Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/265780
K i t c h e n w a r e N e w s & H o u s e w a r e s R e v i e w S h o w D a i l y Tu e s d a y, M a r c h 0 5 , 2 0 1 3 9 2 HL: We are a manufacturer and distribu- tor of various products. Since we are both the manufacturer and distributor, we can customize products that fit any customer request or requirement in terms of size, color, function, or anything else that they may be concerned about. Our main line of business is our hand woven baskets designed for home and commercial use, under our brand name colorbasket™. KNSD: What would you say makes your company unique? HL: To start, there is only one other com- pany that I know of that can produce this kind of product. Therefore, from a manu- facturing stand point, we are very unique. The products we carry are also unique, as these baskets are multifunctional and seem to really meet consumers in areas they need most. KNSD: Are you introducing any new products? HL: Our whole U.S. line is new. We did our research to find the most common and favorable colors and sizes to the masses here in the United States. We also did surveys to better understand and meet the demands of the end consumer. It is the result of all this research that will be the main theme of our booth at the 2013 International Home + Housewares Show. KNSD: Compare the position of your products and their technology against the current market. HL: I believe we have a much more superior product when it comes to bas- kets of all kinds. Our advanced polypropylene cord is a great example of using technology for modern day needs. I'm even surprised no one has done this before. It took 18 months of Research and Development and using the latest technology to come up with a solid cord plastic that you can safely put in the Everware (Con't. from p. 1) microwave and dishwasher. We also rec- ognize the public demand of BPA-free plastics, so we made sure our plastic bas- kets are BPA-free. To really have a multi- functional product, we also looked at making our plastic basket hygienic by using different compounds to make it food contact safe so as not to breed or harvest bacteria. KNSD: Who are your target end-users? HL: Every home and restaurant can ben- efit from these baskets. Think about how many people can replace their old, stained, beat-up baskets with our durable and colorful baskets. These baskets are great for busy families who need storage solutions that would not only match their home décor but would also be multifunc- tional enough to be able to store both per- ishable and nonperishable goods. It is also perfect for restaurant owners who can easily clean these baskets should it get dirty when something spills on it. Not only are our baskets safe for home and food use but the many different colors that we offer guarantees that everyone will find a color that match their unique style. KNSD: Tell our readers about your trade show objectives, plans, products, promo- tions, etc. HL: We are excited to be part of the new product showcase along with some advertising at the show. Our booth is new and we'll be showing off the U.S. line for 2013. For those interested in our retail stocks, we'll have a show special flyer with discounted pricing on some of our retail products. For more information, be sure to visit booth 8152 at The International Home + Housewares Show. After the show, check out www.colorbasket.com, call 909-393- 7577 or email cs@everwarenow.com. CC: Restaurant kitchens put their knives through the test and keeping a sharp edge is the most important part of the knife. Dull knives lead to bad food. These knives are about quality steel that retains its edge. It's great working with the Shun team to create the kind of knives I knew I really wanted to work with. The "Blue" project, from start to finish, has taken quite a bit of time and being able to be an integral part of the Shun team in the cre- ation and fine-tuning of these great knives has been such an honor. Shun has such a long, great history of knife making that I was so humbled to be asked to be a part of this. I know that I am able to look myself in the mirror and be proud of these knives; they are all I wanted them to be and more. KNSD: Is the steel in Shun Blue really blue? CC: The name "Blue" refers to the color of the paper in which the raw steel comes wrapped. Blue is a grade of fine-grained carbon steel; it's the same steel that is found in the knives made by the artisan craftsman all around Japan. As the knife ages, the edge will patina and when you angle it in the light, you can even see a hint of blue. KNSD: There are four initial blade shapes in the line—what do you like best about each one? CC: Each blade shape was designed with a specific purpose in mind, which makes each knife a joy to work with for its intended job—whether it's using the hon- isuki for butchering poultry, menkiri for Shun Blue (Con't. from p. 1) preparing pasta, or the butchery knife for breaking down whole pigs and lambs. The kiritsuke is the ultimate chef's knife – it can be used for slicing raw fish, fine vegetable work, delicate herbs, or slicing meat for presentation. This knife will become your workhorse. KNSD: Tell us about how the handle design of Shun Blue works in your kitchen. CC: I like the classic feel of the octagon handle, it has a great balance and it fits the contour of your hand perfectly. When the knife feels that comfortable, it's much easier to work with and it becomes a nat- ural extension of your hand. It just feels good. KNSD: How do you take care of your Shun Blues? CC: After every use I clean my knives by hand with light soapy water, then dry with a cotton towel and return it to the wooden saya to prevent it from get- ting damaged. The stainless steel san mai helps prevent the blade from rust- ing. After continued use the blades will eventually develop a dark patina that will help protect them. And please, never put your knives in the dishwash- er—the hot water and abrasive chemi- cals will damage the knives beyond repair. For more information, visit booth S4435 at the International Home + Housewares Show. After the show, be sure to visit www.shuncutlery.com, call 800-325- 2891, or email info@kai-usa.com. ZOKU CONTINUES CREATIVITY IN ICE POPS The Zoku Story A contemporary new product design col- lective, Zoku made its debut in 2009 with the introduction of one of the most suc- cessful new products in kitchenware, the patented Zoku[R] Quick Pop[R] Maker. For generations, consumers have been buying ice pops at the grocery store or making them at home the old-fashioned way by filling a mold with liquid, placing it in the freezer, and waiting overnight for it to freeze. The Zoku team decided to bring ice pops out of the ice age by mak- ing the process fun, easy, creative, and remarkably quick. In their search for the ideal ice pops experience, the Zoku design and engineer- ing groups were led by Company President Ken Zorovich and Managing Director Yos Kumthampinij. Both are experienced industrial design consultants. After much research, testing, and lots of great-tasting fun, the Zoku team created the innovative Quick Pop Maker, which makes it easy to create delicious home- made ice pops on the counter top in as lit- tle as seven minutes, all without electrici- ty. Quick Pops Create Smiles When the original Quick Pop Maker was introduced at Williams-Sonoma in 2009, it quickly developed an enthusiastic follow- ing and kicked off a fresh new snack and dessert craze. Today, the Quick Pop Maker is widely available at numerous retailers across the country, including Williams- Sonoma, Brookstone, Sur La Table and www.zokuhome.com. Since its introduction, the Zoku Quick Pop Maker has captured attention for its originality, inventiveness and overall innovative design. It is the winner of the V.I.P. (Very I n n o v a t i v e Product) Award 2011 from Good Housekeeping; In the Design Collections of The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Mich.; the 2011 Housewares Design Award for "Best in Category"; the Idea Silver 2010 International Design Excellence Awards; and the Top Tool and Gadget in the UK Excellence in Housewares Award 2010. Additionally, Zoku has been fea- tured widely in national news media out- lets including ABC Good Morning America, NBC The Today Show, CBS The Early Show, Fox News, Dr. Oz, Yahoo! News, InStyle, Better Homes & Gardens, Cook's Illustrated, Cooking with Paula Deen and more. The Creativity Continues In addition to the original Quick Pop Maker, which makes three ice pops at a time, in 2011 Zoku introduced the Duo Quick Pop Maker, which features a smaller footprint and makes two ice pops at a time. Another fun 2011 introduction is the Zoku Character Kit, filled with stencils and tools for per- sonalizing ice pops with happy faces and clever designs, adding another layer of fun to making them. Zoku also offers an array of additional accessories to add culinary creativity and convenience to making ice pops at home, including Zoku Tools, Zoku Super Tool, Zoku Storage Case and set of six sticks and drip guards. All parts are washable and reusable, so there are no disposable sticks to add costs and environmental waste. All Zoku products are BPA and phthalate free. For more information, visit www.zokuhome.com or call 201-604- 1253.