Leifheit expanded its assortment of kitchen gadgets with the introduction of six new products. They are a salad spinner, a multipurpose slicer, a food chopper, a digital timer, an apple corer, and a carafe. The high-performance, large-capacity salad spinner features an easy-pull cord that stays tangle free and activates a powerful rotation to thoroughly dry salad greens and herbs. The new multi-purpose slicer features three different high-grade, dishwasher-safe stainless steel inserts and a storage pocket. The unit will cube, as well as slice a wide range of foods, including cheeses and potatoes. For more information, call 866-695-3434, or visit www.leifheitusa.com.
As usual, there were numerous intros at the Progressive International booth, but we've chosen three to share with you. The first is an ingenious product called Onion Chopper's Delight that enables you to dice onions with one swift motion. Simply place a quartered onion on the blade surface and push down on the lid. The clear container below the blade surface not only catches the onions but also contains side markings for easy measurement. Dishwasher safe, the SRP is $14.99. Also interesting were new reusable 100-percent silicone lids that suction on top of cups or bowls for an instant airtight seal. Available in two sizes, 4- and 6.5-inch diameters, the suction lids are self-venting and dishwasher, freezer, oven, and microwave safe. And finally, the Garnish Slicer is similar to the Onion Chopper but can be used to slice mushrooms, strawberries, and more and then store any unused sliced foods. For more information, call 800-426-7101, or visit www.progressiveintl.com.
Zyliss hit the show running with great gadgets, including their new Multi-Mouse Opener that lends an extra hand for opening bottles and jars. Many of these jar- opening helpers are on the horizon as they're perfect for aging Baby Boomers who might need some assistance. The Zyliss model is a three-way opener that looks like a mouse, but provides a tenacious grip on bottles, jars, and beverage cans. Suggested retail is $6.99 and the product will be available this summer in red, green, yellow, and blue. For more information, call 949-699-1884.
Fox Run is creating great POP display with programs for its gadget collection such as the Mini Maximizer Program that has been completely redone to house an array of merchandise. The two-sided stand-alone shelving piece can house up to 20 different products on each of its five shelves. With a $650 average cost to start the program, this one item more than covers the company's $250 opening order. For more information, call 800-372-0700.
A new gadget, the GarlicCard, is a patterned plastic card similar to a credit card. The pattern is designed to grate garlic cloves and results in a perfect puree. With a simple under-the-tap cleanup process, this handy new introduction caught our attention. It's available in a range of trendy colors and hangs easily on a pegboard. We discovered it at the scandinavian details booth. The company is planning to coordinate the colors with Pantone's annual announcements. For more information, call 714-231-7351.
Kuchenprofi's new kitchen gadget collections range from stainless steel Tea Tongs that both grab those hot tea bags and strain them, to a square Ravioli Former suitable for empanadas and more. Kuchenprofi's inventory also featured a three-function Egg Slicer-Wedger that pierces, slices, and wedges; and a patented Batter Dispenser that holds two cups and drops the perfect measurement of pancake batter with a squeeze. To get a complete description of all their new introductions, call 800-336-6693.
MSC International captures and shares a true expression of "joie de vivre" in all of their home products sold under the new and innovative jo!e brand. Handy little point-of-sale products from this manufacturer include a new citrus appeal (a simple, effective citrus knife in the shape of a slice of fruit), the stainless steel one-touch Tea Bee Infuser, and the Cute Brutes ice cream scoop collection with animal handles (Cow, Penguin, Pig) offered in a shelf display to drive sales. For more information, call 514-745-0400 (Canada); product ships from a U.S. warehouse.
Out of the Woods of Oregon created a great Spreader selling tool. The self-contained unit lets customers pick their own spreaders to put inside their mini butcher-block styled holder. The point-of-sale unit holds 100 spreaders in their own slots above a compartment containing 30 blocks. Retailers can start the program for $275, which provides them with the display, 120 spreaders, and 36 blocks. The blocks retail for $6.95, with the spreaders running $3.00 each. For details, call 800-713-3245.
Just plain cool concepts emerging at the show included Salter's Nutri-Weigh Dietary Computer Scale that looks like a little laptop when closed. The sleek, ingeniously designed scale does much more than simply look good -- it is has an built-in database that analyzes food's nutritional contents without the need for a reference book. It can accurately calculate the calories, protein, carbohydrates, total sugars, total fat, fiber, sodium, cholesterol, net carbohydrates, and GI value of food on a large LCD display. The database stores nutritional values of over 1,440 foods and memorizes an additional 100 foods-recipes of your choice. Check it out at www.salterhousewares.com, or call 973-227-3057. It's expected to retail for $99.99.
RPI Group showcased some fun measuring spoons with their own ceramic holders similar to a spreader set. The interesting shapes include a pig, cow, rooster, and chef. Minimum orders are $150 and the sets will retail for $14.99. Call 800-427-6770 for more information.
Sundesa, LLC introduced its new Blender Bottle that combines a shaker-server with a wire whisk ball to blend beverages and sauces with a shake of the wrist. The patented Blender Ball is designed to stay in the bottle until you've enjoyed the contents so it's great for nutrition shakes, salad dressings, and even lump-free gravy. Its 28-ounce capacity is large enough to mix a batch of 14 pancakes or scrambled eggs for the whole family. Available in red, blue, yellow, green, and purple, the plastic Blender Bottle has a suggested retail of $8.95. Check it out at www.blenderbottle.com, or call 801-235-9448.
Chaney Instrument Co. showed off their new Wireless Remote BBQ Thermometer-Pager that allows users to simply program the desired cooking temperature, insert the probe, and walk away with the pager that beeps an alert when the meat is done. The pager functions up to 100 feet away from the unit and the main unit works for grills, deep fryers, or smokers, providing an instant readout of inner food temperatures, as well as remaining cooking times. For more information, call 866-249-1045, ext. 3025, or visit www.chaneyinstrument.com.
KitchenArt was capturing loads of attention for their Form-Fit line of gadgets. All 17 tools in the collection are ergonomically designed with custom form fit handles. Also causing a stir was the Elite Auto-Measure Spice Carousel line available in three finishes -- High Shine Chrome, Champagne Satin, and Silver Satin. The standard unit holds eight hourglass bottles on a rotating stand and each bottle measures one-quarter teaspoon of spice with each turn of the dial. The pop-up lid is perfect for shaking or pouring. For more information, call 800-239-8090, or visit www.kitchenart.com.
The Companion Group displayed the Steve Raichlen Best of Barbecue Signature Series and was catching the eyes of buyers. Products in the line include Double Prong Bamboo Skewers, Wine Barrel Stave Bundles, Bakelite Handle Spatula, Assorted Blend of Wood Chips, Marinade Turbocharger, Extra Long Suede Glove Set, Cast Iron Tuscan Grill, and Chipotle Molasses Barbecue Sauce. For more information, call 800-521-0505, or visit www.companion-group.com.
Zelco showcased their LED BBQ Light. This rugged, battery-operated, high-intensity LED light features heat-resistant stainless steel construction. Ten bright energy-efficient LEDs provide 100,000 hours of lighting. The wireless and weather-resistant BBQ Light incorporates a fully articulating arm and head that extends to 19 inches and folds for storage. For more information, call 800-431-2486, or visit www.zelco.com.
Cuisipro introduced a dual-purpose tool for temperature-sensitive cooking. The new Thermowhisk features a tiny sensor that reads temperatures and a large LCD display on the handle that gives a constant temperature reading in either Fahrenheit or Celsius. Perfect for foods that require the cook to continually sir while maintaining the correct cooking temperatures for custards, puddings, chocolate, jellies and jams, the stainless steel whisk measures 11 inches long and includes a data-hold function and an automatic shutoff. It comes with a battery and retails for $25. For more information, call 302-326-4802.
Taylor Precision Products presented their One-Handed Timer as part of their growing range of kitchen timers. The timer's telephone-style keypad allows the cook to multitask as he or she can set the desired time with just one hand. Featuring an ultra-slim shape with a 1.0 digital readout, the stainless steel design coordinates with modern kitchens. A magnetic surfaces attaches to any metal. The timer is available for a suggested retail price of $9.99. For more information, call 630-954-1250.
Fox Run Kitchens introduced a new offering of seafood items under the Nantucket Seafood brand. The assortment features the best items from Fox Run's current seafood in addition to several new items. Initially, the line will consist of 19 items, including sauce cups, natural baking shells, shrimp knives, fish scalers, fish bone tweezers, and lobster crackers, plus 15 new items slated for release in the fourth quarter. The line features authentic-looking rustic packaging and a logo with the original artwork of Fox Run's Tessa Senf. For information, call 800-372-0700, or visit www.foxruncraftsmen.com.
Knockout Holdings Inc. , the developer and marketer of the George Forman Knock-Out line of household and automotive cleaning products, introduced a new grill cleaner. The George Foreman Knock-Out Grill Cleaner cuts through grease and grime on stainless steel, microwave surfaces, and coated metal surfaces using a patented, water-activated cleaning action that is nontoxic. All natural, the plant-based cleaner is approved for restaurant use and available for a retail price of $2.99. For more information, visit www.theknockoutgroup.com.
Inspired by the kitchens of the 1930's and 1950's, Typhoon introduced an appealing range of products enameled in a delicate mix-and-match color pallet that contrasts blue with cream, green with pink, and pink with cream. The kitchen range includes: Utensil Holder, $15.00; Coffee-Tea-Sugar Canister, $18.00 each; Biscuit-Storage Tin, $30.00; Cake Tin, $30.00; Pasta Canister, $20.00; Mixing Bowls (Set of 3), $30.00; and Bread Bin, $50.00. Visit www.TYPHOONus.com for details.
Hutzler Manufacturing introduced their Connect-A-Jar to simplify life by solving problems in the kitchen. The small airtight and watertight jars are designed to hold herbs, spices, and other household products and are a great way to organize the kitchen. The jars screw together to create stacks that can be individualized to be as many or as few as desired. Each set contains three jars -- one base jar and two connecting jars and lid. The set is available for a suggested retail price of $2.49. For more information, call 800-243-7700, or visit www.hutzlerco.com.
Lifetime Hoan offered a wide array of products across its branded lines of kitchenware products. Updating the popular stainless steel trend, a variety of new items in the Hoffritz, Kamenstein, and KitchenAid lines are now available in the new satin nickel finish. The can opener, utility whisk, euro peeler, pizza wheel, and ice cream scoop in the new KitchenAid Professional Series have a silicone handle and a satin nickel head. The spoon spatula, spatula scraper, and mixing spatula are available in all silicone and the gadgets with silicone handles and a nylon head include a slotted turner, a basting spoon, a slotted spoon, and a short turner. Retail prices range from $10.99 to $19.99. For more information, call 800-252-3390, or visit www.lifetime.hoan.com.
Liss America introduced a sleek new design to its cream whipper range. The Silhouette eliminates the need for measuring -- just fill, charge, shake, and serve. The stainless steel sculpted design is as great to look at as the whipped cream it produces. Finger-tip dispensing and no decorator tip to clean or replace makes it nearly perfect. Ships four to a case pack. For details, call 315-986-7685, or send an e-mail to lissameric@aol.com.
Chef Revival is collaborating with The American Institute of Wine and Food (AIWF) to create The Hands of Wine and Food with a beautiful pattern for chef apparel and kitchen textiles. Chef Revival will introduce several new products that feature two of Thomas Heinser's "The Hands of Wine and Food" photographs commissioned by the AIWF, "Robert Mondavi Holding Grapes" and "Julia Child Creating Brioche." The products, a wine bag, a bib-apron, an oven mitt, a potholder, and pants, are ideal for gift giving and entertaining. Proceeds from the sale of "The Hands of Food and Wine" will benefit the AIWF's educational programs. The company also showcased new fashion colors for its chef jacket line with a bright green introduction. For more information, call 800-352-2433, or visit www.chefrevival.com.
