SPECIAL FEATURE:
BUYERS GUIDE: NEW SECTION!
CUTTING BOARDS
KITCHEN CLEANING PRODUCTS
SEE PAGE 17-18
SEE PAGE 19-20
SEE PAGE 21-22
GIFTWARE
K ITCHENWARE NEWS H o u s e w, a r e s R e v i e w S E RV I N G K I T C H E N WA R E
H O U S E WA R E S A N D TA B L E T O P M A R K E T S
VOLUME 17, NUMBER 11
NOVEMBER 2011
With Knives, Color and Style Make the Cut in Growing Market If Rachael Ray made the Santoku knife popular, then all of the TV cooking shows combined have boosted the visibility of fine cutlery in general.
Wüsthof-Trident of America, said Wüsthof has experienced growth in both its high-end and value lines over the past 15 years as the “foodie” craze has skyrocketed.
Taken with the idea of emulating the chefs they see on the Food Network, PBS and Bravo, consumers have been outfitting their kitchens so they can cook along with the best. That has meant improving the quality of their cutlery so they can dice, chop and julienne, too.
Wüsthof offers both forged and stamped knives. The former fall into the higher-end category, with features such as heft, weight, balance and comfort being keys for shoppers. Stamped cutlery appeals to those who want to prep like fine chefs, but are looking for a more economical entry point.
Todd Myers, Vice President-Sales for
Continued on Page 15
BY JOANNE FRIEDRICK
GENERAL NEWS.....................3
How Many Cutting Boards Is Enough for One Kitchen? BY A.J. FLICK
Experts say it depends on what you need them for, but chances are, you’ve already got a few cutting boards on hand. There may be no humbler kitchen accessory than the good, old cutting board. Even the most novice of cooks has at least one—unless you count all the objects used in their place if a cutting board isn’t handy. So it might come as a surprise to some to
know that much thought and design goes into cutting boards. And once you know that they come in materials more diverse than ordinary wood or plastic, in designs that can ease kitchen tasks and in colors that complement the decor, amateur cooks might just discover that they, too, need more than one. Most people think of wood when it comes to cutting boards. John Boos is one of the Continued on Page 17
Not Too Late to Find the Perfect Giftware for Your Shelves BY A.J. FLICK
As we head into the final days of the year, consumers are on the prowl wherever they go for holiday gift ideas as well as products that will help them get through the inevitable year-end gatherings, from office parties to gourmet dinner parties. Last year, retail holiday sales increased 5.5 percent to nearly $600 billion, though most analysts expect more modest sales increases this year. The International Council of Shopping Centers expects
PRODUCT REVIEW.................8
RETAILER PROFILE ................10
sales to jump by 2.2 percent in November and December. “The ICSC holiday sales forecast contains at least four messages,” said Michael P. Niemira, ICSC’s Chief Economist and Vice President for Research. “One, no matter which metric of performance is used, ICSC projects 2011 U.S. holiday sales are likely to advance at a slower pace than in 2010 as strong economic headwinds continue to persist. Two, the Continued on Page 21
MARKETWATCH ...................15
w w w . k i t c h e n w a r e n e w s . c o m
www.kitchenwarenews.com
■
NOVEMBER 2011
■
KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW
GENERAL NEWS
3
General News Investcorp Acquires Kitchenware Retailer Sur La Table Investcorp has acquired Sur La Table, a leading national kitchenware retailer with locations across the United States. The terms of the transaction, which took place Sept. 20, were not disclosed. Sur La Table was acquired from the Behnke family and investment firm Freeman Spogli & Co. Both remain as investors in the company. With its headquarters in Seattle, Sur La Table is a multichannel retailer that sells through 86 stores in the United States, as well as through its catalog, website and gift registry. It offers a broad selection of kitchenware brands and products to assist in the preparation and presentation of cooking. In addition, the company offers the largest avocational culinary instruction program in America, teaching more than 100,000 cooking enthusiasts a year how and what to cook at more than 25 locations. “Sur La Table's management team, led by CEO Jack Schwefel, has built a market leading, multichannel retailer with a unique product offering and a high level of customer service,” said Kevin Nickelberry, a Managing Director at Investcorp. “We believe that Sur La Table is well positioned in its existing markets and has multiple opportunities for growth including new store expansion and ecommerce.” Schwefel said, “I am very excited about our new partnership and our future growth opportunities with Investcorp. Sur La Table is the leading destination for those with a passion for cooking and a love for food, and will maintain the values that reflect our character and commitment to our customers, our employees and the communities in which we live and work.” Morgan Joseph TriArtisan Group Inc. acted as financial adviser to Investcorp, a global provider and manager of alternative investment products. Investcorp is a leading provider and manager of alternative investment products. Investcorp has offices in New York, London and Bahrain and is publicly traded on the Bahrain Bourse. Investcorp has three business areas: corporate investment in the United States, Europe and the Gulf; real estate investment in the United States; and global hedge funds. As of March 31, Investcorp had $11.8 billion in assets under management. William Blair & Co. acted as sellside adviser to the Behnke family and Freeman Spogli & Co. The Seattle-based Behnke family purchased the first Sur La Table store in 1995. Under its guidance, Sur La Table expanded from a single location adding 19 stores over the following five years, developed the culinary
instruction program and launched the company's first e-commerce site. Since its beginnings in Seattle’s Pike Place Market in 1972, Sur La Table has believed that the kitchen is the center of the home. Today, those with a passion for cooking and
a love for food can discover a selection of global brands in its Sur La Table stores, online at www.surlatable.com, through the Sur La Table catalog and via the Sur La Table gift registry. Freeman Spogli & Co. is a private equity firm dedicated to investing in and partnering with management in consumerrelated companies in the
retailing, direct marketing and distribution industries in the United States. Since its founding in 1983, Freeman Spogli has invested more than $2.8 billion in 45 portfolio companies with aggregate transaction values of more than $17 billion, and is making investments from FS Equity Partners VI. Freeman Spogli has offices in Los Angeles and New York.
4
GENERAL NEWS
www.kitchenwarenews.com
■
NOVEMBER 2011
■
KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW
General News Cooking.com, Epicurious Team on Shopping Option Cooking.com and Epicurious have partnered to provide food enthusiasts with a one-stop shopping experience that marries content with cooking tools. The new online Epicurious shop, created and managed by Cooking.com, enables consumers to purchase an assortment of kitchenware and specialty foods tailored to the Epicurious audience and
integrated with the site’s recipes and content. Tracy Randall, Chief Executive Officer of Cooking.com, said, “This is an exciting partnership for Cooking.com. We believe that incorporating an e-commerce functionality into the Epicurious site perfectly complements their extensive
database of unique content. It will be an integrated shopping experience that adds convenience and content for its audience.” Through the new partnership, Epicurious curates shopping tips and gift ideas tied to the site’s content, while Cooking.com delivers ecommerce products that are customized for the site’s core followers. Consumers can shop for hundreds of cooking tools across a wide variety of categories, from cookware to cookbooks, and browse “Epi Picks”—favorite, go-to products selected by the experts at Epicurious.
“We are delighted to launch this unique integrated food and shopping experience with Cooking.com,” said Beth-Ann Eason, Senior Vice President, General Manager for Epicurious. “Providing our Epicurious audience with a comprehensive shopping experience is a natural complement to the extensive and unparalleled variety of recipes offered on the site.” Cooking.com operates several branded websites including Rachael Ray Store, Paula Deen Store, Calphalon Store, Betty Crocker Store, Pillsbury Store, Steamy Kitchen Store, Good Bite Store and Marley Coffee. Powered By Cooking.com delivers high touch, branded e-commerce solutions and category expertise, enabling partners to attract consumers, drive membership and build new revenue opportunities. Cooking.com offers its customers access to more than 60,000 products for the kitchen as well as recipes, menus, collections and a growing library of member-submitted cooking content. Cooking.com was founded in 1998 and is based in Marina Del Rey, Calif. Epicurious.com reaches more than 6 million food enthusiasts on its site every month. Through more than 180,000 recipes from premier brands in food journalism, chefs, cookbooks and users, Epicurious offers a wealth of original content, videos and tips focused on all aspects of cooking and entertaining. Epicurious is published by Condé Nast, a division of Advance Publications, which operates in 25 countries.
Denby Entertains Royalty Denby, a leading supplier of tableware and cookware in the United Kingdom, welcomed HRH The Princess Royal on Sept. 12 to commemorate 200 years of pottery production at the original Denby site. Princess Anne first saw displays of Denby in the Visitor Centre’s Home Store before taking a tour of Derbyshire’s largest pottery to view the production processes. Iain Duncan, Operations Director, showed her around the factory and highlighted the integration of new technology with traditional hand skills such as the decoration on the new Halo tableware. She also met some of the many long-serving employees of the pottery during her tour, which concluded in the design studio. Denby’s commitment to the export market was emphasized by explaining the development of special pieces for individual countries. Employees gathered to witness the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the visit by HRH The Princess Royal, which marks the concluding part of Denby’s bicentenary celebrations.
www.kitchenwarenews.com
■
NOVEMBER 2011
■
KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW
GENERAL NEWS
5
General News Anolon Contributes to Garden’s Cooking Program Anolon, a global brand of gourmet quality cookware and kitchen products, participated in its third year partnership with The New York Botanical Garden to help communicate the importance of garden-fresh ingredients in healthy home cooking. The Edible Garden Cooking Series provided families and children with
Retailer, Cooking School Opens Doors in Illinois Gourmet food tastings, product demonstrations and gift basket raffles were among the events at the grand opening in early October of Marcel’s Culinary Experience, a gourmet retailer and cooking school in downtown Glen Ellyn, Ill. “We’re thrilled to be a part of this vibrant area, and are proud to have created a unique place for anyone who loves food to shop, learn, watch, meet new people or socialize with old friends,” said Jill Foucré, a Glen Ellyn resident and Marcel’s owner. The internationally flavored “cook’s haven” combines Foucré’s family heritage (Marcel was her grandfather, a classically trained French chef and restaurateur), her love of cooking and entertaining and her entrepreneurial spirit. The heart of Marcel’s is its modern 400square-foot kitchen, equipped for a variety of culinary experiences. The space will be the setting for an extensive, ongoing schedule of culinary courses (both hands-on and demonstration) led by Marcel’s Executive Chef, Kelly Sears, and featuring some of the Chicago area’s chef instructors. The fall schedule includes 24 classes, plus special free “walk-up” demonstrations. Marcel’s can also be reserved for private events of up to 16 people. “People already have contacted us about hosting a special event for their group, their customers or just friends. Taking a cooking class together is appealing to so many people,” said Foucré. The retail experience at Marcel’s, led by Retail Manager Dana Williams, complements the epicurean experience with culinary products such as All Clad, Le Creuset, Emile Henry, Mauviel, Wüsthof, Shun, Rosle, Viking and Jura Capresso, with additional unique offerings from Simon Pearce, Juliska, Jan Barboglio, Terrafirma Ceramics, Shine Handmade and many others.
a series of cooking demonstrations in the Family Garden Kitchen, fully equipped with Anolon gourmet cookware, bakeware, cutlery, tools and gadgets. “We are delighted to be the presenting sponsor of the Edible Garden Cooking Series, which teaches thousands of
families about the benefits of growing and cooking fresh seasonal produce,” said Suzanne Murphy, Vice President of Meyer Corp. “Our partnership with The New York Botanical Garden perfectly aligns with our brand’s educational campaign, ‘Creating a Delicious Future with Anolon’.” The Edible Garden Cooking Series kicked off this summer and featured a fall harvest weekend celebration Sept. 24-25. Chef Mario Batali and other chefs from his
restaurants hosted seasonal cooking demonstrations staged in the Family Garden Kitchen. Anolon representatives were present to showcase its newest kitchenware collections, demonstrate and sample recipes prepared by its chefs, distribute educational information for children and parents on energizing breakfast ideas and conduct drawings for a chance to win an Anolon Nouvelle copper skillet. Anolon reps also appeared at The New York Botanical Garden Oct. 8 for more harvest cooking demonstrations.
6
GENERAL NEWS
www.kitchenwarenews.com
■
NOVEMBER 2011
■
KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW
General News Fast-Growing Wholesale-Only Site Welcomes Kitchenware Sellers BY ROCELLE ARAGON
A growing number of kitchenware and houseware sellers are signing up for Buyers’ Best Friend (www.bbfdirect.com), a San Francisco-based site that recently became the world’s largest wholesale catalog for specialty products. Selling only to accredited wholesale buyers, at press time, the site carried more than 102,000 SKUs from almost 1,500 sellers. The majority is specialty food, but kitchenware, cookware and other categories are also represented. “We started out in specialty food, but are quickly adding a significant amount of kitchenware and houseware products, specifically growing at least 5 percent a week. Kitchenware is a natural fit for BBF, and we’re excited to grow this important portion of our catalog. We currently have 129 brands and 15,014 products (SKUs) in houseware, and 28 brands—1,506 products (SKUs) in kitchenware,” said Conor Lee, the site’s Director of Marketing and Strategy.
Kitchenware sellers on the site include Swiss Diamond, Bambu, Grind peppermills and Engstrom International, distributors of the TRF reusable baking sheets.
Buying Guide mini-site, specifically for seasonal products and orders. A mini-site during the Summer Fancy Food Show drew hundreds of visitors and order inquiries, and a second is planned for the upcoming winter food show.
Based in San Francisco, www.bbfdirect.com is free for sellers to join and list their products. Revenue is generated from upgrade options, including a fast-growing paid program that includes hand-brokering services and introductions to key accounts as well as ads. More than 2,000 registered, prequalified buyers use the site, including stores such as Zingerman’s and San Francisco’s Rainbow Grocery. Lee said the site is adding registered non-grocery buyers at the rate of dozens a day.
The insight on the gourmet retail industry and its needs comes via Joyce Guan, BBF Co-Founder and Vice President of Sales. An independent specialty food broker who also maintains her business separate from BBF, Guan noticed how much of her workday was consumed by travel and repetitive paperwork—instead of strategy, building relationships or actual sales. “It was all very fragmented, and I knew there had to be a better way,” she said. Guan spoke to her partner, Adam Sah, who wrote a software program to simplify her work. Other brokers began requesting their own versions, and BBF was born.
The site features many endorsements from both sellers and buyers, mostly on how the site saves time and builds sales. Buyers can purchase from multiple producers or brokers at once, without having to open new accounts for each; sellers are immediately connected to buyers all over the country. In October, the site launched a Holiday
An important factor in BBF’s growth is how easy it is for producers to set up shop. “If you can email us a PDF of your catalog and an Excel file of prices, you can start selling,” said Sah, the site’s Co-Founder and CEO. A former senior software engineer at Google, Sah is familiar with processing masses of real-time data and
the security required for e-commerce. The site is also unusually transparent. Buyers can search for vendors by product category, price level, sales volume, sample availability and as new or established sellers. New orders, buyers, sellers—with amounts concealed for confidentiality––hot products and hot producers are regularly updated and displayed onscreen, creating an addictive snapshot of what is actually selling in the wholesale specialty market. Though still mainly serving the U.S. market, the site has also drawn international interest. “Frankly, the excitement from international buyers and sellers was a surprise to us, and we’re still figuring it all out,” said Sah. “Meanwhile, the catalog is maintaining a nice balance of mostly domestic brands and some aspiring international brands, and since we break out minimum order sizes and available distributors, it’s pretty easy for domestic buyers to navigate.” To help serve international buyers, BBF has partnered with experienced domestic sellers, exporters and a few overseas distributors, and has facilitated introductions for buyers in Canada, Japan, Australia and Mexico.
www.kitchenwarenews.com
■
NOVEMBER 2011
KITCHENWARE NEWS Housewares Review PUBLISHER
Lee M. Oser
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
EDITOR
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Lorrie Baumann lorrie_b@oser.com Joanne Friedrick joanne_f@oser.com [tel] 207.780.8656 Rocelle Aragon rocelle_a@oser.com A.J. Flick aj_f@oser.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Valerie Wilson ads@oser.com
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Yasmine Brown art@oser.com
TRAFFIC MANAGER
Selene Pinuelas deadline@oser.com
SUBSCRIBER SERVICES
1877 N. Kolb Road Tucson, Arizona 85715 [tel] 520.721.1300 [fax] 520.721.6300
KITCHENWARE/HOUSEWARES ADVERTISING SENIOR ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Kate Seymour kate_s@oser.com [tel] 520.721.1300
IN THIS ISSUE
KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW
from the
Lee M. Oser
Periodicals postage paid at Tucson, AZ and additional mailing office. Kitchenware News & Housewares Review (USPS012-625) is published 12 times per year (Jan., Feb., March, April, May, June, July, Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov. and Dec.) by Oser Communications Group, 1877 N. Kolb Road, Tucson, AZ, 85715 (520) 721.1300. Publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material or prices quoted in newspaper. Contributors are responsible for
7
november 2011
contents
publisher
3
GENERAL NEWS
In Arizona, where we publish Kitchenware News & Housewares Review, there’s a snap of fall in the air, and that has set us to thinking ahead to the International Home + Housewares Show, even as we also reflect on the likely effects of the global economic situation as well as what looks to be a rough-and-tumble Presidential campaign. Both of those circumstances are increasing the uncertainty and anxiety in the marketplace.
8 9
PRODUCT REVIEW
Given that, there’s one thing we can say for sure as we anticipate March in Chicago and we all put our 2012 budgets together, and that’s that this is not the time to shortchange your marketing for the show. The uncertainties of our economic environment will tempt you to regard your marketing as a luxury you can live without if you have to, but the reverse is the case: However much the economy might shrink the marketplace for all of us, you should consider the wisdom of investing to ensure that your share of that pie still makes a meal that will sustain you.
10
RETAILER PROFILE
11
PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS
Here at Kitchenware News & Housewares Review, we haven’t yet begun the advertising sales campaign for our show daily that will be distributed at the housewares show. However, if you’re going to be exhibiting, you can count on hearing from us. On the advice of some of our friends in the industry, our sales campaign this year will take a slightly softer approach, but please don’t take that to mean that we’re any less sincere when we urge you to market your exhibit effectively or when we suggest that our show daily is your most cost-effective option.
15
MARKETWATCH
ONE ON ONE
CUTLERY
17
SPECIAL FEATURE CUTTING BOARDS
If you’ll be shopping the show floor rather than exhibiting, may we also respectfully suggest that you pick up your copies of the Kitchenware News & Housewares Review Show Daily and consult the pages as you plan your tour of the show floor. Our show daily is your guide to everything that’s most exciting at the show, and it’ll help prevent you from overlooking the products and ideas you need to excite your customers over the next tumultuous year.
19
BUYERS GUIDE KITCHEN CLEANING PRODUCTS
In short, sit down, buckle up and hold on–it’s going to be a ride. Our goal here at Kitchenware News & Housewares Review, as always, is to provide you with publications that will help you emerge safely when the roller coaster stops its swooping and bouncing. See you at the show! Lee M. Oser, Publisher
Lyle Sapp lyle_s@oser.com [tel] 520.721.1300
Kitchenware News & Housewares Review is a publication of ELM Communications, a division of Oser Communications Group, Inc. 1877 N. Kolb Road Tucson, AZ 85715 www.oser.com
PRESIDENT
■
21 23
GIFTWARE
23
AD INDEX
UPCOMING EVENTS
from the
editor The home stretch: That’s probably what many of you are thinking about as the calendar switches to November and moves on toward the final month of the year. Not only is the year nearing its end, but the all-important holiday shopping season is coming into full swing, promising busy days and nights until those last-minute shoppers exit on Dec. 24.
a b c
For many retailers, I would guess November and December are just a blur of shelves to stock, bags to fill, gift baskets to create, and sales to ring on the register. But despite the hectic nature of the season, it is also a critical time of year when businesses make it or break it. I know I will be doing my part to stimulate the economy during these final months of the year, not only buying gifts for others, but outfitting my own kitchen for all the holiday cooking and baking that takes place.
proper release of proprietary classified information. ©2011 by Oser Communications Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or in part, without written permission of the publisher, is expressly prohibited. Back issues, when available, cost $8 each within the past
Why is it we can manage to survive the majority of the year without certain kitchen tools, but come November and December and that extra set of measuring cups and spoons isn’t a luxury anymore, but a necessity. And where did all the potholders go? And maybe I could use a new apron—one without a big grease stain on the front.
ON THE COVER
12 months. Back issue orders must be paid in advance by check. Kitchenware News & Housewares Review is distributed without charge in North America to qualified professionals in the retail and distribution channels of the upscale kitchenware and tabletop trade. For subscriber services, including subscription information, call (520) 721.1300. Printed in the USA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Kitchenware News & Housewares Review, 1877 N. Kolb Road, Tucson, AZ 85715.
As soon as the weather turned just the slightest bit chilly, I was back in the kitchen, making a big pot of chili and baking an apple crisp with apples I bought from visits to three Maine orchards. And in doing so, I was also surveying my kitchen for all the little things—and some big ones, too—that I’ll need to get ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Consumers may be more wary about spending these days, but fortunately, kitchenware and the related categories provide practical, yet fun presents that can be used many times over. If someone wants some bang for their holiday buck, shopping at the local kitchenware or home-related gift shop is a great way to do it. Have a happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Joanne Friedrick, Editor joanne_f@oser.com
a
FOX RUN BRANDS Outset Jackson Steakhouse Knives [tel] 800.372.0700 Www.foxrunbrands.com
b
FISSLER USA/ROLAND PRODUCTS INC. Goodbye Detergent Original Spagehetti Scrub [tel] 800.321.2226 goodbyedetergent.com
c
WILSHIRE INDUSTRIES LLC HUE Bamboo Rainbow Wood Carving Board [tel] 949.492.9921 Www.islandbamboo.com
8
PRODUCT REVIEW
www.kitchenwarenews.com
■
NOVEMBER 2011
■
KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW
Product Review PlaceTile Erasable Ceramic Bottle Stoppers BY A.J. FLICK
According to PlaceTile’s website, the thriving specialty business began as humble yet coveted erasable ceramic place cards at the 1995 wedding of Owner and Designer Kristin Bowen. Guests started snatching them up as mementos. Sixteen years later and PlaceTile’s catalog includes not only a variety of erasable ceramic place card designs, but menu and menu boards, cheese tiles, scroll plates, tiles to hang over bottle necks, cheese plate/trivets and bottle stoppers. The bottle stoppers come in four designs: vine, gold or platinum ringed and fleurde-lis. They can be used for everything from dating and labeling that bottle of wine that you opened and plan to finish another day to identifying oil and vinegar bottles used in the kitchen to conveying messages on gifts. In my household, there is usually a bottle
in the fridge for unsweetened tea (because I like to add my own sweetener after it’s poured) and another for sweetened tea (for someone who wants to be sure every sugary drop is waiting to be poured). Neither one of us likes to pick up the wrong decanter.
FRANMARA WINE & CHEESE PAIRING WHEEL
The PlaceTile bottle stoppers are great for us to keep our teas apart. Plus, they make the tea containers look more stylish than the pop-tops they’ve replaced. The ceramic tops are easy to write on and because they’re erasable, the bottle stoppers will be appreciated by those of us whose calligraphy sometimes takes several attempts before it looks stylish (not to mention readable). PlaceTile advises that because the bottle stoppers have real cork bases, be careful in corking and uncorking bottles to ensure they don’t break. The company doesn’t replace bottle stoppers with broken corks. The bottle stoppers don’t come with a dry
erase marker, although many of PlaceTile’s gift-boxed products do include one. A marker can be purchased separately for $2, but any dry erase marker will work. To remove the writing, I just used my fingers. If you are doing a lot of them, a cloth or eraser of some kind would be a better idea. At $13 for a set of three, the bottle stoppers make an affordable yet memorable gift. PlaceTile products are sold throughout North America at various retailers, online at www.placetile.com or by calling 678.467.4776.
“Accurate and right-on combination”— Oxbow Cheese Merchant, Napa, Calif. Wine and cheese are a classic combination. Both are products of fermentation, which draws them together. The affinity of pairing them together can be exquisite.Cheese and wine will transform any party into a fun-filled celebration. Features 40 popular cheeses with wine matches that are divided into white,red and sparkling wines suggestions. Each wheel is two-sided with large printing for easy reading.Each wheel is packed in a semi-transparent vinyl envelope with UPC. The wheel is 8" in diameter and packed 36 to a four-color countertop display. Suggested Retail Price: $2.99 Franmara [tel] 831.422.4000 www.franmara.com
www.kitchenwarenews.com
■
NOVEMBER 2011
■
KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW
One on One Sandra Bonazoli BEEHIVE KITCHENWARE
Although a relatively young company, Beehive Kitchenware is constantly evolving, beginning as metalsmiths and expanding into new areas such as ceramics and wood. The husband-and-wife team of Jim Dowd and Sandra Bonazoli produce their designs from a studio in Fall River, Mass. Recently, Kitchenware News caught up with Sandra Bonazoli to talk about the company and its current and future plans. Q: What is the story behind how Beehive Kitchenware came about? A: We started about 11 or 12 years ago. My background is in jewelry and sculpture and my husband’s is the same. I always liked vintage kitchenware because it was as beautiful as it was functional. Having kitchenware have a decorative element seemed important 70 years ago, and we wanted to do that as well. Q: What were the first pieces in the line like? A: We did about five pieces, including a copper colander and copper measuring cups. One of the original pieces was the heartshaped measuring spoons, which we still do, and a coffee measuring cup, which we still do as well. They all had a folk art influence. Q: So how has the line evolved since then? A: We stopped doing the copper sheet metalwork. It did sell, but we just, from a creative standpoint, wanted to go in a different direction. We did cast pewter, and got into some tabletop serving pieces, then desk and dresser pieces. We wanted to create objects that people could give as gifts and had an heirloom quality, but that were rooted in function. From there we branched into stoneware and wood. We sit at jeweler’s benches and sculpt and cast in metal, but we realized we could do this in other materials. So we could take our skills and our sensibilities and make a story or collection in ceramic as well as metal. Q: Do you have a typical workday and, if so, what is it like? A: Our typical workday is dependent on the show cycle. We spend a lot of time prior to the shows developing new products. We may be talking about ideas, or drawing, or looking online for references. From there, it’s more into product development. We fabricate the originals by hand. If you’re introducing 10 new things, it can take several months. And while this is going on, we still need to deal with inventory, bookkeeping and sales. So our time is divided between the workbench and the desk.
Q: Where do you work? A: We have a 3,000-square-foot space for offices, shipping, worktables and assembly. A large prototype area takes up about onequarter of the space and has a lathe, a hydraulic press and a band saw. Q: How do you and Jim work together? A: Everything is collaborative, but it’s not 50/50 all the time. I may have an idea, but Jim is the one to make the model. Or he may suggest an idea and I sketch it. We also have friends from our background, so we can call on them to give us input. Like when we developed the cheese knives, we have friends who are silverware designers. Q: Who are your retailers? A: Our target retailer is an independent retailer with a specialty shop. Our best retailers own their own stores and have a close relationship with their clientele and are excited about what they are selling. Q: Do you ever get into the stores to promote your products?
A: Once in a great while, we do a trunk show or a meet-and-greet with them—sort of a meet-the-artist event. Q: Do you do a lot of shows? A: We do about a half-dozen shows a year, like AmericasMart and the New York International Gift Fair. And we feel it ’s important to have something new for every show. Q: What do you do when you’re not working? A: Jim is a very avid bicyclist, so he does that a lot on weekends. Where we live, it’s really nice to go for walks or a ride. And I’m always making stuff like jewelry, print making and knitting. Q: What are your goals for Beehive? A: Jim and I really want to make objects with integrity. We want what we make to last, so we put everything into what we make: Quality in design and quality in execution.
ONE ON ONE
9
10
RETAILER PROFILE
www.kitchenwarenews.com
■
NOVEMBER 2011
■
KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW
Retailer Profile The Cook’s Nook
store computers, the registry was kept in a spiral-bound notebook.
BY JOANNE FRIEDRICK
Even today, she said, they still write down a bride-to-be’s registry, but then enter it into the computer so the information can be easily updated and tracked. As from the beginning, those who purchase from the registry get free gift wrap and delivery, she said. “I think that’s why people come here,” she said. “For the customer service.”
It’s the changing of the guard at The Cook’s Nook, a specialty kitchenware, gift and gourmet shop in McPherson, Kan. Longtime Owner Priscilla Smith has been stepping back from day-to-day operations, leaving that job to her daughter and store Manager Jonna Corrigan. In business since 1988, Smith said the store has gone through several transitions, beginning in an 800-square-foot space, then expanding to 1,500 square feet by taking down a wall and eventually moving down the block to its current 3,500square-foot home. In this spot, there’s been the addition of kitchen, where classes take place. cooking Reflecting on the past 20-plus years, Smith said it was the addition of the bridal registry that helped build The Cook’s Nook and keep it going during traditionally slow months. “We had as many as 50 active brides at one time,” she recalled, noting that before in-
Of course, said Smith, what goes on the registry has changed. “When we first started, we sold a lot of china. Now it’s rare, because people are more casual.” The Cook’s Nook still offers tabletop, but it’s Fiesta, not fine china. Also, with a nod toward brides, Smith said her store carries some small appliances from Cuisinart and Bosch, through appliances aren’t big business for them. In cookware and cutlery, they offer brands such as Viking, All Clad and Wüsthof. Gadgets have been and continue to be a big part of the business, said Smith, with three walls devoted to them. She said with the current economy, some
people are looking to make smaller gift purchases or just add a gadget or two to their own kitchen as an update. “If it’s something they want, we will find it for them,” she said of her gadget philosophy. All members of the staff take part in the buying process, said Smith. Several of them travel to the International Home + Housewares Show and the gift market in Dallas to do some buying. The front of the store and the windows are filled with displays, said Smith, which are changed frequently to keep customers engaged. “We did a whole display with doughnuts and breakfast items,” she said. Sales for those products, which had been slow before, took off. The store added its kitchen and the classes in 1996, said Smith. There are no classes during the summer or during the peak holiday months of December and January. In putting together the program, Smith said they ask customers what they want to learn about and take input from potential teachers as well. The classes are good for drawing people to the small town, she said, and have brought in customers from Wichita and Salina, which are 50 and 30 miles away, respectively. Most of the classes are demonstration style and can accommodate up to 25 people using an overhead mirror to show what is going on. The hands-on classes are geared mainly to children, she said, and those are limited to about a dozen participants. Like many smaller towns that are eager to keep shoppers buying locally, Smith said McPherson has started a First Thursdays event designed to create local traffic in the downtown. The events combine entertainment with specials at the participating retailers, she said. The Cook’s Nook also does an open house the first weekend in November to kick off the holidays. The store brings in
seasonal items and does gift baskets, she said, as well as extending its hours. Because McPherson is a small town, there isn’t much competition locally, said Smith. Instead, she sees the Internet as The Cook’s Nook’s chief competitor. “But that’s where the gadgets come in,” she said. “If they find something special or come to us looking for it, then they will remember us.” The Cook’s Nook also does a lot of demos, said Smith, either with formal presentations from vendors such as Wüsthof or just featuring the latest gadget on the counter for customers to try. Getting the word out about what’s new has changed a bit in Smith’s 20-plus years of business, she said. “We did a newsletter for years and I originally got the addresses off of the checks people would write,” she recalled. At its peak, the newsletter was mailed to 12,000 people. “But we had to drop the newsletter because of the cost of postage,” she explained. Now the store relies on its website, an email newsletter and Facebook as well as some TV advertising. Some of the Wichita stations offer a program that gives local businesses the chance to talk about what’s new, she said, in conjunction with other area stores. Corrigan, who worked at the store as a teenager and has been back at the business for the past 15 years, said she’s not planning to make a lot of changes as she takes over the reins at The Cook’s Nook. “What we’ve done has worked, but you can’t get stuck not changing anything,” she said. One of the areas of interest is keeping up with social media and the need to put information out there for customers on a regular basis. Inside The Cook’s Nook, she said the focus is on keeping the store fresh and making it a good experience for visitors.
K ITCHENWARE NEWS H o u s e w,a r e s R e v i e w S E RV I N G K I T C H E N WA R E
VOLUME 17, NUMBER 11
H O U S E WA R E S A N D TA B L E T O P M A R K E T S
NOVEMBER 2011
personal care
products
12
PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS
www.kitchenwarenews.com
■
NOVEMBER 2011
■
KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW
Personal Care Products
ADE DIGITAL LUGGAGE SCALE
DR. MIRACLE'S HAIR REPAIR
Smart and precise, the ADE Digital Luggage Scale lets anyone weigh luggage before heading to the airport, saving on extra luggage charges for bags exceeding airline weight restrictions. Perfect for either frequent or occasional fliers, this compact scale weighs just 7 ounces and takes up little room in luggage. One of the highest capacity luggage scales on the market, the ADE Digital Luggage Scale can measure up to 121 pounds in 4-ounce increments. Easy to use, simply latch the strap onto the luggage handle, briefly lift the suitcase, then set it down. The bag’s exact weight is shown on the scale’s LCD display. The unit can easily switch between kilograms and pounds. The body is made of high-quality ABS plastic. The scale is equipped with a durable strap and comes with a handle big enough for lifting with both hands. The ADE Digital Luggage Scale, marketed by Frieling USA, runs on one CR 2032 lithium battery (included) and features an automatic shut-off and battery level indicator. The unit comes with a three-year warranty. Suggested Retail Price: $19.95
Dr. Miracle's, a leader in the ethnic hair care industry, has evolved beyond hair repair positioning with a comprehensive re-launch. The most noticeable development will be the brand's evolution of appearance at store level. The packaging redesign reflects Dr. Miracle's' efforts to increase consumer shopability. Recent studies show that consumers have trouble determining the optimum products to address their treatment and maintenance needs. The fan-favorite tingling sensation remains. Within the ethnic hair care category, natural ingredients have become increasingly important to the consumer. Dr. Miracle's products have been reformulated to include vitamins and natural ingredients including shea butter, aloe, coconut, jojoba and olive oils, which are known to condition, nourish and strengthen hair. New product developments include: Edge Holding Gel, Acai Thermal Protection Styler, Daily Moisturizing Lotion, Conditioning Shampoo, Leave In Conditioner, Deep Conditioner, Oil Sheen Spray and Neutralizing Shampoo. Suggested Retail Prices: $3.99-5.99
Frieling USA [tel] 800.827.2582 www.frieling.com
Dr. Miracle's [email] admin@drmiracles.com www.drmiracles.com
EVRIHOLDER BAMBOO NATURALS Evriholder recently launched Bamboo Naturals, a new product line of ecofriendly health and beauty accessories made from super soft bamboo fabrics. Featured items include a dual-sided washcloth, a naturally soothing headband, a super soft solange poof and ultra-moisturizing socks—all made of earth-friendly bamboo fabrics. All items are available in bamboo green and natural taupe. Items are great for holiday gifting, everyday pampering and creating the ultimate spa experience right at home. Suggested Retail Price: Start at $5.99 Evriholder Products [tel] 800.975.0335 www.evriholder.com
HUMIO HUMIDIFIER & NIGHT LAMP WITH AROMA OIL COMPARTMENT The Humio Humidifier and Night Lamp, with aroma oil compartment, is elegantly designed to offer a soothing and relaxing ambience of shaded colors that softly illuminates and adds style to any room’s décor. Dispel stress and physical strains through subtle hints of lavender or eucalyptus essential oils. With no filters needed, the Humio helps ease the symptoms of dry skin, throat, nose and lips by improving the air quality—one room at a time. Users can breathe easy and bask in the silence and serenity of the ultrasonic cool mist as they enhance the level of comfort at home. Suggested Retail Price: $89.95 TribestLife [tel] 714.879.7150 www.tribestlife.com
WORKER B SKIN CARE
HELIX-D FACE, NECK AND EYE SERUM
Worker B skin care products contain no fillers, water or alcohol and use bee products (beeswax, honey and propolis) from several Minnesota and western Wisconsin beekeepers. All Worker B products can be used from face to feet, lips to hands.They are also good for pets' paws and are food safe. Worker B was developed in part for the most sensitive of skin, suitable for people with a large range of allergies. Products available include balm in three different formats (tube, tin and treatment stick), all with the same formula featuring bee propolis and organic avocado oil; cream, which is a rich, all-purpose cream, designed for ultra-sensitive skin; putty, which is good for skin cracks, cuticles, feet, gardening hands and bug bites; lotion bar for full body conditioning; unscented or scented lotion; and propolizer, a 50 percent propolis tincture, which has a long history as a homeopathic remedy. Suggested Retail Price: $3.50-22
The point of difference for Helix-D is found in its new technology—the Helix Delivery System. HDS features a dual-liposome, low-polar,friction-free delivery system that suspends the active ingredients in a protective matrix,preserving their potency until activated at the skin surface. When the matrix and base are blended at the skin surface during application, the formulation is activated and the delivery system transports the actives past the protective outer layer of the skin to targeted skin layers beneath. As the delivery system penetrates the skin's surface, first the exterior, then the interior liposomes dissolve,providing a sustained, time-release of actives to the surrounding cells.These state-of-the-art actives feature the most advanced power-peptides, matrikines, anti-oxidants and nanohydrators to rejuvenate, rehydrate and restore skin to its youthful appearance. Suggested Retail Price: $99 (Face and Neck Serum), $79 (Eye Serum)
Worker B [tel] 612.804.4781 www.worker-b.com
Helix Beauty LLC [email] retailer@helix-D.com www.helix-d.com
www.kitchenwarenews.com
■
NOVEMBER 2011
■
KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW
Study Reveals Cosmetics Alter Instinctual Perception A new study confirms for the first time that using color cosmetics does, in fact, significantly alter how women are perceived by others, at first glance and over time. Results of the study show that makeup application specifically affects judgments of attractiveness and character when viewed rapidly or for unlimited amounts of time. Researchers conducted two studies in which 100 photos of 25 women’s faces were judged without makeup and with three different applied makeup looks that included varying levels of luminous contrast (different levels of light to dark makeup shades). The looks were informally classified as “natural,” “professional” and “glamorous.” When viewed for 250 milliseconds, all three makeup looks increased ratings of attractiveness, competence, likability and trust compared to the ratings of the same faces without makeup. Further, participants in the second study who had unlimited time to inspect the faces gave both the natural and professional makeup looks increased ratings of attractiveness, competence, likability and trust. The glamorous look, which had the highest
DYNAMIC WATERS AQUALIBRIUM BIO-BOOST SYSTEMS
luminous contrast, was judged to be equally likeable, less trustworthy and significantly more attractive and competent than the faces without makeup. The reverse connotations associated with this look demonstrate that makeup impacts both automatic, instinctual responses and conscious, deliberative judgments, causing people to make impressions based on the visual alterations caused by cosmetics and their conscious ideas about makeup users and looks. “Researchers have studied first impressions of innate facial characteristics, such as facial symmetry, but until now, no research has rigorously examined the role that applied beauty or features of the extended human phenotype, such as makeup and hair color, play in perception of beauty, personality and character at first glance and longer inspection,” said Nancy Etcoff, Assistant Clinical Professor at Harvard University and Associate Researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Psychiatry. “For the first time, we have found that applying makeup has an effect beyond increasing attractiveness—it impacts first impressions and overall judgments of perceived likeability, trustworthiness, and
COOL GEAR GO GEAR
H 2 O Plus developed the new Aqualibrium Bio-Boost treatment duos with internationally sourced waters plus marine ingredients to optimize skin tone and texture. The complete collection is a dermatologist-tested, marine-based daily skin therapy regimen that hydrates with glacier waters from the Italian and Swiss Alps, minimizes fine lines and wrinkles with volcanic waters from France's Auvergne region and brightens skin tone with Eastern European waters enriched by aquatic watermint. Each system contains a powerful serum which is activated by its corresponding mist. The Aqualibrium Bio-Boost Systems include: Hydrating Bio-Boost System, Line Minimizing Bio-Boost System and Illuminating Bio-Boost System. Suggested Retail Price: $55
Cool Gear International Inc., a leading global designer and manufacturer of innovative hydration and food storage products, announced the national release of its first travel product, Go Gear, airline carry-on approved liquid travel containers. Go Gear travel tubes are made of squeezable BPA-free silicone material and feature easy-to-fill, widemouth bottle openings for simple liquid transferring and dispensing. They come in 1.25-ounce, 2-ounce and 3-ounce sizes, meeting airlineapproved guidelines for the size of carry-on liquids. Go Gear is available in turquoise, green and magenta and comes with write-on sticker labels for identifying contents. It is also dishwasher safe and can be boiled for easy cleaning. Suggested Retail Price: $2.97 for individual tubes; $8-10 for assorted three-packs
Dynamic Waters [tel] 800.242.2284 www.h2oplus.com
Cool Gear International Inc. [tel] 800.386.3374 www.coolgearinc.com
PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS
competence. In today’s world of selfportraits appearing on networking and dating websites, ballots, resumes and applications, the results of the study have broad implications.” The data’s implications also suggest makeup can give women the power to determine which aspects of their personality they want communicated to others, said Sarah Vickery, Principal Scientist, Research & Development, Color Cosmetics, P&G Beauty & Grooming. “This study examined the impact of relevant makeup looks that women in the western world commonly wear, showing that makeup is a real-life tool in their arsenal to effectively control the way they want to be—and are— perceived,” said Vickery. “Makers of color cosmetics and other beauty products can take these findings into consideration to further develop science-based solutions that empower women to display different aspects of their personalities and to really take charge of the way others see them.” The study was conducted in two parts with 100 high-resolution color images of 25 women, ages 20 to 50, who self-identified as Hispanic, Caucasian or African-American. The images included a frontal headshot with a neutral facial expression and were cropped to remove clothing and hair styles.
13
A makeup artist applied three different makeup looks that provided increasing luminance contrast between the skin and facial features (informally labeled as “natural,” “professional” and “glamorous”). A professional photographer shot the women without makeup and with all three looks under uniform conditions, and the photos were adjusted digitally. The first study included 149 adults (61 men, 88 women) of different ages and ethnicities who were shown the faces for 250 milliseconds. The second study included 119 adults (30 males, 89 females) of different ages and ethnicities who were given unlimited time to inspect each face. All participants saw the faces in a randomized sequence and rated them based on attractiveness, likeability, trustworthiness and competence. “Collaborating with global academic and industry experts has allowed P&G Beauty & Grooming scientists to transform cuttingedge color science into solutions for skin, cosmetic and hair color products,” said Shekhar Mitra, Senior Vice President, P&G Global Beauty and Grooming, Research and Development. “This fundamental research helps us better understand the motivations and desired beauty outcomes of our consumers and how to translate that knowledge into innovations that have a proven impact on perception.”
14
PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS
www.kitchenwarenews.com
Helen of Troy Secures Rights to Market ‘Twilight’ Beauty Tools Helen of Troy Limited, a designer, developer and worldwide marketer of brand-name household and personal care products, has acquired a global license to “The Twilight Saga” from Summit Entertainment to market a special collection of styling appliances under their PRO Beauty Tools® brand. The exclusive Twilight Limited Edition Collection by PRO Beauty Tools launched in October just before “The Twilight Saga:
Breaking Dawn—Part 1” hit theaters on Nov. 18th. Gerald J. Rubin, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, stated, “Helen of Troy is delighted to be working with Summit Entertainment because both companies are dedicated to the same target audience, young women who demand cutting edge trends with a great flair of style. There is a lot of synergy between our Pro Beauty Tools brand and “The Twilight Saga” phenomenon.
Study: No Link Between Real World Use of Antibacterial Soaps and Antibacterial Resistance Newly published research reaffirms that the use of antibacterial wash products in the home environment does not contribute to antibiotic or antibacterial resistance, confirming previous research that showcased similar findings. The study, published in the peerreviewed International Journal of Microbiology Research, compared the use of over-the-counter antibacterial liquid hand and body cleansers and antibacterial bar soaps—containing the germ-killing ingredients triclosan and triclocarban—against the use of nonantibacterial cleansers.
study discounts claims that the use of antibacterial wash products have contributed to the selection and spread of drug-resistant bacteria on human skin. From a pool of more than 450 individuals, 210 study participants were randomly selected, 70 for each of three groups: Those who frequently used liquid bath or shower products containing triclosan; those who frequently used bar soaps containing triclocarban; and those who did not use any antibacterial wash products and thus served as the control group.
■
NOVEMBER 2011
■
Together, we have the opportunity to bring value-added products to a fan base that is thirsting for more brand extensions.” Summit Entertainment, the film studio behind “The Twilight Saga” film franchise, which has given PRO Beauty Tools a license to develop, produce, and distribute “The Twilight Saga” branded hair appliances and beauty tools worldwide. Robert Ballard, Vice President of Retail Marketing for Helen of Troy, stated, “The new ‘Twilight’ line is taking Pro Beauty Tools to new heights and creating consumer excitement like we have never seen before. The new Pro Beauty Tools line, consisting of five styling different types of antibiotics that are commonly used to treat Staph infections. The experimental results showed there was no increase in the antibiotic resistance of the Staph strains isolated from either group that had been using antibacterial wash products, when compared to those isolates obtained from the control group. Those bacteria also showed no increased resistance to triclosan or triclocarban. “There was no statistically significant difference in antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus isolates obtained from the skin of regular antibacterial wash product users in comparison with nonantibacterial product users,” said Cole, Professor of Environmental Health Sciences of Brigham Young University’s Department of Health Science. “There was also a definitive lack of antibiotic and antibacterial cross resistance among those bacteria.”
KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW
appliances and a collect of professional brushes, is designed to easily create favorite ‘Twilight’ character looks. Each cast member is known for his or her specialized hair style. We believe the new line will help capture the trendy looks that millions of fans worldwide desire." Helen of Troy Limited has a portfolio of well-recognized housewares and personal care brands, including: OXO®, OXO Good Grips®, OXO Soft Works® and OXO Steel, Revlon®, Vidal Sassoon®, Dr. Scholl's®, Scholl®, Pro Beauty Tools®, Sure®, Pert Plus®, Infusium23®, Brut®, Ogilvie®, Ammens®, Hot Tools® and Gold 'N Hot, Vicks®, Braun®, Honeywell®, Stinger®, Duracraft®, Protec® and SoftHeat®. “Hygiene product manufacturers and ingredient suppliers continuously review and analyze research and fund new studies to ensure product and ingredient efficacy and safety. This is part of our industry’s long-standing commitment to product stewardship,” said Dr. Francis Kruszewski, ACI Director of Human Health and Safety. “After decades of use, antibacterial wash products continue to play a beneficial role in everyday hygiene routines for millions of people around the world.”
The research was supported by the American Cleaning Institute and the Personal Care Products Council.
“Investigation of Antibiotic and Antibacterial Susceptibility and Resistance in Staphylococcus from the Skin of Users and Non-Users of Antibacterial Wash Products in Home Environments” was authored by Cole with R.M. Addison, Duke University Medical Center, Clinical Microbiology/Infectious Diseases; P.D. Dulaney, Applied Environmental, Inc.; K.E. Leese, Applied Environmental Inc.; H.M. Madanat, San Diego State University, Graduate School of Public Health; and A.M. Guffey, Applied Environmental Inc.
ZON PERSONAL AIR PURIFIER
VERILUX CLEANWAVE VACUUM
A departure from the typical firming products, Kinerase Restructure Firming Eye Cream transforms skin by targeting elastin protein coils to lift and tone the contours of the eye area. This Kinerase eye firming regimen combines the plant extract LOXL Stimulator, potent, clinically proven antioxidants and 0.15 percent kinetin to improve skin elasticity and tone, tighten and restructure for a more lifted look. It also reduces the appearance of expression wrinkles and deeply moisturizes for firmer, smoother, more youthful-looking skin. Suggested Retal Price: $59
Lightweight and compact, the ZON Personal Air Purifier from Blueair provides consumers with their own personal clean air zone to enhance individual indoor air quality. Standing less than 8" tall, the ZON Personal Air Purifier has a compact design and weighs just 1.5 pounds, with the filter included. With this advanced design, the filter is cradled in a docking station along with Blueair’s patented HEPASilent™ filter to deliver clean air at a rate of 30 feet in 3 minutes. A variable speed control adjusts the airflow. Suggested Retail Price: $99.95
The Verilux CleanWave Sanitizing Furniture & Bed Vac is designed to eliminate up to 99.9 percent of pests such as bed bug, dust mite and flea eggs as well as viruses, bacteria and allergens such as mold on non-porous surfaces. It also deodorizes upholstery, bedding, fabrics and carpets. The CleanWave cleans and sanitizes without chemicals or irritants, using 400 watts of power to create consistent suction. The unit features an easy, bagless design and a two-stage microallergy filtration system to prevent recirculating pollutants. Suggested Retail Price: $129.95
Kinerase [tel] 800.321.4576 www.kinerase.com
Blueair Inc. [tel] 888.258.3247 www.blueair.com
Verilux [tel] 800.786.6850 www.verilux.com
Lead author Dr. Eugene Cole, who has spent more than 35 years in the field of environmental health research, said the
A standard method for swabbing both forearms of all participants was used to collect samples of Staphylococcus bacteria, which were then tested against several
HOWARD PRODUCTS’ LINE OF NATURAL KITCHEN CLEANERS
KINERASE RESTRUCTURE FIRMING EYE CREAM
The Granite & Marble Cleaner is a nonacidic,non-abrasive vegetable-derived formula that is ideal for daily cleanup of sealed granite,marble and other natural stone countertops and surfaces. The Kitchen Cabinet Cleaner combines Brazilian carnauba wax and other vegetable-derived ingredients to easily clean water-soluble food grime as well as oil-based kitchen grease. The Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish is made of Innovative natural vegetable-derived ingredients that easily clean food grime, oily fingerprints and even kitchen grease. Suggested Retail Price: $8.99-10.99 Howard Products [tel] 800.266.9545 www.howardproducts.com
www.kitchenwarenews.com
■
NOVEMBER 2011
■
KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW
MARKETWATCH
15
Marketwatch cutlery
Cutlery
knife for meat, a green one for veggies and yellow for poultry.
(Cont. from Page 1)
And, added White, “During certain economic times, color just makes people feel good.”
The Santoku, a Japanese-style knife with a shorter and thinner blade than a traditional chef ’s knife, became a household name when Ray began using it on her cooking shows, said Myers. Companies that weren’t necessarily in the cutlery business before entered with their own versions of the Santoku, he said, and developed additional pieces from there. Wüsthof, which will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2014, is a family-run business now in its seven generation, said Myers. The focus continues to be on quality, he said, developing and selling the right products for the time. The Santoku still remains popular, he said, but there is also a trend toward back to basics, with a focus on bread, paring and chef ’s knives. While buying a block set is more of a savings vs. buying each knife individually, Myers said open stock sales are growing. It could be related to the economy, with shoppers wary of investing $300 to $400 at one time for a block set, but it can also be related to consumers buying just those pieces they need, or collectors seeking select pieces to fill out their line. Color, which has exploded throughout the kitchenware industry, has found its way into the cutlery aisle as well. Myers said Wüsthof is selling both kitchen shears and paring knives in a host of colors. Red is the hottest seller, he said, while yellow has lagged. Color and fashion are definitely a part of what’s going on in the category, said Steve White, Vice President-Sales and Marketing for Kuhn Rikon. “Our cutlery isn’t investment quality,” he explained, “but more of a specialty item. We see it as fun and different, and the category is very strong. Our niche is to offer a great variety of shaped blades.” Kuhn Rikon infuses color throughout its knife line, including its specialty blades for cutting different kinds of fruits and vegetables. The watermelon knife was the first in that series, said White, but it has since been joined by specialty knives to cut avocados, strawberries, melons, tomatoes and apples. The company’s success with its paring knives led it to develop the specialty line, said White. While customers often choose colors to match their kitchens or correspond with their current fashion tastes, White said there is a practical side to color, because color-coding the knives can help deal with crosscontamination—for example, using a red
Kuhn Rikon, which also creates products for baking and cooking, has seen growth in all categories, said White, but especially in cutlery. “Cutlery has grown to be a significant part of our business,” he said, in part because they are continuing to develop new products. Innovation is going beyond color, with a focus on the types of metals used for blades, wood used for handles and the finishing details, said Kurt Zanner, Director of Sales and Marketing for Kai USA, which produces the Shun cutlery line. “We’re using more sophisticated and exotic raw materials,” explained Zanner, such as powdered microcarbide steel that is harder and more stain- and corrosion-resistant than other materials. This also allows for the creation of a “more aggressive” edge, he said, which is sharper and last longer. Even the handle design is evolving, said Zanner, who noted Shun offers straighter shapes with some angles, making it more universal in terms of who can hold it and how they do so. Zanner said while Shun promotes knife sets because there is more value for the retailer and the consumer, the reality is that people are buying individual pieces. Victorinox Swiss Army is also expanding its cutlery lines through the use of color on its utility and paring knives. The company is going strong into retail with the launch of Swiss Classic and Rosewood, which offers the same commercial-grade steel as its professional series, said Rene Stutz, President, Victorinox Swiss Army NA. Every knife is designed with quality steel, superior edge retention and ergonomics in mind. While the company has long made a line of professional cutlery, its line for home chefs features more ergonomically designed handles. “But a lot of home chefs want commercial-grade quality, so we left the blade the same,” said Stutz. In an effort to round out the assortment, he said, Victorinox Swiss Army is launching a newly designed handle that will be part of its top-of-the-line collection. Also in the works is a limited-edition ceramic knife. All of the companies noted that they work with retailers through various means such as in-store demos, promotional pricing, product training for associates, brochures and signage or specialty packaging.
CORE BAMBOO SLICING TOOLS Slice, dice, cut and chop favorite foods like never before. This unique line of slicing tools is made from 100 percent organically grown bamboo. Sharp as most conventional blades, but more stylish and unique in material and design, these slicers are perfect for all types of food preparation. Slice loaves of bread, prepare meats and fish, dice vegetables and fruits and slice cheese with this collection of bamboo slicers and dicers. A great organic touch to any utensil collection, these bamboo slicers have eye appeal and are functional, too. Start a trend by using these interesting bamboo slicers and friends and family will envious. Suggested Retail Price: $9-18
A stunning distinction—unique contours and timeless beauty— come together to create this aesthetically striking steakhouse knife set. These jumbo-sized knives are constructed with the finest rosewood and forged stainless steel for matchless quality. The set of four knives is a staple in Outset’s Jackson Collection, a line that is beautiful, but far from dainty. Suggested Retail Price: $39.99 (set of four)
Core Bamboo [tel] 646.845.6000 www.corebamboo.com
Fox Run Brands [tel] 800.372.0700 www.foxrunbrands.com
OUTSET JACKSON 4-PIECE STEAKHOUSE KNIVES
16
MARKETWATCH
KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW
JEWELSTIK 123 KNIFE SHARPENER Got three? If you're not selling the JewelStik 123, you're missing out on cash. Customers are discovering the need for three grit surfaces while sharpening their knives. The JewelStik 123 offers three grits—coarse, medium and fine—on one handle for convenience sake. The need to sharpen a knife's edge when it's gone dull is the reason to use the coarse side. Users will make use of the medium and fine grits on a regular basis. Everyday before beginning chopping the bok choy, carrots and onions for dinner, users will want to swipe the knife on the medium and fine side to give the knife a razor's edge for all that chopping. More and more customers are returning to American-made products and JewelStik is one of the last remaining true to its heritage. JewelStik has remained an American-made product for more than 40 years. Today's consumers are smart and savvy and they want products of high quality that last the test of time. JewelStik comes with a lifetime guarantee and is the finest diamondcoated quality on the market. We have been giving our customers only the best all the time. Suggested Retail Price: $49.95 Hewlett Manufacturing [tel] 814.683.4762 www.jewelstik.com
WUSTHOF CLASSIC 5-PIECE STUDIO BLOCK SET The Wüsthof Classic 5-Piece Studio Block Set has all the kitchen essentials in a compact, space-saving block. Taking up only a few inches of precious counter space, this set is perfect for apartments, boats, vacation homes, RV campers, or for anyone who believes in the philosophy that “less is more.” The small footprint of the Studio Block makes this one-of-a-kind set ideal for any place users want to have their knives on hand. Anyone who enjoys cooking and home entertaining can appreciate the utility of a second prep station—perhaps by the bar or an outdoor grill. Wüsthof has answered this need with a highquality set of Classic triple-riveted full-tang knives. The German-made set includes a 3.5" Paring Knife, a 4.5" Utility Knife, a 6" Cook’s Knife, ComeApart Kitchen Shears and a Four-Slot Block. The included knives are precision-forged from a single blank of high-carbon stainless steel using Wüsthof’s Precision Edge Technology (PEtec), giving each blade an extraordinarily sharp edge. Suggested Retail Price: $149.99 Wüsthof-Trident of America Inc. [tel] 800.289.9878 www.wusthof.com
KAI MY FIRST KNIFE Kai USA presents My First Knife for children. The knife, which is meant to be used under the supervision of an adult, comes with a My First Knife instructional booklet featuring diagrams, illustrations, how-to steps and tips on how to teach children basic knife skills. The knife is designed for safety with an orange, rounded handle that is shaped so kids will have success whether they are leftor right-handed. The blade is serrated, which is safer for children and more forgiving when cutting. The tip of the blade is smooth and rounded, as is the heel of the blade. The handle is also textured to provide a secure grip. The knife is debuting at WilliamsSonoma; Kai and Williams-Sonoma are giving 25 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the knives to Share Our Strength. Suggested Retail Price: $40 Kai USA [tel] 800.325.2891 www.shuncutlery.com
KUHN RIKON SMALL SANTOKU KNIFE Kuhn Rikon has added green, black, purple and blue to its Small Santoku Knife selection, a popular knife for slicing, chopping and prepping meals in the kitchen. The Santoku Knife features a thin, 5" super-sharp Japanese steel blade covered in nonstick coating. The blade is designed with small holes, which, in combination with the nonstick, help keep food from clinging to the blade. Suggested Retail Price: $16 Kuhn Rikon [tel] 800.662.5882 www.kuhnrikon.com
www.kitchenwarenews.com
■
NOVEMBER 2011
■
SPECIAL FEATURE
KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW
17
Special Feature cutting boards
Cutting Boards (Cont. from Page 1) top brands when it comes to wooden cutting boards and is extremely popular among well-known chefs including Bobby Flay, Martha Stewart and Rachael Ray. Having celebrity chefs tout your wares and use them on the Food Network is a great way to merchandise your products. “They come to us,” said Mandy Sheehan, Marketing Specialist at John Boos. “You get a few people like that coming to you, and you know you’ve made it.”
makes Proteak’s cutting board great for the upcoming season is the deep well that ensures every drop of juice from the holiday roast—whether it’s a Cornish game hen, turkey or Turducken—makes it into the gravy boat. Companies who make cutting boards out of plastic and other materials make sure that their products are safe and as easy on knives as can be. Linden Sweden’s Daloplast series, made out of polythene, won’t dull knives and comes in such whimsical shapes as pigs, hearts and apples.
John Boos boards are cut from wood on blocks in such a way that the woodgrain doesn’t dull knife blades, Sheehan explained. In addition, the use of maple prevents bacteria growth, thanks to an enzyme naturally infused in the wood.
Also popular are the steak boards and John Boos’ signature butcher block boards. Another favorite is the 31-pound Aztec board, which keeps meat stabilized and has a channel that carries juices into a stainless-steel drip pan. Sheehan advised that those who use wooden cutting boards must oil them with a food-safe product (not vegetable oil, which becomes rancid) every few weeks. “They need a drink, just like a living, breathing piece of wood,” she said. John Boos carries Board Cream and Mystery Oil for such purposes. “With a little effort, your board will last a long time,” Sheehan said. Proteak cultivates the wood it uses for cutting boards on its renewable operations farm near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. What
“If you’re chopping raw fish, you’re not using the same board every time to chop vegetables or raw meat,” Joseph said. “We also realized that the more you use your chopping boards, they get scored more and more by the knives, which they have to do, to protect the knives. But as they get older, they get more ugly. So you can put them back in the case and still have the same aesthetic. They look great while hiding all the marks,” Joseph said. Meat eaters should like the Cut&Carve, a double-sided board that features a nonslip base.
Among the most popular John Boos boards is the R Series, Sheehan said. The R Series comes in maple (rectangle or round), cherry and walnut; prices vary according to size. “The boards are a standard inch and a half thick—that’s a good size for most people,” Sheehan said. “A thicker board raises the cutting surface too much for many people.” The R Series boards are approved by the National Sanitation Foundation and flip over for additional use. “I never knew how much I was missing one of these boards until I started working here,” Sheehan said.
Mindful that most cooks have multiple boards for different uses and considering Joseph Joseph’s philosophy of attraction meets function, the company came out with the Index set, four color-coded and tabbed boards housed in a sleek counter case.
“The whole surface is on a slant, so it takes the juices away so you’re not carving the meat in its own juices,” Joseph said. Joseph Joseph also sets out to make its plastic boards as eye-catching as possible, without forgetting that they must serve a purpose and be safe. “In essence, a chopping board in its purest form needs to be a surface on which you can chop food, be soft enough so it doesn’t blunt the knives while allowing you to chop food, etc., and be hygenic and easy to clean,” said Richard Joseph, Managing Director of Joseph Joseph. Joseph Joseph boards are made from polypropylene, which is dishwasher safe. “That means you can really clean the pores thoroughly after use,” Joseph said. The first board that the company launched, the Chop2Pot, not only cleans up well, but helps keep the kitchen tidy, too. “You pick it up and when you squeeze the handle, it makes a chute so it guides the food into the pot,” Joseph said. “With flat-surface chopping blocks, you take your knife to scrape the food into the pot and you end up getting it all over the countertop.” The Chop2Pot’s “living hinges,” molded into the product, have been tested 10,000 times. “You can use it three times a day for five years nonstop and it will still perform,” Joseph said.
Every six months, Joseph Joseph launches new products. “That’s important, because it allows us to be on trend and also adds a bit of fun to what could be a quite boring product,” Joseph said. Joseph Joseph occasionally adds a new color or design to its products, but tends to keep to core colors, so cooks can coordinate the company’s products. The colors also help Joseph Joseph market its products. “We want all of our products and merchandise to fit well together so it creates a Joseph Joseph store within the store,” Joseph said. In January, Joseph Joseph will launch a new chopping block that features a hidden compartment underneath to collect choppings or waste, yet it stores flat. “Watch this space,” Joseph said with a laugh. “We’ve got lots of things coming out, always great ideas in the future.” Tony Ciardelli was unaware of the need for different styles and sizes of cutting boards before he took over as CEO of Epicurean Cutting Surfaces. “It’s important to have the right-sized board for the task at hand,” Ciardelli said. “Butcher blocks are beautiful, but it’s nicer just to pull out a 12" by 9" light prep board so you’re not lugging a big butcher board around to make a bagel in the morning.” Epicurean made a name for itself by
being the first on the market with a wood composite cutting board, Ciardelli said, which makes it dishwasher safe. “Cutting boards can be quite fascinating,” Ciardelli said. “Most people probably have at least five cutting boards in their house.” Epicurean distributes its cutting boards to 50 countries around the world. “Our cutting boards are in China,” Ciardelli said. “It’s quite amazing. Who’d have thought they would be bringing our boards to China?”
18
SPECIAL FEATURE
www.kitchenwarenews.com
■
NOVEMBER 2011
■
LINDEN SWEDEN’S BENDY CUTTING BOARD
HUE BAMBOO RAINBOW WOOD CARVING BOARD
SCI MARBLE PASTRY & CUTTING BOARDS
Everyone can find a favorite Bendy cutting board from Linden Sweden because it comes in 12 colors. What makes them one of the best on the market is that they are thicker than most, yet flexible to transfer cuttings to the pot or pan. It is 2 millimeters thick, and will withstand years of use. The Bendy is produced in Sweden of polythene. It protects countertops and helps prevent cross-contamination; comes in a pack of two in either assorted colors or solid color; measures 11.5" by 14.5"; is lightweight and easy to store. Available in white, black, yellow, blue, lime, pink, orange, sage, red, purple, light blue and apple green. Suggested Retail Price: $9.25 for a pack of two
Succulent holiday turkey and juicy prime rib may be proudly carved and served at the table with the functional and beautiful HUE Bamboo Rainbow Wood Carving Board. This generously sized carving board is 5/8" thick and measures 18" by 12" with gravy grooves to keep juices from flowing onto the surrounding surface. Island Bamboo™ is known for having the largest selection of eco-friendly bamboo kitchenware. To create this richly colored rainbow of wood that will not fade, we stain and laminate individual layers of white birch with the same adhesive that has proven safe and effective on other Island Bamboo products. Suggested Retail Price: $36
These marble pastry and cutting boards from SCI make a wonderful addition to any kitchen. They are available in both white and green, in various sizes to suit everyone's needs. They come perfectly smooth, never absorbing fat or moisture, and are always cool and dry, perfect for rolling out pastry dough.The marble is an easy clean up after each use.
Linden Sweden [tel] 608.756.8741 www.lindensweden.com
Island Bamboo [tel] 949.492.9921 www.islandbamboo.com
SCI Cuisine Internationale [tel] 800.966.5489 www.scandicrafts.com
IRONWOOD GOURMET™ 3" THICK END-GRAIN STATION The Ironwood Gourmet end-grain prep station and cutting board is made from premium end grain acacia wood and doubles as a stylish serving tray. This 14" by 14" workstation is crafted from the environmentally friendly acacia wood— a hardwood that creates beautiful contrasting patterns. The durable premium end grain construction is 3" thick for added strength—a solid tool and beautiful addition to any kitchen. Designed for discriminating tastes and reflecting the love of everything wood. Suggested Retail Price: $149.99
KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW
PRODYNE PREP & SLICE The Prodyne Prep & Slice is perfect for both barbecue and everyday kitchen use. This multiuse clean food prep and carry system features a reversible cutting board that nests atop an easy carry utility tray. Use the bottom tray to season or marinate steaks, chops, seafood, chicken, etc. Use the top cutting board to slice and dice meat, seafood and veggies or shape and season burgers. Then easily carry the seasoned feast right to the BBQ. After cooking, place food on cutting board, flipped clean side up, or in the tray. Slice meat as desired on the cutting board as juices drip through open slots around the edges into the bottom tray, keeping countertops clean. Use for all everyday cutting board tasks with no countertop mess. Peel, cut and chop fruit, veggies, etc., while pushing unwanted peelings out of the way through open slots at each end. Also use to carve and slice holiday turkey, ham, roasts and more. Made of high density polypropylene, the board and tray are dishwasher safe. Suggested Retail Price: $29.99 Prodyne Enterprises [tel] 800.822.4776 www.prodyne.com
Fox Run Brands [tel] 800.372.0700 www.foxrunbrands.com
FRANMARA WINE BOTTLE-SHAPED BAMBOO CUTTING BOARDS These beautifully handcrafted bamboo cheese boards are designed in the shape of a wine bottles and include a leather strap. They are “environmental green” bamboo, which is harder than maple. They can be used for cutting or even hung on the wall. We can laser them with your logo to make them even more special. They are available in three sizes: Small (13" by 4" by 5/8"), Medium (17.5" by 5-5/8" by 5/8"), and Large (22" by 7-1/8" by 5/8"). Franmara [tel] 800.423.5855 www.franmara.com
THE ENGLISH TABLE CUTTING BOARDS The English Table collection is designed for both contemporary and traditional customers in mind. The extensive range covers contemporary cookware as well as more quintessentially English styles. Our contemporary glass cutting boards would add a dash of color to any kitchen. All our cutting boards are made from toughened glass and are heat resistant to 150ºC. They are also dishwasher safe, odor and stain resistant. This particular stylish design would make a welcome addition to any kitchen and would also make a fantastic gift. Creative Tops Ltd. [email] marketing@creative-tops.com www.creative-tops.com
www.kitchenwarenews.com
■
NOVEMBER 2011
■
BUYERS GUIDE
KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW
BUYERS GUIDE kitchen cleaning products
Full Circle Fresh Air Indoor Compost Collector Full Circle is changing the game in indoor composting. Say goodbye to the smell and flies that come with other indoor compost bins on the market. The Fresh Air Indoor Compost Collector by Full Circle is a superaffordable, super easy-to-use countertop compost bin that keeps scraps odor- and flyfree without the complicated filters or highmaintenance worms. The Fresh Air uses a unique airway system that allows air to flow freely though the compost bin and biodegradable breathable bag, which keeps scraps dry and prevents them from smelling and gathering flies. When it’s time to bring the scraps to the outdoor compost or composting facility, simply lift the stainless steel bar that keeps the bag in place, tie up the compostable bag and toss the whole thing in the composter. The Fresh Air comes with five biodegradable compost bags. Available in cool earth or green slate colors. Suggested Retail Price: $29.99
Full Circle [tel] 866.259.0727 www.fullcirclehome.com
Casabella Eclipse The Casabella eclipse™ Microfiber Mop with Wringer features a microfiber sponge head that lifts and traps dirt and grime without chemicals—only water is needed for power cleaning. Strips of polypropylene fibers for scrubbing tough spots are gentle enough to use on wood, tile or marble surfaces. The crescent moon-shaped head swivels and cleans around table and chair legs. The microfiber sponge head (made from 30 percent soy) attaches to the mop with Velcrolike pins built into the mold and can be easily removed for machine washing. The simple “dip and press” wringing mechanism releases extra water. The mop head is machine washable, reusable and replaceable. Made in United States with microfiber material from China, the mop is Cradle to Cradle certified at the silver level. No. of cleaning products offered: More than 200 Suggested Retail Price: $29.99
This product cleans, dries, and polishes the impossible-to-reach inside of wine decanters, vases and carafes. This dryer goes where regular towels can't reach and prevents water stains. Quick and easy to use, simply slip the tube over the handle to the tip of the microfiber strips. Then, insert the tube into the vessel, slide off the tube over the handle (microfiber strips remain in vessel). Roll the handle between the palms of your hands while the microfiber thoroughly and quickly cleans and dries inside the vessel. Suggested Retail Price: $27.95
Cilio by Frieling USA [tel] 800.827.2582 www.frieling.com
Helen’s Asian Kitchen® Bamboo Dish Rack Made of bamboo, a naturally renewable resource and an eco-friendly alternative to wood, wet dishes and glasses will not harm this bamboo rack. The rack folds flat for easy storage. It measures 20½" by 13" when flat and expands to 10" wide when opened. Helen’s Asian Kitchen is not affiliated with Joyce Chen Products. No. of cleaning products offered: More than 200. Suggested Retail Price: $19.99
Harold Import Co. [tel] 800.526.5263 www.haroldimport.com
Kamenstein Perfect Tear Paper Towel Holder The Kamenstein Perfect Tear Paper Towel Holder features patented perfect tear technology that allows users to pull off one paper towel at a time with one hand and no unraveling. The product has a weighted base for stability. The stainlesssteel finish compliments any kitchen décor and the paper towel roll simply slides over the top of the finial (knob) when the roll needs to be changed. It accommodates regular and jumbo rolls of paper towels and can be transported from room to room for easy use. No. of cleaning products offered: 47 Suggested Retail Price: $19.99
Casabella [tel] 800.841.4140 www.casabella.com
Goodbye Detergent Original Spaghetti Scrub
Original Spaghetti Scrubs are environmentally friendly scrubs that don’t require detergent to clean the dishes and kitchen. This line combines 100 percent recycled and recyclable packaging, a unique shape for tricky cleaning jobs and cleaning from natural abrasives such as peach pits and corncobs, attached to strips of cotton/polyester backing, giving it the appearance of a bundle of pasta. Because they dry quickly and completely, Spaghetti Scrubs remain mold- and bacteria-free. The coarse scrub is perfect for heavy-duty jobs, even scrubbing vegetables, while the gentle scrub offers a lighter touch on glass, wood, plastic and non-stick pans. No. of cleaning products: 11 Suggested Retail Price: $8.99
Microfiber Decanter Dryer
Kamenstein [tel] 800.252.3390 www.lifetimebrands.com
Get Happy Palm Brush The Kizmos Get Happy Palm Brush is part of the Kizmos Get Happy kitchen gadgets collection. Designed to delight and surprise cooks of all ages, Kizmos Get Happy gadgets infuse the kitchen with a burst of bright, vibrant colors and upbeat, smiling faces. The Kizmos Get Happy Palm Brush is available in blue/green, green/dark green, purple/yellow or red/blue. Suggested Retail Price: $3.99-9.99
Fissler USA/ Roland Products Inc. [tel] 800.321.2226 goodbyedetergent.com
Lifetime Brands [tel] 800.252.3390 www.lifetimebrands.com
19
20
BUYERS GUIDE
KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW
Kuhn Rikon Swiss Kitchen Brushes Kuhn Rikon adds a splash of color to cleanup with these highly functional Swiss Kitchen Brushes with a mesh scrubber or bristle brush head. Interchangeable and adjustable heads are angled for ease of use. The soft plastic edge at the base of the handle aids in scraping hard-to-remove foods. The brushes are available in red, yellow or blue. Total no. of cleaning products offered: 15 Suggested Retail Prices: $7 for the 12” Swiss Kitchen Tall Brush; $5 for Swiss Kitchen Brush Small Scrubber
Kuhn Rikon [tel] 800.662.5882 www.kuhnrikon.com
Three-Piece Microfiber Specialty Cleaning Set
The Three-Piece Microfiber Specialty Cleaning Set from MÜkitchen comes with set of three towels,each with a specific cleaning purpose. Stainless has a flat woven surface that polishes stainless steel, appliances or barware. Glass has a textured surface that leaves no streaks and 100 percent sparkle on glassware or windows.Surface has a heavy microfiber nap that works hard on deep-cleaning jobs. No. of cleaning products offered: 4 Suggested Retail Price: $12.99
MÜkitchen [tel] 866.544.2224 www.mukitchen.com
Down & Dirty Natural Waterless Hand Cleanser
Down & Dirty Waterless Hand Cleanser is an allnatural hand cleanser designed to cleanse, soften and refresh the hands. It contains malachite from the earth, which provides natural defense; aloe vera for smooth skin; and Japanese green tea to revitalize.It is available in 2-ounce, 8-ounce and 32-ounce sizes. Suggested Retail Price: $2.50, $6 and $15
Oh! My Goodness [tel] 972.818.8200 www.poopourri.com
Toockie Multipurpose Scrub Cloth Singles
Toockie’s Multipurpose Scrub Cloth Singles are 100 percent organic cotton and hand knitted by an Indian women's cooperative. These cloths can be used to wash the dishes, clean stainless-steel appliances, scrub pans and wipe the countertops. These soft cloths won't scratch surfaces or delicate skin. They are also easy on the budget because they last for years and are easy on the planet— no more disposables.Machine wash and dry often with any color/temperature.The more they are used, the softer they get. No. of cleaning products offered: 4 Suggested Retail Price: $4.99
Sinko Corp. [tel] 408.371.3007 www.toockies.com
Skoy Cloth
Skoy is an eco-friendly household cleaning cloth that outlasts 15 rolls of paper towels.This new approach to cleaning boasts a cloth that is 100 percent biodegradable,natural and reusable.The Skoy cloth has an absorption factor of 15 times its own weight. Skoy is a durable cloth that is washer and dryer safe, which means it can be used multiple times. This European-made product is non-toxic and utilizes original artwork designs to add fun as well as function to the kitchen or bathroom. Suggested Retail Price: $6.99-7.99
Skoy Cloth [tel] 800.990.4757 www.skoycloth.com
www.kitchenwarenews.com
■
NOVEMBER 2011
■
KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW
GIFTWARE
21
Giftware Giftware
kitchen throwing the holiday party and guests looking for host gifts.
(Cont. from Page 1)
Birdkage has stylish apron selections for women and men in bib, A-line and vintage styles in a variety of patterns for the kitchen, BBQ grill, garden or making crafts. Birdkage aprons retail from $22 to $55.
2011 holiday season forecast also envisions a pace of sales considerably slower than during the first half of 2011, since retail sales generally advanced at a faster pace in early 2011 than during the 2010 holiday season. “Three, compared with the previous 10year sales performance, 2011 is likely to be near-to-above average depending on the sales metric. Four, the economic and political risks are expected to be higher during the upcoming season than during 2010,” Niemira said. “But still, on balance, ICSC’s 2011 holiday sales forecast portrays a moderately healthy performance.” As consumers continue to do more cooking at home—not only because of the economy but because of trends toward more healthy diets—aprons are among the most versatile products to carry because they suit those who are at ease in the
Technology is great, isn't it? It isn't unsual anymore to see the newest high-tech gadget in the kitchen, but the problem is protecting it from splashes and spills. Catch some of the sales from gadget fever with an iPad Recipe Holder, with a specially designed pocket to hold and protect the iPad while cooking. It can hang on a cabinet door or above the stove to save counterspace, too. The iPad Recipe Holder, which retails for $24.99, has a clear protective sleeve that cleans easily with a swipe. Speaking of iPads, have you seen iGrill, the world's first wireless meat thermometer? Foodies who are also techies will love the iGrill from iDevices, which is suitable for iPhones and iPods via long-range Bluetooth (more than 200 feet) and App-enabled connections.
The iGrill allows multitasking between the guests and the main course, knowing the food is being perfectly cooked at target temperature for safe (and tasty) consumption. Although pundits are predicting pies will overtake cupcakes as the “it” baked good, we know that cupcakes are still popular and there's no shortage of products on the market to help fill that niche. Cupcaqe's Muffinmeals puts cuplike holes in muffins or cupcakes and makes them easy to fill and decorate. They fit any brand, make or model pan. The cup slides up or down and locks into place to make shallow or deep holes. Creative recipes that go beyond cupcakes are posted online at www.cupcaqe.com. Babycakes features a cake pop maker that bakes 12 at once. For a gourmet twist on another classic treat, the whoopie pie maker makes six pies at once. Babycakes even found a way to make breakfasts fun with its donut maker that makes six minidoughnuts in four minutes. Let's not forget that sometimes, all anyone is looking for is something to beat off the winter chill. Xtrema's 100 percent ceramic
Swirl Teapot is sustainably made from natural minerals and never leaches metal byproduct or chemicals into the tea. The stylish tea pot is lightweight, non-scratch, easy to clean and its ceramic surface wards off bacteria. At store level, all these products can be presented or packaged with specialty food, for a gift that combines instant gratification and long-term use. Many gourmet food producers have much-awaited, limitededition flavors created specifically for holiday gift-giving. Combined with small kitchen goods or specialty preparation equipment, these make ideal grab-and-go impulse gifts. For example, Stonewall Kitchen not only makes premium mixes for cakes, cupcakes, donuts and whoopie pies, but also carries its own Holiday Pancake Puff Kit featuring its popular but strictly seasonal Holiday Jam. Luxury retail spending continues to gain ground, and wine is still a great way to splurge without going overboard. Consider putting together some wine baskets featuring bubbly, wine crackers, chocolate and nuts. And help your customers uncork some happiness before the new year!
22
GIFTWARE
www.kitchenwarenews.com
■
NOVEMBER 2011
■
KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW
MAX BURTON INDUCTION SET
JURA IMPRESSA J9 ONE TOUCH TFT
CUCINA PRO WAFFLE IRONS
EVRIHOLDER DRESSING-2-GO™
The Max Burton® Induction Set 6050 is perfect for holiday gift giving or entertaining.The combination of these two items allows formerly inappropriate cookware such as copper, glass and aluminum to be used with the induction cooktop, saving the user hundreds of dollars to replace cookware. The cooktop features 10 power settings from 500 watts to 1800 watts or 10 temperature settings from 140º to 450º. With the 180-minute timer, cooking time can be controlled automatically. Items are also available separately. Suggested retail price: $330
Winner of the 2011 red dot design award, the Jura Impressa J9 One Touch TFT is easy to operate: Simply turn the rotary dial to choose the desired specialty coffee beverage from a digital display, press the button, and then sit back and savor the taste. It is the first model in the line to feature the new TFT color display, offering state-ofthe-art technology. View the options and select a choice, and then just press the button for a cup of crema coffee, espresso, latte, cappuccino or latte macchiato in less than 60 seconds.The user can even personalize the look of the machine by selecting wallpaper for the TFT display. Another Jura innovation ensures high-quality foamed milk with a fine consistency. Suggested Retail Price: $2,799
The 1473 Classic Four Square makes four individual waffles, the 1474 makes a 7.5" diameter American waffle, the 1475 makes a flower of five hearts (approximately 7.5" diameter) and the 1476 makes a 7.5" diameter deep Belgian waffle. They all have a non-stick Xylan™ surface and come with an on/off and ready light.The irons will give an audible signal when they are ready to bake and when the setting for the waffle browning has been reached. They are ready to use and come with instructions, recipes and stand on end for storage. All irons include a one-year warranty against defects in parts or manufacturing. Suggested Retail Price: Round waffle irons (1474, 1475, 1476) $49.99; Classic Four Square (1473) $59.99
This innovative, patented and BPA-free portable container is the easy and convenient way to transport a favorite salad dressing virtually anywhere. Best of all—no more mess, no more fuss and no more sticky lunch totes or soggy salads. Eating healthy starts with choosing, preparing and consuming (in moderation) foods that are not only good for you but also taste good. The Dressing-2-Go™ is an excellent way to help prepare and eat healthier whether at home or away from home. The specially designed Dressing-2-Go has an easy-to-squeeze silicone reservoir base that holds a generous 2 ounces, and the leak-proof flip-top cap makes it easy to dispense the dressing over a salad. It’s so easy to use. Simply unscrew the cap and fill with a favorite dressing, then snap it closed. Perfect for lunch at the office, as a take along on trips or picnics. Suggested retail price: $3.99
Aervoe Industries Inc. [tel] 800.227.0196 www.aervoe.com
VIVID WIRELESS WALL SCONCES From It’s Exciting Lighting™ this batterypowered, wireless wall sconce accent lights is easy to install.There are no holes to cut, no wires to run and most importantly, no expensive electrical installation costs. The sconce shades are available in a variety of patterns that emulate stone,granite,burl wood and other attractive finishes. The product features long lasting,ecofriendly LEDs that create an attractive ambiance with warm rich illumination.Runs on six AA batteries (not included) with more than 200 hours on one set of batteries. Inventures Products [tel] 800.381.3919 www.itsexcitinglighting.com
Jura www.us.jura.com
DECANTUS WINE AERATOR CLASSIC SET New model: A must-have for those enthusiastic about wine.The Decantus Classic has some serious curves. Sinuous and graceful, it has two handles for easy handling while pouring. The Decantus Classic Wine Aerator was designed in the shape of the classic amphora vase used by the ancient Greeks and Romans to carry and store wine more than 3,000 years ago.
Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation
Publication Title: Kitchenware News & Housewares Review Publication Number: 012-625 Filing Date: September, 2011 Issue Frequency: Monthly Number of Issues Published Annually: 12 Annual Subscription Price: Free Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: P. O. Box 30520, 1877 N. Kolb Rd., Tucson, Pima Co., AZ 85751 Contact Person: Rita Stanley, Telephone: 623-537-5310 Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: 1877 N. Kolb Rd., Tucson, Pima Co., AZ 85751 Publisher: Lee Oser, 1877 N. Kolb Rd., Tucson, Pima Co., AZ 85751 Editor: Joanne Friedrick, 1877 N. Kolb Rd., Tucson, Pima Co., AZ 85751 Managing Editor: Lorraine Baumann,1877 N. Kolb Rd., Tucson, Pima Co., AZ 85751 Owner: Oser Communications Group, LLC, Lee M. Oser, P. O. Box 30520, Tucson, AZ 85751 Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 percent or more of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: September, 2011
Cucina Pro [tel] 216.351.3002 www.cucinapro.com Decantus Wine Aerator is the only aerator on the market proven by an independent laboratory to reduce sulphites an average of 56 percent.The set includes five pieces: Decantus Wine Aerator with handles, heavy plastic base, velvet storage pouch, cleaning brush and a special stainless sediment screen, which comes into play when sediment is detected in the wine bottle. Stands 5" high and 4.5" wide at the handles. Comes in a beautiful four-color box. Also it can be customized with logos. Stand is available. Guaranteed to give greater value and enjoyment from the next bottle of wine. Suggested Retail Price: $39.99 Franmara [tel] 831.422.4000 www.franmara.com Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months
Total Number of Copies (Net Press run) 11,760 Paid and/or requested distribution Outside County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions 10,624 In-County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions 0 Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and other Paid or Requested Distribution Outside USPS 62 Requested Copies Distributed by Other Mail Classes Through the USPS 58 Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation 10,744 Nonrequested Distribution Outside County Nonrequested Copies 537 In-County Nonrequested Copies 0 Nonrequested Copies Distributed Through the USPS by Other Classes of Mail 4 Nonrequested Copies Distributed Outside the Mail 258 Total Nonrequested Distribution 799 Total Distribution 11,543 Copies Not Distributed 217 Total 11,760 Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation 93.1% Publication of Statement of Ownership for a Requester Publication is Required and will be printed in the November 11 issue of this publication. I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. /s/Lee M. Oser, Publisher 10-01-2011
No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date 11,260 8,163 0 90
0 8,253 2,931 0
0 5 2,936 11,189 71 11,260 73.8%
Evriholder Products [tel] 800.975.0335 www.evriholder.com
WÜSTHOF CLASSIC 8" BREAD KNIFE Cutting through a loaf of bread has never been easier than with the Wüsthof Classic 8" Bread Knife.The long, serrated edge breaks through tough bread crusts without mashing or shredding the soft interior. This knife is designed for all types of bread. One of the most versatile knives in the kitchen, the Classic 8" Bread Knife can even be used on tough-skinned fruits and vegetables. The sharp serration cuts through tomatoes with ease, creating thin, even slices every time. It can also be used to cut through citrus fruits without mashing the delicate pulp inside and even slices through large, tough watermelons without bending the sturdy blade. Precision-forged from a single blank of high-carbon stainless steel, the full-tang Classic 8" Bread Knife will last a lifetime in the kitchen. All Classic knives now use Wüsthof’s Precision Edge Technology (PEtec), which creates a sharper edge than ever before that lasts twice as long. This German-made knife will become an instant favorite. Suggested Retail Price: $49.99 Wüsthof-Trident of America Inc. [tel] 800.289.9878 www.wusthof.com
www.kitchenwarenews.com
■
NOVEMBER 2011
■
KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW
Upcoming Events How odd is it, that even as we approach the make-or-break holiday season, we must also already think about 2012? Food producers and retailers will be thinking ahead to the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade’s Winter Fancy Food, happening in San Francisco in January. But there’s more to come after Fancy Food, as both Winter 2012 New York International Gift Fair and San Francisco International Gift Fair are adding whole new sections aimed at kitchenware and specialty food exhibitors. Citing the success of the first-ever Gourmet Housewares Show at NYIGF this past summer, show organizers GLM have announced that Winter’s Tabletop & Houseware division will be “redefined” to showcase gourmet housewares companies. Several major exhibiting brands from summer have committed to return.
ADVERTISER INDEX Core Bamboo .....................................................10 Creative Tops ......................................................17 Epic Products Inc .................................................4 Evriholder............................................................13 Fox Run Brands ....................................................2 Full Circle............................................................20 Hewlett Manufacturing....................................15 Howard Naturals ...............................................12 IHA.........................................................................3 Inventures ............................................................21 Linden Sweden Inc............................................18 Parrish’s Cake Decorating Supplies ..................5 Pillivuyt USA........................................................8 Prodyne ..................................................................9 SCI Scandicrafts Inc. ........................................16 Tribest ..................................................................23 Victorinox Swiss Army .....................................24 Vinaroz Cookware...............................................8 Vita Craft ............................................................20 Wilshire Industries LLC ....................................6 Wüstof..................................................................16
“These returning companies realize the benefits of participating in NYIGF, and the value of expanding their reach into gift and home channels,” said NYIGF Director Dorothy Belshaw. “Buyers needing both summer and winter markets to shop and source new gourmet resources also benefit.” The section will have a new location and layout, accommodating construction at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. but also bringing the whole division into a single, cohesive area. Current exhibitor count is about 300, but the show had just been announced at press time. Winter 2012 NYIGF runs Jan. 28 through Feb. 2, with Tabletop & Housewares starting on Jan. 29. For those who prefer the West Coast, a similar scenario will take place at the SFIGF, on Feb. 18-21. (Yes, just enough time to recover from Winter Fancy Food before going right back to Moscone Center.)
23
TRADE SHOW CALENDAR NOVEMBER 2011 4-7 Smoky Mountain Gift Show Gatlinburg Convention Center Gatlinburg, TN 678.285.3976 www.urban-expo.com
Trade Show Buzz BY ROCELLE ARAGON
UPCOMING EVENTS
The show’s organizers are launching a new Tabletop, Gourmet & Housewares section. This will be in addition to the current nine gift and home categories to offer a one-stop shop for the region’s lifestyle retailers. The section will be at the front of the show floor, beside the highly trafficked juried Design section. Exhibitors will be able to reach SFIGF’s current designoriented buyer base, which includes accounts such as Williams-Sonoma, Gumps, Pottery Barn, SFMOMA Museum Store and specialty retailers. The organizers are also launching a marketing blitz to reach out to gourmet-oriented buyers, including hotel discounts for representatives from California’s wineries and free training sessions specifically for gourmet retailers. Details are still being finalized, but combined with the marketing program and buyer incentives already in place for SFIGF it’s a pretty attractive package.
JANUARY 2012 7-10 Philadelphia Gift Show Greater Philadelphia Expo Center Oaks, PA 678.285.3976 www.philadelphiagiftshow.com 11-18 The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market AmericasMart Atlanta, GA, 800.ATL.MART www.americasmart.com 15-17 NASFT Winter Fancy Food Show Moscone Center San Francisco, CA 212.482.6440 www.specialtyfood.com 18-24 Dallas Total Home & Gift Market Dallas Market Center Dallas, TX, 800.DAL.MKTS www.dallasmarketcenter.com 28-Feb. 2 New York International Gift Fair Jacob K. Javits Convention Center Piers 92 & 94 New York, NY 212.216.2000 www.nyigf.com