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RETAILER PROFILE www.kitchenwarenews.com n MARCH 2019 n KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW 1 9 New Meyer Collection (cont. from Page 16) secure grip, and snug-fitting lid seals in heat and moisture. The Gameday Stockpot is compatible on all stovetops, including induction, and oven safe to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, when filled with ice, the durable Gameday Stockpot can pull double duty as a cooler for party beverages. The College Kitchen Collection's new bakeware items include the Tailgate Traveler™ 9x13 Covered Cake Pan ($24.99) and the Playmaker™ 12 Cup Covered Muffin Pan ($24.99). Perfect for baking and toting cakes, muffins and cupcakes to festivities without damaging baked goods, the bakeware's tight-fitting, durable covers feature school team logos and team-specific slogans, such as "Love Purple, Live Gold" for LSU (Louisiana State University). No party is complete without trays and bowls to serve big- league portions of chili, and pass around dips and chips. The generously sized 16-inch by 12.5-inch Serve 'N Score™ Party Platter ($19.99) is made of durable and long-lasting melamine, and features built-in handles that make passing a breeze. Equally durable and easy to clean melamine Party Bowls are offered in an assortment of sizes to match ever y need. All bowls are purposefully shaped for easy passing without tipping, and feature a rubberized base to prevent slipping and sliding. The large capacity, 4.75-quart Big Party Bowl ($19.99) is ideal for serving popcorn, salads, and side dishes, while the Three-Piece Party Bowl Set ($39.99) with 1-, 2- and 3-quart bowls is perfect for mixing, prepping and serving various snacks and dishes. Also included is the handy 4-Piece Prep Bowl Set ($19.99) with four 8-ounce size bowls for prepping, and ser ving dips and sauces. To facilitate meal prep and presentation in the spirit of winning, the College Kitchen Collection includes the 2 Piece Smackdown™ Ser vers ($14.99) – spatulas made of comfortable wooden handles and flexible, heat-safe silicone heads featuring school logos. The Smackdown Servers reach deep into ser ving bowls, mixing bowls, and stockpots, and for convenient storage, each tool features a hole in the handle for hanging. Meyer Corporation's new College Kitchen Collection will be available at retail nationwide in spring 2019. All prices are suggested retail and subject to change. KN Retailer Profile BY AMANDA HELT The Kitchen Engine opened its doors in 2006 not sure of what its future may hold. Eric Frickle and his wife, Nicole Frickle, opened The Kitchen Engine in 2006 still undecided about the direction they'd take the new business. "We knew we wanted to be a kitchenware store, but we weren't sure if our area could support that narrow of a niche," Eric said. "When we opened as the Kitchen Engine, our initial thought was, you know, do we need to support the gifting things that weren't kitchenware? Do we need to support this business model with something else." The Kitchen Engine boasts a coveted location in Spokane, Washington, right next to the Spokane River and just down the street from the historic district of downtown Spokane. "We just wanted our store to be the place where Spokane came for all their kitchen inspirations, so that anything they needed in their kitchen we could provide from our store," Eric said. "...I would say during the first two years we figured out what Spokane wanted as far as a kitchenware store goes, and that was pretty much kitchen items. So we were able to narrow it down to just specifically a kitchenware store. We don't do a whole lot of gifty things. We don't do table settings or that type of thing. We just kind of stay in our realm." With a warm atmosphere and long-time devoted staff, the Kitchen Engine carries a number of brands fit for any kitchen enthusiast including Tracy Potter dinnerware and a collection of hand-painted Polish pottery, ZAK Design wear, several types of kitchen knives and a wealth of kitchenware gadgets. The store also carries a variety of spices, teas, locally roasted coffee as well as colorful porcelain and plastic bowls, gadgets and bakeware. "If you can find it in the kitchen, we have it," Eric said. Weekly cooking classes were added a few years after opening, with subject matter ranging f rom sushi-making to knife-sharpening and what to do with tofu. The store's kitchen classroom can accommodate up to 16 people for cooking classes, depending on the type of class being taught. " We have two main styles of classes," Eric said. "We have the main style where attendees are actually getting to make the recipe themselves or at least most of everything that the chef is teaching. And then the other style of class we teach is a presentation-style class, where we can accommodate more people because they are not all around the countertop." Eric looks for cooking enthusiasts rather than professional chefs to teach the classes, since not all chefs make great teachers. "For me, first and foremost, they need to be a fantastic instructor and a people person. And obviously, making amazing food needs to be right up there as far as importance goes, but you know... It 's hard to find someone who is the right fit and can represent your store well," he said. KN The Kitchen Engine Powers Spokane Cooks

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