KNHR's Top Drawer

"Best of the Best" Products Honored by Housewares Design Awards

Just announced, the “Best of the Best” honorees for the 2011 Housewares Design Awards embody three of the strongest consumer trends, focusing on consumers’ desires for comfort and cleanliness in the home, health and wellness, and convenience and simplicity in the kitchen.

Bringing home the “Best of the Best – Gold” for 2011 is the Air Multiplier (AM01) from Dyson Inc. Featuring a first-of-its-kind bladeless design that revolutionizes the electric fan category, the Air Multiplier maximizes air capacity in a fan, while offering smooth and uninterrupted air every second.

Weighing in with the “Best of the Best – Silver” honor is Perfect Portions Food Scale + Nutrition Facts from Design Manufacture Distribution LLC. Offering personalized tracking and customization features, the Perfect Portions Scale is designed to help consumers make healthy choices when it comes to eating.

The “Best of the Best – Bronze” was presented to the 4-inch Ceramic Paring Knife from Mastrad Inc. With ergonomic design and a durable ceramic blade, the paring knife is the perfect choice for the kitchen, picnics, and camping.

“Best of the Best” winners were announced February 2, 2011 at a gala event held at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square. Thirteen “Best in Category” winners were also announced, and winners of the “Green House” Design Award were honored.

Referred to as the “Oscars of home design,” the Housewares Design Awards are presented by HomeWorld Business with educational support from the International Housewares Association and sponsorship by the New York International Gift Fair^®. The awards program, in its 8th year, signals the importance of superior design as a driving force in the housewares industry.

 

Making Potato Chips in the Microwave!

We've all got a favorite food, maybe even multiple favorite foods, depending on the season and the reason. For instance, on stressful days, when I'm bored, or when I just need a bit of a pick-me-up, I turn to potato chips. French fries, too, but they're not quite as useful because you either have to make them or worry about them getting cold. The thing is, eating potato chips comes with a hefty guilt factor. Potatoes deep fried in oil and loaded with preservatives. 

But as it turns out, someone at Mastrad was looking out for me and my potato chip addiction. Now I can make homemade potato chips in the microwave anytime I want with the Chips Maker. It sounds so simple! Wash and dry potatoes, thinly slice, place in a single layer on the maker, sprinkle with olive oil and season, then cook 3-5 minutes in the microwave. It really doesn't get much easier than that. And you can test it out with other types of veggies. Carrot chips, sweet potato chips, zucchini chips.

The Chips Maker will be available in spring 2011, and consumers can choose from a two-tray set or a one-tray with mini mandoline set. The Chips Maker has an MSRP of $20. 

To learn more about Mastrad, you can visit them at IH+HS at booth S1240.

 

Homemade Ice Treats With Back To Basics

Did you ever make homemade popsicles when you were a kid? My mom and I would make them every once in awhile, and it was always one of my favorite treats. It's a great kid-friendly activity and kid-friendly treat. Making them at home is way better than you too since you can control the ingredients, sugar, no processed ingredients, etc. Here's a couple products to help bring some fun treats into your freezer.

Back to Basics is introducing at the Housewares Show the Arctic Pops Ice Treat Mold, the Jet/Rocket Ice Pop Mold, the Flute Pops Ice Pop Maker and an Ice Treats Party Pack. Fill them with juice, yogurt, flavored syrups and more for delicious, icy homemade treats. See these new products at Back to Basics' booth L11702.

 

Jumping into 2011 Buying

I just received a press release wrapping up January's Atlanta AmericasMart, which showed attendance gains and record-setting business volume for the market exhibitors. It is so positive to hear how retail is rebounding, isn't it? 

Here's a prepared statement from Jeffrey L. Portman, Sr., AmericasMart President and Chief Operating Officer: "Throughout the entire span of this Market, we continued to hear from both retailers and exhibitors how great the show was and how the energy, excitement and traffic were high. The exhibitors and retailers who chose to do business here literally jump-started 2011."

There were more than 4,500 exhibitors at the market, from every U.S. state as well as retailers from across the globe. If you didn't make it to the market, you can see what you missed with this YouTube video.

 

See the Chop-A-Lot at Housewares Show 2011

Here at Kitchenware News & Housewares Review, we've been gearing up for the March Housewares Show, and you'll be able to prepare yourself for the show with our February issue. It's got a great article from Editor Joanne Friedrick about the programming you can expect to find at the show, as well as a section chock-full of products. And since you know how I love to share new products with you, I'm going to spoil the surprise on a couple of them before the magazine hits your mailbox. I never was very good at keeping a secret.

This is the Chop-A-Lot from VTT Products. It's a cutting board, food tray, strainer, serving tray, cutting board all-in-one. I'm sure like most of you, I am all about convenience, functionality and easy storage, and this product meets all of that criteria. Pull the trays out and store food items easily as you chop and prep, and then you can easily arrange a cut veggie platter on the serving tray, straight from cutting board to table. The trays are microwave and dishwasher safe. And, the Chop-A-Lot is available in fun colors—red, lime, orange, black and white. To see this product in person, stop by the Inventors Corner at the International Home + Housewares Show, South building booth S4566.

Cool Appliances at CES 2011

Consumer Electronic Daily News had a cool post today about some of the new appliances Samsung is showing at the International Consumer Electronics Show 2011. You can still find Samsung at the CES show tomorrow in the Central Hall.

Connected Home Appliances at CES 2011

Hey all! Hope you had a terrific Christmas and are looking forward to 2011! Here's the first thing I'm excited about for the new year (aside from testing out all my new kitchenware toys!). I'm heading to International CES next week, and the Connected Home Appliances TechZone is top of my list. It's co-sponsored by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers and Retail Observer magazine. The TechZone will be showing off innovative home appliance technologies, including interactive, energy efficient and Smart Grid enabled appliances. This is the first time home appliances are being shown at CES, and I am looking forward to seeing the future of kitchens. Exhibitors include GE, Kenmore and Reliant Energy.

There's no doubt that technology has integrated its way into every part of our lives, and I'm eager to see how manufacturers are integrating technology and home appliances. When I spoke to Kevin Gilboe at KitchenAid for the May issue of Kitchenware News & Housewares Review, he just talked up the idea of technology integration in the kitchen, and its ability to influence function and design. It's all a matter of time before our kitchens are smarter than us (but hopefully not better a better cook)!

Nambe Will Open First AZ Store

A long, long time ago I mentioned to you that I reside in Tucson, Ariz. Every once in awhile I also reference this fact, usually in relation to the weather. (It's a big selling point for this state.) But now, here's another selling point for Tucson! A press release crossed through my inbox this morning about Nambe opening their first Arizona store, in my very own city, at La Encantada, an upscale shopping center in the foothills of Tucson. The store will offer the complete Nambe product line, including hopefully this gorgeous spice rack.

A Microplane Herb Mill, please.

I’ve become completely obsessed with the thought of owning a Microplane herb mill. It’s mentioned a couple times in our upcoming November issue of Kitchenware News, deemed one of the best new products of the year by various retailers, and called Microplane’s biggest innovation this year by Microplane’s Marketing Manager, Tracy Panase.

Let’s be honest, readers, despite my love for cooking, baking, and all things kitchen, your blogger is sorely lacking in knife skills. I’m an at-home trained cook, and I haven’t worked very hard at being technically great; I just want to be able to make delicious, home-cooked meals. So sometimes, my julienned basil isn’t very consistent, and leafy herbs like parsley and cilantro define the term “rough chop.”

This is why I’ve placed the herb mill from Microplane at the top of my wish list this holiday season. The herb mill works similar to a pepper mill, allowing you to insert herbs into the mill, and then twisting it to cut. The blades at the bottom of the mill cut your herbs quickly and consistently. I’m fairly certain this is a win-win for me and my meals (though probably not my knife skills).

 

Say Cheers with Mikasa

Oh, kitchenware blog readers, I've been a little busy, but I'm back today and will be posting throughout the holiday season with fun gift items. And I won't lie, some of these items are definitely on my own personal wish list this season.

Serve guests in style and toast with flair with the Mikasa Cheers Wine Set. It's a lovely gift for a friends and family (or yourself). The set includes a carafe and two 16-ounce wine glasses, each featuring an elegant design. The suggested retail price is $39.99.