TGR’s Anna Wolfe attended the New York International Gift Fair. Here’s a summary of what caught her eye.
First off, the New York International Gift Fair is massive. It’s all of the Jacob K. Javits Center and fills two buildings down at the Piers. And while that is plenty to keep you busy, the showrooms at 7 W and 41 Madison, which smartly offered shuttle service to and from the Javits, were open as well. No wonder this fair is five days.
The show is a gold mine for home décor, textiles, jewelry, handmade, baby and gift items. Only visiting for two days, I concentrated my efforts to the Javits, and focused on tabletop, kitchenware and gourmet foods.
Here are some of the products that piqued my interest…
Accent on Design Winner
Best Product: Wabnitz Editions / Royal VKB’S
I included this in The Gourmet Retailer’s NYIGF coverage in the July issue because I loved the unique shape of the wok. It obviously caught some other eyes as well. I am happy to report that Royal VKB’s Boomerang Wok won this coveted design award for its innovation in industrial design that makes flipping food a breeze. Designed by Nikolai Carels, this aluminum wok features a unique patented edge shape that alleviates the stresses of cooking ; a simple push towards the curved edge of the pan turns the food. Suggested retail price of $154. www.wabnitzeditions.com
Despite the recession, consumers are seeking out and buying more “green” products, according to market research firm Mintel . I thought it was very smart and helpful for the NYIGF to showcase some of the green items on the concourse. Before entering the show floor, attendees could walk through the SustainAbility: design for a better world® exhibit and cast their vote for their favorites for the third annual Eco Choice Awards that recognize the most innovative, environmentally responsible products.
Most Sellable: Kitchen Basics by Bambu
These kitchen implements, designed by Rachel Speth, are made entirely from renewable, certified organic bamboo with no added finishes or substances. The eco-friendly production follows the company’s emphasis on both the process and the end product. There is a close proximity between the source of material and the labor team, which sustainably harvests the bamboo and dries it in the sun. www.bambuhome.com
Most Sensitive Use of Materials: On The Rocks by Sea Stones LLC
Using stone and wood, two designer Arra David created these drink chillers which keep beverages cool without diluting them. The stone “ice cubes” are the re-purposed cores generated from drilling holes to create stone napkin rings. The hardwood comes from Forest Stewardship Council-certified suppliers.. www.sea-stones.com
The show presented several awards, a complete list is available on www.nyigf.com/TheShow/AwardsandPromotions.aspx.
On the show floor…
Teroforma had one of my favorite new lines. I love the thoughtfulness behind the double-duty concept of items. The Avva Large Bowl&Board™ is a serving bowl with a fitted beechwood lid that doubles as a breadboard with grooves to catch crumbs. I also love the Ekke Carafe + Stopper that’s also made from stoneware. The glassware fits snuggly on top for easy storage and /or transport. Handcrafted stoneware that’s made in Portugal. Available in Chalk White, Flax, Slate Grey, Olive Green. (These colors are reminiscent of Now Design’s new mugs that were featured in the August issue.) Suggested retail price $84 for the bowl and $50 for the carafe. Other items are available. www.teroforma.com.
Sorella Home
Sorella Home introduced the Ernest Hemmingway Collection of casual tabletop items. I loved the dark brown and black wooden charger, which reminded me of Zebra stripes. Dinnerware, which is available in Ivory, Goldenrod and Moss Green, has a textured look that is reminiscent of burlap. The safari inspiration is evident in the entire collection; one of the groups of plates features a lion, zebra, elephant and giraffe. Original, casual and versatile. This diverse line features Finca, Safari and Moveable Feast collection. ( A collection called Havana is in the works.)
The line includes groups of hand-painted ceramics, oven‐to‐table stoneware, period‐inspired pewter and artisan blown glassware. The stoneware is crafted in Portugal and the pewter items are made in USA. www.sorellahome.com
Reisenthel
German designer Reisenthel introduced a new pattern for five of its reusable bags and shoppers called Love. With red, blue and purple, the pattern features hearts and the word love in various languages. The Minimaxi Shopper, pictured, has a suggested retail price of $7.50.
Also new for the holiday season is the Reisethel bottebags. Available in black or red, the five designs feature snowflakes, stars, evergreens, a tassle and a Merry Christmas greeting. Each bag measures 3.3x 12.4 x 3.3 inches and has a suggested retail price of $5.50 each. www.reisenthel.com or +11 49 (8105) 77 292 0
Talisman Designs
Talisman Designs introduced an adjustable silicone pie shield--just in time for holiday baking. This one-piece silicone pie shield will fit pie plates from 8 – 10 inches. It’s heat resistant to 600 degrees and is dishwasher safe. With a suggested retail price of $7.99 and with the fun, hang-tag packaging, I bet this will be a popular item. www.talismandesigns.com or 612-372-5810.
Fiesta Products
This fall, Fiesta Products, known for the Head Chefs line of kids cooking tools and its silicone rolling pin, will introduce three children’s cookbooks. I didn’t get the chance to evaluate the cookbooks, but I like the idea and the cross-merchandising opportunities. Appropriate for children ages 4-12. www.fiestaproducts.com.
Ravi Wine Chiller
This wine chiller, which was picked up by Sur La Table, chills wine rapidly as it is poured from the bottle into the glass. Yes, it looks like a wine aerator, and Eric Lapointe, who handles the Quebec-based company’s business development, told me the company is having the unit’s wine aeration properties evaluated. Store the device in the freezer so it is ready to use. A perfect gift for white wine lovers. Suggested retail price is $39.99. www.ravisolution.com or 514-312-8476.
Rolf Glass
Rolf Glass has partnered to offer the Roberts Taste Enhancing Wineware. Darroll Roberts, the founder, said the stemware turns the Average Joe or Average Joan into a supertaster. The five styles of stemware, the Champagne flute, Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot and Bordeaux glasses, have series of etchings on the rim of the glass that are designed to heighten the tasting experience . Definitely a unique concept, I’d like to put this stemware to the test. A set of six glasses (of the same style) is $100. www.robertswineware.com.
Mierco
Mierco has built a business offering lovely kitchen textile from Europe . Mary Althoff, president, told me the Bees, a square kitchen towel, is one newest and best-selling items . Purple and red hues are in demand, as is her Bird towel. www.mierco.com
Chilewich
I must say the photos in the July issue of The Gourmet Retailer do not do the new Chilewich placemats any justice at all. I love the texture and better-than-basic brown hues that have a hint of metallic. These items (Basketweave, Lattice) have depth. Check them out… www.chilewich.com
Churchill China
This British fine china company is rolling out a Jamie Oliver line of casual tabletop items here in the U.S. later this year. The line includes Cheeky Mugs- mugs that have witty sayings, and casual place settings.
Oliver, who has been a TV cooking personality and chef in London, won an Emmy in August for "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution," a reality TV program filmed in Huntington, W.Va., as he challenged the eating habits of residents and school children in what has been called “America’s Fattest City. “ I’ve been a fan since his Naked Chef days, but I wonder if he is waxing or waning in popularity? www.churchillchina.com
Art + Cook
This kitchenware company introduced vibrant purple and green colored knifes, including a santoku style. Those bright colors, merchandised in a bright white booth, were eye catching. Suggested retail price for the knives is $19.99. These knives are so new they haven’t been photographed. Ships Oct. 1. www.artandcook.com.
Vietri
This tabletop company expanded its holiday items, and introduced a glassware line made from recycled glass. The company also added a new classic paisley to its line of linens. www.vietri.com
Lunch Kits
Reusable bags seemed to be everywhere at NYIGF. I also saw a few reusable lunch bags and kits for adults. I love the lunch bags from Todco / Hannon Group, and the 4-piece lunch kits from Aladdin – that have a suggested retail price of $24.95. They’re made from BPA-free recycled plastic , are leakproof and are dishwasher and microwave safe.
London-based housewares company Black + Blum has its own take on lunch kits. Building upon the success of its Box Appetit Lunchbox, Black + Blum introduced a smaller Bento Box at NYIGF. It’s half the width of the original, and there’s now a clip on the outside of the lid to hold a fork or chopsticks. It’s BPA free and the kit includes a container for sauces or dips, a divider to separate items and a fork. All items are microwave and dishwasher safe. Suggested retail price is $22. www.black-blum.com or call +44 (0) 20 7633 0022.
Andreas Silicone Trivets
These whimsical silicone trivets – round and rectangular – are available in many designs. My personal favorite is the cupcakes. www.andreastrivets.com
Byrd Cookie Co.
Our friends at Byrd Cookie Co. always have something fun and tasty. They’ve expanded their ceramic line. My favorite is the giant Cupcake Cookie Jar. It’s filled with a six-ounce assortment of Byrd’s cupcake cookie flavors including Red Velvet, Birthday Cake, Black & White and Chocolate Banana each in individual bags. Jar measures approx 8.5 inches x 6 inches. suggested retail price is $23.95.
Also introduced this year is the Coffee Collection , a reusable coffee tumbler filled with Byrd’s sweet treats…. Gingerbread Latte is a new flavor that is ready for holiday orders. With a suggested retail price of $8.95, these would make a great stocking stuffer or teacher or staff appreciation gift. www.byrdcookiecompany.com
Linden Sweden
I love garlic but cleaning my garlic press is a pain. Leave it to the Swedes to tackle this problem with style. The Click&Clean™ Garlic Press by Jonas® of Sweden is an all-in-one garlic press – that flips open to drop in a clove, flip it back to crush. Flip open again to use the self-contained cleaning tool. Available in Black, Lime or Orange, it has a suggested retail price of $14.95. Available to ship in September. www.lindensweden.com
Urban Butik
Lots of cool stuff at this booth. My fave is the Magisso Cake Server designed by Maria Kivijarvi. Here how it works -- press down on the cake with the Magisso cake server to cut a piece of cake. Squeeze the handle to lift the piece of cake, then release it onto the plate.
The original Magisso cake server is made of mirrored stainless steel, which is cut and bent to give it that cool shape, it is then polished by hand. It won a 2010 red dot product design award. I prefer the colorful plastic ones that were introduced in the U.S. market this summer. Available in Pure Black, Snow White, Fresh Lime and Deep Purple. Suggested retail price of the Magisso stainless steel cake server is $49.95 while the color ones are $18.95 each. www.urbanbutik.com
There are other companies that I should mention – Joseph Joseph, Slant Collections new acrylic double-wall tumblers with straws that feature fun designs such as purple zebra stripes and retro floral patterns. Beehive Kitchenware’s new ceramic line, Pillyvut’s Cornishware, Nogent’s haute design knives designed by Sebastian Conran, the beautiful packaging of Foxy Gourmet’s dips and mixes, the delicious toffee from Toffee To Go, and the traditional cookies from Traou Mad de Pont Aven imported by the French Farm, and the new holiday packaging from Stonewall Kitchen. No doubt, I’ll be at the NYIGF next summer when The Gourmet Show makes its NYIGF debut. Before then, I’ll be making plans to attend the Winter NYIGF , which runs Jan. 29, through Feb. 3. – Anna Wolfe
