Stores serve palette of kitchen gadgetry
So here’s what you can expect in retail and gourmet specialty shops this summer.
Pots with pizazz. No problem finding a solid shade close to your favorite color, even bright aubergine, like Japanese eggplants, from the Italian company Bialetti . Som e cookware is celebrityected, such as star chef Mario Batali’s orange for Dansk and Cat Cora’s cobalt blue for Starfrit. Guy Fieri even has a line of pans whose bot t oms are printed with graphics designed by his personal tattoo artist. A stylish and practical introduction is a line from the French company Revol, which can be used on any cooking surface, including induction and even in microwaves.
Cutting-edge knives. Resin or silicone handles dress stainless-steel knives. High carbon stainless knives are clad in colorful food-safe, nonstick coating. Knives are crafted from chemically inert ceramic, half the weight of steel and don’t need sharpening. All offer a rainbow of bright colors like magenta or lime, sharp in beauty and in function.
Cool tools and groovy gadgets. More tasks than ever before are covered. Want a tool to save your hands from a garlic-y odor? Check. How about grill/fry tongs with draining holes so fats and oils drip off ? Check! All in color (from Cuisipro).
Mixing bowls with moxie. Some boast improved features such as iSi’s Flex-It soft silicone mixing and prep bowls, which have flexible rims. When the sides of the bowl are pressed together, the rim forms the perfect shape for easy pouring. From Zak Designs, there are stackable Confetti bowls in pink, magenta, orchid and turquoise made with recycled materials.
Clever colanders. With Farberware’s trap door colander, there’s no more inverting and spilling; pull up levers beneath the handles and the door opens, releasing the contents.
Pepper mills that pop. A standout among artisanal mills is the PepArt line designed by artist Robert Wilhelm for William Bounds Ltd. One short, painted wood design has a tapered base in eggplant, topped with a ball in apple green with black stripes.
It’s no coincidence that consumers are hungry for something fresh and colorful, especially with a still volatile global economy. With a few eye-catching housewares, you can add a little energy and exuberance to your life. Best of all, whether you crave an orange empanada maker or a lime dish rack, you can snap them up without breaking the bank.
— Elaine Markoutsas