Cutting-edge technology was in high supply at Kai Corporation of Japan. Its Shun line by Kershaw Knives (KAI USA Limited) continues to make headway in the U.S. market. This beautiful line of Shun Pro cutlery features the look and benefits of Damascus steel. Comprised of VG-10 "super steel," which is composed of carbon, chromium, cobalt, manganese, molybdenum, silicon, and vanadium, the VG-10 stainless steel clad knives have 16 layers of SUS430 and 431 high-carbon stainless steel on each side. The result? A rust-free Damascus look. New to the Shun Classic range is the Ken Onion 8-Inch Chef's Knife in a bamboo countertop stand. Also new is the KAI Sharpener that has a one-button, one-slide feature that is capable of sharpening a blade after it is pulled through it 4 to 6 times. The sharpener will retail for $59.00. Call 800-325-2891 for ordering information.
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 and ingeniously designed scale does much more than simply look good -- it is the only dietary computer scale of its kind with a 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 the GI value and post it on its large LCD display. The database stores nutritional values of over 1,440 foods and memorizes an additional 100 foods-recipes of your choice. A two-memory function enables two people in the household to use the scale and monitor progress at the same time. Check it out at www.salterhousewares.com, or call 973-227-3057. It's expected to retail for $99.99.
OXO Good Grips (www.oxo.com) got colorful with its Nylon Flexible Tools, offering new red and blue options for the popular Omelet Turner, Pie Server, and Pancake Turner. It's also being offered in a new combination 3-piece set for $14.99. Innovative items from this prolific gadget manufacturer include a Splatter Screen with a foldable handle for easy storage (retail $20.00). The screen also has an easy-to-clean surface with perforated stainless steel. Its concentric rings center and secure the screen on a range of frying pan sizes. OXO also introduced its new Serrated Peeler for soft fruits and vegetables at Ambiente; numerous serrated peeler intros appeared at the fair as manufacturers obviously believe this type of product is in demand from consumers.
Zyliss USA (www.zylissusa.com) showed its Tomato Peeler, a double serrated-edge peeler designed to peel all soft fruits and vegetables from kiwis to plums. Designed with a point at the end to remove blemishes, the peeler comes in a display for eight and will retail for $6.99. Zyliss also announced plans to introduce new tools every three months this year with nearly 30 new products set to debut in 2005. New at Ambiente was a Rotary Cheese Grater that can handle both soft and hard cheeses. Two separate cylinders are available with the grater, one with large holds for soft cheese and the other with smaller holes for traditional hard cheese grating. Retail price for the set is $25.00 or $18.00 with the hard cheese cylinder only.
Kuhn Rikon showed off a great new whisk -- The Double Balloon Whisk. Available in two sizes, it features a one-piece wire balloon with a smaller balloon inside. The balloon shape incorporates air easily, resulting in a light, lofty consistency, making it the ultimate whisk for whipping egg whites, light creams, and other custards. Additional tools from Kuhn Rikon included a Deluxe Universal Opener that allows the user to easily open a wide range of jars and bottles from the smallest Tabasco bottle to a mustard jar. For more information, call 415-924-1125, or visit www.kuhnrikon.com.
Another fun whisk was hard at work at Cuisipro. The Thermowhisk was created for cooking temperature-sensitive food. It enables the home chef to both whisk and track the temperature of the concoction in the pot. The Thermowhisk features a large LCD display on whisk's handle that displays a constant temperature reading in either Fahrenheit or Celsius. Thus, the cook can stay on task without curdling or scorching the ingredients. For additional information, visit www.cuisipro.com.
More tools of the trade were discovered at Trudeau who showed off their "One Hand Mill" in new vibrant colors. The citrus collection of mills brings red, orange, yellow, and the ever-trendy green apple to the kitchen. The ceramic grind mills can handle salt, pepper, and dried herbs, and feature a soft-touch finish that gives them a really cool grip. The mills feature rotary grinders the provide the same grind as a traditional peppermill. Check out more at www.trudeaucorp.com or call 800-878-3328.
Debuting for the first time at Ambiente, Chef's Planet continues to increase their substantial range of American-made products. The newest creation is a mouth-blown Italian-designed cruet made of Pyrex glass and available in two sizes -- perfect for drizzling your best olive oil. Retail pricing will be under $30 for the cruets. New packaging for the gourmet specialty range of oven liners and baking liners was also on display. The new packaging includes a touch window that reveals the product, as well as new 3.5-inch boxes with product images that illustrate useage. For details and pricing, call 602-906-3600.
Swissmar Imports, Inc. (800-387-5707) had all sorts of great introductions, plus announced that they will carry the full range of Swiss-made DALLA PIAZZA Kitchen Tools. These stylish stainless steel tools deliver high-quality design and specialty function. Most of the products have patented features that distinguish them. For example, the heavyweight Apple Corer ($15.00) has wide gripping handles and simultaneously produces 12 slices, while the Cherry Pitter has a thumb depression and a locking handle. New from DALLA PIAZZA is a patented Slide Measuring Cup that can measure both liquid and dry ingredients.
Kuchenprofi's new kitchen gadget collections range from stainless steel Tea Tongs that both grab hot tea bags and strain them with square, spatula-like silicone tips with holes in them to new Digital Timers that can clip on to your apron-pant pocket, stand on the stove, or attach magnetically to the stove or refrigerator. Another prolific creator of functional kitchen accessories, Kuchenprofi's inventory also featured new silicone-tipped locking tongs and mini stainless steel salt and pepper mills. To obtain a complete description of all their new introductions, call 800-336-6693.
New from Peugeot, also represented by Swissmar, is its U-Select adjustable grinding system that provides a range of grinding specifications with a twist of your wrist. To select a grind, you turn the base of the mill to position it along (or between) one of six preselected grinds for pepper or one of three preselected grinds for salt. An interesting item offering this feature is the Divelis, a rechargeable salt-and-pepper set. The rechargeable part of the stainless steel unit may be mounted on either the salt or pepper base. The bases can also be used alone as manual grinds. It will retail for $250. For more information, e-mail Swissmar at info@swissmar.com.
William Bounds (800-473-0504) is getting into the grind with more than its well-known mill collection. Retailers can expect additions to the patented vitrified porcelain Mortar & Pestle collection (with ridges inset on the inside of bowl and mortar tip). New introductions included a range of Bamboo Spice Mills, as well as an interesting spring-loaded Chocolate Mill with a stainless steel cutting edge that shaves chocolate into perfect curls. Additional silicone products are also in the design phase, with unique items set to launch in the U.S. in the gadget-utensil category.
SiliconeZone made its debut at the show with a full range of product, including their newly created Easy Lid & Bowl. The silicone lid fits over the mixing bowl to sell as a set ($25 retail), or the lid can be sold separately and serves as a trivet, a splatter guard, or a reusable cover. The lid works on ceramic, stainless steel, or glass and will be available at the end of March. Sold for $14 retail as an open-stock item, the lid is available in translucent only. When paired with the mixing bowl, it's available in red, pink, green, orange, or blue. For more details, call 212-997-9591, or visit www.siliconezoneusa.com.
The Double-Walled Stainless Steel Angled Wine Chiller from Swissmar is a sleek design with a rubberized base to prevent movement. Also new to the line is a Raclette with a stainless steel base and a granite cooking surface. Swissmar also designed new packaging for the item with an easy-carry handle and photo illustrations on the box. Swissmar's new Silicone Brush features stepped bristles to allow for a variety of applications from fine pastry work to use at the grill. The silicone brush is injected onto the stainless steel handle for a hygienic seal.
iSi launched its revolutionary ThermoWhip (800-447-2426), which maintains heated soups, sauces, or espumas at the perfect serving temperature for three hours independent of a warming appliance. It also keeps cold preparations chilled for eight hours. After eight hours at ambient room temperature, simply return it to the refrigerator to chill the preparation for use the next day. With a modern updated design and a polished stainless steel finish, the double-walled, vacuum-insulated Thermo Whip is idea for foodservice and home use. You can expect more developments to come with this newly created technology.
In the silicone arena, iSi is launching a new Orka bakeware collection with a thick, encapsulated construction that allows it to be carried directly to the oven and used without additional support. The baking sheet's stainless steel frame keeps it firm, but can also be simply pulled apart for quick storage. The line will be available in black only to reinforce the company's professional marketing approach to the category. Tested commercially, the line will be merchandised with tested recipes on each piece. The first launch includes eight SKUs.
Zevro continues to make mornings easier with its easy morning countertop dispenser. The stainless steel unit allows quick measure dispensing of breakfast cereals or any other dry goods. The dispensers fit perfectly between the countertop and the cabinet and are available in both single and double units. New is the Triple Canister Wall Mount Design with adjustable heights. These space-saving tools give you more room in the pantry and make mealtime a little more fun. For more information, call 800-313-8588. By the way, Oprah Winfrey recently named Zevro dispensers as one of her favorite things.
Speaking of celebrity endorsements, Wusthof-Trident of America (800-289-9878) will be launching its new range of Emeril Lagasse cutlery. Wusthof's new EMERILWARE KNIVES feature a laser-sharp blade personally selected by Emeril Lagasse for its precision, and a new molded black handle to ensure greater comfort and a more secure grip. Crafted from an exclusive high-carbon stain-resistant alloy that is engineered to enhance edge retention and facilitate resharpening, the knives include Emeril's familiar signature etched on each knife's blade. The new assortment includes 18 open-stock kitchen knives and accessories -- priced from $9.99 for a Paring Knife to $39.99 suggested retail for a 7-inch hollow Santoku Knife, as well as several affordably priced Gift Sets and one basic Block Set. The gift sets include a 2-Piece Asian Set (7-inch hollow Santoku and Paring Knife) for $49.99 suggested retail, a 3-Piece Paring Knives Set ($24.99 suggested retail), and a 4-Piece Steak Knives Set ($49.99 suggested retail). The new high-value 8-Piece Block Set is priced at $149.99. Wusthof will also introduce its new Cordon Bleu line with precision bolster and a 30 percent thinner blade. Just some of the new introductions for the long-standing German cutlery company, specialty retailers can expect more in both product and marketing efforts from Wusthof in the coming months.
When you stop to peak into the nooks and crannies at a fair, you're bound to discover fun (albeit sometimes novel) introductions. We spotted a few at the show. A memorable one was a neat little tool called the GarlicCard. It is a plastic patterned card that is 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. For information, e-mail jan@garliccard.com.
Another fun find was Newform's 'il tubo,' an interesting gadget that allows you to cook pasta by adding just-boiled water to the commercial-grade plastic container, closing it, and waiting a few minutes. A new strainer lid application makes it easy to drain and serve. It's an interesting tool for offices or college dorm rooms. For information, e-mail davidg@newform.de.
Another just plain fun idea came from the makers of fun Koziol. From new kitchen accessories to an innovative new architectural piece, the acrylic manufacturer went over the top with a colorful array of translucent ice, apple greens, and pinks set in a backdrop of new Mir-O, Ameba, Fusion, and Frame architectural-sculptural designs. The new pieces may be fitted together to create a backdrop to a display, separate a room, or anything you can dream up. Ameba and Fusion are formed pieces that fit together to create their own design, while Frame and Mir-O are more suitable for backdrops. It's an interesting concept quite different from the kitchen design functions we normally represent, but it's also a really funky new introduction retailers can use to make a bold merchandising statement (plus, if customers are attracted to the backdrop, you can sell that, too!). As for kitchen-oriented product, Koziol showed off Audrey, a flowered tea set that features the flower as the strainer-infuser and the stem as the base. Contact Majestic at 800-673-2543 for information.
