KNHR's Top Drawer

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.

Stew Leonard Jr to Present Keynote at ICON Honors

Stew Leonard, Jr., a world-recognized retailer, will be the keynote presenter for the ICON Honors award celebration on July 17, in conjunction with the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market and Atlanta International Area Rug Market. The press release states that Leonard "will motivate and excite attending retailers, manufacturers and sales representatives with personal and company success stories."

Stew Leonard's is a family-owned and operated fresh food store with stores in Norwalk, Danbury and Newinton, Conn. and a store in Yonkers, N.Y. The store is known for its farm-fresh food offerings as well as its customer service, in-store entertainment and costumed characters.

Leonard will present the keynote at ICON Honors, and the event will also feature a performance from singer Michael McDonald and an awards presentation honoring retailers, product manufacturers and sales agencies in 18 individual categories.

Culinary Delights at Epicurean Classic 2010

If you’re looking for a culinary event experience this summer, I’m thinking the Fine Cooking Epicurean Classic Presented by KitchenAid sounds spectacular. The three-day event features cooking classes, seminars, tastings, and chef-hosted receptions and takes place August 27-29 in St. Joseph, Mich.

The 30-plus cooking classes will have in-depth recipe demonstrations by talented chefs and cookbook authors, and attendees will have opportunities to ask cooking questions and meet the chefs in person. The tasting pavilion will feature recipes from the cooking classes, artisan cheeses, and premium wines, beers and spirits.

Attendees will also be able to try out a complete line of KitchenAid’s food prep tools and cooking appliances within a fully-equipped kitchen area. You can learn how to use the appliances as well as culinary techniques, tips and tricks.

Mark Dressler, the event’s founder, said in a press release, “The Classic celebrates the essential skill of cooking, to help people catch and maintain the zest for cooking, and have them participate, explore, and learn with accomplished chefs and talented food experts firsthand. Attendees sit near enough to smell the dishes being prepared. All the participating guest chefs encourage questions at any point and are available after their one-hour presentations for book signings and more interaction. The level of interaction and accessibility is unparalleled, which is a huge appeal for attendees as well as authors and guest chefs.”