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GENERAL NEWS KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW n JANUARY 2018 n www.kitchenwarenews.com 12 Around the Table with Robin ho took one horrified look at the scale on January first and decided that enough is enough? Like me, many of your customers will have listed weight loss and health goals among their New Year's resolutions for 2018. What they'll need from you, their favorite kitchenware retailer, will vary depending on which program they've chosen to follow, so arranging your product displays and asking questions can serve your sales goals. An Eye to Health Some ways of eating are strictly connected to health – these would include the DASH diet, designed to lower blood pressure by restricting sodium. The Mediterranean diet, Mayo Clinic Diet, the TLC Diet, the Ornish Diet and Dr. Weil's Anti-Inflammatory Diet, all of which emphasize f ruits and vegetables, replacing most red meat with poultry and fish, reduced use of saturated fats such as butter and cream, and generous daily servings of whole grains, also fall into this category. Another diet, the MIND Diet, is designed to combat Alzheimer's disease and is a combination of the DASH diet and the Mediterranean Diet. And of course, many of your customers have elected to go gluten-f ree. These are not necessarily weight-loss diets, and your customers who choose one of these ways of eating may or may not have a weight-loss target. Asking someone about their weight can be tricky and potentially insulting, though, so it may be best to solicit more information indirectly by saying something like, "Tell me more about why you've chosen this program." Customers following any of these ways of eating are going to be trying to reduce their consumption of fats, so steer them to non-stick cookware and their related utensils. They may be intrigued by your olive oils, if you sell them. Because whole grains and legumes can take a while to cook, these customers may be interested in electric or stove-top pressure cookers and crockpots. Poultry and fish cooking equipment – such as fish poachers and beer can chicken holders – may also catch their interest. Remind them about baking en papillote – and show them the baking parchment that makes the moist, gentle cooking method so successful for delicate proteins. Specialty microwave accessories such as egg cookers and poachers, omelet makers, vegetable steamers and so on, will also appeal to them as both time savers and helpful equipment to make staying on that diet easier. Bakeware, f rom cake pans to loaf pans, may interest them, too, especially if they're bread bakers who are interested in whole-grain loaves. Small Dutch ovens may also appeal, because they're so good for no-knead boules. Loving the Lifestyle Other ways of eating are more lifestyle oriented. Some of the diets make health claims, some don't; some tout weight loss; some don't. Many of your customers who follow these kinds of diets plan to continue to eat this way for a long time, maybe for the rest of their lives. Among these diets are low-carb diets of all types, including Atkins, South Beach and ketogenic; and Paleo. All these diets create special cookware needs. Because the low-carb dieter is no longer eating bread, pasta or potatoes, you'd serve her better by showing her the clever little silicon candy molds to make the little treats called "fat bombs." Many low-carb dieters also make a bread substitute of one form or another, and they may like silicon or metal shallow muffin pans. Grill pans and cast iron skillets would be popular with this shopper, and so would electric or stove-top pressure cookers and slow cookers, which you would naturally mention make preparing less expensive cuts of meat so simple and easy. This group of customers will most likely be interested in lunch sets and storage containers, because eating out is a little tougher for them than for your more strictly health-oriented customers. Insulated lunch bags and boxes, bottles that keep beverages hot or cold – all will appeal to someone who's suddenly packing lunches every day. Looking for Less Finally, weight-loss plans – including Weight Watchers and the Biggest Loser Diet – restrict calories to help with weight management. These plans typically emphasize nutrient-dense foods prepared with little or no added fat, and count on strict portion control. Show these customers your air poppers and air f ryers. Tour them through your newest non-stick products, and ballyhoo their benefits. Steamer racks and microwave accessories will also be popular with this crowd. A food scale, for measuring both ingredients in recipes and portions of the finished dish, may be a helpful suggestion. This is another crew who may be interested in packable, portable lunch solutions. Take advantage of the diet season while you can, however. A British study reported that most women quit their diets within the first five weeks. That's just in time for you to begin to promote special goods for Valentine's Day. KN BY ROBIN MATHER Kyocera Debuts New Mugs With a "Twist" Kyocera presents "Twist," a new line of fashion travel mugs with ceramic coated interiors. Featuring a convenient twist top, these double wall insulated mugs come in four appealing colors: Pearl W hite, Cotton Candy Pink, Jet Black and Stainless Steel. Kyocera's proprietary ceramic coating never imparts a metallic taste, for an upgraded flavor experience. The double wall vacuum insulated design keeps beverages hot or cold for 6 to 12 hours, depending on starting temperature. A removable ice stopper insert makes drinking, cleaning and adding ice cubes easy. With its contemporar y look and advanced features, this is the perfect travel mug for commuting on the train or in the car, at the office, school, home kitchen or sporting events, or for camping, hiking, picnics or golfing. The slim profile makes it comfortable to hold and carr y. Plus, it stays cool to the touch with hot liquids, and it never sweats with cold liquids. The twist top is easy to open, and spill-proof when closed. The mugs have a retail price ranging f rom $24.95 to $27.95. Kyocera Twist Ceramic Coated Travel Mugs come gift boxed and are available for immediate shipment. Kyocera also offers Ceramic Coated Travel Mugs with a flip-top lid. For more information, visit www.kyoceraadvancedceramics.com. KN OtterBox Coolers Stand Up To The Outdoors W hether they enjoy campsite cookouts, tailgating with cold brews or backcountry adventures, each special someone will love the extended ice life and modular versatility of OtterBox Venture cooler. Ever yone does the outdoors their own way. Whether it 's rugged wilderness, a remote lake, the neighborhood park or a nearby beach, the important thing is to have fun doing it. Worr ying about keeping food and beverages safe and cold shouldn't put a damper on any outing. With superior cooling technology and trusted OtterBox durability, Venture offers superior ice life and is certified bear- resistant. Easy-open latches, durable built- in handles, anti-slide rubber feet and 2 inches of ref rigeration-grade foam makes it essential equipment for any outing. Venture is outfitted with a modular system to customize it with accessories that speak to the many different ways people might use their cooler. For the campsite chef, a cutting board and side table attachments equate to more on the menu than the typical hot dogs and hamburgers. The avid tailgater will cheer for the included bottle opener and a cup holder that attaches to the sturdy mounting system. Boating enthusiasts will get hooked on the attachable dr yboxes and RAM Mounts RAM-TUBE fishing rod holder. OtterBox Venture Coolers are backed by OtterBox Limited Lifetime Warranty and are available in three colors and three sizes: Venture 25, starting at $249.99; Venture 45, starting at $349.99; and Venture 65, starting at $399.99. The OtterBox Elevation tumbler is ideal for caffeinated commuters and campers alike. Available in 10-, 20- and 64-ounce sizes, these stainless-steel tumblers are copper lined for longer temperature retention and feature a sweat-resistant design, perfect for keeping coffee or tea hot and water or smoothies cold for as long as it takes to consume them. The Elevation 20, $29.99, is fully customizable with cocktail shaker and thermal lids available. Elevation 10, $24.99, is great for a grab-and-go beverage, and Elevation 64, $69.99, holds enough water or sports drink for all-day hydration or plenty of beer to share. When that special someone loves the great outdoors, Venture and Elevation are the perfect gift to place under the tree. Both Venture Coolers and Elevation Tumblers are available at www.otterbox.com and at Best Buy and www.BestBuy.com. KN

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