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GENERAL NEWS 6 KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW ■ JUNE 2014 ■ www.kitchenwarenews.com use increases every year and so do the ways we use it. In 2012, 74.8 percent of households had Internet service, compared to 2003 when only 54.7 percent of households did, according to the United States Census Bureau. Smartphones are on the rise too, with 45.3 percent of the population 25 and older using one as of 2012. The Pew Research Institute's Internet Project states that 73 percent of online adults used social networking sites in 2013 and how-to videos are among the top video categories being viewed along with those that are considered humorous or educational. Adding to that is the fact the use of social networking sites jumped from 8 percent in 2005 to 73 percent in 2013 for Internet users of all ages. "Everyone talks about how the world is getting smaller with the Internet, and that's Global Cookware (Cont. from Page 4) never been truer today," said George D uran, one of IMUSA's celebrity chef ambassadors. "Americans' palates have widened to the world, and access to different cultures through media has made us yearn for more flavors." IMUSA's choice to focus on global cuisines from Asia and Latin America may have developed through its customer base and company history but this is a trend also reflected in the current makeup of the U.S. itself. As of 2010, the foreign-born population accounts for one in eight U.S. residents, whereas in 1960 that population was one in 20, according to the Census Bureau. From 1960 to 2010 the number of immigrants f rom Latin America rose f rom 9 percent to 53 percent to become the region with the largest number of immigrants; while those f rom Asia rose f rom 5 percent to 28 percent, becoming the second largest. "There is truth to the fact that we are living in global food America," said Gaunaurd. "The concept of global foods has broadened so much. Between Asian and Mexican food alone, it's no longer just take out. Globalization has brought to light a lot of these things." The changing demographics of the U.S. population are certainly reflected through trending cuisine and evidence of this can be found in the emergence of food trucks, gastro pubs, and food festivals featuring dishes previously reserved for specialty restaurants. Likewise, ingredients once obtained through deliberate trips to ethnic markets by determined, in-the- know chefs are now commonly offered at major grocery stores to be stumbled upon by novice and curious cooks. While the concept of offering the correct tool for the job is not new to ethnic foods, IMUSA does it in such a way as to broaden the scope of customer's access to it by pairing it with added help f rom the celebrity chefs and social media. The price points are lower than other company 's versions and will be more widely available since IMUSA can be found through major retailers like Target, Walmart, Sears, and Amazon. "I think 10 years ago people would have found it very intimidating to try to make ethnic foods at home, but the products take away the intimidation of global cuisine," says D uran, who points to the Lightweight Cast Iron Wok as an example of this. The wok is pre-seasoned, saving time and taking away much of the anxiety for beginning cooks. Its high heat resistance and distribution makes it capable of being used in a multitude of ways including in the oven, on a grill, or over an open flame. IMUSA's Global Kitchen line will be available for purchase through retailers this fall. Japan Tiger Corporation Launches tacook Multicooker in U.S., Japan BY LORRIE BAUMANN 2014 will be a breakout year in the American market for Tiger Corporation, which manufactures rice cookers and vacuum bottles, says Kentaro Matsumoto, the new President of Japan Tiger Corporation of the USA, which is based in Torrance, Calif. The device with which Matsumoto is planning to break Tiger out of the pack is the tacook multicooker, an evolution from the traditional Japanese-style rice cooker into a small electric appliance designed as a one- pot cooker that will save time and energy costs for American home cooks. Tacook is launching into the Japanese market at the same time it's being introduced to the American market this year. Based on a traditional rice cooker, the device has an extra cooking plate that fits down into the rice container to hold another layer of food. Slots in the cooking plate allow steam from the rice container to rise and cook the food, but because the bottom of the top container is a slotted plate rather than a mesh steamer basket, the steam doesn't condense and then drip back down into the rice to contaminate its flavor. The device has a direct timer and is programmable, with settings for various types of rice, and it has a slow cooker function, so that it can be set up in the morning for the evening meal. "This is not a simple rice cooker," Matsumoto says. "This was devised for the needs of the single, busy woman at first, but then we realized that it could meet the needs of a busy family." Matsumoto expects Americans to find that Continued on PAGE 16 Gourmet Experience at Dallas Housewares & Gourmet Market The latest trends, technologies and tastes will emerge at the thriving Dallas Housewares & Gourmet Market, June 18-24, featuring more than 1,500 product lines and dozens of events. The Culinary Stage in the World Trade Center (WTC) Hall of Nations will feature live cooking and product demonstrations by high-profile chefs on Thursday, June 19 through Saturday, June 21. Celebrity chef Blythe Beck, a native Texan who launched her career in Dallas, presents a cooking demonstration on Saturday, June 21 at noon. Beck is currently Executive Chef at the Movie Lounge in Fort Smith, Ark. and was recently recognized as one of Dallas' top chefs by Modern Luxury magazine's "The Five Factor" award, as well as being named one of NBC DFW 's 25 Most Interesting People. Additional chefs to take the Culinary Stage throughout Market include: Tim Byres, owner and chef at Smoke – Thursday, June 19 at 2 p.m. Chad Houser, chef and founder of Café Momentum – Friday, June 20 at noon Scott Gottlich, owner and chef at Bijoux – Friday, June 20 at 2 p.m. Anthony Van Camp, executive chef at SĒR Steak+Spirits – Saturday, June 21 at 2 p.m. The fifth annual Dallas Gourmet Gold Awards reception will be held Friday, June 20 at 6 p.m. on WTC 1. Gourmet Gold Awards celebrate exceptional manufacturers in the gourmet products industry who exhibit in Dallas. The categories include: Best Sweet, Best Fruit Confit, Best Snack, Best Beverage, Best Soup or Chili, Best Condiment, Best Kitchen Gadget, Best Kitchen Textile, Best Tabletop, Best Cookware or Bakeware and Best Small Appliance. The deadline for entries is May 23. For more information, visit dallasmarketcenter.com/gourmetgold. Gourmet Gold Award judges are: K.C. Lapiana – Entrepreneur of 27 years and owner of In The Kitchen, a retail kitchen housewares store in Pittsburgh, Penn., and President of HTI Buying Group, a member- based company of retail kitchenware stores. Lapiana began her career as a f reelance cooking school director, introducing the cooking school theater and demonstration arena to large housewares companies. Chef Anthony Van Camp – Executive Chef at SĒR Steak+Spirits and locally-raised food prodigy renowned for his culinary precision and innovative dishes. After graduating from the California Culinary Academy, Chef Van Camp spent time cooking in San Francisco and San Diego before landing in Dallas. Alex Young – The voice behind Dallas' popular lifestyle blog, Eat Style Dallas. A native to Dallas with a passion for all things culinary, Young is on a mission to share the best food, fashion and nightlife the city has to offer. Housewares Hotspot will feature product demonstrations from top housewares manufacturers on Thursday, June 19 and Friday, June 20 from 1 to 3 p.m. on Trade Mart 2. Leading manufacturers of gourmet products will be featured in permanent showrooms, temporary booths and the open- daily Gourmet Market, WTC 1. Expanding exhibitors in the Gourmet Market include: Basic Foodism, Double T Gourmet Foods, Galli Gourmet, Neighbors Coffee, S.A.L.T. Sisters and Wickedeli. New + Now, located in the Gourmet Market, is an exclusive showcase of the newest and greatest gourmet and housewares companies at Dallas Market. Exhibitors include: Apetito, Carthage Imports, Janey Lynn's Designs, Klein's Fine Foods, Lovcanaries and Toaster Buddies. Table & Housewares Temps, located on WTC 1 adjacent to the Gourmet Market, offers functional gifts, dining, cooking and entertaining wares, as well as clever items for the home. New exhibitors include: Ben & Lael, Chevalier Collection, Dress My Cupcake, Fresh Tape, Jacaman Gift Co., Koyal, Pewter Graphics and Upper Cut. Several returning exhibitors include: Corbell, Dansk, Gorham, Lenox, Majestic Gifts and Mr. Ice Bucket. The Housewares Training & Information Group (HTI Buying Group), will be at Market working with independent kitchenware, tabletop specialty retailers and member vendors. HTI offers the opportunity for training, information and resources to improve sales and increase profits for its members. For a full list of special events and product offerings, visit the Dallas Market Center website. To prepare for June Markets in Dallas, download the Dallas Market App. Also, keep up-to-date on all information by visiting Dallas Market Center on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

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