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.

 

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)!

New Products from Hannon at NYIGF

If you’re headed to the New York International Gift Fair this weekend, stop by Hannon Group’s booth to see their expanded line of Sachi Insulated Lunch Totes as well as a new line of Sachi Wine Totes. The International Gift Fair takes place August 14-19 at the Javits Center in New York City. You can find Hannon Group at booths 3179 and 3181. The insulated lunch tote from Sachi is available in nearly 45 different styles and patterns. Available colors and styles include red, grey or magenta woolie; blue rose, cream hearts, magenta rose, black quilt and more. The suggested retail price for the lunch totes $14.99 to $24.99.

Hannon will also introduce three new styles of their wine tote at the show. The eco-friendly wine totes, in mocha brown, camel tan and black, offer a fully insulated interior that helps keep wine bottles chilled throughout the day. Suggested retail prices for the wine totes range from $24.99 to $34.99. For more information and to see the rest of their products, visit www.hannongroup.com and check out their booth!

New Tableware Collection at AmericasMart

If you’re heading to AmericasMart Atlanta this week, there’ll be plenty to check out, including a new line of licensed tableware. Sorella Home signed a licensing agreement with the Ernest Hemingway brand in April for a new tableware, barware and home décor collection. And you can preview that collection at the AmericasMart Atlanta show, opening tomorrow. The line will include handpainted ceramics, stoneware and period-inspired pewter and barware. Learn a little more about AmericasMart at our website, kitchenwarenews.com, and in our July issue.

Waffles Made Easy by Waring Pro

One of my favorite things to do on a Sunday morning is prepare a nice leisurely brunch. There’s something about Sunday mornings that just beg me to spend them in my kitchen. It’s kind of like how this new Double Belgian Waffle Maker from Waring Pro will demand you make brunch this weekend (or is that the sound of your spouse and/or kids?).

The good news is you won’t be hungry for long with this waffle maker that can prepare two extra thick Belgian waffles for you at once. Waring Pro will debut this new waffle maker at the International Home + Housewares show, March 14-16. The waffle maker’s rotary feature ensures even baking in both the top and bottom 1-inch deep waffle pockets. Two LEDs and three audio beeps lets you know when your waffles are finished. A rotary thermostat and browning control knob makes sure your waffles are delicious every time. Suggested retail price is $99.99.

I’m pretty sure it’s time for brunch.

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.