KNHR's Top Drawer

Father's Day Gift Ideas

Summer’s here and Father’s Day is fast approaching (June 20!). I’ll admit it, I’m kind of a last-minute gift shopper unless some kind of crazy inspiration hits me. So what I’m trying to tell you is I haven’t started shopping for a Father’s Day gift. In fact, I haven’t even thought about what to get my dad for Father’s Day. If you’re like me, you might like some of these suggestions from Weber.

Weber’s Way to Grill cookbook—a New York Times bestseller and James Beard-nominated cookbook, more than 160 recipes and 1,100 full color photos at an SRP of $24.95

Weber Style Barbecue Apron—With an SRP of $22.99, the apron features suede look accents, pockets, adjustable neck strap and bonus attached bottle opener

Weber Style Three-Piece Stainless Steel Tool Set—Professional-grade spatula, tongs and silicone basting brush with easy grip handles at an SRP of $34.99

KNHR Has A New Editor!

Kitchenware News & Housewares Review welcomes Joanne Friedrick as its new editor. Joanne replaces Karen Martin, who is leaving to pursue other interests. She can be reached at joanne_f@oser.com and at 207-780-8656. As you’ll note from the telephone number, Joanne is also based in Portland, Maine. She is a former editor of Gourmet News and has wide-ranging experience as a free-lance writer.

Please join me in welcoming her to Kitchenware News.

Kelly Lewis continues as KNHR’s new associate editor. Kelly joined the magazine staff last month, and her first contribution will appear on the front cover of the January issue. You can reach her at Kelly_l@oser.com and at 520-721-1300.

Publisher Karen Taylor, based in Los Angeles, can still be reached at Karen_t@oser.com and at 323-512-5113.

 

Gourmet Housewares Show Moves To New York In 2011

GLM, LLC, owner of the Gourmet Housewares Show, has announced that the show is moving to New York in January, 2011. No Gourmet Housewares Show will be held in 2010. In January, 2011, the Gourmet Housewares Show will be co-located within the New York International Gift Fair. GLM is hoping that some of the 150 new exhibitors it expects at NYIGF as a result of the move will also exhibit in the fall NYIGF show.

Fall Tabletop Market

I talked with Laurie Burns from Forty One Madison and Su Hilty from 7 W NY this week, about the upcoming Fall NY Tabletop Market in October.

Both of them were encouraged by the turnout  at the two  permanent showroom buildings during NYIGF and feel that turnout bodes well for the October show. If you didn’t know, the permanent showrooms in these buildings are open during the NYIGF show with transportation provided to and from the Javitz Center.

Laurie told me that the showrooms at Forty One Madison are starting to feel an up tick. She cautioned that the real upswing in business may not be here yet, but at least people are sensing a change.

What’s selling? Laurie says that price points are one key, but bridal is still a major factor in the tabletop business. She reminded me that, even in a down market, “people are still getting married.”

Su confirmed that she was very pleased with the activity at 7W NY during NYIGF.  She also suggested that vendors that can provide immediate delivery will add even more orders during Tabletop Market.

Since we’re thinking about tabletop, here’s my homage to summer – Zak’s Daisy Bowls. The Daisy Bowls are four-piece sets that feature a serving plate, two serving bowls and a dipping cup all made of durable melamine. When these individual products are nested together, they form a Daisy bud in full bloom. Go to www.zak.com for more info.

The End of Summer, But Not the End of Grilling

Summer just CAN’T be over! Despite the technical terms of the calendar, for me, summer is always June 1 through Labor Day. That means we are in the final week.  And anyone living in the Northeast, especially New England, is simply crazed. I swear that it has rained since June 1 all the way through this past Saturday. Now the weather turns beautiful and oops, sorry, summer’s over.

Don’t worry, I’m done whining. But my lack of any real summer made me appreciate the ManGrate, another new product that I saw at NYIGF week before last.  Yes, that’s right, the ManGrate.

Made of 100% solid cast iron, The ManGrate  is a grilling accessory designed to sit on top of your existing grill grates. According to the product info provided by the company, the grates sear the meat using radiant heat instead of convection heat. Patented “Grease Gutters™, trap and retain oils from the meat, distribute heat evenly, and reduce flair ups.
Again, according to company information, the ManGrates can last a lifetime if properly maintained. Like any quality cast iron, the ManGrate should get better over time with each use.

The ManGrate comes in a set of 2 grates, each grate measuring 15” x 4-1/4” x 1-3/8”. The set of two retails for $59.95.

I wasn’t the only one intrigued by the ManGrate at the show. The company reps looked a little dazed by all the attention they were getting. It could have been the high definition video of steaks searing on the ManGrates that got people’s attention. Let’s face it, high definition is really great for showing food.

Another aspect that I liked about this new product is that the developer of the product purchased an old foundry and reopened it to produce the ManGrate. That’s a great story in today’s economy.  I want to follow up and get the details on the production side of the ManGrates. Until then, here’s a picture that I took at the show: