Oser Communications Group

8 GENERAL NEWS KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW n JULY 2017 n www.kitchenwarenews.com PantryChic, a division of Nik of Time, Inc., developed the PantryChic Store & Dispense System and Recipe App to reinvent the way consumers store ingredients, prepare recipes and organize pantries. The PantryChic System allows users to prepare a recipe f rom your smartphone or tablet by auto-dispensing the perfect amount of each ingredient directly f rom sleek SmartCanisters that track inventory to save time, improve results, and minimize waste and cleanup. "Cookbooks have been replaced by tablets and smartphones, our lifestyles limit the time we have to shop for ingredients, organize our pantries and prepare meals, and we strive to eat healthy and manage dietary restrictions while working to expand our options beyond grandma's famous cookie recipe," said PantryChic Founder and President Nicole Sollazzo Lee. With its sleek contemporary design and integrated smart technology, the PantryChic™ Store & Dispense System™ simplifies recipe preparation by automatically dispensing the perfect amount of each ingredient directly f rom SmartCanisters™ into the bowl. This convenient solution could replace traditional ingredient storage canisters, measuring utensils and scales to allow bakers and foodies at every skill level to perfect recipes in less time with less waste and mess. The system consists of a base unit with a scale, motor, Bluetooth enabled microprocessor and intuitive user interface that controls the patented dispensing mechanism contained in every airtight SmartCanister. This multifunctional system can be operated as a standalone appliance by inserting a SmartCanister, selecting desired ingredient quantity and pressing the PantryChic logo button, or it can be controlled by the PantryChic Recipe App on a smart device via Bluetooth connection. PantryChic canisters are SmartCanisters because they reinvent ingredient storage and pantry organization with today 's consumer in mind and include near-field communication (NFC) technology that enables ingredient recognition and tracking. The BPA-free canisters are rectangular and stackable to maximize storage space, dispense f rom the bottom (FIFO method) to preserve ingredient f reshness and are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. The SmartCanisters have been validated with over 100 dry ingredients from flour and baby formula to coffee beans and rice. When combined with the PantryChic Recipe App, users can monitor ingredient quantities, utilization and expiration dates f rom the grocery store or choose to skip the line with auto-replenishment. The PantryChic Recipe App guides users through a complete recipe, instructing when to place each SmartCanister on the system so it can automatically dispense the perfect amount. Wet ingredients are manually poured into the bowl on the base unit scale and an indicator on the app prompts when to stop. The app allows users to scale recipes up or down, track them, share them on social media and it gives recommendations based on personal preferences (including dietary restrictions) and history to expand culinary horizons. PantryChic has teamed up with one of the largest small kitchen appliance manufactures in the world to perfect the commercial design and finalize the Recipe App. The PantryChic System commercial prototype and Recipe App were showcased at the International Home + Housewares Show 2017. The PantryChic System is priced at $299.95 including an app-enabled base unit, three SmartCanisters and access to the Recipe App. SmartCanisters come in three sizes: large (holds a 5lb bag of flour), medium and small and come in a variety of canister packs options. PantryChic is accepting orders with expected delivery in early August 2017. For more information, visit www.pantrychic.com. KN PantryChic Rethinks Food Prep, Storage Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP) showcased its newest innovation in waste and recycling solutions, Resist™, at NeoCon® in Chicago. The customizable collection is designed to maintain a high- quality aesthetic under the most extreme outdoor conditions. Launching later this year, Resist receptacles are designed for commercial outdoor environments. Available in two styles (Fan and Shield), four different receptacle sizes (23G, 33G, 45G and 2x33G) and two different shapes (round and pill), the system delivers extreme durability and increased protection against natural elements and common abuse. Key features include advanced coating which resists rust and corrosion for five years and defends from graffiti and everyday stains. The proprietary fan design resists up to 500 pounds of sustained blunt force. The affixed rain hood is made of thick gauge metal, protecting the container f rom the elements. The stainless steel, corrosion- resistant lock keeps out unwanted visitors. Choose from more than 230 color, finish and material options to match a variety of environments. The Shield design offers additional customization options including five perforated patterns. Additionally, RCP's custom online design portal allows designers to easily visualize what their final customized product will look like before purchase. "Outdoor receptacles are constantly exposed to harsh natural elements often leading to rust and corrosion, and they can also be tarnished by stains and graffiti," said Ryan Hall, director, brand marketing, Rubbermaid® Commercial Products. "At Rubbermaid Commercial Products we believe trash cans not only need to last, but should complement the spaces they occupy. Our newest Resist series is crafted with a beautiful design and features advanced coatings to maintain a premium look in even the most extreme conditions." Additionally, RCP featured its Enhance™, Configure™ and Classics™ product lines during the show. The Enhance collection is a customizable premium waste system built to complement a property's upscale décor. The Configure recycling system, launched in March 2016, is also a customizable solution available with seven waste stream labels and four lid openings to accommodate a variety of recycling needs. The Classics collection is a modern waste and recycling system featuring perforated steel designs for a clean appearance that is ideal for high-traffic areas in both indoor and outdoor environments. For more information, visit www.rubbermaid.com. KN Rubbermaid Displays New Resist Waste and Recycling Solutions Small Batch Cast Iron some other changes. One of them is weight. We kept weight in mind in every step of the process. The weight of cast iron is what makes it retain heat, but we've made it very manageable." Luke Trovato, Chief Marketing Officer of Stargazer, notes that the growing market for high end cast iron has to do with utility and sourcing. "Initially we were figuring out which demographic would be there, we've found that we sell across all demographics, a lot of people are interested in American-made products," says Trovato. "It's branched out a bit. We haven't had a ton of advertising, but it 's definitely growing f rom the cast iron group. There are some people who are looking for their first cookware. A younger crowd buying cookware for the first time is looking for a workhorse for the kitchen. There's a rededication for cast iron, so that 's something we're looking to build on." The folks at Stargazer were also surprised to find how often cast iron was being bought as a gift. "From the social media aspect, it caught on and people spread the word. When people get their orders, there's a ripple effect out of that," says Trovato. " We've had people who get theirs, like it, and then buy a couple more as gifts." The community that forms around cast iron is also always looking for new ways to cook with the material. "Dutch ovens and griddles are popular ones, we've had requests for a wok as well. We've had requests for lids, we're looking at something like a universal lid that can fit everything," says Trovato. "Some guy wanted some huge pot f rom us, he even gave us dimensions and it was enormous." New buyers of small batch cast iron might be confused at the color of the cookware that comes out of the box. The deep black color of most cast iron comes f rom two stages of production. After the casting process, mass produced pieces aren't polished and retain a rough finish. After that, preseasoning takes place. At an assembly line, a thick layer of seasoning oil is applied by a sprayer and treated at high heat to speed up the process of seasoning. These factors combine to make the dark grey and black surfaces that cast iron is known for. But, Trovato notes, this doesn't have to be the case. Stargazer's polishing and hand-seasoning makes a pan that looks different f rom mass produced models. Stargazer pans have thin, hand-applied layers of oil seasoned at a lower heat, which makes the finished pans distinctly lighter in color. "Ours start a little bronzer. People are curious about why it looks different. A lot of people don't realize it starts silver, just like any other metal, and as you cook with it more it 'll turn black," says Trovato. Another appeal of cast iron is a distrust of nonstick cookware. "You've seen a lot more concern about where [customers'] foods come f rom. Those concerns tie into the health concerns around nonstick coatings," says Trovato. "I've had more than a couple customers mention things like 'space age nonstick coating,' there's some skepticism around it. The more natural feel of cast iron is something that really appeal to them." Consumers are also looking for something that will last longer. "I do think in general there's a shift away f rom disposability, people will know they're going to be replacing [aluminum nonstick pans] in two years," says Trovato. "If they invest in cast iron they're never going to replace it. People just want something more permanent." KN (cont. from Page 1)

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