing team’s first-ever, national advertisingcampaign, resulting insignificant increases inbrand awareness - a keystrategic objective for thecompany.

Redmond has served onthe Tervis Board ofDirectors since 2010.

For the past 17 years, Redmond heldbusiness development and financialleadership positions at Jabil Circuit, a $17 billion contract manufacturing and design services company based in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Richard Kaplan Assumes New Leadership Role for Tervis

Starbucks Coffee Co. and Green MountainCoffee Roasters have expanded theirpartnership to include the manufacturing,marketing, distribution and sale ofStarbucks-branded Vue packs for therecently introduced Keurig Vue Brewer.

Green Mountain introduced the Vue,which is designed to brew larger, strongerand hotter beverages, in February.

This move is an extension of thepartnership between the two companieswhich began last year, with the launch ofStarbucks-branded K-Cups for Keurigbrewers last fall. The agreement establishes

Keurig as the exclusive low-pressure,single-cup brewing system offeringStarbucks coffee and Tazo tea.

The Starbucks Vue packs are slated toappear in specialty stores, departmentstores and mass retailers in the UnitedStates, and Green Mountain’s consumer-direct websites, by fall.

Earlier this year, Starbucks unveiled itsagreement with Germany-based Kruegerto market the Verismo system byStarbucks, a single-serve espresso maker,along with Starbucks-sourced arabicacoffee and milk pods.

Keurig Vue Brewer to Carry Starbucks-Branded Packs

Grammy-winning singer/songwriter and guitarist Kenny Loggins takes thestage and steps into the AmericasMartspotlight at Icon Honors 2012 as featuredmusical entertainer.

Loggins’ hits over four decades and 12platinum albums reveal his lifelong passionfor exploring the endless power of song.He is best known for the hits”This Is It,”“I’m Alright” from “Caddyshack,”“Footloose” from its namesake movie and“Danger Zone” from “Top Gun.”

The concert shares the Icon Honors 2012main stage with honors presented to homeand gift retailers, manufacturers, salesagents and service providers from acrossthe industry, plus a nationally acclaimed

keynote speaker.

“Kenny Loggins is iconic in his own rightas the essential creative force in musicspanning the range of human emotion,”said Jeffrey L. Portman Sr., President andChief Operating Officer of Icon Honorsco-sponsor AmericasMart Atlanta. “Hissongs are drawn from the mosaic of lifeexperiences in the same way that IconHonors captures the hopes and dreams ofthose we celebrate.”

The Icon Honors 2012 celebration is scheduled for July 14 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis as the premierevent of the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market. Please visitwww.americasmarticonhonors.com for details.

Grammy Winner Kenny Loggins to Perform at Icon Honors

IN THE ISSUEwww.kitchenwarenews.com n MAY 2012 n KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW 7

O N T H E C O V E R

FISSLER USAHurom Slow Juicer [tel] 888.347.7537www.fissler.com

PRODYNE ENTERPRISESSalt & Pepper Please[tel] 909.484.1212www.prodyne.com

INNO LABSDrink Flair[tel] 620.229.9800 www.drinkflair.com

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PRESIDENT Lee M. Oser

By all accounts, Americans are staying home more and enjoying their homes more.Many of them say that some of the new habits they’re learning as a result of therecession are going to stick with them once the economy has recovered. They justdon’t expect the economy to be fully recovered any time soon.

In general, Americans are using more coupons at the store, buying more food inbulk and eating less in restaurants, shopping more often at discount stores, andspending more time at home with family and friends, according to a recentTIME/Money American’s Financial Values Survey. They’re doing more of theirown housekeeping, home repairs and lawn care, and most of them say that they’llcontinue to spend less once the economy has begun to recover.

People who own their own homes have stopped moving around so much. Accordingto an Associated Press-LifeGoesStrong.com poll this month, more than half ofAmericans born between 1946 and 1964 say they are unlikely to move somewhereelse to retire, and the U.S. Census Bureau has reported that Americans moved tonew homes last year at rates that were the lowest since 1948, when the Bureau begantracking information on moves. In short, Americans are staying put, and they’regetting used to being at home.

Americans are also cooking and eating more at home. According to a 2010 surveyconducted for ConAgra Foods, Americans were finding that cooking together hadbrought their families together, and the home cooks, especially the younger ones,were enjoying it more. Seventy-two percent of those in the 18-34 age group saidthey were planning to cook more in the coming year than in the past year, and 71percent of those younger Americans said they’d started cooking new dishes.

All of this is creating new opportunities for the kitchenware and housewaresindustry, and we saw at the International Home + Housewares Show this year thatthe industry is up to the challenge. Speaking as the publisher of the foremostmagazine covering the industry, I can tell you that it ’s going to be great fun thisyear covering the people and products who are doing so much to help Americansfigure out how to adapt and even to enjoy their homes through the course of thisnew economic reality.

Lee M. Oser, Publisher

publisherfrom the may 2012

contents3 GENERAL NEWS

8 ONE ON ONE

10 RETAILER PROFILE

12 PRODUCT REVIEWS

13 SPECIAL FEATUREHOUSEWARES WRAP-UP

28 BUYERS GUIDEPICNICWARE & TRAVEL MUGS

30 GIFTWAREHOME FRAGRANCE

31 AD INDEX

31 UPCOMING EVENTS

H o u s e w a r e s R e v i e wKITCHENWARE NEWS

S E RV I N G K I T CH ENWA R E , HOU S EWA R E S AND TA B L E TO P MA R K E T S

ONE ON ONE www.kitchenwarenews.com n MAY 2012 n KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW8

One on One

BY A.J. FLICK

It’s the first full day of the InternationalHome + Housewares Show and the showfloor is teeming with activity. Above thedin of thousands of buyers, retailers andmanufacturers making deals, a live bandbursts into New Orleans jazz music andonlookers cheer as a celebrated chef takesto a stage.

Alessio Alessi, scion of the iconic AlessiItalian design factory, is oblivious to thebabble, which isn’t to say he’s not excited.Alessi gets animated as he caresses ... apasta pot.

“It’s a new way to cook pasta!” Alessi saysof the popular cookware—created incollaboration with famed French chefAlain Ducasse and designer PatrickJouin—that uses the pasta water instead ofdiscarding it.

“You can also bring it to the table. It’snot an object that’s better not to be seen,”Alessi said, though it’s really unnecessary

to voice thecompany’s missionof making functionstylish.

Alessi, the company,came from theIH+HS this yearwith yet anotheraccolade: a Global

Innovator Award for its new Ape aperitifcollection by Giulio Iacchetti. This month,the company will reopen its flagship Sohostore with an installation from theCranbrook Academy of Art, from apartnership that started with a workshopand will result in manufactured designsnow in production.

Kitchenware News & Housewares Reviewasked Alessi, a married father of four whoenjoys golfing in his spare time, about thefamily business.

Q: Your grandfather, Giovanni Alessi,founded the company in 1921 and yourfather, Carlo Alessi, established Alessi asa powerhouse as an “Italian DesignFactory.” How do you and your familymaintain that tradition yet remain viablein today’s marketplace?

A: Actually, my father, Carlo, was theman who started the collaboration withexternal designers and his great successwas to contribute to the company’sdevelopment—from the production tothe distribution. There are two importantissues coming from the third generation.Starting from the middle of the ‘70s, my oldest brother, Alberto, introducedthe design strongly and from the end ofthe ‘70s, all the new products have beenthe result of the collaboration with themost important international designrepresentatives. This has made Alessi intoone of the leading Italian design factories.The second important success came fromthe distribution. At the beginning of the‘90s, Alessi changed its distribution in itsmain markets, building an importantpresence through its own organization.This gave us the possibility to operate onthe market directly and to bring to themarket the exact meaning of the brand.It also allowed us to strongly decrease theretail prices and make the Alessi productsmore affordable for a larger public.

Q: Alessi products are in more permanentmuseum collections than any other designcompany. Is there a piece in your currentkitchenware collection that we could,

perhaps, someday see in a museum?

A: Yes, more than one. But I would liketo mention as an example for all, theespresso coffee maker designed by RichardSapper because it was the first productthat, in 1979, became part of MoMApermanent collection.

Q: Alessi has worked with hundreds oftalented designers from many culturessince it began and distributes products tomore than 60 countries. What is the Alessithread that gives such diverse productsuniversal appeal across generations?

A: Actually, today we have a catalog thatshows different design languages and itcould generate a confusion between them;but, somehow, all are linked by a commonidentity. I think that the *fil rouge*(common thread) is the high quality of theproject, starting from the design butinvolving also the production quality. Agood design gives added value to theobjects on the market.

Q: Are there any classic Alessikitchenware/houseware items that youwould like to re-envision for contemporaryconsumers?

A: Nothing is a new invention. In themost fortunate cases, we succeed inrevamping old and forgotten typologies.As, for example, the new folding cakestand (Anna Gong) by AlessandroMendini. It was an old typology thatdisappeared from our catalog in the ‘90sand we relaunched in 2010 with greatsuccess. Another way is to work on thetraditional typologies, which represent theEastern world, and to translate these fora more friendly Western use.

Q: In addition to being responsible forAlessi’s market presence and development,you are charged with tending therelationship between family and company.How do you do all that and manage tohave a life?

A: I could say that I have one foot in thecompany but keep one eye on the future.Of course, I am interested in developingtoday’s Alessi at best, but I am alsointerested in preparing the future of theyoung Alessi family members at their best.And one thing helps the other.

Q: Imagine someone is being introducedto Alessi for the first time. What wouldyou say to them about Alessi?

A: Do you mean a general person? In that case, I would make him understandthat Alessi is a dream factory, one of the few companies that work to meettypologies, the needs of art and poetry of the people, applied on everyday use objects.

Alessio AlessiCEO, Alessi USA

http://www.mastrad.us

Retailer ProfileRETAILER PROFILE www.kitchenwarenews.com n MAY 2012 n KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW

The West Sells Kitchenwareto Fund Charitable ProjectsBY LORRIE BAUMANN

The West isn’t your average kitchenwarestore. About half the merchandise in the2,000 square-feet of display space consistsof needlework supplies, while the otherhalf offers a mix of kitchenware and giftware. All of the net revenue from the shopgoes to support women’s and children’scharities in Tucson, Ariz.

The shop is owned by The West, Inc., a501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, andoperated by a dedicated band of volunteerswho support the shop and its charityactivities with their time and membershipdues. The organization was founded in1968 by a Junior League auxiliary groupwith the goal of operating a shop to helpfund the Brewster Home for UnwedMothers. The group affiliated with theWoman’s Exchange Society, a nationalsociety founded in the NineteenthCentury to organize commercialoperations that would allow women to

earn money by selling their hand-madeneedlecraft products and started a shop tosell their hand-made products. Eventually,the store evolved to sell needleworksupplies rather than the hand-madeproducts and eventually added gifts andhousewares to its stock, as well as a largeselection of greeting cards and notes. Thenonprofit organization has since endedits association with the Brewster Homeand now the 100 active memberscontribute service hours to operate theshop and 50 associates who pay duessupport the organization’s variouscharitable projects. The West grants fundsfor eight or nine projects a year throughother local charities serving women andchildren. Most of these organizations don’thave a lot of other funding resources tomeet their extraordinary needs, saidLinden Hickey, The West ’s publicrelations chairman. Recent projects fundedby The West included air conditioningfor schools, smart boards for a child abuse

prevention center that conducts parentingclasses, and a roof repair materials forMiracle Square, which provides low-income housing for disabled adults. Thetotal amount of the grants to theseorganizations varies from year to year,depending on how much revenue the shopbrings in, but last year’s grants totaledmore than $60,000, and the organizationexpects to grant over $80,000 this year.

The West is the only remainingindependent needlecraft shop in Tucson.Most customersare women whocome to the shop,located on EastRiver Road inTucson, in searchof needlecraftsupplies, but it hasalso become adestination forthose looking forspecial cards andhostess gifts. A lotof the stitchersshop on impulse,so the display areapacks many one-of-a-kind itemsinto a small space.“If you come intoThe West and youdon’t know whatyou’re looking for,you’ll probablyfind it,” Hickeysays. “We’ve gotthis really eclectic bunch of merchandisethat makes us a destination for peoplewho are coming to look for that hard-to-find item.”

All of the shop’s buyers are volunteerswhose merchandising strategy is an

amalgam of intuition and experience, andthe products chosen for the store arebought in small quantities. The Westcounts on rapid turnover of its stock tokeep customers coming back to see what’snew. “We don’t buy in bulk. Our customersexpect to find new things every time theycome in,” Hickey says. “There’s somethingnew here almost every day.”

Stock includes educational toys and gamesfor infants and children, especially booksby local children’s authors, featuring titles

about the Southwest, aselection of cookbooksfrom Junior Leaguechapters in otherareas, books focusedon family cooking,and gluten-free anddiabetic cookery. TheCooking with TraderJoe’s series of books isparticularly popular,according to Hickey.There is a largeselection of greetingcards, especially thosefrom local designersand U.S. makers,including cards fromDesign DESIGN andOatmeal Studios. Thekitchenware in theshop emphasizesproducts whosesuggested retail priceis less than $10,including kitchen

tools from Harold Import Company andNorpro. Also in the kitchenware sectionof the store are a small selection of kitchentextiles and aprons, as well as gourmetfood items from Stonewall Kitchens,Coventry Gardens soup mixes andGourmet Village dip mixes.

10

http://www.vinturi.com

Fire Wire Flexible Skewers a Cool Way to Grill

Product ReviewsPRODUCT REVIEW www.kitchenwarenews.com n MAY 2012 n KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW12

BY A.J. FLICK

Grilling should be fun, not an ordeal.Anything that allows a griller to focus onthe company and food—rather than theprocess of grilling—is a plus.

The name practicallys says it all with the Fire Wire® Flexible Grilling Skewers. Made of stainless steel cable-like ropes, there’s a tip at one end andloop at the other, so you can save space in the cooler by marinading in a baggieor bowl. On the grill, the 31-inch skewers hold twice as much food as mostskewers and can be used in either a loopor line.

No more bamboo skewers that you haveto soak (or forget to soak) but end upgetting burned on the ends. Plus, no moreworries about splinters in the food.

Fire Wire’s stainless steel doesn’t react

with marinades and because youcan soak the FlexibleSkewers in marinade,you only have to touchthe food oncebefore you put iton the grill.

Long, rigidskewers thatyou totransport tothe grillingparty canpoke holes inwhateveryou’re carryingthem in (or theperson totingthem!). Most ofmy grilling is doneover a campfire, and theFire Wire Flexible Skewers are a lot

easier to store in the camping equipment than the rigid skewers. (They save shelf space for retailers, too, in their flat, envelope-style packages.)

Once the FlexibleSkewers are on the grill, you can

hang the loop or tip off the grill and flip the skewer with your bare handsbecause the

metal remainscool to the touch.

Fire Wire FlexibleSkewers aredishwasher safe,won’t rust and comewith a lifetimeguarantee. Suggested

retail price is $14.99 fora set of two. For

more information, call620.229.9800 or visit

www.firewiregrilling.com.

VitaClay: Next Best Thing to Hiring a Personal Chef

my go-to appliance for meal-making. I amcollecting all sorts of recipes to try next. The6-Cup VitaClay is great for cooks like me,who don't want to spend hours fussing overfood, but do want to make healthy meals athome from scratch. Its size is perfect formaking dishes of about four to six servings.

The VitaClay Smart Multicooker has multiplesettings for white rice, brown rice, sweet rice,stew and soup with extended settings for beans,porridge and other dishes. It boasts energysavings of 50 percent over other slow cookersand has programmable settings from 10 minutesto five hours with 10-minute increments. Ithas a preset timer and 24-hour clock.

The VitaClay comes with a limited one-year warranty and has a suggested retail priceof $149.99. For more information, go towww.essenergy.com.

BY A.J. FLICK

I like to watch cooking shows as much as theaverage person does. I especially love "TopChef" and marvel at how the contestants canwhip up gourmet meals quickly and still havetime to add creative touches to make thedishes look incredible.

I'm not that kind of cook. I'd like to be, butI don't think I ever will be.

When I had the chance to test the VitaClay6 Cup Smart Multicooker, I got excited. Forone thing, as impatient as I get preparingfood, once the dish is assembled, I don't wantto fuss over it constantly nor do I want to waithalf a day while it cooks. VitaClay claims thatit reduces the cooking time of other slowcookers; if a traditional slow cooker recipecalls for four hours on a high setting or eighthours on a low setting, the VitaClay will cookit in two hours in its unglazed, natural clay pot.

The VitaClay also claims to be great forcooking rice. OK, I will admit right here thatI'm a bit of a rice snob. I spent half of mychildhood in the Philippines and one thingthat every member of my family came backwith was the knowledge of how to cook a potof rice properly. I never understood whyfriends struggled so hard with the concept:take an ordinary pot, pour in rice, rinse the riceuntil the water is clear, stick a finger in themiddle of the rice and pour water until itreaches a level equal to the rice (usually oneknuckle to the next), bring rice to a boil, cover

it and simmer on low for about 12 minutes.What's so hard about that? Sure, once inawhile it boils over, but it isn't rocket science.

Well, then the rice cooker boom began and Iwas amazed at how many people jumped on thebandwagon, including an Asian relative. Whatwimps! I would never get a rice cooker, I vowed.

My first test of the VitaClay was: Prove yourworthiness, rice cooker! And it did. The rice wasperfectly done each time. I can still use thefinger-measuring trick to appease myself thatI am *not* cheating when I use the VitaClayto cook rice. Brown rice, too, because you don'thave to pre-soak when you cook in the VitaClay.

Of course, we cannot live by rice alone and theVitaClay has more functions than just cookingrice. The VitaClay comes with a bunch ofrecipes and there are more on the website,www.essenergy.com. Emboldened by thesuccess of the rice experiment, I decided tomake a white chili chicken dish with thingsI had on hand, including a can of whitebeans. After a couple of hoursstewing in the chicken-broth mixturewith beans and rice, the chickenbreasts came out incredibly tender.The beans didn't fare so well; theysank to the bottom and got scorched.

Lesson learned; be careful with beans.Second lesson was a good surprise: Eventhough the beans scorched the bottom of theclay pot, it didn't take much effort to clean.

The VitaClay instructions tell you in case ofa hard residue, soak the pot overnight. I justlet it soak for an hour or so and was able toclean the pot with no problem.

For the next experiment, I played it safe andmade the Chicken Cacciatore recipe providedwith the VitaClay (without capers, though,because I avoid them for the sodium). Greatsuccess! Again, the chicken was tender. Ithrew in some bow-tie pasta toward the endand truly had my one-pot meal.

With confidence, then, I decided to put theVitaClay to test with beef. Could it make atender pot roast in two hours? It does. Ididn't use any special recipe, just threw insome chuck roast, beef broth, garlic, onion,carrots, potatoes and seasonings to taste.

The VitaClay Smart Multicooker has become

VOLUME 18, NUMBER 5 MAY 2012

H o u s e w a r e s R e v i e wKITCHENWARE NEWS

S E RV I N G K I T CH ENWA R E , HOU S EWA R E S AND TA B L E TO P MA R K E T S

wrap-upInternational Home & Housewares Show

HOUSEWARES SHOW WRAP-UP www.kitchenwarenews.com n MAY 2012 n KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW14

IH+HS(Cont. from Page 1)

said Phil Brandl, IHA President. “Ourresearch shows more buyer visits, whichexhibitors told us led to more relaxed andmeaningful meetings.”

The 2012 IH+HS not only was a sold-outaffair for exhibitors, but showed a 6.8percent increase in total buyerattendance—with a significant increase ofinternational buyers.

“We are hearing very positive feedbackfrom both exhibitors and attendees,” saidBrandl. “With tens of thousands of newproduct introductions, over 500 newexhibitors and the introduction of our newIHA Innovation Awards, buyers foundnewness and innovation at every turn.”

The IHA Innovation Awards acknowledgecutting-edge housewares design. BesidesKuhn Rikon, other winners were: HaroldImport for Blossom Trivet (tabletop),Veridian Healthcare for iBaby MonitoringSystem (personal care and home healthcare),Browne USA for Date Dial Sealing Lids(kitchenware), Rush3 for Kebo (kitchen handtools and cutlery), Jura Capresso for ImpressaJ9 One Touch TFT (kitchen electronics),Humanscale for Horizon LED Task Light(household electronics and homeenvironment), Energizer Household Lighting

for Ambiana Desk Light (home decor andgifts), Clean Cubes for Clean Cubes (homeorganization and storage), Gleener for TheUltimate Fuzz Remover (bath and personalcare), Casabella Holdings for Quick ScrubDouble Sided Microfiber Spray Mop(cleaning) and Rowenta Groupe for DeltaForce Stick Vacuum (floor and carpet care).

Across the country, surveys and retailssales seem to indicate U.S. consumers areprimed to start shopping more.

Minneapolis-based Ginger Consultingreleased its fourth “What Women Want”survey, which shows personal finances areimproving and “everyday luxuries” will returnto women’s budgets. The survey reflectsopinions of so-called “Alpha women,”covering the economy and shopping habitsof affluent and influential women and mayindicate what mainstream U.S. shoppers willbe doing six months from now.

Retail and foodservice sales—excludingautomobiles—amounted to $338.1 billion,up 0.8 percent from February, compared withprivate sector expectations for 0.5 percent, andup 6.1 percent from March 2011, accordingto the U.S. Department of Commerce.

“Retail sales posted another strong gain inMarch, exceeding private analysts’expectations, and following solid growthin January and February of this year,” saidU.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson.

“The strength in spending arises from theimproving labor market and increasedconsumer confidence, but work remains tosupport efforts to create more Americanjobs. We must keep up this momentumtoward an economy that is built to last—and that means standing up for the middleclass and making our tax system fairer.”

The National Retail Federation releasedsimilar figures for March retail sales, citing an0.8 percent seasonal increase from Februaryand 6.6 percent unadjusted year-over year forsales that excludes automobiles, gas stationsand restaurants. The NRF attributed theincreases in part to an early Easter holiday andunseasonably warm weather.

“Consumers have demonstrated the desireand ability to spend on discretionary items,further helping to spur economic and retail sales growth in the first quarter of2012,” said NRF President and CEOMatthew Shay. “While retailers will waituntil the end of April to gaugethe success of the springshopping season, it ’sevident thatconsumers areholding theirown againstrising gasprices andothereconomicconcerns.”

“Moderate retail sales growth in Marchwill help to offset murkier recent economicemployment data,” NRF Chief EconomistJack Kleinhenz said. “We expect to seegains through the all-important summermonths, but job and weak income growthcoupled with stubbornly high gas costswill continue to force consumers to maketough, price-sensitive choices.”

The 2013 International Home +Housewares Show is set for March 2-5 atMcCormick Place, Chicago, with anotherSaturday opening. For more information,please visit www.housewares.org.

HOUSEWARES SHOW WRAP-UPwww.kitchenwarenews.com n MAY 2012 n KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW 15

DEXAS WATERMELON CUTTING & SERVING BOARD, MELON SLICERWatermelon is a heavyweight when itcomes to health and nutritionalbenefits and Dexas has innovative,new kitchen tools that add even morebenefits to the experience. Accordingto the National Watermelon PromotionBoard, watermelon is the “lycopeneleader” among all fruits andvegetables, containing up to 20 mg ina 2-cup serving. That’s 40 percent morethan tomatoes! Watermelon alsocontains healthy amounts of vitaminsA and C, and potassium. Dexas hascreated the new Watermelon Cutting& Serving Board and the new MelonSlicer, adding a creative touch tohealthier eating at home. The DexasWatermelon Board has a non-slip,raised green edge that performs twofunctions: holding the board firmly inplace on the counter, while retainingjuice and seeds on the board. Thepropylene surface is dishwasher safeand like all Dexas cutting boards, itwon’t warp, crack or peel. The DexasMelon Slicer is 11" serrated knife with asoft-grip TPE handle. It easily slicesthrough watermelon, cantaloupe andhoneydew. The red blade is made ofhigh carbon stainless steel, while aprotective sheath protects both handsand the knife during storage.

Dexas[tel] 469.635.8100 www.dexas.com

MASTRAD MULTI-FUNCTIONALMEASURING UTENSILSMastrad, creator of stylish andinnovative kitchenware products, hasrevolutionized the cooking world yetagain—revealing its latest additions:the Thermo-Sensor Spoon and CookingThermometer. Sleek and as easy onthe eyes as they are to use, both ofthese products are superb tools toutilize while cooking as they alleviateextra steps and make time spent in thekitchen easier for recreational cookingenthusiasts and professionals alike.Mastrad’s Thermo-Sensor Spoon is acombination of a removable spoon,perfect for stirring food and anelectronic kitchen thermometer. Thethermometer calculates thetemperature of the food to the exactdegree and constantly monitors itstemperature while it cooks, while thespoon offers a high quality version of a

basic kitchen necessity. Perfect whenused separately, or as one piece, theThermo-Sensor Spoon is a must-haveitem for any cook. Mastrad’s CookingThermometer is an exceptionallyunique kitchen tool that has the utmostaccuracy in calculating the precisetemperature of any food item. Comingwith a handy clip that helps to keep thethermometer readily accessible whilecooking, this product also comes withits own cover, which protects thethermometer probe and keeps it fromgetting damaged when not in use. Less

clunky and more visually appealing forany kitchen, both of these utensilsmemorize the minimum and maximumtemperatures of the most recent fooddish made, making it much simpler andmore time efficient when preparingmultiple batches of the same dish.Suggested Retail Price: $30, Thermo-Sensor Spoon; $25, Cooking Thermometer

Mastrad[tel] 800.358.0608 www.mastrad.us

HOUSEWARES WRAP-UP www.kitchenwarenews.com n MAY 201216

LAZY DANIEL 13 GALLON TRASH BAG DISPENSER Make removing your trash bags easierthan ever! Introducing a game-changingproduct for the masses. The new LazyDaniel 13 Gallon Trash Bag Dispenserwith 24 Bags is a simple way to dispenseand release trash bags. The Velcroadhesive or screw mounts gives thedispenser versatility, so you can put itanywhere. With a patented dispensingmechanism and tear-away thumb, bagsseparate and release with ease. A .9mmthick trash bag with drawstring also givescustomers what they want in a qualitytrash bag. The Lazy Daniel Trash Bagdispenser promotes cleanliness andconvenience, supporting a healthyfamily environment. Putting bags into thebottom of the trash can automaticallysaves that box space under the kitchensink. The durability of the housing of thedispenser has the strength to withstandheavy garbage and sharp items. Thisgives piece of mind that consumers canstore this in the bottom of the trash can.Holes are located on the bottom of thedispenser that act as drainage, in caseof an accident. The refills are simple touse and easy to reload. By removing theperforated opening to the box, fish outthe bag and feed it through the openingof the dispenser. The refill only fits theconfiguration and design of the openingof the dispenser. Lazy Daniel followedthe general razor blade and razor theoryto create a situation of customerfollowing for refill profits.

Lazy Daniel[tel] 858.539.3004www.lazydaniel.com

LINDEN SWEDEN PIPING BAG SET BY JONAS OF SWEDENThe Jonas of Sweden’s Piping Bag Setcontains three different decorating tipsand 10 commercial-quality disposabledecorating bags. Of the three tips, oneis of commercial size—ideal for foodsother than frosting such as for stuffingchicken or decorating with mashedpotatoes or other delightful creations.The piping bags offer unique non-slip“grippers” on the exterior to ensurecomplete control and accuracy. Theyare microwavable, exceptionally strongand flexible, and produced of food-safematerial. The interiors are hygienic andsterile. At 16", the triangular-shaped bagsare sized and designed to fit comfortablyin the hands. The bags may be washedand reused. Produced in produced oflow-density polyethylene (LDPE).Suggested Retail Price: $10.50

Linden Sweden[tel] 608.756.8741www.lindensweden.com

PRODYNE PLEASE COLLECTIONPlease your guests with this beautiful,new collection of crystal clear acrylicserveware and pantryware. Thesecoordinated pieces will add style andcharm to any kitchen. All items are BPAfree and packed in attractivecoordinated Please-branded colorboxes. The line includes: AppetizersPlease: Three-compartment serving tray;Butter Please: Covered butter dish withstylish curved handle and arched base;Salt & Pepper Please: Leaning salt &pepper set. Fun, gravity-defying design;Cheese Please: Covered cheese keeperwith dome lid; Candy Please: Candydish with lid. Elegant, diamond-cutdesign; Tea Please: Three-compartmenttea service bar keeps your teabags andsweeteners organized. Includes lid andtwo spoons; Sugar Please: Sugar jar withlid and spoon. Choose from threeattractive models; Cream Please:Creamer jar with lid.Suggested Retail Price: $9.99-17.99 per piece

Prodyne Enterprises[tel] 909.484.1212www.prodyne.com

NOGENT EXPERT RANGEThe Nogent Expert Range Chef’sknife incorporates an ergonomicpolypropylene handle that is moldedto the blade and guaranteed not tocome off. For the first time, Nogentis injecting exciting colors into theExpert Range offering the double-edged peeler, paring knife and steakknife in vibrant pink, fresh green andturquoise blue. These will certainlyadd a bit of fun to your foodpreparation. All Nogent products aremanufactured in France.Suggested Retail Price: $60

Nogentwww.nogent3etoiles.com

HOUSEWARES SHOW WRAP-UPMAY 2012 n KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW 17

VITACLAY COOKERSWhen was the last time you made atruly nutritious home-cooked meal forthe whole family? What if you had thetime and energy to prepare delicious,whole food meals every day? Thinkyou’d need to hire a personal chef?Think again! Let VitaClay createhearty, nutritious meals while you work, sleep, or take a walk—talk about multi-tasking! Cook grains, soup or economy cuts of meat toperfection without effort, hassle orexpense. VitaClay’s got dinnertonight! World-renowned nutritionistand author Jonny Bowden of “The 150 Healthiest Slow Cooker Recipes on Earth” rated VitaClay histop rice and slow cooker: “This cookerhas a natural clay pot insert thatallows you to cook perfect grainsevery time. It doubles as a rice cookerand does something unique andwonderful to stew beef.” Tired of non-stick coating? Looking for perfect rice,grains, steel oats, broth, beans andstew every time? Discover the wonderof clay: no need for added water oroil, the clay naturally preserves texture,flavor, vitamins and taste. Whethercooking for a few or the whole crew,your nutritious, whole meal is justminutes away with VitaClay.

VitaClay[tel] 877.877.9121www.vitaclaychef.com

LE PARFAIT FRENCH JARS AND TERRINES These classic French canning jars andterrines are known as Le Parfait (theperfect). This popular product lineincludes six sizes of jars and six sizes ofterrines. The sturdy, well-made jars aremostly used for canning of fruits,vegetables, pickles, preserves and piefillings. The tapered terrines are mostlyused for canning of meat and fish pates.The jars and terrines are designed tomaintain a vacuum after the packingprocess is completed. They are extremelyreliable and very easy to use. These jarsand terrines are widely used in Franceand other European countries. Le Parfaitjars and terrines are also popular for useas home storage containers, for tabletopuses and for packing other items thatdon’t require a vacuum. Some of theproducts that have been marketedsuccessfully in Le Parfait are candles,bath salts, body creams, scrubs andlotions, candy, nuts and popcorn. LeParfait is perfect for many items. Theclarity of the glass makes the producthighly visible. The jars and terrines havemany household storage uses and canbe resealed for a lifetime of use.

Bannex[email] sales@bannex.comwww.bannex.com

CORE BAMBOO THE CHEESY BOARDThis adorable cheese set wasexclusively designed with cheese loversin mind. Designed to look like a wedgeof cheese, this cheesy board comeswith a cheese knife to slice up all ofyour favorite cheeses. The large cuttingsurface is perfect for slicing cheeseand serving with fruits, crackers, breadsand more. Ideal for those who love toentertain, this set is constructed of 100percent organically grown bamboo,and is perfect for those who lovecheese and love serving it to theirfriends too!

Core Bamboo[tel] 646.845.6000www.corebamboo.com

FRANMARA ZIP-N-GO NEOPRENE WINE BAG SETGreat for picnics andevents. This handyneoprene sleeve snuglyholds a 750ml bottle ofwine, which includes azipper closure andcarrying handle. Theneoprene bag insulatesyour bottle of wine forhours. The bottom ofthe bag is gusseted andincludes a handy sideaccessory pocket. Theset also includes aTraveler’s Corkscrew &Bottle Opener, which isan easy-to-use openerfor wine bottles andbeer bottles. Availablein all black or black-and-redcombination. Measures 10-1/2" high by4-1/2" diameter.Suggested Retail Price: $5.99 each

Franmara [tel] 800.423.5855www.franmara.com

KITCHENHAPPY SNAPISnapi® had already built a reputationfor being the fun way to serve foodwhen it discovered the joy of giving.After joining the social network, Snapigained attention on Facebook withgiveaways. “The biggest prize for thenumber of ‘likes’ to date,” Francis said,“was an iPad, given in January. Now,to celebrate Snapi’s first anniversary,we’re introducing a new contest.Everyone who submits a photo of Snapivisiting anyplace in the world will beeligible to win a two-night stay at aMarriott hotel.” See our facebook page(www.facebook.com/kitchenhappy)for details. The next campaign is in theplanning stage, Francis said. This onewill be even bigger and better as it willbenefit the fight against breast cancer.Snapi is designed to serve salads, fruit,pasta, veggies and other food withone hand. It comes in seven colors:Grape, Tangerine, Mango, Ice, Kiwi,Watermelon and Berry. It has anopen/close locking mechanism foreasy storage and is dishwasher safe.Retailing for under $10, Snapi isavailable in point-of-purchase counter,floor and clip strip displays. Follow Snapion Twitter: @kitchenhappy.

KitchenHappy[tel] 248.453.5177http://wholesale.kitchenhappy.com

FULL CIRCLE SMART RACKThe Smart Rack adjustable and foldabledish rack is a one-of-a kind innovationthat makes using your dish rack possiblefor any combination of pots, pans,glasses, dishes and virtually anything youclean in your sink! The four rows of prongscollapse to cater to the different shapesand sizes of all your kitchenware. Slidethe drying tray out from underneath for glasses and mugs, collapse all four rowsfor pots and pans, or stack dishes, cups,bottles and more all at the same time.The rack completely folds into itself forquick and convenient storage. Whatmore could you ask for?Suggested Retail Price: $34.99

Full Circle[tel] 866.259.0727www.fullcirclehome.com

HOUSEWARES SHOW WRAP-UP www.kitchenwarenews.com n MAY 2012 n KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW18

HIGHWAVE BREWFISH TEA INFUSERBrewfish is a patented tea infusionbrewing and drinking design. Brewfishuses the entire glass for infusion. Theinnovation simply shuts off the teabrewing 100 percent when you press todrink. The unique design keeps out allsediment by forcing the flow into thecenter of the filter and eliminating thepole found in the middle of all otherpresses. The very fine mesh, stainless filterallows fine teas and is insulated with U.S.and European food-safe silicone. Tilt thetop to drink and vent; tea stays hot untilthe last sip for full enjoyment. The mouth-blown double wall borosilicate glassadds to keeping the heat in the teaand the silicone base goes everywherefor a long life. Microwave in the glass, ifdesired, and dishwash the glass andfilter when done.

Highwave [tel] 800.444.4928www.highwave.com

VICTORINOX SWISSCLASSIC FOUR-PIECE PREP SETThe latest addition to the Swiss Classiccollection features a four-piece prepset. The functional set includes a paringknife, utility knife and peeler withmicroserrated edge for effortless peeling.Anchoring the set is a mini cutting board,providing compact convenience forany kitchen. The ergonomic, slip-resistantdesign is dishwasher safe, while themirrored polish finish on the high-carbonstainless steel blade is equivalent to ourdurable commercial-grade blade. Theentire collection is made to the highestsanitary standards, earning the NSF(National Sanitary Foundation) seal ofapproval. Cutting Board: 6" x 8" withburned cross & shield on wood.Suggested Retail Price: $44

Victorinox[tel] 800.243.4045www.swissarmy.com

LSARTS PERSONALIZED CUPCAKE BOTTLE STOPPERSWant to make that birthday, girl’s nightor anniversary even more special? PlaceLSArt’s new Cupcake Bottle Stopper—with a personalized message—to thetop of your wine bottle and make anordinary bottle stopper extraordinary!Celebrate any occasion by writing onone of the included cards and placingyour personalized message in the bottlestopper clasp. These bottle stoppers willbe a hit at your next get-together.Suggested Retail Price: $9.99

LSArts Inc.[tel] 954.722.1750www.lsarts.com

CILIO BY FRIELING MORTAR AND PRESTLECilio by Frieling expands its mortar andpestle line with the new Atlas inbeautiful white granite with a smoothfinish, offering a durable and functionaltool to crush and mix spices. Each Ciliomortar and pestle is cut from one solidpiece of natural granite, providingextra durability and strength. The heavyand comfortable pestles crush, grindand mix herbs or spices with ease whilethe tall, narrow walls keep contentsinside. One of the most underused toolsin the kitchen, the mortar and pestlelets the user grind fresh ingredients,enhancing the flavor of any recipe. Suggested Retail Price: $55

Frieling[tel] 800.827.2582www.frieling.com

HOUSEWARES WRAP-UP www.kitchenwarenews.com n MAY 201220

CLICKCLACK CUBESClickClack prides itself on makingstylish, functional kitchenware that’suser friendly, airtight, durable and witha quality design. ClickClack Cubes arepleasing to the eye with their sleek,modular design. The Cubes come withclear bodies and white, black or redsoft-toggle lids. They are designed tostack when in use or nest when not.Cubes come in sets of three: one with.9 L/1 qt., 1.9 L/2 qt., 3.3 L/3.5 qt.; andone with 1.4 L/1.5 qt., 2.8 L/3 qt.,4.3L/4.5 qt.

Innova Products Ltd.[tel] 800.884.4543www.clickclack.com

KUHN RIKON SIDE-WIND SAFETY LIDLIFTERGet a grip on safety and style with thenew Side-Wind Safety LidLifter® fromKuhn Rikon. Designed by award-winning Swiss designer Philipp Beyeler,it features a new side knob design thatmakes opening cans easier on wrists.The Side-Wind Safety LidLifter is thenewest addition to Kuhn Rikon’s award-winning line of openers that offersuperior function, quality and safety atan affordable price. Available in Black,Red, White and Green.Suggested Retail Price: $20

Kuhn Rikonwww.kuhnrikon.com.

WESTON PRODUCTS SAFE SLICE MANDOLINESWeston Products has partnered withCelebrity Chef Michael Symon tocreate the “Live to Cook” series of SafeSlice Mandolines. The series of “Live toCook” Safe Slice Mandoline Slicers wasdesigned to make kitchen prep worksafer and easier. Each mandoline hasa safety trigger that keeps the stainlesssteel blades tucked away when theslicer is not in use, but is easily exposedwhen you are ready to slice. The Hand-Held Mandolines are available in twostyles: one featuring a flat blade foruniform slices and another for makingup to 17 4mm julienne strips. The coreof the Safe Slice Series is the standmodel of the Safe Slice MandolineSlicer. This Mandoline can make cuts invarying thickness from 2mm to 5mm.Not only does this slicer makeconsistent slices with its flat blade, butit also includes a retractable julienneblade to slice up to 17 4mm wide strips. Suggested Retail Price: $29.99 for the stand model; $14.99 for the hand-held models

Weston Products LLC[tel] 800.814.4895www.westonproducts.com

ZING! KITCHEN GADGETSWith its vibrant hues and playful design,Zing! brightens up the personality ofany kitchen environment with anextensive collection of tools andgadgets. Kitchen Gadgets includeessential items needed for every homechef such as peeler, pizza cutter, canopener, 10" silicone tip whisk, ice cream scoop, 11" silicone bastingbrush, lettuce knife, paring knife, bottleopener/tab puller, and eight-piece setof measuring cups (4) and measuringspoons (4) on a single storage ring.Suggested Retail Price: $2.99-8.99

Robinson Home Productswww.robinsonus.com

HOUSEWARES SHOW WRAP-UPwww.kitchenwarenews.com n MAY 2012 n KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW 21

STARFRIT CAT CORA HEAVY GAUGE FORGED NON STICK COOKWARE SETWith practical, oversized sauce pansand a steamer ideal for healthycooking, the Cat Cora by Starfrit 10-piece Heavy Gauge Forged Non StickCookware Set is sure to become anessential part of the home kitchen foryears to come! The heavy gauge,forged, non-stick set features an extra-thick base that browns meat perfectlyand has a scratch-resistant, PFOA-free inner coating that is eco-friendlyand a breeze to clean. The piecesare designed to allow the user todeliver professional results at homeand are sure to bring out the innerchef. Due to its heavy gauge forgedbase, the set is durable enough foreveryday use while providing even

heat distribution and even cooking.The exclusive riveted stainless steeland silicone handle is heat resistantup to 392°F/200°C, providing a securegrip. The glass lids allow the user towatch the food without lifting the lid.The stunning set is available in blue,red and black and includes a limitedlifetime warranty. “I believe cookingdelicious, nutritious meals for friendsand family should be fun and stress-free. That’s what inspired me tocreate a cookware set for homechefs that is both high-performanceand low-maintenance,” says IronChef Cat Cora.Suggested Retail Price: $229.95

Starfrit[tel] 514.871.1671www.catcora.com

WELLNESSMATSStep onto WellnessMats®, the premieranti-fatigue floor mats, and step intocomfort. It’s all in the name:WellnessMats, floor mats for health and wellness. An exploding category in the housewares marketplace,WellnessMats are the only anti-fatiguemats that are ergonomically engineeredand medically proven to provideunsurpassed comfort, safety, relief and well-being. Don’t outsource yourcomfort; WellnessMats are 100 percent Made in the U.S.A. and comewith an impressive seven-year warranty.For you and your customers, it is thatsimple. Encourage customers to steponto WellnessMats; experience thecushioned, lasting comfort and supportthey provide (for feet, knees, hips andback) and the sale is made. As

WellnessMats slogan goes, “standing isbelieving.” WellnessMats are perfect forthe kitchen (at the stove, sink or oven),vanity, garage and even laundry (foldand iron in comfort!). WellnessMats havebeen providing comfort and support toprofessional and residential kitchens foryears—chefs, hotels, airports, salons andspas and retailers all over the world. Yes,those are WellnessMats you stand onwhile going through airport security. Plus,they are always adding new designs,new sizes and new customizations tothe collection of anti-fatigue mats. Nowyour customers can bring that comfortand relief home with more than 60 decorative mats to choose from.

WellnessMats[tel] 800.981.4979www.wellnessmats.com

HOUSEWARES WRAP-UP www.kitchenwarenews.com n MAY 201222

CHEF PRO WET & DRY GRINDERChef Pro is pleased to announce thearrival of a new, powerful grinder thatcan grind dry as well as moist foods—all in only a few seconds. Grind coffeebeans for fresh coffee. Grind flaxseedinto powdery consistency. Grind spicesto make unique spice rubs. Crush nutsinto powder. Make peanut butter athome. Purée basil to make fresh pestosauce. Grind garbanzo beans to makefresh hummus. Whip up many exoticfoods with this very versatile wet anddry grinder. A must for every kitchen.Chef Pro wet and dry grinder is madeof stainless steel and has a powerful350-watt motor. The stainless steel cupdoes not retain odor from previouslyground foods. The grinder cup andcover are removable any of foodbeing processed. Safety featuresinclude that the motor does not turn onuntil the lid is locked in to its position.Suggested Retail Price: $79.99

Mercantile International NA[tel] 855.243.3776www.chefprousa.com

FIESTA DINNERWARE FLAMINGO Each spring, the Homer Laughlinlaunch of the new Fiesta Dinnerwarecolor brings much anticipation amongFiesta enthusiasts, retailers, and coloraficionados. This year, a cheery, invitinghue enters the Fiesta spectrum:Flamingo, which was introduced at theInternational Home + HousewaresShow. Nearly all standard dinnerwarepieces will be available in Flamingo,including 4- and 5- piece sets and avariety of plates, platters, bowls, cups,vases, the signature disk pitcher, andserving pieces (sold separately). Fiestadinnerware has a five-year chipreplacement warranty, is made in theUSA, microwave and dishwasher safe,and consistently at the top of bridalregistries nationwide.Suggested Retail Price: $50 (for 4- and5-piece place settings)

Homer Laughlin China Co.www.homerlaughlin.com

VINAROZ 4 PIECE STEAMER POT/PASTA COOKERStainless steel pans are chosen byprofessional chefs because they havemany advantages. Stainless steel pansare durable. The pots last a lifetime.They are also extremely hard and will notchip, rust or stain. Another characteristicis they are non-porous. In addition,stainless steel pans do not react withacidic foods. You’re safe to cook anytype of food. Stainless steel pans will notinterfere with the flavor of food. Vinaroz’scollection of stainless steel cookwareincludes the 8-quart pasta cooker andsteamer. It features a durable, rolledpot and rims for dip-resistant pouring. Aswith all of Vinaroz’s stainless steelcookware, the steamer/pasta cooker isdurable, hygienic, non-reactive, madeof high-quality stainless steel, has rapidand even heat distribution and isdishwasher safe.

Vinaroz[tel] 323.585.3090www.vinarozcookware.com

JEWELSTIK DIAMOND KNIFE SHARPENERJewelStik Diamond Knife Sharpenershave been quite a hit. HewlettManufacturing has been making theever-popular diamond oval knifesharpener for almost 50 years and itstop priority is U.S.A.-made quality.Hewlett is proud to always have beenentirely produced, assembled andpackaged in Pennsylvania since itsinception almost 50 years ago. Newcustomers are still seeking to carry theJewelStik as an addition to their cutleryline and are pleased to offer anAmerican-made product. The JewelStik1-2-3 series is unique by offering threediamond grits on one handle. A coarsegrit, which will give an edge to anydull blade, should not be used on aregular basis. The medium grit isstandard in the industry for maintaininga consistent edge. The fine grit issupreme for fine-honing your thinblades used for slicing or skinning.JewelStik is an entire line of sharpeningneeds, oval two sided or three side orflat sharpeners. All styles are availablein lengths of 5", 10", 12" and 14".

Hewlett Manufacturing[tel] 814.683.4762 www.jewelstik.com

HOUSEWARES WRAP-UP www.kitchenwarenews.com n MAY 201224

FRANKLIN CHEF™ MULTI-USE, SAUTÉ RICE COOKERFranklin Chef™ is adding a new, multi-use, sauté rice cooker to its premiumappliance collection. Designed tosauté vegetables such as onions,shallots and garlic, and to perfectlybrown meats prior to cooking, thisnew sauté function offers an effortlesssolution to creating great tasting,healthy meals. The new Franklin Chefmulti-use rice cooker incorporates aneasy-to-use push button that beginssautéing foods immediately, whichautomatically switches to “warm”mode when cooking is done. Featuresinclude: a removable, non-stick bowlfor easy clean up, a tempered glasslid that allows for monitoring foodwhile it’s cooking, a classic ricepaddle and a measuring cup.Additionally, the 20-cup model willcome with a stainless steel basket forhealthy, steamed vegetables and fat-free meals. Franklin Chef incorporatesthis sauté function in a variety ofmodels and sizes that range incooking capacity from 4 to 42 cups.The new models will come in anassortment of vibrant color choices,including red, white, black andstainless steel.Suggested Retail Price: $39-49

Franklin Chef[tel] 305.403.8517www.franklinchefusa.com

BOSTON WAREHOUSE BAKED GOODS COLLECTIONAlways equally innovative and practical,this manufacturer of sought after kitchenutensils, entertaining/service ware, andbar/ wine accessories is well known forputting the “fun” in functional. BostonWarehouse’s cleverly designed “BakedGoods” collection is sure to pleaselongtime BW devotees as well as bring innew fans of the brand.

Boston Warehousewww.bwtc.com

CUISINART ICE CREAM AND GELATO MAKERMake lusciously rich gelato and icecream right at home! The Cuisinart IceCream and Gelato Maker has acommercial quality compressor-freezer,so it’s always ready to go. Separatepaddles for gelato and ice cream, andfully automatic operation with a 60-minute countdown timer, ensure perfectconsistencies and professional results.

Cuisinart[tel] 800.726.0190 www.cuisinart.com

FISSLER VITAQUICKWith more than 55 years of pressurecooker experience, Fissler presents thenext step in “fast food”: Vitaquick®, anoriginal pressure cooker, redesigned fromthe ground up. Cooks will love theGerman innovations that make pressurecooking more user-friendly by increasingspeed, improving appearance andeliminating old pressure cooking fears. Asleek, conical shape allows all Vitaquickpressure cookers of the same diameterto stack together for compact storage.There is a size for every household: fourdeep cookers plus two sizes in Fissler’sunique pressure skillet shape. A large blueindicator shows the cooking setting. Ametal tongue on the lid makes it easy tocorrectly position the lid on the cooker.And it can be closed effortlessly due tothe newly designed rim. An audible“click” and a color display in the handleindicate that the cooker is securely closedand ready to begin cooking. Only thencan the pressure start to build up. Whencooking is done, releasing pressure is aseasy as pressing a button. The FisslerEuromatic safety mechanism preventsexcess pressure build up and keeps thecooker from being opened if there is anypressure remaining within.

Fissler USA[tel] 888.347.7537www.fissler.com

HOUSEWARES WRAP-UPwww.kitchenwarenews.com n MAY 2012 25

WÜSTHOF CLASSIC 6-INCH EXTRA WIDE COOK’S KNIFEWüsthof’s best-selling Classic collectionof precision forged, full tang knivesexpands with the addition of theversatile Classic 6-inch Extra Wide Cook’sKnife (model 4584/16). Increasingly, 6-inch cook’s knives are becoming morepopular, particularly among chefs andhome cooks with smaller hands.Unveiled at the recent 2012 InternationalHome and Housewares Show inChicago, the newest Classic knife isavailable at retail nationwide. The widerand heavier blade of the Classic 6-inchExtra Wide Cook’s Knife offers additionalheft compared to standard models formore effortless chopping, dicing,mincing and slicing of a wide variety ofingredients. The new knife’s wider bladesurface also makes it easier and moreefficient to scrape and carry prepped

ingredients from the chopping block topans, bowls and other vessels. Inaddition, the new knife’s extra widehandle—larger than the standardClassic 6" Cook’s Knife, and comparablein size to the best-selling Classic 8" Cook’sKnife—ensures optimum power withminimum effort. The new, heftier Classic6" Extra Wide Cook’s Knife allows cookswho enjoy the agility and control of ashorter blade knife, the same degree ofeffortless strength delivered by kniveswith longer blades. All Classic knivesfeature Wüsthof’s patent-pendingPrecision Edge Technology (PEtec). AllWüsthof knives are fully guaranteed tobe free of defects in craftsmanship. Suggested Retail Price: $119.99

Wüsthof-Trident of America Inc.[tel] 203.295.3807www.wusthof.com

ISLAND BAMBOO™ PRE-PACKED UTENSIL TRAYIsland Bamboo™ utensils are just rightwhen disposable plastics flop andsilverware imparts a noticeable metallicflavor that just won’t do. Larger than yourstandard plastic utensil set, these 7” forks,spoons and knives are comfortable inyour hand and will add enjoyment toany meal. Sturdy, portable and reusableIsland Bamboo utensils are the perfectchoice for enjoying foods anytime andanywhere including BBQs, picnics,campsites, kids lunches, RVs and boats.The Island Bamboo Pre-Packed UtensilTray includes 20 each of our 7" bambooforks, spoons and knives. Each isindividually bar coded and retails for $1.49each. Countertop displays are a greatway to introduce new products to yourcustomers, and with this one they willcome back for more. Once empty, youmay order bulk refills in quantities of 30each. Help your customers put an end toplastic waste with reusable utensils that willdecompose in four to six months if theyfind their way to the landfill. Visit us onlineand browse our 2012 Product Catalog tofind complementary products includingour utensil caddy and bamboo veneerplates that are available in three sizes.Island Bamboo has the largest selectionof eco-friendly bamboo kitchenware. Wholesale Price: $39

Island Bamboo[tel] 949.492.9921www.islandbamboo.com

FIRE WIRE SKEWERSFood moves seamlessly from marinade tothe grill and to the plate, thanks to theflexible, stainless steel design that allowsthe griller to marinate the food after it hasbeen loaded on the skewer. Simply placethe Fire Wire® skewers loaded with anassortment of meat and vegetables intoyour favorite marinade in a baggie or abowl. Excess space won’t be required inyour cooler or refrigerator and you won’thave to handle the food after it’s beenmarinated. Take your Fire Wire straightfrom the marinade to the grill. By puttingthe skewer tip outside the grill, no tools arerequired to turn or remove the skewers.The unique stainless steel design won’tconduct heat, so the tips left outside thegrill will remain the ambient temperature.Measuring 31" in length, Fire Wire skewers can hold about twice as muchfood as a standard straight skewer.Stainless steel will not react withmarinades and won’t burn like bambooskewers. Fire Wire is dishwasher safe andhas a lifetime guarantee.

Inno-Labs[tel] 620.229.9800 www.inno-labs.com

HOUSEWARES SHOW WRAP-UP www.kitchenwarenews.com n MAY 2012 n KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW26

BELLA TAVOLA FONDUE & CHAFING BURNERThe easy-to-use, automatic ignitionFondue & Chafing Burner is perfect forprofessional chefs or entertaining athome. The Fondue & Chafing Burner ispart of the Bella Tavola line, a butane-powered culinary tool line by Wall LenkCorp. This compact, butane-poweredburner features an adjustable flamecontrol lever, safety mechanism turn offstopper, built-in pressure release valve,non-tip wide base and refillable reservoir.The small, lightweight burner can last upto 90 minutes on the low setting. It isideal for use with fondue pots, chafers,stone grills, raclette sets, soup tureensand coffee and beverage urns. It canalso be used as a cooktop with theoptional Bella Tavola Cooking Platform.Suggested Retail Price: $39.99

Wall Lenk Corp.[tel] 252.527.4186www.wlenk.comwww.bellavolatools.com

MÜKITCHEN 2 IN 1 ULTIMATE SCRUB SPONGE SET, SINGLE PACK CLEANING STICKMÜkitchen’s new 2 in 1 Ultimate ScrubSponge set contains one multi-colorprinted microfiber sponge plus onesolid yellow microfiber sponge. Bothare super-soft microfiber backed witha durable woven scrubber. Thescrubber side is tough on stains, butsafe for use on non-stick surfaces. Thecounter display unit holds eight two-pack sets of sponges and will add abright spot to your checkout area orshelf. Check out the new single-package Super Durable Cleaning Stick!Available in four eye-catching colors,it is sure to make a splash. The crystalclear handle fits the hand perfectly tomake cleaning almost fun. Available inIndigo, Grass, Orange or Eggplant, theCleaning Sticks can be hung by a hookor displayed on a shelf for maximumshop-ability. Call or go online to requesta new 2012 catalog today to see allthat MÜ has to offer your store for 2012.Suggested Retail Price: $5.99/set for 2in 1 Ultimate Scrub Sponge Set; $7.99each for Single Pack Cleaning Stick

MÜkitchen[tel] 866.544.2224www.mukitchen.com

PARASIA INTERNATIONAL MAN LAW BBW TOOLSMan Law: Good Fire, Good Beer, GoodTools. Grilling: It’s the perfect confluenceof art and science, engineering andcraft, mind and spatula. The Frenchsauté, braise, poach. They do not grill.Men grill. Since the first dawn of man,there has been honor and responsibilityin providing for one’s family. In order totruly appreciate this honor, all men mustabide by the code that comes with it. Thiscode is known as Man Law. The propergrilling of a $23 porterhouse is a feat torival the erection of the Great Pyramids,the Hoover Dam and the brother-in-law’syard shed. Grilling fish or fowl, mereweenie or edible plant life is a seriousendeavor. Grilling, thus, requires theproper tools. Tools crafted and honoredwith the care of a surgeon operating onhis fantasy team’s QB. Tools, that blessingwith long ago distinguished man fromanimal. The highest quality tools with asense of humor.

Parasia International[tel] 763.267.7900www.manlawbbq.com

WABASH VALLEY FARMS OPEN-FIRE POP POPCORN POPPERFrom the makers of The Original WhirleyPop Stovetop Popcorn Popper comesan outdoor gift that is a “must have” forevery fisherman, hiker, camper, tailgateror backyard enthusiast: the Open-FirePop popcorn popper. The Open-Fire Popis all about convenience and fun.Weighing in at only 1.5 pounds andcombined with a quick release,telescoping handle, this popper makespacking and storing a breeze. Thepopper comes with 3 All-Inclusive Open-Fire Pop Popping Kits, so when you’reready for fun, just open the package,pour, shake, and pop! The best part is thatcleanup is effortless. Just wipe with apaper towel and get back to your otheroutdoor fun. An added bonus is theinteractive packaging that invitescustomers to pick up the popper, stretchthe handle, and imagine the next outsideevent with friends and family.

Wabash Valley Farms[tel] 877.888.7077www.wfarms.com

TALISMAN BEECHWOOD NATURE SPREADERSSpread cheese, jams, mustards andmore with these uniquely shapedspreaders. Made from 100 percentsolid beechwood, each spreader’slaser-etched design was createdexclusively for and by TalismanDesigns. There are two styles: Natureand Pop Art. Each style comes in a setof four and both have matchingBeechwood Cheeseboards that aresold separately. These natural-woodspreaders will not scratch or harmserving plates/dishes nor will they impart any odors or color ontofood. They have an FDA-approvednatural oil finish that helps enhancethe longevity of the spreader. Hand washing is recommended.Beechwood Spreaders fast facts: 100 percent solid beechwood; laser-etched design will never fade; two different themed styles—Pop Art, Nature.Suggested Retail Price: $15.99-17.99

Talisman Designs[tel] 952.681.2866www.talismandesigns.com

VINTURI SPIRITThe new Vinturi Spirit™, the first bar toolof its kind, makes enjoying undilutedspirits better than ever before. Thecompany’s newest aerator instantlydecants fine liqueurs and spirits,immediately unleashing their fullpotential. From whiskey, scotch,cognac, port and tequila to bourbon,vodka, gin, rum, brandy, sake and avariety of liqueurs, aerating with theVinturi Spirit results in enhancedaromas; intensified and balancedflavors; and a smooth and extendedfinish. Simply pour into the integratedjigger with convenient ounce markings,hold over your glass, then press thebutton to release. Your spirit is perfectlyaerated as it flows into the glass. Thepatent-pending Vinturi Spirit is availableat key retailers nationwide. Suggested Retail Price: $39.95

Vinturi[tel] 877.846.8874www.vinturi.com

KITCHENWARE BY DAVID BURKEKitchenware by David Burke is aneclectic kitchenware line that includescookware, cutlery, tools and gadgets.Celebrated Chef David Burke haslicensed the collection to ContinuumSales and Marketing. It debuted at theHousewares Show. The line includescookware, induction cooker andcoordinating nonstick sauté pan,enameled cast iron dutch oven withself basting lid, stainless steel tea kettles,quirky Safe-T Graters with and versatilesilicone accented tools and gadgets.

David Burkewww.davidburke.com

ZOOMBO BODEAUX COOKWAREBodeux’s 5-ply copper bonded basetechnology means a sheet of solidcopper is reinforced with two layers ofaluminum that allow for the quickestheat-up time, maximum temperaturecontrol and rapid, even heat distribution.The result is exceptional cookingperformance and induction suitability.

Zoombo[tel] 905.882.1881www.zoombous.com

MARKETWATCHwww.kitchenwarenews.com n MAY 2012 n KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW 27

MarketwatchPressure Cookers(Cont. from Page 1)

on an American dinner table werehomemade, according to research from theNPD Group, which has been keeping acontinuous watch on U.S. eating behavior.These days, NPD says, 59 percent of entreesare homemade, though many Americans useready-to-eat and frozen foods to save time.

“The fast and hectic pace of the lives welead has had the single greatest impact onthis country’s eating behaviors,” said MarkEast, President of The NPD Group’sNorth American food and beverage unit.“It’s clear by the changes we’ve observedover the past 30 years that the Googlegeneration wants things now.”

Enter the pressure cooker. NPD’s KitchenAudit 2011 found that 20 percent of U.S.households own a pressure cooker.

Pressure cooking requires much less time tobraise or simmer various recipes. Thereduction in time it takes to cook somethingalso means a reduction in the energy outputused opposed to cooking methods such as

boiling, steaming or baking. Kuhn Rikon’sDuromatic Pressure Cooker uses 60 percentless energy than regular cookware. In today’smarket, savings on time and energy meanpressure cookers are a hot commodity.

The pressure cooker’s increased cookingtemperature doesn’t just decrease the amountof time that it takes to prepare favorite dishes,the technique also uses less water. In addition,food prepared in a pressure cooker hasincreased nutritional benefits. When food iscooked at a temperature higher than itsnormal boiling point, the heat kills off moreharmful microorganism. Further, a pressurecooker’s tightly sealed lid prevents nutrientsfrom boiling off, thus preserving a food’svitamins and minerals.

The advantages to a pressure cooker literallystack up. These appliances have the capacityto cook several different foods at once.Manufacturers Cuisinart and Breville includeracks and stacked steamer baskets so theuser can cook different foods at the sametime in separate compartments. These racksend up saving time and space in the kitchen.

Chris Wert, Marketing Manager for Fissler,said there are many preconceptions about

pressure cookers that retailers must face. Inan effort to shed the somewhat dusty, prosaicimage that pressure cookers hold in manypeople’s minds, Fissler has retooled thecookers from the ground up. The companyworked hard to increase the pressure cooker’sspeed, improve its appearance and eliminatesome fears surrounding the tool, Wert said.

In order to reach out to consumersconcerning product misconceptions, Fisslerhosts chef showcases highlighting thepressure cooker. At the 2012 InternationalHome + Housewares Show in Chicago,brothers Michael and Bryan Voltaggio—known for their appearances on Season 6of Bravo’s “Top Chef ” as well as theirsignature restaurants—featured Fissler’snew Vitaquick pressure cooker. These chefsproved to wary trade-show attendees thatit ’s possible to make endless dishes inpressure cookers—from bread pudding andbarbecue pulled pork to pasta and no-stirrisotto. Wert said the response to thesedemonstrations was phenomenal.

That response matches a “15 to 20 percentincrease in pressure cooker marketplacepresence this year,” Wert said. He said morepeople are in the market for “investment

pieces,” or products whose functionality anddurability outweigh their relatively higherprices. This trend is especially apparentamong young people, Wert said. Millennialsare less likely to have preconceptions aboutthe pressure cooker and more willing to doresearch and purchase premium-endcookware like Fissler, he said.

Hugh Rushing seconded this. “The nextgeneration of cooks are discovering thepressure cooker as a way to prepare fresh,local foods.”

“Consumer media contacts show thatpressure-cooker recipe searches on sites likeallrecipes.com are on the rise,” Wert said.“This only means that pressure cookersrepresent a huge opportunity for growth.”

Indeed, allrecipes.com extols the benefits ofpressure cookers.

“Thanks to modern safety modifications,newer pressure cookers are just as safe asyour other kitchen appliances,” according tothe website’s “7 Reasons to Buy a FastCooker.” “This isn’t your father’s pressurecooker ... but you can use it to make yourfather’s potato soup.”

BUYERS GUIDE www.kitchenwarenews.com n MAY 2012 n KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW28

BUYERS GUIDEpicnicware & travel mugs

Epic Products Beach Bummin’ Cheese Server Gift Set

Host a beach party this summer with EpicProducts New Beach Bummin’ CheeseServer Gift Set. Tied with a bow, this gift setembraces vibrant and playful beachimages and includes a cheese spreader,(20) 3-ply beverage napkins and atempered glass cheese server/cuttingboard (7.5" x 14"). Treat as the perfect giftor save for entertaining.

Epic Products[tel] 800.548.9791www.epicproductsinc.com

Evriholder Sesame Street Thermals

Evriholder Products is excited to announcethe launch of its first Sesame Street licenseditems including Sesame Street PlasticThermals. These new thermals are made ofBPA Free plastic and feature engaginggraphics of Elmo and some of his favoritebuddies. Available in assorted colors, eachthermal holds 10.5 ounces and is perfect forkeeping food or liquids hot or cold on-the-go. They are easy to fill and clean (handwashing recommended). Available in openstock, clip strips, counter displays, end capsand side caps.Suggested Retail Price: $5.99

Evriholder Products[tel] 800.975.0335www.evriholder.com

Picnic Time Concavo Cheese Board and Cheese Tools Set

This product measures 13.5" x 8" x 2" and hasa dark bamboo cutting surface and pull-outtools drawer with zebra wood panels/trayhandles on either side. It includes threecheese tools, three porcelain cheesemarkers and a wet erase pen. Suggested Retail Price: $55.95

Picnic Time[tel] 888.742.6429 www.picnictime.com

The WineYoke™ hands free wine glassholder is the perfect accessory for winetasting or wine events. The WineYoke™offers you hands-free holding of yourwine glass while you enjoy horsd’oeuvres and socializing with friends.The WineYoke makes a perfect gift forany wine lover. The WineYoke™ islightweight and stores conveniently ina purse or pocket. Bring it with youwhen you travel to visit wineries or evenbring it with you to your friends’ homeparties. Your WineYoke will be the talkof the party, and everyone will want tobuy one. The rubber base stretches toaccept stemware base.  The 38"lanyard attaches to two universalswivel, snap-on hooks. Available in Black or Pink and Burgundy. Available onretail card or bulk. You can even have your logo printed on them. Suggested Retail Price: $3.99 each

Franmara [tel] 800.423.5855www.franmara.com • www.wineyoke.com

Bubba EnvyLeave it to bubba brands to break the mold.Creating a masterful blend of thermalhydration expertise and stylized creativity,bubba brings haute to hydration with thenew envy tumbler. A portable savior, theenvy safeguards hot contents for three hoursand conserves cold contents for up to fivehours. The unparalleled dual-wall designtraps air between the two layers, creatinga formidable force in the fight fortemperature preservation. Available in 17-ounce and 24-ounce sleekly stylizedvariations, the dishwasher envy tumblermakes fashionable convenience inevitable.

bubba[tel] 678.255.2107www.bubbabrands.com

Wine Yoke Wine Glass Holder

Talisman Designs’ one-piece pieshield prevents pie crust fromburning. It’s perfect for homemadeand frozen pies. This unique pie shieldis the first of its kind. Simply adjustthe size by sliding the lock into thenotch as needed. Pie shield remainsin place during baking. Fits any sizeof pie between 8" and 10". Easy toadjust, easy to use, easy to washand store. It creates the perfect pie crust every time. Heat resistant up to500-degree Fahrenheit. Made of 100 percent FDA silicone, the pie shieldis dishwasher safe.Suggested Retail Price: $7.99

Talisman Designs[tel] 952.681.2866www.talismandesigns.com

Talisman Designs 1-Piece Adjustable Pie Shield

What better endorsement can youget for a large, wide-base travel mugthan an Alaska fisherman who usesnothing but the MoJOEmo fromHighwave to keep him and his coffeetoasty for eight hours? Rob fromKodiak appreciates the 22-ouncevacuum mug because when he takesto the sea, the MoJOEmo and itssilicone, no-slip base will stay where heputs it. The MoJOEmo also features aleak-tight top to keep every hot dropsafely contained. The MoJOEmo is theofficial mug of the Tall ShipsAssociation and makes for a greatcompanion whether you’re an icefisherman in Minnesota or morningcommuter with a classic car (1984 or earlier) whose dashboard can handlethe mighty MoJOEmo. Made of stainless steel with a choice of four colorsor black on the base, so you and your buddies won’t pick up the wrongmug. Exclusive design from Highwave California. Suggested Retail Price: $25

Highwave [tel] 800.444.4928www.highwave.com

Highwave MoJOEmo

BUYERS GUIDEwww.kitchenwarenews.com n MAY 2012 n KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW 29

BUYERS GUIDEpicnicware & travel mugs

Inno Labs Drink Flair

Parties will be a lot more fun, conversational,and green with Inno Lab’s new Drink Flairreusable drink identifiers. Anne Werthdeveloped Drink Flair in 2009 one night ata party after exclaiming “Hey, that’s mydrink!” Drink Flair’s cleverly designedreusable static cling label marks the glass asyour own, solving the problem of identifyingyour beverage. Then there’s the fun. DrinkFlair identifiers are produced in a variety ofconversation-starting verbal and visual cues.Imagine you’ve just put the “Flirt” label onyour glass. You’ll attract conversation fromwould-be admirers—or label your glass withthe tattoo you always wished you had. DrinkFlair is easily removed and leaves no stickyresidue on any surface. The FLAIR clings toglass, plastic, cans and bottles.

Inno Labs [tel] 620.229.9800 www.drinkflair.com

Ravi Foldable Ice Bucket

Ravi Solution, maker of modern and uniquewine accessories, is proud to release theFoldable Ice Bucket. It’s designed to takealmost no space, but it’s a full-sized icebucket. Made of resistant PVC, it can befolded to fit almost anywhere or stored flatlike a sheet of paper. Once unfolded, simplyfill it with ice and water to chill your favoritewine or champagne. Choose from fourcolors: red, gold, blue or clear. Suggested Retail Price: $7.95-8.95

Ravi Solution[tel] 514.312.8476 www.ravisolution.com

Sistema Plastics Klip It To Go Lunch Cube

This product is designed with integralcompartments to keep food separate onthe go. Each container is made in NewZealand from BPA free plastic with thesignature Klip It clip fastening that is botheasy to use and keeps containers sealedsecurely during transit. Suggested Retail Price: $6

Sistema[tel] 707.795.9060www.sistemaus.com

Cat Cora by Starfrit Lunch SaCC

The Cat Cora by Starfrit Lunch SaCC isroomy enough to carry your lunch, snacksand drinks in style. Two small pockets keepa wallet and cell phone organized, a lobsterclaw clip keeps keys close at hand and thelarger pocket snugly fits your favorite tabletcomputer. The removable lunch pouch islined with high-performance insulation plusa radiant barrier that helps keep food anddrinks cold. The easy-clean, leakproof liningensures no surprise messes in your LunchSaCC. Available in Cat Cora signature printin black or taupe. Suggested Retail Price: $24.95

Starfrit[tel] 514.871.1671www.catcora.com

SunnyLIFE Picnic Basket

Inspired by the best of Australian living—theenvironment, love of the “good life” andAussies’ distinct style—SunnyLIFE looks tocreate accents that convey summer’s tonefor every season. The Summer 2012collection includes beach towels andaccessories, outdoor living, kitchen, diningand home fragrance. Suggested Retail Price: $89.99 (picnicbasket for two), $129.99 (for four)

sunnyLIFE[tel] 800.600.3458www.karenalweilstudio.com

VinniBag

The VinniBag is designed to cushion fragileitems during travel by suspending them inan air cushion, providing protection againstimpact and leaks. Contents are isolatedand secured with a reusable liquid dry-seal.VinniBag is TSA friendly and has beenindependently tested for fluctuations inaltitude and temperature. Stores flat, rolledor folded when not in use.Suggested Retail Price $28

VinniBag[tel] 800.915.8599www.vinnibag.com

GIFTWARE www.kitchenwarenews.com n MAY 2012 n KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW30

Giftwarehome fragrance

FRAGRANCE(Cont. from Page 1)

bonfires in the back yard and leaf piles to jump into. With a little bit of helpfrom home fragrance products, consumerscan create an unmatched ambiance in the home.

Home fragrances also make wonderfulgifts. According to the National CandleAssociation, there has been a growingwillingness in consumers to pay more forcandles to give as gifts. Therefore, manyconsumers now search specialty stores andhome decor stores hoping to find moreupscale choices in home fragrances.

As for Fall 2012 scent trends, “In the fall,people tend to crave traditionalfragrances,” said David Weymouth,Scentsy Fragrance Manager. “It really boilsdown to the fact that when the weatherturns cold, people turn to fragrances with

notes of cinnamon or other spices to geta warm, cozy ambiance in their home.

In terms of what will trend for fall 2012 fragrances, it will be those tried andtrue, warm and spicy fragrances withunique twists.”

More specifically, Weymouth said thatfragrances containing hints of chocolatewill trend this fall. People have strongassociations with chocolate and other foodsmells. In addition, fall marks thebeginning of the holiday baking season.“This makes gourmand fragrances,including those with notes of chocolate,very popular and well-suited to theseason,” Weymouth said.

In terms of air freshening, innovation isthe name of the game this fall. DervillaCampbell, Brand Manager for Kaz, said Honeywell and Febreze have partneredto create the Freshness Cool & RefreshFan. This innovative product is a mini

tower fan that works like aconventional fan to circulateair around the home. The fanis compatible with FebrezeSet & Refresh cartridges, airfresheners designed toprovide continuous, long-lasting freshness and odorelimination. The cartridgescome in 11 scents andconsistently release scentedoils without the use of plugsor batteries. The FreshnessCool & Refresh Fan is a one-of-a-kind product thatoffers scent control withvariable settings. Thesesettings allow the consumerto adjust the scent level intheir home to create a user-friendly home-freshening experience.

All in all, people generally like to hunkerdown once the weather turns cold. Thiscombined with the economic downturn

means that more people will spend timeat home this fall. “Anybody who has ahome, a bedroom, an office or even a dormroom is a potential customer. People createan ambiance in their space using colors,textures and fragrance,” Weymouth said.

GLADE SCENTED OIL DECORATIVE GLASS HOLDERSNew Glade Scented Oil CandleDecorative Glass Holders emit aradiant display of light and shadow

while quickly filling the room withfragrance. Glade Scented OilCandle Decorative Glass Holdershave a unique warming plate to meltthe candle into a pool of scented oilwax that quickly fills the room withfragrance. The holder and refills are available in the air-care aisle offood, drug and mass-merchandisestores such as Target, Wal-Mart andmany more. Suggested Retail Price: $3.49

Glade[tel] 800.494.4855www.glade.com

JASON WU LUXURY SCENTED CANDLEFashion designer Jason Wu and LauraSlatkin, founder and CEO of NestFragrances, announce the launch ofWu’s first fragrance, Orchid Rain, in a

luxury scented candle. Orchid Rainfeatures a unique and exoticfragrance combination of fruity andmodern floral notes created byacclaimed perfumer ChristopheLaudamiel. Orchid Rain combineswhite orchid with nashi pear,pomegranate and goji berry. The fruity-floral essences are enhanced withblonde birchwood and hints of pinkpepper and coconut. Suggested Retail Price: $48

Nest Fragrances[tel] 212.759.0047www.nestfragrances.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

Trade Show Buzz

MAY 201219-22 International Contemporary

Furniture FairJacob K. Javits Convention CenterNew York, NY, 800.272.SHOW

www.icff.com

19-22 International Contemporary Furniture Fair

Jacob K. Javits Convention CenterNew York, NY, 800.272.SHOW

www.icff.com

20-23 National Stationery ShowJacob K. Javits Convention CenterNew York, NY, 914.421.3200

www.nationalstationeryshow.com

JUNE 20121-4 Kansas City Gift ShowGift Mart of Kansas City

Kansas City, KS, 913.687.8059www.giftmartofkansascity.com

2-4 American Craft Retailers ExpoLas Vegas Convention CenterLas Vegas, NV, 888.427.2381

acrelasvegas.com

10-11 Market Square’s The Buyers Cash & Carry

Greater Philadelphia Expo CenterOaks, PA, 717.796.2377

www.marketsquareshows.com

11-13 NEOCON World’s Trade FairThe Merchandise Mart

Chicago, IL, 800.677.6278www.neocon.com

12-14 Licensing International ExpoMandalay Bay Convention CenterLas Vegas, NV, 310.857.7620www.licensingexpo.com

17-19 Summer Fancy Food ShowWalter E.Washington Convention Center

Washington, DC, 212.482.6440www.specialtyfood.com

20-26 Dallas Total Home & Gift Market

Dallas Market CenterDallas, TX, 800.DAL.MKTS

www.dallasmarketcenter.com

22-24 Dwell on DesignLos Angeles Convention CenterLos Angeles, CA, 415.373.5100

http://dod.dwell.com

25-31 California Gift ShowL.A. Mart

Los Angeles, CA, 800.LAMART4www.lamart.com

www.californiagiftshow.com

JULY 201211-18 Atlanta International Gift,

HomeFurnishings & Holiday MarketAmericasMart Atlanta

Atlanta, GA, 800.ATL.MARTwww.americasmart.com

17-23 CMC Gift & Home MarketCalifornia Market Center

Los Angeles, CA, 213.630.3600 www.californiamarketcenter.com

19-25 Chicago MarketMerchandise Mart

Chicago, IL, 800.677.6278www.shopchicagomarket.com

22-25 Philadelphia Gift ShowGreater Philadelphia Expo Center

Oaks, PA, 678.285.3976www.philadelphiagiftshow.com

25-31 California Gift ShowL.A. Mart

Los Angeles, CA, 800.LAMART4www.lamart.com

www.californiagiftshow.com

30-Aug. 3 Las Vegas MarketWorld Market Center MarketLas Vegas, NV, 866.229.3574www.lasvegasmarket.com

AUGUST 20123-6 Kansas City Gift ShowGift Mart of Kansas City

Kansas City, KS, 913.687.8059www.giftmartofkansascity.com

12-15 CGTA Gift ShowToronto International Centre &Toronto Congress Centre

Toronto, Canada, 800.611.6100www.cgta.org

18-23 New York International Gift Fair + Gourmet Housewares ShowJacob K. Javits Convention CenterNew York, NY, 800.272.SHOW

www.nyigf.com

19-22 Alberta Gift ShowNorthlands Agricom

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, 877.281.0005www.albertagiftshow.com

26-29 Montreal Gift ShowPlace Bonaventure

Montreal, Quebec, Canada, 877.281.0005www.montrealgiftshow.com

SEPTEMBER 20128-10 Dallas Total Home & Gift Market

Dallas Market CenterDallas, TX, 800.DAL.MKTS

www.dallasmarketcenter.com

buyers who come to the Market Center forits nine markets a year—four home andgift markets and four apparel andaccessories markets.

The Dallas Market Center is already the only permanent, shared-exhibitshowroom for manufacturers, brokers anddistributors in the gourmet industry. It isstaffed and open Mondays throughFridays during non-market times and open every day of the nine annual markets. Daugherty said the MarketCenter’s research shows that buyers whocome to those markets looking for newproducts for their home and clothingshops are also looking to expand theirhorizons and display some gourmetgoodies as well—and the Dallas MarketCenter is responding with a bold move tomake the center a year-round destinationfor retailers.

BY LORRIE BAUMANN

The big news this month out of the DallasMarket Center is that it has startedconstruction to expand the GourmetMarket in time for the June Total Home& Gift Market, which will be the 20ththrough the 26th. I sat down for a talkwith Cole Daugherty, Vice President ofCommunications for the Dallas MarketCenter, and he was bubbling over withexcitement about it.

“We anticipate more demand for products carried in the Gourmet Market,both gourmet foods and housewaresitems,” he said. “Our country is obsessedwith gourmet food and entertainmentthese days.”

The idea behind the expansion is to createa welcoming atmosphere and more spaceto show off gourmet products to the

The construction that ’s going on now is Phase I of a bigger project that brings the Gourmet Market to 30,000square feet of space and will add even more space over the next couple of years. Look for more than 1,500product lines of gourmet specialty foods, kitchen accessories, casual tabletop and gourmet gadgets. Talk about foodie paradise! Along with theaddition of space, the Gourmet Market is undergoing a general spruce-up andrebranding—with new flooring andupdated paint.

To make the market more welcoming, anew entry will be extended into thecenter’s atrium. Best of all, there will benew prep and demonstration kitchens soguest chefs can entertain and educateabout products that are available in theGourmet Market. The new demonstrationkitchen will be movable so it can bebrought outside the front entrance forspecial events and inside into the atriumto reach out into the most heavilytrafficked part of the marketplace—

C A L E N D A RTRADESHOW

assuring the kitchenware and gourmetfood manufacturers that they’ll reach awide audience with the appeal of acelebrity chef or the savory aromas fromfabulous food.

The availability of that demonstrationkitchen is bound to attract kitchenwaremanufacturers like the ones that broughtto this year’s International Home +Housewares Show “Top Chef ” celebritiesincluding the Voltaggio brothers,representing Fissler, and Bialetti’s Fabio Viviani—who seemed this year to be trading less on his Italian looks andfabulously fractured English and more on his serious culinary expertise—and the always fabulous Mario Batali, who’s put his name on a new line ofcookware from DANSK, as well as CatCora, with her new line from Starfrit.Lots of potential there to draw retailerswho want to sample some great gourmetfood as well as add a little star power totheir shops, and the Dallas MarketCenter’s new space sounds like it ’s getting ready to cater to the trend.

America Fei Tian ...............................................16

American Mechantile........................................30

Bannex International.........................................30

Click Clack/Innova...........................................19

Core Bamboo .....................................................20

Dexas International ...........................................18

Essenergy .............................................................24

Fire Wire..............................................................20

Fissler USA............................................................2

Franklin Chef USA ...........................................16

Full Circle............................................................14

Hewlett Manufacturing....................................10

Highwave Inc......................................................29

KitchenHappy ....................................................24

Lazy Daniel dba Forney Industries ................25

Linden Sweden...................................................22

Mastrad...................................................................9

Parasia .....................................................................3

Parrish Cake........................................................15

Pragotrade ...........................................................17

Prodyne................................................................21

Regent Products Corp ......................................21

Starfrit ..................................................................22

Talisman Designs .................................................4

Tribest.....................................................................8

Victorinox ...........................................................32

Vinaroz.................................................................25

Vinturi..................................................................11

Vita Craft ............................................................14

Wellness Mats .....................................................23

Wilshire..................................................................5

Wüsthof..................................................................6

ADVERTISER INDEX

www.kitchenwarenews.com n MAY 2012 n KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW 31

Upcoming Events

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