Market Report: Gourmet Housewares Show

By name, it may not sound like a gift show, but most of the product at the Gourmet Housewares Show, in Orlando FL, would fit into many traditional gift stores. While there was a bit of small electronics on display (including a slow-cooker from Waterford Wedgwood, pre-programmed with healthy recipes), as well as plenty of pots and pans, the Gourmet Housewares Show also featured a wide variety of design-focused home products suited to the gift industry — plus a smattering of gourmet treats. Familiar gift companies exhibiting included Umbra, Caldrea home care, Ritzenhoff tableware, Wine Things and even Avanti cards. But the show is at least as notable for the resources buyers might not find at a regular gift show.

Green product was a major presence, with more than 40 exhibitors labeled with the Green by Design logo. Among the eco-friendly merchandise, bamboo was the material of the moment. Standouts included the East + West line from TruBamboo (in partnership with celebrity chef Ming Tsai) and colorful products from Bambu.

The popularity of silicone continues, adding not just color and softness but creative shapes to once-utilitarian products (and therefore making them more “giftable”). Noteworthy examples included the Gourmet Gold winning Poach Pod from Fusion Brands and the new silicone personal steamer by Orka, for healthy cooking in the microwave. Orka's new silicone tagine highlights the increasing mainstream influence of ethnic cuisines such as Moroccan.

Though there was some hot chocolate merchandise, the big gourmet beverages remained coffee, tea and wine. Ingenious wine gadgets ranged from the Storvino modular wine storage system to several devices which claim to chill, preserve or even improve the flavor of wine. A line of French absintheware from Bonnecaze & Cie, anticipates the arrival of the first legal absinthe in the U.S., available next month.

You might think there is little room left for innovation in coffee or tea, but the Java and Health Tea Wands mover the filter to the end of a glass straw for loose ground or leaf brew-in-cup convenience.

One fruitful area for inventive new products was fast, easy delivery of restaurant style flavors for home cooks, including pre-seasoned grilling skewers. Fire & Flavor Grilling Co. reported that its cedar grilling papers were a best-seller. Meanwhile, the Flavor Magic Gourmet Seasoning Sheets from Real Chef won a Gourmet Gold, and TSP Spices won Best in Show for pre-measured organic spices.

For the complete Gourmet Housewares Show Report, visit www.giftsanddec.com and click on “Direct From Market.”