Oser Communications Group

GENERAL NEWS www.kitchenwarenews.com n AUGUST 2017 n KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW 5 General News Jeff Murphy, 53, Vice President, International, at the International Housewares Association, passed away June 7 during a hiking trip to Yellowstone National Park. Murphy's death was the result of a fall near Turkey Pen Peak in Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming, according to National Park Service officials. He went missing on Wednesday and a search began Thursday when his wife notified authorities that he had not checked in. "All of us at Yellowstone extend our sympathy to the Murphy family for their tragic loss," said Yellowstone Superintendent Dan Wenk in a statement. "On behalf of IHA and the housewares industry, our collective heart goes out to Jeff 's family," said Phil Brandl, IHA President and CEO. "Jeff will be missed greatly here at IHA… he was a very intelligent professional, team player and a warm-hearted, kind person. He was a great f riend to all, and IHA staff and his many colleagues around the world are struggling with this tragic news." Murphy joined IHA February 1. Although his tenure as an official IHA staff member was short, Murphy was a longtime member of the Association through his work in international sales for more than 20 years, and a familiar face to the global housewares industry, Brandl said. Before joining IHA, he served as Vice President of International Sales at Wilton Brands LLC for more than 13 years, where he presided over a significant global growth for the company. Before that, he was an international sales consult, working with clients such as Nordic Ware, Progressive International, Home Products International (Homz), Pfaltzgraff, Anchor Hocking Glass and Wilton Brands. Murphy is survived by his wife, Erica, and children, Collin and Megan. A Celebration of Life gathering was held July 8 from 6–11 p.m. at the Westwood Tavern, Schaumburg, Illinois. KN IHA Exec Jeff Murphy Dies in Yellowstone Fall Ideal for keeping sightlines clear in today's open kitchen plans, Jenn-Air brand's newest downdraft cooktops combine elegant design with a powerful yet quiet ventilation system that eliminates the need for an overhead hood. Utilizing proximity ventilation located on the cooktop rather than above it, downdraft ventilation captures smoke, steam and odors at the cooking surface, whisking them down and out before they can escape into the kitchen. "Since inventing downdraft ventilation in 1961, we have continued to refine this highly efficient ventilation system," says Jenn-Air marketing director Brian Maynard. "With our duct-f ree option, the benefits of downdraft ventilation can be realized in spaces where exterior venting may not be possible, like condominiums or high-rise buildings." All of the newest cooktop models feature the three-speed JX3™ Downdraft Ventilation System designed to effectively capture cooking vapors. A redesigned ventilation system designed to maximize the capture rate of cooking odors, allows for a low 310 CFM blower capacity that performs quietly without compromising its ability to handle the demand of powerful burners and elements. A shorter plenum, unique to the brand's downdraft cooktops, makes cleaning this chamber located beneath the cooktop surface easier. Also designed for easy cleaning is the dishwasher safe air grill. For those who opt for duct-free installation, a duct-free filter kit features a HAPA filter that monitors filter life and captures smoke, grease and moisture while allowing air to efficiently travel through the filter without impeding airflow. The new Electric Radiant Downdraft Cooktop models are available in 30-inch and 36-inch configurations and feature perimetric ventilation. Perimetric ventilation design helps concentrate air suction function to quickly and quietly capture cooking odors. Radiant elements on the 36-inch electric cooktops include the Triple Choice™ Element, providing cooking flexibility that accommodates various sizes of cookware with wattage output that ranges from a low of 1,550 watts to a powerful 4,500 watts. A two-tiered Dual-Choice™ Element also handles various sized cookware and features an output of up to 3,000 watts when both elements are active. Also included are a 6- inch, 1,300-watt element that can reach an ultra-low 300 watts and a 6-inch, 1,200-watt element both ideal for smaller sauce pans and sauciers. Other features found on the electric models include intuitive, highly responsive, glass touch electronic controls that feature an easy to read amber LED display. The smooth, knob free ceramic glass surface is easy to clean and is available in a Euro-Style stainless design featuring a stainless steel border or a borderless, black floating glass design. Suggested retail prices range from $1,999 for the 30-inch model to $2,199 for the 36- inch model. The latest gas downdraft cooktop models, available in 30-inch and 36-inch models, feature elegant sealed brass burners with removable bases that effectively direct heat and are easy to clean. Burners on the 36- inch model include a 17,000 BTU Ultra- High Output Burner that provide the power needed to sear, stir-fry or rapidly boil water. For added cooking versatility, additional burners include a 15,000 BTU Ultra-High Output Burner, a 12,500 BTU Burner, a 10,000 BTU Burner and a 5,000 BTU Ultra- Low Output Burner with a Melt Cap for gently cooking delicate sauces and foods. Other features on the gas downdraft cooktops include porcelain-on-cast iron continuous grates with a design that lines up flames between grate fingers for more efficient heating. DuraFinish® Protection resists yellowing, staining and scratching to ensure the cooktop surface continues to look like new over time. Electronic ignition and Flame-Sensing™ re-ignition maintain a continuous flame that reignites automatically when a burner's flame is blown out by a sudden draft. Style options include Euro-Style Stainless and Black and with prices ranging f rom $1,849 to $2,049 for the stainless models and $1,749 to $1,949 for the black models. For more information, visit www.jennair.com. KN Luxury Cooktops From Jenn-Air Artisan Styles On The Table blues. White is always going to have a presence in dining, I'm seeing some fabulous plays on white. Not just your standard white, maybe there's more going on. That monochromatic palate has that versatility," says Kendrick. "Currently I'm seeing more understated and monochromatic, revisiting the idea of that that neutral white and base charcoal or gray. It's also dependent on what's the atmosphere of your home. We're appreciating the aesthetic qualities to pull into our private dining space." The same thought processes that makes people want to buy artisan foods and carefully sourced products also drives the dishes they use. "I think it's more of a humble experience; it's a shift towards appreciating the artisan quality of kitchenware," says Kendrick. " We're so drawn to knowing where our food comes f rom and having relationships with producers; it's only natural that that trend follows into our tableware. It has its own inconsistencies and identity." Plating food on something handcrafted, or that looks handcrafted, shows that the server has put as much thought into the serving dish as the food inside. These designs are also connected to consumers' shifting living space. "There was a shift from urban residential experiences moving out to rural," says Kendrick. "What's interesting now – it's not so much rebounding back, but [that] we're seeing a return to that urban environment, and it's a blend of the two. It's an appreciation for hand crafting as well as appreciation of new development techniques." It 's an exciting time for tableware, as different styles and production techniques come together. "I think we're going to continue to see interest in artisan tableware. But I think we'll see more geometric forms that challenge our concept of dining," says Kendrick. "I think we feel like we're allowed to enjoy the entire dining process, and part of that is enjoying your environment. In restaurants, it's been a huge shift to warmer materials being used. We'll see continuing warmth mixed with technology and high design." KN (cont. from Page 1) PRODYNE INTRODUCES SPIRAL STAINLESS STEEL MARTINI PICKS SET Serve perfect martinis, cocktails and appetizers with these stylish new martini picks. The all stainless steel high-quality sets feature spiral heads that rest beautifully on the glass rim so there's no need to go fishing a pick out of the glass. The decorative spiral head is also easy to grab. The set of six martini picks is packed in attractive open clear PVC box with flip-up J-hook tab for impressive presentation. Suggested retail price: $9.99/set Prodyne Enterprises 909.484.1212 scott@prodyne.com www.prodyne.com

• Cover