Viking launched its professional toaster designed to resemble existing Viking major appliances and culinary products. Now available, the machines feature large, easy-to-turn control knobs with multiple browning options. Available in two- and four-slice models, the units' wide slots adjust to fit bagels and other large items, such as breakfast pastries. Hydraulic engaging and lifting levers provide a pop-up mechanism and extra lift for removing smaller items. Suggested retail is $250 (2-slot) and $300 (4-slot). For more information, visit www.vikingrange.com, or call 888-845-4641.
Another trend-setting power tool is the commercial-styled small electric. Waring has charged full speed ahead with their commercial-styled range. The Waring Pro line includes a new professional-quality Coffee Maker with a brushed stainless finish that brews 12 cups of coffee in 4.5 minutes. Its upper and lower warming plates will allow your customers to serve up caffeine to any sized crowd. Also new from Waring is a 1.5-cubic foot Waring Pro Convection Oven and a new half-gallon Blender. For more information, check out www.waringproducts.com.
Cuisinart brings its entertaining Raclette to the table. It features an adjustable temperature probe to give the home chef more control over the cooking process. The temperature probe can be adjusted to low for gently melting and browning cheese or to higher temperatures for cooking meats like bacon and sausage. The unit's non-stick metal grill plate makes food preparation a snap and cleanup even easier. Suggested retail price is $150. Available now, the raclette carries a three-year limited warranty. For more information, visit www.cuisinart.com.
Vita-Mix continues to promote its new Professional Series unit with a colorful consumer appeal. A well-known tool for the professional chef, the Professional Series features a continuous variable-speed dial that ranges from 1,000 to 24,000 rpms to facilitate greater control for tasks ranging from pureeing whole foods to the quick crushing of ice chunks. The patented accelerator tool enables the user to blend dense ingredients that would bring ordinary blenders to a halt. The Vita-Mix also has a powerful marketing tool with a recipe collection called Create that features the recipes of Michael Symon, Joanne Weir, and other renowned chefs. The collection contains more than 300 easy-to-prepare recipes that call for the usage of the Professional Series. It features full-color photos in a standup easel format. A Get Started DVD with Symon provides step-by-step instructions for techniques for using the unit. Both are included with purchase. Suggested retail is $599; MAP is $499. A special retailer program enables stores to get their own Professional Series free for demonstrations with a minimum order of three units (you can use the recipe book and the DVD as merchandising tools). For more information, call 877-848-2649. A new loop video will be available in Q3.
Tribest Corp. showcased its Personal Blender to the gourmet market. This versatile, portable blender allows users to blend multiple recipes without having to stop and clean a bulky blending jar every time recipes are switched. Simply add ingredients to one of the single-serve cups, blend, and serve. Or drink directly out of the Blend-N-Serve cup. In under a minute, the user can enjoy any nutritious, delicious recipe of his or her choice. Available in two versions, the PB-200 is a complete blender-and-grinder set with two large (16 ounce) and two small (8 ounce) cups and lids. The PB-100 compact blender set features two large (16 ounce) cups and lids. For more information, call 888-254-7336, or visit www.personalblender.com.
Zojirushi debuted their Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer that incorporates a microcomputer that automatically adjusts temperature and cooking times, depending upon the selected program. This advanced unit prepares a wide variety of rice, including brown rice. Once the rice is cooked, the unit automatically switches to a Keep Warm mode during which the rice remains moist, fluffy, and at the correct serving temperature. Additional features include Extended Keep Warm and Reheating Cycles. For more information, call 800-733-6270, or visit www.zojirushi.com.
Saeco gets serious about coffee with their new Incanto Sirius Superautomatic Espresso Machine. The silver-and-black machine produces 15 bars of pump pressure to produce high-quality espresso every time. Filled with features, the Incanto Sirius has a ceramic burr grinder with anti-gravel and automatic shutoff. The touch screen offers simplified operations of programmable settings. The OptiDose is an adjustable 6- to 12-gram doser that regulates the amount of beans to grind per serving and the adjustable dispensing head can accommodate large cups and be removed for easy cleaning. The Sirius features the Saeco Brewing System that allows the user to choose the coffee's strength and consistency with the simple turn of a dial. Other features include Rapid Steam, Aroma System, Easy Clean System, and more. For more information, call 800-933-7876, or visit www.saeco-usa.com.
OrangeX improved its modern manual juicer. The enameled cast iron Ojex Juicer sits 11 inches tall and comes in white, cobalt, black, and red. Along with its lifetime warranty, the juicer has a fruit attachment that can be used for grapes, berries, and more. With a retail price point of $100, this stunning juicer makes having fresh-squeezed juice a joy. Check out the design at www.orangex.com.
Following the successful retail launch of their compact Wine Cube last year, BonJour expanded its assortment of space-saving wine storage and coolers with their new vertical Wine Tower, a 7-bottle wine cellar and cooler. The new Wine Tower easily fits into small floor plans and stores up to six bottles of wine and champagne in its racks, along with one standing bottle. Measuring 7.5 inches wide by 17 inches deep, it retails for $200. For more information, call 800-2BONJOUR (226-6568), or visit www.bonjourproducts.com.
De'Longhi is leveraging its espresso expertise with its introduction of the upgraded Magnifica Super Automatic Espresso and Cappuccino Machine. Two new Magnifica models (EAM3400 and EAM3500) add digital technology to enhance Magnifica's patented automatic brewing system. The EAM3400 is completely digital and features an elegant metallic satin finish. It retails for $999.95. The EAM3500 Magnifica has an automatic cappuccino-latte function that completely automates the cappuccino-latte process and smoothly integrates the milk-steaming function into the brewing process. So, with the push of a button, it will brew the espresso and froth the milk simultaneously. It features a dishwasher-safe milk container with two detachable lids, one for frothed milk and the other for steamed milk. The container can be stored in the refrigerator when not in use. The EAM3500 retails for $1,499.95. For more information, call 800-322-3848, or visit www.delonghi.com.
The new I-Roast Intelligent Home Roaster from Hearthware Home Products, Inc. takes only 20 minutes for the coffee to roast and cool. The new machine's advanced features allow the user to program personal roasting curves or utilize preset ones. At each roasting stage, both temperature and time can be programmed. The roaster also features accurate roasting time and temperature adjustments that enable the user to check the roasting temperature during the roasting cycle. The I-Roast roasts enough beans to produce up to 24 cups of coffee. For more information, e-mail sales@hearthware.com, call 847-775-8123, or visit www.i-roast.com.
Newcomer Anuka from Almont Products is an electric hot smoker that combines convenience, portability, and simplicity in a stylish design. The compact unit smokes via an electrical burner that requires no matches. Just pour wood on the burner and go. The unit uses hot smoking that infuses the food with a smoky character while retaining moisture. The smoke starts venting in three to five minutes. The unit has a preset timer that automatically shuts power off, a cast aluminum non-stick base that is dishwasher safe, and two stackable stainless steel cooking racks. Minimum orders are four units, with a $279 retail. The product is expected to launch in Q3. For more information, call 201-337-7788.
