KNHR Show Daily at IHHS • March 3, 2019

Oser Communications Group

Chicago Sunday, March 3, 2019

AN INDEPENDENT PUBLICATION NOT AFFILIATED WITH IH+HS OR IHA

Dry Your Decanter, Fold Drying Rack Flat for Easy Storage

Fusionbrands Continues to Awe with New Innovations

aerolatte: Unleash Your Inner Barista

The Swan is a new kind of decanter drying rack that folds up when not in use for easy, spacesaving storage.

The pleasure of elegantly serving decanted wine at the table comes at a price – the struggle to keep the inside of the decanter free of dry water stains.

And so we buy decanter drying racks to hold the decanter upside down in an effort to let all the water run out. But those decanter drying racks take up a lot of storage space when not in use – until now. When you are finished using it, The Swan quickly folds up into a height of 1 inch for easy storage in a drawer or cabinet.

For over 10 years, Fusionbrands’® innovative tools have captured everyone’s attention, from its award-winning PoachPods to its highly demanded colorful little manicure saver, the ThumbScraper. 2019 is no exception to its innovation, as Fusionbrands proudly introduces four new products to make your everyday cooking, cleaning and storage/organization needs that much easier.

As masters of creation within the category of eggs, Fusionbrands’ new CrackSpot allows you to make a clean break on eggshells. This handy bowl-side eggshell cracking tool fits on just about any bowl rim and eliminates messy raw egg dripping down the side of bowls or

aerolatte® – the incredibly frothy coffee company – is full of beans announcing the launch of one of three new products, the cappuccino artist. Be ready to unleash your inner barista with top tips on getting the best results from your cappuccino art.

Nineteen years ago, Alan and Gary, Founders of aerolatte, were in search of the best solution for making perfect frothy milk at home. As true coffee lovers, Alan and Gary have expanded the range considerably and now it includes innovative equipment and accessories to brew and present coffee in a variety of ways.

After the positive feedback received from customers

BOOTH #N8517

BOOTH #N8307

BOOTH #S1559

Continued on Page 61

Laurastar Exclusive Purifies and Enhances Fabrics

According to a number of studies carried out in Europe and around the world, 30 to 40 percent of the population are affected by allergies.

Allergies are now the fourth most common chronic illness worldwide and the WHO estimates that one out of every two people will have an allergy by 2050. Laurastar Research has been working for nearly 40 years to pursue professional excellence in steam. Studies carried out by the Scitec Research SA laboratory, an independent research lab in Switzerland, have recently demonstrated the effectiveness of hygienic Laurastar Dry Microfine Steam (DMS) in fighting against dust mites, fungi and other bacteria present in clothes and linen throughout the

BOOTH #L11311

Continued on Page 61

Continued on Page 61

Train at Home with Reflect by Echelon

Prepare for the most innovative workout technology on the market. Reflect™ by Echelon is a lightweight smart mirror display that may seem like a normal decorative mirror, but then transforms into a smart video fitness training system, redefining what it means to get in shape from the comfort of your own home.

Reflect is a unique training experience that brings live and on-demand workouts taught by world-class instructors right into your home. Now, a great workout is available to you whenever you want, without ever having to run to the gym. Similar to the Echelon Fit App, the user can choose from hundreds of classes in the on-demand Continued on Page 61

Continued on Page 57

Hestan Debuts NanoBond Luxury Cookware

Broadening its assortment of premium quality bonded stainless steel cookware featuring patented titanium nano-technology, Hestan® NanoBond™ introduces a new 5-Piece Set, which includes an 11-inch Open Skillet, a 2-quart Covered Saucepan, and a 3.5-quart Covered Saute and retails for $799.95.

Building on its reputation for award-winning excellence in engineering high-end commercial kitchen equipment, premium residential outdoor grills, and smart kitchen products, Hestan reimagines the premium cookware category with its NanoBond Cookware.

“As visionary culinary professionals, we examined the Continued on Page 57

Oser Communications Group

Chicago Sunday, March 3, 2019

AN INDEPENDENT PUBLICATION NOT AFFILIATED WITH IH+HS OR IHA

Dry Your Decanter, Fold Drying Rack Flat for Easy Storage

Fusionbrands Continues to Awe with New Innovations

aerolatte: Unleash Your Inner Barista

The Swan is a new kind of decanter drying rack that folds up when not in use for easy, spacesaving storage.

The pleasure of elegantly serving decanted wine at the table comes at a price – the struggle to keep the inside of the decanter free of dry water stains.

And so we buy decanter drying racks to hold the decanter upside down in an effort to let all the water run out. But those decanter drying racks take up a lot of storage space when not in use – until now. When you are finished using it, The Swan quickly folds up into a height of 1 inch for easy storage in a drawer or cabinet.

For over 10 years, Fusionbrands’® innovative tools have captured everyone’s attention, from its award-winning PoachPods to its highly demanded colorful little manicure saver, the ThumbScraper. 2019 is no exception to its innovation, as Fusionbrands proudly introduces four new products to make your everyday cooking, cleaning and storage/organization needs that much easier.

As masters of creation within the category of eggs, Fusionbrands’ new CrackSpot allows you to make a clean break on eggshells. This handy bowl-side eggshell cracking tool fits on just about any bowl rim and eliminates messy raw egg dripping down the side of bowls or

aerolatte® – the incredibly frothy coffee company – is full of beans announcing the launch of one of three new products, the cappuccino artist. Be ready to unleash your inner barista with top tips on getting the best results from your cappuccino art.

Nineteen years ago, Alan and Gary, Founders of aerolatte, were in search of the best solution for making perfect frothy milk at home. As true coffee lovers, Alan and Gary have expanded the range considerably and now it includes innovative equipment and accessories to brew and present coffee in a variety of ways.

After the positive feedback received from customers

BOOTH #N8517

BOOTH #N8307

BOOTH #S1559

Continued on Page 61

Laurastar Exclusive Purifies and Enhances Fabrics

According to a number of studies carried out in Europe and around the world, 30 to 40 percent of the population are affected by allergies.

Allergies are now the fourth most common chronic illness worldwide and the WHO estimates that one out of every two people will have an allergy by 2050. Laurastar Research has been working for nearly 40 years to pursue professional excellence in steam. Studies carried out by the Scitec Research SA laboratory, an independent research lab in Switzerland, have recently demonstrated the effectiveness of hygienic Laurastar Dry Microfine Steam (DMS) in fighting against dust mites, fungi and other bacteria present in clothes and linen throughout the

BOOTH #L11311

Continued on Page 61

Continued on Page 61

Train at Home with Reflect by Echelon

Prepare for the most innovative workout technology on the market. Reflect™ by Echelon is a lightweight smart mirror display that may seem like a normal decorative mirror, but then transforms into a smart video fitness training system, redefining what it means to get in shape from the comfort of your own home.

Reflect is a unique training experience that brings live and on-demand workouts taught by world-class instructors right into your home. Now, a great workout is available to you whenever you want, without ever having to run to the gym. Similar to the Echelon Fit App, the user can choose from hundreds of classes in the on-demand Continued on Page 61

Continued on Page 57

Hestan Debuts NanoBond Luxury Cookware

Broadening its assortment of premium quality bonded stainless steel cookware featuring patented titanium nano-technology, Hestan® NanoBond™ introduces a new 5-Piece Set, which includes an 11-inch Open Skillet, a 2-quart Covered Saucepan, and a 3.5-quart Covered Saute and retails for $799.95.

Building on its reputation for award-winning excellence in engineering high-end commercial kitchen equipment, premium residential outdoor grills, and smart kitchen products, Hestan reimagines the premium cookware category with its NanoBond Cookware.

“As visionary culinary professionals, we examined the Continued on Page 57

4

Sunday, March 3, 2019

VitaClay: Modern Innovation Meets Ancient Nutrition Modern innovation for ancient nutrition.

VitaClay’s focus is safe, effective, intelligent cookware for the modern world.

Clay is the most time-tested, traditional cooking medium there is; it is literally made from the earth! Every society on earth has used clay to cook their most prized dishes because of the superior results that can be achieved with clay.

Many believe that food cooked in clay comes out tastier, more nutritious, with better texture and brighter colors than with any other medium. The team at VitaClay has read a lot of theories about

why this is, from far-infrared rays to the clay imparting nutrition into the food.

The truth is, it’s not known why clay is so amazing, it’s just known that it is! If you cook the same dish in several different pans - one made of clay, one of stainless steel, another from aluminum coated in non-stick material, etc – the same dish cooked in clay likely wins the taste test every time! You’ve never tasted plain rice or plain yogurt if you haven’t tasted them made in clay!

As for the innovation, VitaClay’s completely-electric housing encloses the

Supplying Products for Natural Living for More than 40 Years

By Star Ches, Wholesale Sales Manager, Down To Earth Distributors, Inc.

As a national stocking distributor, Down To Earth Distributors, Inc. sources products for the home made of natural materials like sustainably harvested beeswax, recycled glass, stainless-steel and castiron. We ship nationally, but we also personally supply retailers on the west coast with our own truck fleet.

As active gardeners, canners and cooks, we tailor our product line for our customers who embrace the garden-to-

table lifestyle to give them the widest selection of natural living products available. We import, manufacture and distribute products from around the world that are crafted with virgin, recycled or sustainably harvested materials, because we believe in products that can stand the test of use, if not the test of time.

At the show, we are presenting a curated selection of new, top-selling and favorite products, including: Spanish Glass, including our new iridescent wave bottles and glasses, as well as favorites like vintage-style pharmacy jars with

Kitchenware News & Housewares Review Show Daily clay pots and creates a sealed cooking thermal that helps to both speed up cooking and create superior results.

Since there is no pressure build-up, there is no danger that VitaClay will explode, but you get the speed and other benefits of a pressure cooker without any worries. It also encapsulates the heat and steam – so it’s a big energy saver and doesn’t heat up the house like a stove or oven will. You also don’t need to worry about babysitting your food – just set it and forget it. It’s Continued on Page 61

metal lids and our top-selling “Authentic” drinking jars. love We Spanish glass because it is strong, versatile and 100 percent recycled. Plus, its aquamarine tint gives it a vintage look that fits into any kitchen.

Le Parfait, including both the classic clamp-top terrines with the iconic orange seal and the two-piece, screw-top Familia Wiss canning jars. A French original, the bright glass jars are our favorite for canning, storage and gift giving. The terrine’s flared shape makes it a robust presContinued on Page 61

AN INDEPENDENT PUBLICATION NOT AFFILIATED WITH IH+HS OR IHA Kimberly Oser Publisher Jules Denton-Card Senior Associate Publisher Lorrie Baumann Editorial Director JoEllen Lowry • Jeanie Catron • Karrie Welborn Associate Editors Yasmine Brown Art Director Jonathan Schieffer Graphic Designer Caitlyn McGrath • Susan Stein Customer Service Managers Anthony Socci Associate Publisher Marcos Morhaim Senior Account Manager Adrian Chacon • Andy Hartnett • Stephen Mather Beth Painter • Danny Ranney • Bo Robinson Account Managers Tara Neal Director of Operations Jay Watson • Hannah Stefanovich • Margaret Oser Show Logistics & Distribution Enrico Cecchi European Sales Kitchenware News & Housewares Review Show Daily is published by Oser Communications Group ©2019 All rights reserved.

Executive and editorial offices at: 1877 N. Kolb Road, Tucson, AZ 85715 520.721.1300/Fax: 520.721.6300 European offices located at Lungarno Benvenuto Cellini, 11, 50125 Florence, Italy www.osercommunicationsgroup.com

Lee M. Oser Founder

8

Sunday, March 3, 2019

The New Kitchen Essential: The Negg Egg Peeler An ingenious, yet simple kitchen tool makes the irksome task of peeling a boiled egg quick and easy. With just a little bit of water and a few shakes, the Negg® peels boiled eggs in seconds.

Thanks to its patented design, it’s possible to peel a dozen boiled eggs in under four minutes. This handy tool is perfect for the kitchens of both chefs and home cooks. It can also be a fun and safe way to involve children with meal preparation.

Using the Negg can mean hours of frustration saved, especially for anyone preparing popular dishes like deviled eggs or adhering to a high-protein diet. Clean up is easy, too. The 100 percent USA-made Negg egg peeler is dishwasher-safe (top rack) and BPAfree.

“Some household chores shouldn’t be difficult. Peeling boiled eggs is one of them. I watched videos of the huge commercial-egg peelers that churned out

Changes in Lifestyle Means Changes in Security

By Ashlee Campbell, Marketing Consultant, Alpha Guardian

Lifestyles have changed. People are now choosing to live in shared spaces, condos or other multi-family housing arrangements, retirees are downsizing and young homeowners are embracing “tiny homes.” These lifestyle changes have created a unique need for a secure place to store valuables, electronics and important documents that is unable to be met by traditional home safes. So, what has Stack-On done to meet this arising need?

To answer that question, we sat down with Shelley Nehrt, Director of Product Categories for Alpha Guardian, to talk about the distinctive features of our new Total Defense Dual Home Safe.

For starters, the new Dual Safe offers two separate secure storage compartments; one compartment provides convenient, quick access to items used daily while the second area offers fireproof storage for valuables and documents used less frequently.

“This new Dual Safe by Stack-On is the only safe on the market today that incorporates an external, auto open drawer in the body of the safe,” Nehrt said.

“Other notable features include an internal light in the auto open drawer, an alarm that sounds after three incorrect entries, factory installed door storage for better organization and a spacious, fully carpeted fireproof area with adjusted shelves.”

“The small footprint of the Dual

Smart Cuisine – The Best New Addition to the Kitchen One of ARC’s latest and greatest product launches is its Smart Cuisine line under the Luminarc brand. This new bakeware line was first launched last year and has proven to be a valuable addition for the company. Smart Cuisine is beautifully designed, lightweight oven-safe opal glass that combines the strengths of ceramic and glass into one versatile product. These contemporary dishes are designed with the home cook in mind, giving you a beautiful presentation straight from oven to table. Their organic

form gives them excellent ergonomics and their variety of shapes and sizes allow for all kinds of culinary creations, from individual to family portions. Smart Cuisine can withstand temperatures of up to 475 degrees Fahrenheit, is non-porous and very easy to clean. The similar shapes also nest and stack within each other to save space in your cabinet.

Since its 2018 launch, and due to the overwhelming market reaction to this product line, ARC has continued to expand the assortment with new shapes,

Do It Yourself Embroidery and Monogramming with Brother Want to personalize gifts to add an extra special touch? Love monograms on sweatshirts or blankets? Do it yourself with Brother! Embroidery and customization are always on trend and Brother makes it easy with cutting-edge embroidery machines and software.

Create baby blankets and bibs for a shower with custom names or sorority letters to tote bags for your sorority sister – even company aprons or tee shirts with custom logos. The possibilities are endless!

Take your creativity to the next level with the Brother SE1900 2-in-1 sewing and embroidery machine! With its large color LCD touchscreen display, inspiring built-in embroidery designs, creative sewing features and expanded workspace, the SE1900 offers plenty of options to help bring your creative visions to life.

Sew a garment or home décor item and then make it your own with embroidery!

The large, 3.2-inch Sew Smart color LCD touchscreen display allows you to view your embroidery designs in full color and

Kitchenware News & Housewares Review Show Daily thousands of peeled eggs a day, and decided there had to be a portable solution for anyone peeling eggs. After much trial and error, we came up with a great product. The Negg, is so simple, yet solves a long-standing kitchen nightmare,” explains Negg coCreator Bonnie Tyler.

Together, Negg creators Bonnie Tyler and Sheila Torgan have been web developers, graphic designers and marketers for more than 20 years. Prior to that, Tyler’s expertise was setting up databases for non-profits, and Torgan’s was in business develSafe allows it to fit in a closet, bedroom or other location aligning with today’s lifestyle trends.

Available in two different sizes, 40 inches and 48 inches tall, the height of these safes provides a convenient drop off point for keys, wallets or other things typically carried in pockets or purses,” Nehrt said. “The flexibility of the Dual Safe lends itself to people who need secure storage that works for them.”

Even after hearing about the innovative and beneficial features of the Dual Safe, you may still be asking yourself why anyone should consider safeguarding their valuables with a home safe.

“Consider this: In 2016, there were over 750,000 burglaries in the U.S., with most lasting no more than 12 to 15 minutes,” said Nehrt, citing Pew Research Center. “In the past few years, sales of home security cameras, doorbell cameras

store next.

opment and sales promotion in San Francisco and New York. For the last three and a half years, they have been working together, successfully taking the Negg through the stages of every startup, including research, development and rigorous testing. Visit the booth to find out what they have in

For additional information about the Negg, visit booth #S1272, call 203.594.7781, go to www.peelanegg.com or email smtorgan@peelanegg.com. and other security devices have exploded. But why stop at seeing who is breaking into your home? Wouldn’t you prefer to have another layer of security that actually prevented an unwanted intruder from stealing what is most important to you?”

In the end, it’s all about peace of mind and knowing that your valuables are safe and secure from unwanted intruders, friend or foe.

As our lifestyles continue to change, so must our attitudes on security. We no longer live in a time where your money, credit cards, electronics, jewelry or other valuables are safe, hidden away in your sock drawer or in a shoe box.

To learn more about Stack-On products, or any other Alpha Guardian brand such as Cannon Safe and GunVault, visit www.stackon.com or www.alphaguardian.com.

sizes and designs. The current Smart Cuisine product line is comprised of four oval baking dishes (3.1 quarts, 2 quarts, 1.4 quarts and 3.6 cups), four round baking dishes (4.2 quarts, 2.9 quarts, 2.1 quarts, 1.25 quarts), an 11-inch pie dish, a 5.5inch crème brulee dish and a 1-1/4 cup ramekin. Debuting this year at the show are three new square baking dishes (8 inches by 8 inches, 10.25 inches by 10.25 inches and 11.25 inches by 11.25 inches) and a sub-collection, called Trianon, of five new baking dishes that have a beautiful scalloped design on the outside. The

Trianon sub-collection includes three oval baking dishes (14.5 inches by 11.25 inches, 12.5 inches by 9.25 inches and 8.5 inches by 6.25 inches), a 10-inch round baking dish and a 1-1/2 cup ramekin. These additions bring new design elements to the overall range, with the square shapes offering a modern flair and the Trianon collection evoking a more traditional feel. There is something for every home chef, regardless of their esthetic, available in Luminarc’s Smart Cuisine product line.

preview your design edits on the screen before stitching. Built into the SE1900 are 138 fresh, high-quality embroidery designs, and for virtually unlimited design options, you can import your own embroidery designs through the USB port. Expand your possibilities with Initial Stitch embroidery lettering and monogramming software! Even if you’ve never used embroidery software before, Initial Stitch is easy to learn and use. Design custom lettering and monogramming in the vast 5 x 7 embroidery field. The Brother SE1900 and Initial Stitch software are the perfect combination for creating trendy

monograms and personalizing anything from sweatshirts to beach bags.

Visit Brother at booth #L11513 to learn more about this dynamic duo.

If you are looking for some help, you can visit the blog, Stitching Sewcial, at blog.brothersews.com. Here you can find helpful videos, informative tips and tricks, festive holiday projects, fun unboxing events and more!

For more information, stop by booth #S1428.

For more information, go to www.brother sews.com and www.scanncut.com, call 877.BROTHER or stop by booth #L11513.

14

Sunday, March 3, 2019

Prodyne Expands Popular Fruit Infusion Beverageware Collection Prodyne’s Fruit Infusion products are perfect accessories in the hydration category that the younger generation has embraced with fervor as they have adopted healthy hydration habits.

Millions have enjoyed refreshing naturally flavored beverages with Prodyne’s popular pitchers, bottles and carafes since Prodyne created the beverage infusion category with its Fruit Infusion Flavor Pitcher in 2009. The stylish pitcher allowed for anyone to easily make and enjoy healthy, natural fruit flavored beverages. The acrylic pitcher features a removable fruit infusion rod that

can easily be filled with fresh cut lemons, limes, oranges, raspberries and more.

Open slots in the rod allow liquids and fresh fruit to mix naturally to give your beverages a wonderful fruit infused flavor. This was an economical and healthy alternative to artificially flavored beverages as the pitcher can continually be refilled without having to replace the fruit for up to seven days.

This year, Prodyne is excited to expand its popular collection of infusion beverageware with the introduction of the Trim Fruit Infusion Pitcher. The new 60-ounce sleek pitcher is easy to use and

Kitchenware News & Housewares Review Show Daily the perfect complement for today’s healthy lifestyle.

The streamlined design fits comfortably on a refrigerator door shelf. The crystal-clear BPAfree pitcher is available in three different color lids: clear, red and green.

The Trim Fruit Infusion Pitcher is the latest addition to a wide assortment of BPA-free fruit infusion beverageware that includes the ICED Fruit Infusion Pitcher, a unique combo pitcher that can be used with a fruit infusion rod and a freezer ice tube simultaneously. The Flavor Jar, Flavor Bottle and Flavor Carafe have removable necks and strainers to hold back fruit as you pour and

conveniently fit in a refrigerator door shelf.

The Diamond Cut Acrylic Fruit Infusion Pitcher has a stunning acrylic thick wall diamond cut design. The BIG Fruit Infusion Pitcher features a generous 3.5-quart capacity with a larger infusion rod to accommodate more fruit.

The ever-expanding Prodyne collection of infusion pitchers, jars, bottles and carafes are giving people even more options to create healthy flavorful beverages any time.

For more information, call 800.822.4776, visit www.prodyne.com or stop by booth #S1006.

Blue Rhino 30-Piece Tool Set with Aluminum Case Even in the depths of winter, it’s never too soon to start planning for sunnier days ahead. Perfect for the traveling chef, this 30-piece set of stainless-steel outdoor-grilling tools is easy to carry on the go from the backyard to the campground or the beach in a sturdy aluminum case, with reinforced corners and snap closures plus extra room for seasonings and other essentials. The spatula handle features a bottle opener, while the head of the spatula can flip, tenderize and cut. The other tools include a fork, tongs, basting brush, knife, 12 corn holders, six skewers, four steak knives and a grill brush with two replacement heads. This complete set includes a limited lifetime warranty.

Call 888.398.8643 for more information.

Cleaning Power for All Home Surfaces P2 Probiotic Power I Clean Everything All-in-1 Surface Cleaner Concentrate is a technologically advanced cleaner that incorporates spore-based probiotics. It effectively cleans all home surfaces by cleaning to the microscopic level and creating a hostile environment for harmful bacteria, restoring a natural ecological balance and protecting against germs and viruses for several days by putting a protective layer of probiotics on surfaces.

A 12-ounce bottle makes nine gallons of useable cleaner, so it’s extremely economical. P2 Probiotic Power I Clean Everything even replaces separate glass, granite, window, tile and grout, mold and mildew, floor, bathroom and stainless steel cleaners.

It’s non-GMO, non-toxic, organic and made with EPA green-listed ingredients as well as eco-friendly, vegan, USA made, non-allergenic, alcohol-free and food-grade. With no triclosan or phthalates, it’s kid-friendly.

For more information, email market places@p2probiotics.com or go to www.p2probioticpower.com.

16

Sunday, March 3, 2019

2019 Brings Changes If you’re thinking about adding a value line of kitchen gadgets or outdoor serving items to your retail mix, then look no further than Regent Products Corp. In addition to its commitment to maintaining more than 5,000 “opening-price-point” items, this year the company is introducing a higher priced line of items at an opening price-point to complement the Blake & Croft kitchen gadget line that was introduced at last year’s show.

This year, an all new outdoor melamine servingware line is also

being introduced, called Sea Cliff.

“Higher-price doesn’t mean overpriced,” says Sharon Welty, Director of Imports at Regent Products. “What we’ve done is seized an opportunity to offer our retailers additional items to complement what we are offering in our value line. Together it’s a win win!

Our customer now has a more complete line in these important categories and the retailer gets a higher ticket ring at checkout.”

Items include salad spinners and a

New Organizers from YouCopia YouCopia builds on its innovative brand of adjustable, expandable or customizable organizers with the introduction of 10 new items at booth #N7830.

“The products, designed to create little organizational wins at home, are easily customized to different needs and spaces. You can set up the organizers in one minute, with no tools or installation required,” says YouCopia President Lauren Greenwood. “Having an organized home should be achievable for everyone – even the disorganized.”

YouCopia’s new product lineup begins with the all-new UpSpace™ line, which maximizes vertical space in the cabinet or pantry with adjustable shelves.

The UpSpace™ Bottle Organizer keeps water bottles and travel mugs in one convenient location. Roll-free bottle slots, non-slip feet and a snap assembly make it easy to love this hydration station. The UpSpace Box Organizer puts a stop to

unruly box pile-ups. Shelves adjust from 3.5 inches to 7.5 inches tall in 1-inch increments to accommodate all sizes of kitchen wrap, foil, pasta, crackers and cookies. The UpSpace Adjustable Shelf provides an additional layer of storage at the (5-inch, 6-inch or 7-inch) height you like. A generous 16-inch by 9-inch footprint lets you organize everything, from pint glasses to pinch bowls for a tidy cabinet space.

Also new in 2019 is the ShelfBin™ 4-Tier Divided Bin, which has four compartments to keep small things – snacks, packets, seasonings and more – organized and upright in a cabinet or pantry.

Stair-step storage and built-in handles make it easy to see and grab what you need.

The ShelfSteps™ Expandable 3Piece Organizer takes cabinets to a new level with four tiers so you can see everything in a glance. Three pieces fit togeth-

Elevate Your Cooking Experience with 1919 Cookware Collection Regal Ware is excited to showcase its 1919 Cookware collection, which includes tri-ply stainless steel and nonstick pieces. Each item in the collection is finished in an elegant polished exterior from top to bottom.

Regal Ware believes life happens around the kitchen table, the place where life is celebrated, wisdom is shared and relationships are fostered. The 1919 Cookware collection was designed especially for at-home chefs to champion their kitchens with elegant products to enhance

cooking experiences and create memorable experiences one meal at a time.

Made from three layers of specially selected heat-conducting metals, the 1919 line is encapsulated by stainless steel and features smooth rounded edges.

The premium tri-ply construction throughout the pan delivers even heat distribution and retention through the aluminum and is induction stove-compatible with the exterior/magnetic layer of stainless steel. It is oven-safe to 500 degrees and can even go in the dishwash-

R&M International – Gotta Have It Gadgets

By Stacey Godshall, Marketing Associate, R&M International

R&M International has been an industry leader in cookie cutters for over 25 years, but did you know R&M has a much more extensive product assortment than just cookie cutters?

In addition to having the best selection and highest quality cookie cutters available, R&M also has a wide range of other product categories, including over 175 different kitchen gadgets from toast tongs, rolling pins and donut cutters to

tomato corers, cheese planes and honey dippers.

The kitchen gadgets are available in preassembled, attractive clear tubs or “buckets” that are easy merchandisers.

These are great for impulse purchases!

As the popularity of this program increases for R&M, it has added a rotating floor display to help retailers maximize their profitability.

In addition to buckets, many of R&M’s kitchen gadgets can also be purchased on bright and visually appealing cards, allowing easy and flexible mer-

Kitchenware News & Housewares Review Show Daily push down food chopper, both offered in several colors, and a vegetable chopper with a draw cord. In addition, new pet toys are being prominently displayed in the front of the booth.

Look for the pyramid of stacked pet toys, accessories and grooming items, all pre-loaded in convenient PDQ displays.

The plastics line continues to grow, including food storage containers of all sizes, drinkware, microwave covers, divided plates and covers, laundry baskets, shelf organizers, bins, baskets, ham-

pers, bowls, glasses, pet treat containers and more. Regent Products is located just minutes from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport where its offices and showroom, along with a nearly 600,000 square foot warehouse facility, are located. Stop by booth #N6305 and see all that Regent Products Corp. offers, with over 5,000 items in more than 20 merchandise categories, including seasonal lines.

er and expand from 14.3 inches to 24.5 inches wide to make a grand display. If you’re tight on space, each piece can stand alone for separate storage of spices, medicine, vitamins, makeup and crafts, too.

The larger-sized footprint StoraLid™ Container Lid Organizer helps organize over 30 lids in a cabinet or drawer. Adjustable dividers create different spaces so lids of various shapes and sizes stand upright.

As part of the growing StoreMore™ line, the Expandable Cookware Rack keeps your favorite large pans, skillets, platters and lids organized (no stacking required). It extends from 12-22 inches wide to maximize cabinet space, while adjustable dividers keep heavy items – even cast iron – vertical and visible.

With over 1.5 million sold since

2007, the patented and muchloved SpiceStack® gets the VIP treatment with upgraded features and a new look for 2019. The SpiceStack Adjustable Spice Organizer stores spice bottles neatly in a kitchen cabinet or pantry. Drawers glide out and lower to resting position, so you can quickly scan and select what you need. Adjustable dividers ensure a good fit for tall or small bottles.

For more information on YouCopia’s entire product line, email sales@youcopia.com or call 773.252.0710.

YouCopia, a WBNEC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprise based in Chicago, designs and markets innovative home organization products that help consumers triumph over the small stuff to say “woohoo!” at home.

er. Plus, you’ll never need to guess what size pan you need to use since capacity is clearly etched on the bottom of every piece. Many pieces in the collection include recessed, precision-fitted stainless steel lids, which reduces the inevitable cooking splatter.

The 1919 Cookware line also features PFOA-free non-stick pieces. 1919’s nonstick cookware provides even heating from the base to the rim of each piece, which means your meat or vegetables will brown or fry uniformly at a lower temperature. The easy-release surfaces guarantee a top-notch cooking and clean up experience every time.

1919 Cookware is made with an emphasis on quality and pride in workmanship using only high-end, premium materials at the company’s U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Bend, Wisconsin. The manufacturing process and focus on creating quality cookware will continue to set 1919 Cookware apart in the marketplace.

chandising for retailers.

Clipstrip displays are another point of purchase option available through R&M. In addition to cookie cutters and gadgets, R&M also carries apple machines, ceramic bean pots, corn items, onion soup bowls, seafood items, tea and coffee items, English muffin rings, spatulas, whisks, graters and decorating items.

Its wide range of product offerings, superior customer service and fast shipping makes R&M the ideal one-stopshop for the independent and gourmet

retail stores.

R&M invites you to view the extensive product range in booth #S1907. If you would like more information, visit www.randm.us or you can contact R&M at sales@randm.us or call 800.401.0101. Bring a copy of this article with you to the R&M booth and receive a 10 percent discount off of any orders that are placed at the show.

For more information, stop by booth #N6305 or go to www.regentproducts.com.

For more information, go to www.youcopia.com, call 872.242.7700 or stop by booth #N7830.

If you’re looking to expand your product offering to your culinary customers interested in premier cookware, booth #S3215. After the show, go to www.regal ware.com, call 262.626.2121 or email info@regalware.com.

For more information, go to www.randm.us, call 800.401.0101, email sales@randm.us or stop by booth #S1907.

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Sunday, March 3, 2019

Dexas Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Unprecedented New Product Launches Dexas International Ltd. is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019. The company, while continuing to lead in the design of new cutting board styles, is unveiling over 50 new products at the show. Dexas is also in a new booth location in the South Hall of McCormick Place, booth #S837.

Dexas is pleased to announce the release of a new barware product called ice•ology, a clear ice system that reflects the scientific pursuit of an elevated cocktail experience. For the discerning connoisseur of premium spirits and craft cocktails, only a clear ice cube or sphere will do as a means of controlling both temperature and dilution in a drink. ice•ology takes all the guesswork out of creating perfectly clear ice at home –

simply fill with ordinary tap water and place in the freezer for 12 hours. All of the scientific properties of slow, directional freezing, as well as easy release, have been mastered. Ice•ology systems that create two large cubes or spheres retail for $39.99, while the 8-count cube option retails for $49.99.

“Everyone at Dexas is filled with pride and excitement as we enter our 50th year of continuous operations,” said Jeff Logan, Director of Marketing. “We’re thrilled to be the leading poly cutting board manufacturer in the USA, but we’re also making some bold moves with the most new product introductions in our history.”

Dexas is launching a new line of poly cutting boards called Gripp &

For Nifty Home Products, Constant Innovation Key to Continued Success Nifty Home Products continues to impress with its constant innovations in the housewares industry. Its innate sense of solving problems found in the kitchen has been somewhat legendary. It all started with the invention of the Turkey Lifter Roasting Rack and has evolved over the years to solving storage issues involved with Keurig’s ever popular KCup. This year will be no different for Nifty. It is expanding on its patented rolling technology and creating a countertop appliance rolling drawer line to

help make using your small appliance every day an absolute breeze.

Nobody likes clutter on their counter tops, and moving heavy countertop appliances such as blenders, coffee makers and even a large mixer has always been a thorn in the side of consumers. The other issue is finding the accessories you like to use with the given small appliance.

Nifty has once again vowed to come to the rescue of the everyday consumer, especially those consumers that spends a lot of time working in the kitchen, using

Viatek and Quirky Team Up to Bring Back Pivot Power Viatek Consumer Products Group has always maintained a reputation for excellence, and 2019 promises to continue that tradition with the re-launch of the Quirky Pivot Power line by Viatek.

Breathing new life into the established Quirky brand, Viatek is updating the line with a sleek new look and features suitable for the technology of 2019 and beyond.

Innovative design and unique products have always been the hallmark of the Viatek brands. The company’s reputation for quality and ingenuity draws inven-

tors, retailers and consumers alike and makes working with Quirky to rejuvenate the Pivot Power line a natural move for both companies.

Viatek President Lou Lentine stated, “We knew it was a great product and everyone has been excited to relaunch the Pivot Power line. The reaction at CES was incredibly enthusiastic and people are already placing orders and scheduling meetings to get a more hands-on look at the improvements we’ve made to the line so far. All of us here at Viatek are excited to see what

DuraKleen(USA)/EuroWare Launching Full Range of Microwave Cookware Under Frigidaire Brand DuraKleen(USA)/EuroWare is a private New York Company founded and managed by the Zaytoune family since 1989.

It carries a comprehensive quality line of household products which extend into several categories. Currently it has a licensing partnership with the Electrolux Group to manufacture, market and distribute an extensive line of Frigidaire

branded plastic food storage, kitchen organization, microwave accessories and acrylic serveware.

Microwave cookware makes life a lot easier. Life can be busy and not everyone has time to cook for hours. These microwave cookware sets and containers offer the opportunity for a quick and easy way to prepare and store meals without

Kitchenware News & Housewares Review Show Daily Carve. While they look simple enough, Gripp & Carve dual-function cutting boards are quite sophisticated for food prep. The boards feature non-slip grip ends as well as a raised pyramid pattern in the center that holds foods in place while carving. Plus it has a large juice well around the perimeter to contain any juices. The boards are reversible, dishwasher safe and gentle on fine knives. It comes in three sizes and retails for $7.99 to $19.99.

Dexas is also exhibiting a Finalist in this year’s Global Innovation Awards (gia) in the pet products category. The off-leash pet toy collection comes with a “twist” – each toy can attach to any leash handle or backpack with a quick twist for hands-free, slobber-free carrying! Toys include a Reaction Ball, an

oblong Tumbler and a Flyer that all feature a specially designed carrying key and carabiner. Offleash toys are durable and safe for interactive play, on land and on the water. Retail price is $14.99.

Plan to see new premium wood cutting boards, kitchen gadgets, food storage, silicone baking mats and the award-winning FlexLid, a universal pot lid and microwave-safe food cover that won the 2018 “Best in Class” Gourmet Gold Award from Dallas Market Center.

Celebrating its 50th year, Dexas is the design leader and largest in-house manufacturer of poly cutting boards in the USA.

multiple small appliances. The rolling drawers’ unique design allows for you to simply press down on the lever and roll the appliance out from under the countertop when in use and back easily for storage when you are finished. The storage drawer located underneath the small appliance is perfect for smaller accessories you would typically use with the appliance. For example, you might store coffee pods underneath your coffee machine, spatulas and spoons underneath your mixer, and much, much more. Nifty will be releasing multiple sizes of the

drawer to fit everything from the small drip coffee maker, to a 6-quart crockpot and even a 5-quart mixer. The drawer also features a built-in safety and breaking mechanism, which will engage with the countertop to stop the tray from rolling off the countertop.

Be sure to stop by the Nifty booth in the South Hall #S3050 to see these and many other wonderfully innovative products while enjoying a fresh cup of coffee and a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie.

happens this weekend at IHHA with the launch of even more products!”

With strong patents that have kept cheap imitations off the market, the quality and integrity of the Quirky brand has always been impeccable. These patents have also allowed developers to ensure that they have ample time to research and design new products and release only the best of the best to market.

Following that model, Viatek will also be handling Quirky’s Power Products and it is already turning its eyes to expanding and improving on the line.

With a nod to the changes in technology,

Viatek has updated existing products to meet consumer needs at a price everyone will love. New products are being reviewed every day and both companies are eager to launch them in the upcoming year.

The Pivot Power and Power Products are in stores in early 2019, and can already be found on the Home Shopping Network, HSN.com and at QuirkyPivotPower.com.

sacrificing gourmet flavor.

The microwaveable storage containers have a steam vent so that you can store and reheat your leftovers in the same container. The range of microwave safe cookware is designed with plenty of useful functions and unique ideas to take the hassle out of cooking. From omelettes to entire healthy meals, transform the way you think about microwave cooking.

Microwave cookware sales have been steadily increasing every year.

Statistics show the retail sales of

microwave cookware in the United States amounted to approximately $350 million.

The Frigidaire brand has come to symbolize a very special level of prestige. Frigidaire recently celebrated over 100 years of excellence. It is a brand heritage second to none, with a long list of “firsts,” and boasts a huge global customer base.

See Dexas in the South Hall, booth #S837.

For additional information, visit www .dexas.com or email sales@dexas.com.

Learn more at booth #S3050 or go to www.niftyhomeproducts.net.

For more information about Quirky Power and Pivot Power, visit www.quirkypivotpower.com or stop by Lakeside booth #L11147 and speak with a Quirky representative.

See the full range of over 50 SKUs at booth #N6111.

Sunday, March 3, 2019

Kitchenware News & Housewares Review Show Daily

Emile Henry’s Covered Casserole Designed for Healthy Comfort Foods As the weather gets colder, it’s time to turn the oven on and cook up some warm casseroles to satisfy the palate. The new Emile Henry Covered Baker is perfect for traditional creamy casseroles, or better yet, for lightened-up dishes for everyday eating and for special occasions. The 14.5-inch by 11-inch ceramic dish is oven-proof and has a lid to match. It’s designed to go into the oven and sit beautifully as a serving dish on a party table or for everyday use.

Elizabeth Fassberg, a registered dietitian and owner of Eat Food, a culinary and nutrition consulting business, shares some tips on better-for-you casseroles.

According to Fassberg, “Instead of thinking of casseroles as an indulgence food,

you can make your casseroles healthier by swapping out a few ingredients. It’s usually the saturated fat found in the butter, cream and cheese that makes it not so great for the heart. Instead of butter, use olive oil; instead of heavy cream or whole milk, use low-fat or nonfat milk.

When the recipe calls for cheese, either cut back on the amount the recipes calls for or use a lower fat version. Low-fat yogurt can also work in some cases for a healthier dish. Try making substitutions in your recipe, swapping ingredients little by little, until it’s better for you, but still tastes delicious!”

Fassberg says she likes to boost the nutrients and cut the calories by adding more vegetables to her casseroles. She

Introducing the Perfect Measure Leveling Measuring Cups from JAZ Innovations Perfect Measure™ leveling measuring cups from JAZ Innovations are the only measuring cups with a built-in leveling bar. The design is so unique, it’s patented!

With Perfect Measure, its easy to get accurate measured ingredients every time. The Perfect Measure works just like other cups when scooping ingredients from the bag or bin. Then, just slide

Labell Introduces New Signature Series Labell is launching its new signature series inspired by the Millennials and “foodies” who enjoy preparing fresh food. The signature series captures the essence of design, combining the beauty of cherry wood with the high functionality of Canadian maple. The elegance of the boards makes them perfect to serve directly at the table and use for quick food preparation. Each cutting board is branded with the Labell signature, a brand synonymous with quality and durability.

In today’s food world, everyone

loves a good cutting board. We are watching more cooking shows and food channels every week; the cutting board has become one of those ‘must haves.’

Since its humble beginnings in 2009, Labell has been symbolic with quality and functionality. Labell has always stayed true to its maple-based products in order to promote quality products that have world class esthetics.

Labell’s raw material is recovered or recycled from the likes of Canadian sawmills and/or manufacturers of hard-

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says, “If the recipe calls for pasta or plain potatoes, I’ll use less of those ingredients and add more greens and hearty fall squash, like butternut or acorn to the dish. It makes the dish more colorful and better for you! There are a lot of interesting grains such as quinoa, wheat berries, farro, millet, etc. to use as well that contain fiber and important vitamins and minerals. These grains make delicious additions to casseroles and boost the nutrient content.”

The Emile Henry Casserole, made in France from Burgundy clay, retails for $120 and is available in Sugar (white) and Rouge (red). The dish is dishwashersafe and extremely durable and resistant to mechanical shock and wide variations

in temperature. It can be placed into a preheated oven and is oven safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

Like all Emile Henry products, the Emile Henry Covered Baker is made of all-natural and is materials backed by a 10-year warranty, which is not offered by any other ceramic manufacturers. Emile Henry is located in the Burgundy town of Marcigny, France.

the built-in leveling bar across the top to scrape off the excess so you get the exact amount you need!

Perfect Measure cups are made from food-grade polypropylene, a nearly unbreakable plastic that is 100 percent dishwasher-safe. The Perfect Measure

cups “nest” snugly for compact storage in your kitchen drawer, or simply hang them for ready use.

Get professional results every time with Perfect Measure leveling measuring cups from JAZ Innovations.

wood products that in the past would have disposed of this raw material. Labell is doing its part for future generations, and the preservation of natural resources by investing and promoting green products.

With new abilities in wood manufacturing, Labell has the capacity to take this raw material and turn it into these culinary works of art. Labell has recently moved to its new updated facilities, which will contribute to improving its procedures and operations.

To find out more about Emile Henry, call 302.326.4800 or visit Emile Henry USA at www.emilehenryusa.com. At the show, stop by Duralex booth #S758, Emile Henry booth #S860, Lekue booth #S858, Mauviel booth #S760 and Jars booth #S757.

For more information, stop by booth #S3939.

Labell has created a complete collection of cutting boards for a diversified need in the market.

Its objective as a company is to continue to enjoy what it does. Labell strives to be the best in product design and innovation, inspired by the people and partners who help Labell create solutions the market demands.

The natural beauty of a Labell board will bring warmth to any kitchen.

Visit booth #S855 to see the full signature series.

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Sunday, March 3, 2019

Verona Appliances Introduces the Prestige Collection Verona Appliances, crafted in Italy but made for the U.S. market, introduces the Prestige collection to its award-winning line of ranges. The new dual fuel and allgas ranges combine all the features that customers have grown to love with an upgraded look that is only surpassed by its high-powered capabilities. The collection is available in a highly sought after 36-inch option that adds professional performance to any space.

Aesthetic upgrades include new continuous grates, beveled doors, rounded handles, spindle legs and an upgraded knob design. The 36-inch range is offered in stainless steel, true white, matte black and burgundy colors with both single and a unique double oven configuration for a more personalized array of choices that accommodate virtually any kitchen design.

“Verona Appliances is dedicated to creating quality products that fit the func-

Dave’s Creamy Hot Sauces Burning Up the Market The hot sauce market is growing quickly and it is also evolving. The vinegary sauces that have dominated for decades are growing, but also losing market share to a new era of sauces, like Dave’s Gourmet creamy hot sauces. These newer hot sauces have more complex savory flavors and a more interesting tex-

ture. The creamy sauces are also more versatile.

Maybe the test that shows how they really differ is that most hot sauces do not taste good when eaten straight or on chips, but creamy hot sauces are delicious straight, cooked into a variety of dishes or used at the table as a topping.

Sticky Fingers Bakeries Introduces Three Gluten-Free Mix Choices Sticky Fingers Bakeries is excited to introduce three mixes to its gluten-free selection: Gluten Free Buttermilk Pancakes, Pumpkin Pancakes and Fudge Brownies.

“We’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response to our gluten-free scones,” says Tom Owens, Sticky Fingers Bakeries Owner and co-Founder. “We wanted diversify our lineup, and make sure our gluten-free friends had some new flavors

to add to their present lineup.”

The GF Buttermilk Pancakes are the perfect way to ease into the cooler weather and shorter days. The subtle buttermilk taste blended with a sorghum flour base pairs nicely with an anytime breakfast.

The GF Brownies are also a great choice for parents looking for lunchbox additions or crowd-pleasing soccer snacks. Fudge Chocolate Brownies have been a favorite with pint-sized taste

2019 Best of Show

Kitchenware News & Housewares Review Show Daily tional and design-centric needs of the modern homeowner,” said Melissa Haber, Vice President, EuroChef USA. “The Prestige series combines all of the most praised functions of our previous lines of ranges with beautiful new upgrades that bring even more power and style into the kitchen.”

In addition to the aesthetic upgrades, the Prestige features five semi-sealed gas burners, electronic ignition, flame failure safety device and an easy-to-clean porcelain oven cavity. The

dual fuel options are equipped with multi-function European convections ovens that provide seven cooking modes and the gas options feature a pro-style infrared broiler. The entire collection features porcelainized cast-iron burner grates and caps as well as high BTU burners that can simmer down to 700 BTUs for more delicate dishes.

Suggested retail price starts at $3,099 for the dual fuel single oven in stainless steel.

Dave’s Creamy Hot Sauces are actually vegan and gluten free, but they are whipped at high speed to make them creamy.

Numerous chains, including Whole Foods, have picked up the sauces and they are growing really quickly. You should also expect to see them on select restaurant tabletops in the next couple of years.

These sauces are both sauce and salsa and have roots in Mexican regional

cuisine, but are terrific on Mexican foods, pizza, wings and so much more. You can learn more about Dave’s Sauces on his website at www.davesgourmet.com.

Dave’s is originally known for making the hottest sauces in the universe (Dave’s Insanity Sauce), but the creamy hot sauces are in the mild to medium range and come in three flavors: Roasted Jalapeno, Red Pepper Garlic and Ginger Citrus.

testers as well as their parents.

“A lot of people are looking for gluten-free options now,” Owens says. “I think the biggest compliment we’ve received is that most people can’t even tell they are gluten-free.”

Sticky Fingers now offers five gluten-free scone mixes. In addition to the Chocolate Chip and Pumpkin Cranberry, there’s also Wild Blueberry, Meyer Lemon and Original flavored scones.

The company maintains its commitment to quality with its gluten-free line.

The gluten-free scone mixes are certified by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) and produced according to GFCO standards in a dedicated gluten-free facility using only kosher-certified ingredients.

Sticky Fingers Bakeries has used only

the finest ingredients since it began as a retail bakery in San Diego more than 25 years ago. Sticky Fingers prides itself on what its mixes don’t include: preservatives, artificial flavors or colorings, high fructose corn syrup, trans fats or cholesterol.

“We want to highlight our ingredients, and give our customers something they can feel good about eating and serving to their family and friends,” Owens says.

Sticky Fingers Bakeries sells its products around the globe. In addition to gluten-free scone mixes, the company also offers a wide variety of easy-tomake scone and brownie mixes, Irish soda bread, premium Northwest jams, fruit butters, pepper jellies and English curds.

For more information, go to www.sticky fingersbakeries.com.

Gourmet Offerings from Captain Foods Captain Foods, Inc. is a gourmet food company based in Edgewater, Florida. It has been family owned since 1994, and is a proud member of the Fresh from Florida Program. The company’s specialty gourmet products are made to bring a variety of uniqueness, heat and flavor to your meals for home cooks and master chefs.

The team at Captain Foods has gained global success by offering excellent customer service and products superior in quality. The product line consists of specialty hot sauces, grilling sauces, all-natural seasoning blends and spice grinders.

Captain Redbeard and his First Mate (Doug and Kathy Feindt, Owners) have sailed the seven seas in search of unique and innovative ingredients to bring home

to their blends and sauces. They bring the flavors of the Captain’s galley to your kitchen!

Put it on the top of your priority list to try some of the company’s 100% All Natural Seasoning Blends, including the Garlic, Lemon and Herb Seasoning. This is an allnatural everyday spice that will boost the flavor of your next prepared dish. The savory combination of garlic, onion, natural lemon flavor and other spices will enhance the flavor of your grilled chicken, seafood, veggies, meats and more.

Captain Foods offers more than 30 great products for home cooks and master chefs to choose from.

For more information, email hello @captainfoods.com, call 386.428.5833 or go to www.captainfoods.com.

Sunday, March 3, 2019

Kitchenware News & Housewares Review Show Daily

A Unique Experience, Centuries in the Making: Le Gruyère AOP Switzerland In 1115 A.D., a cheese was discovered in western Switzerland – a region with rolling fields, scenic mountains and a majestic castle. This place, Gruyères, is the origin of the only true Le Gruyère AOP, with the unrivaled quality and flavor known the world over for more than 900 years.

But how was cheese ‘discovered’?

In the old times, the farmers couldn’t keep the milk their cows produced for very long without spoiling, so they decided to try to produce something that would last longer. The result was – cheese! – and in particular, Gruyère. They soon discovered that this cheese, because its taste

was unique and very appealing, could be exchanged with others for goods, services – even soldiers!

As time went on, Gruyère became famous for its unique flavor, and like most exceptional things, fame begat imitation. Cheese makers from other countries tried to make their own Gruyère, even calling it by the same name, but they always produced a cheese with a different flavor, which became very confusing. Gruyère had become not only popular, with a worldwide demand, but important to the region’s economy as well.

Something had to be done!

The most consumed cheese in

Jana Foods: Traditional, Fresh, Natural Founded in 1995, Jana Foods is a New Jersey-based importer of fine cheese from around the world. Over the years, the company has established a strong portfolio of brands from many different countries, including Holland, England, Australia, Denmark, Argentina, Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Hungary and others. It carefully selects its suppliers and holds them to rigorous standards of quality, consistency and value. All of its products are produced in the traditional way, and are made with only fresh and natural ingredients. Its vast assortment of products are offered in

multiple sizes and packaging options to try and meet each customer’s needs. It has maintained its small company values and attention to detail, with a staff that has over a century of industry experience.

Featured Product: Ivy’s Vintage Reserve Cheddar by Wyke Farms Ivy’s family founded Wyke Farms in the 1860s in Somerset, U.K., and now, three generations later, her family is still using that same recipe for turning their fresh milk into cheese with perfect texture and exquisite taste. Ivy’s Vintage Reserve

Blue Moose Launches Snack-Size Hummus Packs Blue Moose has just launched two new product lines in snack sizes: its Organic On The Go Hummus Snack Pack and Organic Moose Minis 100 Calorie Single Serve Cups.

“With the shift in trends towards snacking, we’re filling a void in the mar-

ketplace to ensure our customers don’t have to sacrifice convenience for quality or taste,” said Tenley Satre, President of Blue Moose. “We’re thrilled to be able to deliver nutrient dense organic snacks that you can truly feel good about.”

Organic On The Go Hummus Snack

Switzerland, and one of the most well-known in the world, is now – since 2001 – protected with an “AOP” designation, which in English means Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). This guarantees a clear origin, a level of quality and a complete traceability back to the region of production. Le Gruyère AOP Switzerland takes it a step further, and places markings on each wheel that enable it to be tracked to the specific dairy in the region that produced it. There is only one true Le Gruyère AOP, the incomparable cheese from Switzerland. The “Le Gruyère AOP” mark on the side of the wheel proves it.

Today, Gruyère AOP is made in 170

Cheddar is matured for no fewer than 15 months, and brings the flavor of lush pastures to the rich, mellow and silky cheese. It has won more awards than any other Cheddar.

Wyke Farms is proud to be the U.K.’s first national Cheddar brand to use power and gas derived from 100 percent renewable sources. It sources all of its electricity and gas from both solar and biogas, generated from the farm and dairy waste. The biogas energy is generated from its own anaerobic digester (AD) plant, which saves Wyke Farms over 20 million kilos of carbon dioxide per annum. It doesn’t end there, though; it also recovers heat from the generators and never wastes electricity that it uses.

Packs buck the status quo by pairing its hummus with organic carrot sticks rather than pretzels or chips. The nutrientpacked dehydrated carrot sticks are made

by Rhythm Superfoods. With 150 calories, 5g protein and 0g added sugar per container, this snack delivers real nutrition. Available in three flavors: Original, Roasted Red Pepper and Lemon Turmeric.

Organic Moose Minis 100 Calorie Single Serve Cups are convenient grab-

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small batches, with fresh, raw milk, and no additives or preservatives – it is 100 percent natural. The same recipe is used from more than nine centuries ago, a time before the use of additives and synthetic feed and ingredients were the norm. As such, Le Gruyère AOP is still tightly linked with the local, long-held traditions and terroir of Switzerland. This is why it’s said that each taste of Le Gruyère AOP is a unique experience, centuries in the making.

For more information, go to www .gruyere.com or email interprofession @gruyere.com.

All of its equipment has low energy inverters installed, it drives solar powered vehicles and it even has LED lights that automatically switch off.

The Clothier family has been following farming traditions in the heart of Somerset for over 150 years and making award-winning cheddar from Grandmother Ivy’s secret recipe for generations. Wyke remains a truly traditional family business. Ivy’s four grandchildren share her passion for cheese making where flavor, texture and taste are paramount.

For more information, go to www.janafoods.com, email info@jana foods.com or call 201.866.5001.

and-go containers of creamy hummus for consumers to pair with their own dippers.

Available in three flavors: Original, Roasted Red Pepper and Lemon Turmeric.

As with all products in Blue Moose’s hummus portfolio, the new snacks are certified organic by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and non-GMO by the Non-GMO Project. They’re also certified gluten free, and they’re vegan and contain no preservatives.

Sunday, March 3, 2019

Kitchenware News & Housewares Review Show Daily

Never Too Many Cooks at Someone’s In The Kitchen

By Greg Gonzales

On the road to the Black Hills in South Dakota, just 40 minutes from Mt. Rushmore, one store seems to rise above the peaks even though it’s nestled in a small valley off Interstate 90. Someone’s In The Kitchen has served the community of Rapid City, South Dakota, and surrounding areas for 30 years, and a husband-wife duo, Co-Owners Ashley and Jade Berry, bought it from its longtime owners seven years ago. The store has thrived as a must-stop location for all, featuring kitchen essentials, gifts, gourmet foods, a coffee bar, cooking demos and classes, and owners who pay close attention to the shifting needs of their customers to keep everything current.

Someone’s In The Kitchen’s latest chapter is something of a love story. The Berrys were from the same area, married and working, but they couldn’t find enough time together “He was gone all but four days a month, and we started realizing we needed to do something differently because we just didn’t see each other,” Berry said. “I knew the store had been for sale for awhile, and we were both looking for a change to bring us closer together; I brought it up to him and asked if he would be interested in buying a kitchen store with me.”

That was in November 2011. By April 2012, after a harrowing crashcourse in the retail holiday season, the Berrys were close friends with the previous owners of the store they’d just acquired. “And I found out I was pregnant the day before we closed on it!”

Berry said.

Seven years into the kitchenware business, the Berrys have mastered their craft and continue to grow with the community. Coffee, cheese, cookware, cutlery and gadgets – especially avocado tools – are big sellers at the store, but it also does well with quirky textiles like Blue Q and Primitives By Kathy, and also electrics.

Berry says that’s because Rapid City is small enough that it doesn’t have a Macy’s or Williams-Sonoma, and almost no other kitchenware stores less than two hours away, so they want to make sure their stock is sure to provide everything customers need. “They come in generally with an item in mind. If that’s someone who’s developed a relationship with us, they want our opinion on what the best one might be,” Berry said.

That means building trust for the store and the brands it sells. “They know we’re going to stand behind the product no matter what,” said Berry. “We try to merchandise in an exciting way that makes them feel like they’re shopping in a boutique environment – we’re definitely not small enough to where we can just

put everything on a cute table, but we try to put things together in a way that makes sense and is easy to shop based on either just wandering for inspiration or looking for a specific category of item, so customers find what they need – or what they didn’t know they were looking for.”

The store’s setup keeps customers’ eyes moving from one enticing item to the next, from the time they look through the window display at the front of the store to when they wander into the back.

The front contains all the gourmet foods, with shiny olive oil and vinegar displays greeting customers at the door, along with cookware, “which shows we’re a kitchen store first and foremost,” Berry said.

It’s all about guiding the customer to discover products without exhausting them, she said. Next to the front is their gourmet coffee bar, and also the register, across from which is cutlery. More toward the back is the demo kitchen and wine, along with cleaning supplies and gadgets. “In the back is where I would say the heart of the kitchen stuff is, so if someone’s looking for a specific kitchen item, the center-back of the store is where we can take them to whichever department they’re looking for and create a personal shopping experience,” said Berry.

In addition to creative merchandising, Someone’s In The Kitchen cultivates trust with customers by regularly demoing its products. Back in September, the store held its Product Showcase, a twoday event where they transform the store into an entertaining venue of sorts and and invite select vendors to demo products in-store. “We shut our coffee bar down and did wine from there, and then every vendor had an hors d’oeuvre,” Berry said. “This year we did a raclette, which can be a little intimidating on the shelf, so they see it in action, they see meat, they see cheese, they see veggies – all combined into one unit that they can envision at their house. That’s the idea, to get people brainstorming how they’re going to entertain for fall, or give gifts.”

However, on a smaller scale, this is something the Berrys make sure happens year-round, showcasing and demoing products every day. When a vendor comes in, the store makes the demo a two-hour event for the community to come meet the rep, and hear directly from the horse’s mouth about how a product works. “When we’re explaining to them that we trust a brand, it’s a reinforcement to them that we do our research and make sure that someone is responsible for making sure a product can be backed up all the way to the manufacturer,” Berry said.

Hearing the range of perspectives from retailer to brand can land sales.

Fat Spatula Drains Grease from Fried Food Introducing Fat Spatula, offering three essential cooking accessories all in one.

The Fat Spatula was originally designed to squeeze excess fat from skillet fried

foods, but its versatility allows it to be used as a spatula, tongs and strainer for a variety of foods. This three-in-one patented design features a spring-con-

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“That adds a level of trust and integrity to a small business because customers can see the companies we support and that we have personal relationships and partnerships with the brands we represent,” said Berry.

The store also builds relationships in the community through its cooking classes, keeping an open ear to the requests of customers. Classes are seasonal there, from January to June and from the end of August through the middle of November, with about three to five classes per week.

Along with pasta, sauce and bread classes that are always in demand, the team adds classes to the calendar by talking with customers to figure out what’s popular, new and exciting. “We mix it up and try to do up-and-coming trends with tried-and-true cool things, or ethnic types of cooking that people are curious about,” said Berry. “We have a hands-on spring roll class – spring rolls are one of those fun foods that are simple, and, once you’ve done it a couple times, you can learn all the different variations.”

She added that one of her favorite parts about teaching customers to cook within their interests is that she gets to see them find a personal style as they learn, and then they can expand from there. “I think the best part of cooking classes is that once people learn the components of a good dish or a certain type of meal, they can play and figure out their own methods in a confident way without having to feel like they’re uninformed,” she said.

While the cooking classes drive sales, Berry said she makes it a point to let chefs know they aren’t being forced to sell a particular product and to make sure customers don’t feel like they’re hearing a thinly-veiled pitch. “It’s kind of cool because they like to be shown new things, but they know it’s not going to be a sales pitch every time they take a class,” Berry said. “It’s all about the information and bringing the community together, and people feel safe here to ask questions they might have had at home – it’s an open, friendly environment where any question is a valid question.”

The team also keeps an open ear when it comes to inventory. With Ellsworth Air Force Base just outside of town, Someone’s In The Kitchen has a lot of airmen asking about different kinds of cuisines from places they’ve visited around the world, along with locals who want help and supplies for making more familiar foods. “When people started wanting to roll their own sushi, they wanted all the tools to do that,” Berry said. “We’ve got a little pasta area, stuff to make your own tortillas and sushi. A lot of people here around Christmas time like to make lefse, so we’ve got a whole department for lefse specifically. A lot of times, it’s that type of customer who comes in and tells us they’ve tried something and wants to be able to make it. It’s

fun to help those people out and discover together – because it’s not like we’re experts in any one area, so we learn together.”

The classes at Someone’s In The Kitchen not only bring more people into the store, but also make them fall in love with the experience of cooking. “We had one guy come in from the South – and we have an amazing staff member here named Roberta, a sous chef in the majority of our cooking classes – and he won the heart of Roberta. He started coming to lots and lots of cooking classes, and he’d always say, ‘Ms. Roberta, Ms. Roberta, always looking forward to seeing Ms. Roberta.’ It was hilarious because even after he left he would mail us nice letters that were addressed to Ms. Roberta. She looked forward to hearing from him.”

That relationship even got the store more business. “He brought lots of his friends and coworkers here to share what he discovered, and they started being more serious about cooking, too,” Berry said. “It’s a nice escape to be able to get together and eat a fresh, new kind of food. I think the experience with those types of classes is a lot of fun when people are excited to learn. Sometimes it’s not always about just the food, it’s about the experience and how much fun the escape can be.”

And if customers can’t find a particular product they want, the team does its best to find it. For example, a local cabinetmaker started crafting top-quality cutting boards for the shop after finding himself dissatisfied with boards available on the market, and now he does custom orders for wooden items for the store.

“He’s making a rolling pin right now for one of my special-order customers, so it’s really great because you have a good relationship with people like that,” Berry said.

Her advice to retailers is that it’s crucial to listen to your customers about what they want. “You have to make sure items fit for your store, not just listen to what companies say are bestsellers,” she said. “Be open-minded and focused on customer service. That’s a no-brainer for most people, but in the way shopping has evolved, people can find anything anywhere – they can shop on their phone in the car wash if they want, and we have to give them a reason to come here. Each item needs to have a purpose here.”

Berry also said family businesses vitalize a community, and that working with locals helps build even more local business – and there’s almost no better way to do that than around food. “The heart of the house is the kitchen,” she said. “Food brings people together, so if you can generate conversation around food and the experience that creates, it adds more than just a store to your community. It’s healthy for people to get together and do things they love with people they enjoy being around.”

trolled thumb press used to lower the wire grid for easier food control.

Fat Spatula is crafted with hygienic nylon and polished stainless steel materials that are completely dishwasher safe.

The durable ABS handle is fingergrooved for a secure and comfortable

grip. The thumb-press is designed to lock down wire grid when not in use for easier storage. Fat Spatula retails for $12.99.

For more information, visit SARCO Products LLC at www.fatspatula.com or email sarcoproducts@att.net.

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Sunday, March 3, 2019

Build A Cheeseboard And They Will Come

By Greg Gonzales

Even though we don’t believe in Santa Claus past a certain age, most of us can find plenty of magic in holiday celebrations with friends, coworkers and family.

There’s magic in the time we finally get to spend together exchanging stories, it’s in the laughing and crying and generosity – and it’s in the food we share together, especially the right cheeseboards. Done properly, the right cheeseboard can make a statement at any gathering, become the topic of next year’s conversation, and your customers can do just that if your store provides them the tools, boards, foods and guidance to get there.

“Coming into this part of the year, we see an interest in cheeseboards so much more during the holidays,” said Abby Despins, Senior Public Relations Manager at Emmi Roth. “It’s a great time to do grab-and-go, like at holiday parties, so a lot of people typically do cheeseboards around this time. Great occasions are also tailgating and football. You can do a really great cheeseboard with beef sticks and snacking foods, pair it with spicy cheeses for tailgates or watching the game, and it’s also amazing what you can do for a dinner party. It doesn’t always have to be a big, huge celebration or major event to do it, either. It’s a nice thing to put out before dinner to graze on.

There are major events it works well for, but a cheeseboard is a really easy thing to do for a dinner party or just having people over on a Saturday night.”

However, to even get started, a great cheeseboard requires the right tools for form and function. Despins said she often turns to a chef’s knife for a lot of cheeses, but also said it’s important to have the right knife for the right cheeses – like a skeleton knife for soft cheeses like brie, camembert or Roth Monroe, a limitedproduction cheese that would stick to a normal blade. To avoid the sticking, a skeleton-style knife like Swissmar’s Lux Cheese Knife will do the trick, featuring holes in the blade to prevent the cheese from sticking, forged construction for strength and a forked tip for serving, with an elegant black Micarta handle. Boska offers an alternative to skeleton blades from its Pro Collection called the Brie Knife Monaco, which doesn’t feature holes in the blade like other soft-cheese knives but instead has a long, thin blade, made from a single piece of stainless steel.

For harder cheeses, Despins recommends a cheese plane, “a kind of triangle-shaped knife with a slot in the middle; you can scrape your harder cheeses into thinner slices with those, and that’s a nice one to always have on hand.”

However, she also said to have a parmesan knife for even harder cheeses, like Granqueso®, because they crumble and

it’s often better to break them up instead of slicing them into triangles. Boska offers the Parmesan Knife Monaco in its Pro Collection, with a pointed oval blade and a single-steel construction for control and durability while breaking up those hard cheeses.

For a go-to knife to use for most cheeses, Swissmar also offers a Universal Cheese Knife in stainless steel.

“Having a classic knife available is always nice for stock,” said Despins.

They’re all very useful, and it depends on how much of a connoisseur a consumer is, but if someone’s shopping cheese knives in general, even looking in that direction, they probably care quite a bit about what they’re choosing.

Having individual knives for individual cheeses is crucial for anyone who wants to preserve the distinct flavors of each cheese on a board, according to Herb Eckhouse, co-Owner of La Quercia, which produces artisan cured meats in Iowa. “If you’re going to have different types of cheese, you’re going to want one implement per cheese,” he said.

“If you have a harder cheese like a Parmigiano that you’re cutting with a spade knife, you don’t want to be using that on your blue cheese, or the knife you’re using on your triple cream on your blue cheese, so I think you need one knife per cheese if you’re putting them out there to cut.”

Herb Eckhouse’s wife and fellow La Quercia co-Owner Kathy Eckhouse added that having knives on the board is important for presentation as well, and to lessen any anxiety guests might have about cutting their own cheese. “I love to leave the cheeses uncut,” she said. “You have to monitor it a bit because some people really make a mess of it, though. I like to have a really attractive whole piece of cheese on the board, and then some cut up with it as an indicator of how to do it correctly.”

Another crucial component that literally supports the entire cheeseboard is the board itself – both visually and physically, whether it’s wood or marble or otherwise. “Your board is definitely key,” said Despins. “That’s a lot of what people are going to remember, is how beautiful your board is, the ones that you choose.

You can find some really great cheeseboards these days for prices that are reasonable.” She said she prefers marbles over woods because if cheese sits out for a long time at a gathering, the oils can stain the wood. “I prefer to put cheese on marble boards when I serve at home because it keeps my boards looking fresh for longer,” she said. “If you’re going to go with a wood board, definitely get something that’s really nice, that won’t stain. Spend a little more on it to make sure it’s something nice.” One of the high-quality wood options is the Cheese

Bono in the Pantry at the Beard House Bono, Sicily’s largest producer of extra virgin olive oil, has become the new exclusive extra virgin olive oil purveyor at the James Beard House in New York’s Greenwich Village.

The Beard House, established in 1985, is a fine-dining venue in culinary legend James Beard’s former home, that presents special dinners created by 200 visiting chefs from across the U.S. each year. It is

Kitchenware News & Housewares Review Show Daily Board Friends XL from Boska, a large, round European oak board that’s practical for multiple cheeses and pairings with plenty of room for cutting. A little hand soap and a rub with olive oil is all that’s needed to maintain it after use. And in addition to wood and marble, cheeseboards come in slate, like Brooklyn Slate Co.’s Slate Cheese Board, available in four sizes, in red or black, sourced from the company’s family slate quarry in upstate New York, packaged in a burlap bag with soapstone chalk that allows users to write on the board. The option of writing on the board could let party hosts label cheeses or draw fun designs to make the spread even more memorable.

The cheese itself, along with the pairings to match, is just as important or more so than the tools when getting creative with a cheeseboard. “What’s nice is to have fairly large pieces of cheese, maybe three distinct kinds,” said Kathy Eckhouse. “They look so pretty when the pieces are big.” Herb Eckhouse added that the right choices of meats and cheeses compliments guests on their taste and displays knowledge of what’s going on in the food world – for example, that American charcuterie like the cured meats by La Quercia is gaining traction – so it’s important to have a good combination. “There are two basic schools: One is contrast, and the other is complement,” he said. “I’m probably more in the complement side, where I like to have things that are complementary flavors, not highly contrasting flavors. If you have a Parmigiano, an Alpine cheese, an Alpha Tolman from [Cellars at] Jasper Hill, those have a lot of umami flavor that you get with a plain prosciutto.”

The Eckhouses recommended dried fruit, nuts, fennel or cherry tomatoes as a contrasting palate cleanser between cheeses and meats. “If you’re trying to make a statement, you want to communicate that you have the full lexicon,” Herb Eckhouse said. As for the main meats and cheeses, they said it’s important to set up the board so guests don’t get a blast of flavor from the get-go. “It’s really important you don’t put anything on the board that blows your mouth out, where that’s all you can taste,” said Kathy Eckhouse.

“One of the phrases we like to use about our meats is that we want them to play well with others. They’ll share the world with other flavors and don’t take over.

You don’t want to taste just one thing for the next two hours. There can be a star of the show, but the star shouldn’t preempt every other performer from having a moment. Each item needs to share the space.” Herb Eckhouse said if hosts start the board with an extremely spicy meat or cheese, “it’s difficult to taste anything else. We would recommend arranging boards in accordance with intensity of flavor. You don’t want to eat the most intense flavors first; you want to eat the most delicate flavors first and progress to the more intense flavors. The idea is that

once you take the volume up high, it’s harder to hear the softer tones.”

Retailers who can make a statement with a cheeseboard using their own products in the store have a good chance of extending sales. “I would recommend, especially during the holidays, creating cheeseboards in-store,” said Despins. “A lot of cheese buyers, especially if they’re not connoisseurs, don’t know where to start. The best thing people can do with this is cross-promote products; if you have a selection of cheeses, put some jams and nuts and crackers with them, pull them all together and sell them together. Even sell them with the cheese knives – here’s the cheese, here’s the knife you need, here’s a great pairing – and there’s no question, they can just walk up and shop and have everything they need to put together a great cheeseboard. Consumers want help with cheese; it’s much like wine, where we can love it and feel like we know it, but there’s always more to know. Any help you can give consumers is great, so tell them about pairings you’ve tried or knives you’ve used with a cheese. Consumers are hungry for that, they want that direction, so any cross-promotion ideas are a great way to help the consumer along and sell more products.”

Retailers who want to put out a spread can try looking up cheeseboards on Instagram, which Herb Eckhouse said is full of inspiring cheeseboard artists. “There’s a great flowering of cheeseboard artists out there. If you go on Instagram, there are amazing displays, and I would encourage shop owners to check that out and embrace their artistic tendencies to make something they think is pretty and attractive,” he said. “If they want to throw a couple edible flowers on there, put dried cherries and apricots and cherry tomatoes or whatever, I think they should embrace their artistic instincts – because really, at the end of the day, if you put out great ingredients it’s going to be fun. You can’t go wrong.” He added that he sees retailers doing small carry-out boards, with a moderate price point for boards that work for two people, to plant the idea in the customers’ heads that it’s something they can do at home. “Some of our retailers are offering in-store eating and dining opportunities, setting up boards there and changing them out on a regular basis,” he said. He also recommended providing recipes online for customers and recommending pairings, and recommending ensembles at stores that sell wines, beers and ciders in addition to tools, meats and cheeses. “I don’t think you can really go wrong with this,” said Kathy Eckhouse. “It’s all food that’s safe at room temperature, it’s all food that people like, so it’s pretty difficult to do it wrong.”

Herb Eckhouse added: “Yeah! The one mistake people should avoid is not trying. You gotta get in the game.”

part of the James Beard Foundation, known for its restaurant industry James Beard Awards and other programs.

Bono, founded in 1934 in Sciacca, Sicily, an area known for its excellent olive growing conditions, in the past year has made a big push into the U.S. Bono’s multi-award winning olive oils, and its

line of organic marmalades and olives are now available in specialty stores and leading grocery chains in all 50 states.

Bono’s products are available at Wegmans, King’s, Balducci’s, Central Market, Stop & Shop, AJ’s Fine Foods and Bristol Farms, among many others, and online at Vitacost.com and Amazon.

Sunday, March 3, 2019

Kitchenware News & Housewares Review Show Daily tial app, he added.

Amazon is going after these customers by focusing on building – and keeping – their trust and on their delight in their shopping experience. “‘Start with the customer and work backwards,’” Popchuk said, quoting Amazon Chief Executive Jeff Bezos. “This is, handsdown, how decisions are being made. At the end of the day, this really permeates everything we do as a company.”

“We obsess about customer delight,” he said. “We really want to delight them in every regard.” Amazon’s Prime Day, held this year on July 16, is an example of a mechanism to delight customers by surprising them with discounts on products they might or might not have already been considering. This year Amazon’s Prime members worldwide purchased more than 100 million products on July 16, according to Popchuk, who noted that Amazon, like other retailers throughout the country, still has many opportunities to put products before their customers that will delight them before the holiday buying season ends on December 25.

Amazon’s overall strategy for delighting customers includes building a top-tier customer store experience, developing a world-class customer delivery experience and innovating for more engaging customer journeys. That includes constant attention to the customer’s search experience, particularly for those occasions when a customer wants something but doesn’t know what it’s called, and Amazon is eager to

replace the trusted advice of an experienced brick and mortar kitchenware retailer with better online search tools, including ideas for more visual displays so that a customer can see items from every angle, to approximate the experience of actually picking it up and turning it to look around it; by including more lifestyle photography on the site; and by using augmented reality to allow the customer to picture the coffee maker or the cutting board on their own kitchen’s countertop.

Amazon is also creating curated virtual storefronts on its website – collections of products that will help customers browse more on the sites so they can find things they didn’t even know that Amazon carried.

Amazon Home is one example of those. The home gift guide gives partner brands a chance to have a curated experience with customers and has already provided 8 billion impressions for participating vendors, Popchuk said. “It’s a marketing vehicle that really resonates with customers,” he said. The Amazon Wedding Registry is another example.

Amazon created it to grab a piece of the $17 billion that Americans spend on wedding gifts each year, and the wedding registry provides another opportunity for housewares brands to help customers find them on Amazon.

“What we’re hoping to do is be able to drive and create more inspiration,” Popchuk said. “We understand that the endless aisles can sometimes create frustration for the customers.”

exaggerated wide curve and rounded tip to effortlessly slice through an avocado’s

skin and scoop out the flesh inside. Three prongs at the base of the tool safely and easily pit the avocado.

Bright green with white accents, the wand-style Avocado Tool features a soft-

touch handle and it’s dishwasher safe.

The Avocado Tool retails for $13.95.

been easier. Fill the holder with chocolate, cinnamon or powder of your choice, choose from six professional designs, simply clip the stencil on top, invert and twist.

To get the best results from your cappuccino artist, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. Did you know that the best time to add stencil art to your frothy milk is right after the milk has been added to the mug? This is when the milk is most compact, allowing you

to get the clearest pattern. Placing the stencil as closely as you can above your drink will also help you achieve a neat design.

For a product demonstration, head over to aerolatte’s booth #S1559 or check out the demo video on YouTube @aerolatteTV. The team says: “We’d love to meet you at the show; pop by the stand and we’ll be sure to have a hot mug of coffee waiting for you.”

Amazon’s Housewares Strategy: Keep the Customer Happy

By Lorrie Baumann

Amazon knows who your best customers are – and the online sales behemoth is after them and their purchasing power.

“Millennials are a large segment of global housewares consumers. This population is very large and growing,” Amazon General Manager/Director Home Products Michael Popchuk told executives from housewares manufacturers gathered for the International Housewares Association’s annual Chief Housewares Executive SuperSession, held on October 2-3 in Chicago. “They represent a sizable purchasing power segment in our market space.”

Popchuk’s presentation was the big finale for the two-day event in which the housewares executives had already spent a lot of conversation on Amazon – they’re deeply concerned about Amazon’s primacy in the online marketplace and the power that gives the company to dictate terms to housewares manufacturers. That’s become a more pressing issue since President Trump declared a trade war on China, which is increasing the costs of steel and aluminum, even for manufacturers making their products in the U.S. Amazon, in particular, has already sent signals that it’s unwilling to entertain price increases from vendors, and the

manufacturers are also hearing that other retailers also aren’t eager to accept price increases that they’d have to pass along to their consumers. Combined with rising costs for raw materials, the retailers’ unwillingness to accept price increases makes for a tight squeeze for housewares manufacturers as they try to protect both profit margin and product quality.

The depth of that concern ensured that Popchuk had a rapt audience, even from housewares brand executives who had to bolt over to the airport to catch their flights out of Chicago as soon as the presentation was over. According to Amazon’s research, Popchuk said, 73 percent of Internet users consider purchasing housewares online, 57 percent of online housewares buyers are shopping both online and in brick and mortar stores, and 88 percent of online housewares buyers were influenced by customer reviews.

Amazon’s customers don’t see their online shopping as something that’s much different from going into a store to shop, but online shopping offers them the advantage that it’s something they can do right on their phone, and that’s becoming more important over time, Popchuk said.

“Over one-third of Millennials deem the Amazon app as one of their most essential,” he said. That’s more than twice as many as think that Instagram is an essen-

Microplane Avocado Tool The new Avocado Tool from Microplane® features a straight edge blade with an aerolatte (Cont’d. from p. 1)

for their cappuccino stencil set and shaker tin, Alan and Gary decided to combine the two products to design an innovative accessory to create patterns on your frothy coffee, leading to the creation of the cappuccino artist. aerolatte’s aim is ‘’to help the consumer achieve professional results at home, simply and easily.’’ True to their word, creating cappuccino art has never Hestan (Cont’d. from p. 1)

industry and worked with the most revered chefs, engineers and scientists to uncover what was missing in culinary cookware,” said Stanley Cheng, Founder/Proprietor of Hestan. “By blending innovative technology with culinary expertise, we were able to create a cookware line unlike anything the industry has ever seen.”

Introducing modern science to the craftsmanship of stainless steel cookware, Hestan NanoBond – which has been awarded 14 global patents – brings game-changing innovation to a cookware category that has not seen significant advances since its introduction more than 100 years ago. Hestan’s exclusive and environmentally-friendly, chemical-free technology creates thousands of superdense nano layers of titanium alloys bonded to stainless steel to create cook-

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ware that is four times harder than typical stainless steel. As a result, NanoBond is extraordinarily resistant to scratching, staining and salt pitting – all significant benefits that are not characteristic of standard stainless steel collections.

Moreover, due to its outstanding resilience, NanoBond – which glows with Titanium Brilliance™, a distinctive pewter-like hue – ensures lasting beauty, even after years of constant use in restaurants and home kitchens.

Developed after years of extensive technological research and input from professional chefs, Hestan NanoBond is meticulously handcrafted in Italy using the finest materials. The cookware’s 18/10 stainless steel interior and induction-suitable stainless steel exterior (which are both enhanced by thousands of nano layers of titanium alloys) are permanently bonded to a pure aluminum

core. Due to the uncompromising purity of the aluminum core, NanoBond is 35 percent more heat conductive compared to other aluminum-clad cookware, ensuring that pans heat up with Ferrari-like speed and that heat is distributed evenly from the base to the rim to prevent hotspots that can mar cooking results.

Additional key features of NanoBond that raise the bar on culinary excellence include: skillets with 20 percent increased cooking surface; flush rivets inside and out for easy cleaning and nesting; sealed rims to enhance durability; flared rim design for easy pouring; metal utensil and dishwasher safe; ergonomically designed French-style stainless steel handles with optimum dimensions to ensure an exceedingly comfortable and secure grip; and superior high heat tolerance of up to 1050 degrees Fahrenheit. Hestan NanoBond

For more information, www.microplane.com.

go

to

aerolatte would love it if you kept in touch. You can follow the company on its growing social media accounts at the following handles: Facebook: aerolatte.original; Twitter: aerolatteHQ; Pinterest & Instagram: aerolatte; Youtube: aerolatteTV.

For more information, visit www .aerolatte.com, call 44.1923.851185, email ihhs19@aerolatte.com or visit booth #S1559.

Cookware is also significantly lighter in weight compared to other premium clad cookware collections for better control and easier maneuverability. Perfect for use on all cooktops, and oven and broiler-safe, NanoBond’s luxurious all-metal styling enhances all kitchen decors and makes every pot and pan suitable for table presentation.

Hestan NanoBond is offered in a comprehensive assortment of open stock items and a 10-Piece Set. The 10-Piece Set, which retails for $1,499.95, includes: 1.5-quart Covered Saucepan, 3-quart Covered Saucepan, 8quart Covered Stockpot, 3.5-quart Covered Saute with Helper Handle, 8.5inch Open Skillet and 11-inch Open Skillet.

For more information, www.hestan.com.

visit

Sunday, March 3, 2019

Kitchenware News & Housewares Review Show Daily Laurastar (Cont’d. from p. 1)

household.

With our modern way of life (humidity, insulation, heating) and increased everyday comforts, we’ve forgotten some of the advice our grandmothers used to give us. As a result, we’ve seen the proliferation of certain germs and allergens. Those most at risk are newborns, young children and people with compromised immune systems.

Echelon (Cont’d. from p. 1)

library as well as catch a live class from one of the many offered daily.

How does Reflect work? Simply download the Reflect app for personalized control in the palm of your hand. Once on the app, select which area you would like to train, from the variety of workout types available, such as strength training, core, Decanter (Cont’d. from p. 1)

The Swan comes in retail-friendly packaging and master packs of 12, so it is really easy to buy, and an opening trial order sample pack with free shipping is available.

The Swan is a product of the Wine Fusionbrands (Cont’d. from p. 1)

landing on countertops. The CrackSpot’s safe to touch plastic “blade” limits shell fragments and allows you to crack eggs with confidence.

With the success of its multipurpose silicone WaveSponge that features a scraper and squeegee to quickly get stuck-on food off pots, pans, countertops and more, Fusionbrands focused on the delicate side of clean-up and created the new BendItBrush, a shape changing gentle cleaning brush for glasses. The brush is designed to make cleaning the edges, rims and bottoms of glasses a breeze.

VitaClay (Cont’d. from p. 4)

safe to use while sleeping or out of the house, unlike stovetop or oven cooking.

VitaClay is classified as a “multicooker.” It is a (fast) slow cooker, a rice maker, a yogurt maker and has lots of other functions, like cooking bone broths, roasts, steaming, re-heating and lots more! It is not a pressure cooker, because pressure does not build up inside. Pressure cookers take 15-20 minutes to build pressure, then the cooking time starts there. After cooking, pressure cookers have to “de-pressurize,” taking another 15-20 minutes for most dishes. It might say a dish takes five or 10 minutes, but when you add in the time it takes to pressure up and pressure down, you’re talking 35-45 minute cooking times at a minimum. VitaClay cooks Down to Earth (Cont’d. from p. 4)

ence on a shelf or counter top, and the Familia Wiss screw-top jar is an equally fun and useful take on the classic French canning jar.

This year we will be bringing in a new line of 100 percent cotton kitchen textiles from aprons, oven mitts and hot pads to dish towels, flour sack towels, napkins and other items, adding to our

Dry Microfine Steam (DMS), exclusive to Laurastar, is the perfectly adapted prevention technique for clothes and fabrics that are in direct contact with the skin of children and babies, as well as for all delicate items that cannot be washed in temperatures higher than 40 degrees and other items that are not washed frequently. The simple act of ironing naturally eliminates 99.999 percent of bacteria and 100 percent of dust mites. It’s a natural solution to effectively eliminate patho-

yoga, pilates, meditation or live one-onone training. Once your workout is selected, view your reflection on screen as a personalized trainer appears next to your image to guide you step by step, ensuring your form and technique are accurate for the best results possible. Each workout is saved with precise statistics that enable you to challenge your previous results for the best you that you can be.

genic organisms while taking care of your clothing at the same time.

One superheated drop of water is transformed into dry microfine steam, expanding in volume by a factor of 1,600.

It is diffused 15 times faster than the steam of a standard iron. The increased efficiency of Laurastar steam as it leaves the iron allows it to easily and uniformly penetrate fabrics with exceptional energy.

Furthermore, it does not contain any water molecules in a liquid state as it

You may be working out from the convenience of your own living room, but that does not mean you are alone!

Reflect allows you to compete with your friends based on your output or challenge users across the globe for more intense competition by utilizing an advanced leaderboard, letting you compete with others by the second, using the Echelon “heart-track” heart rate tracking system.

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leaves the iron. It thus leaves fabrics perfectly dry, preventing microorganisms from breeding. The result? A unique plumping effect, and your clothes are left perfectly ironed and thoroughly cleaned.

Laurastar products encompass all the standards of quality, precision and aesthetics that make Swiss skill a world standard.

For more information, stop by booth #L11311 or go to www.laurastarus.com.

Whether it’s 5am, 5pm or midnight, you can get a personalized routine on your own time. No crowd, no noisy machines – just you and a chance to reflect. Grab your yoga mat and connect with the Reflect app to keep track of your output for the ultimate individualized experience.

For more information, go to www .echelonreflect.com.

Lovers group, a consortium of professionalgrade wine accessories. Visit booth #N8517 to learn about the foremost wine education tool in the world – Le Nez du Vin. It is the gold standard in wine education. You will also see the amazing, handblown wine glasses of Bottega del Vino Crystal – a

world class line of beautiful, wine driven stemware that is light, strong and 100 percent dishwasher safe. And you can see our award-winning Spot-Not series of decanter polishing and glass polishing tools.

Wine Lovers welcome independent gourmet/kitchen stores, gift shops and

importers from other countries. You are the preferred customer and Wine Lovers loves working with you!

BendItBrush has soft silicone scrubbers on the outside to thoroughly clean tough lipstick stains off the edges of glasses. It also features a unique embedded aluminum band that straightens to offer length and rigidity for getting to the remnants at the bottom of the glass. The gray color matches the current WaveSponge so the products go hand in hand, and side by side by in the sink.

The next product is the new ClipCut, a bag cutter and clip all in one. Say goodbye to battling to open stubborn chip and cereal bags and annoyingly tearing them all the way down the side. With a built-in concealed stainless steel cutter, simply

put the bag between the cutter, then press while sliding across the bag. When done, fold the bag over and slip the clip side over the fold to keep contents contained.

ClipCut will become your go-to kitchen item, and is great for on-the-go snacking when scissors are not easily accessible – picnics, barbecues, sport events, at the beach, the pool and especially on road trips!

Fusionbrands’ fourth new product, the LeafTwisters, are ecofriendly reusable twist ties to help keep items closed and organized. LeafTwisters are made of silicone with a metal wire inside to bend and shape. The wide flexible

leaf design is easy to grip and twist for all ages. LeafTwisters are ideal for bags of chips, cereal, bread and more and can be used in the refrigerator and freezer. Keep a few in your purse or bag for when you visit the grocery store and need to tie vegetable or fruit bags. LeafTwisters are also great for organizing cords and propping up devices when traveling.

many dishes in under 30 minutes, start to finish. Pastas take 20 minutes total, and rice takes between 20-45 minutes, depending how much rice you are cooking (one cup takes a lot less time than a full pot, and white rice is a bit quicker than brown).

When you add in the pressurizing and depressurizing factor, the same dish will often have a comparable cook time (or even faster) than with a pressure cooker.

VitaClay allows you to add veggies in the end of cooking to retain the best texture and colors.

Your total meal prep time is only five to 10 minutes without babysitting your cooker. It is truly “set it and forget it.”

VitaClay applies traditional heating method to cook foods like on a stove top but it is in clay. It brings to a boil quickly, then slow simmering to preserve better

ever-growing Down To Earth Basics line of high-quality natural home and garden products.

With the popularity of both indoor plants and outdoor gardens, Down To Earth Distributors is well suited to provide a wide variety of products to meet demand, from terrariums and floral accessories and more to complete the garden-to-table lifestyle.

Stainless-steel bakeware, kitchen-

texture and nutrients with far superior results. VitaClay uses natural heat retention of the clay, which contributes to even cooking with much faster cooking time. In fact, a general rule of thumb for any slow cooker recipe is: if the recipe calls for a certain cooking time on the “hi” setting, cut the time in half and cook it on the “stew” setting in VitaClay. If it calls for a cooking time on the “lo” setting, cut the cooking time by one quarter and cook it on the “soup” setting. So really, there is no reason to cook almost any dish longer than two hours. A whole chicken or a beef stew might go two hours, but most are much less.

VitaCaly is convinced that real, traditional nutrition never gets old. So while VitaClay is continuously working on new products, its pride always remains in its

ware and tools, including a new coffee press, coffee filters and compost pail.

We love stainless steel’s classic look in any kitchen, but the metal really shines by being versatile and easy to clean.

Zeph Van Allen, President of Down To Earth Distributors, explains, “You build your position in this industry by meeting customers’ expectations year after year, so you have to know your mar-

For more information, stop by booth #N8517 or go to www.winelovers collection.com.

For more information, stop by Discover Design booth #N8307 to see new 2019 products, as well as all of its current offerings. After the show, go to www.fusionbrands.com or call 877.279.2002. focus: pure, natural, organic zisha clay.

With a material as time-tested as pure organic clay, VitaClay doesn’t think there is any benefit to updating that. It has always been the purest, best material to cook with, so why mess with that now?

That being said, VitaClay is looking to the future and has an exciting line-up of new products that will be released soon; one of them is something people have been asking for for years! VitaClay wants to make cooking with clay the easiest, best experience people have, so it is constantly looking for innovative ways to provide clay cooking to as many people as possible.

To learn more about VitaClay, visit Essenergy, Inc at booth #L11145, Lakeside Hall, call 408.621.6187 or go to www.vitaclaychef.com.

ket, and you have to pay attention to where the industry is heading and anticipate its needs. We sell products that we use and believe in.”

For more information about products, services and corporate culture, visit Star Ches at booth #S2280. After the show, visit www.downtoearthdistributors.com, call 800.234.5932 or email sales@down toearthdistributors.com.