A Slight Setback

Well, as (bad) luck would have it, I was hit with a bout of pneumonia this past week, and as of today still have not been able to shake it completely. So, this means that I cannot cover the Housewares Show, I cannot go to any fabulous parties hosted by handsome Australian chefs, and I cannot get a sample of that in-home permanent laser hair removal device that I was so looking forward to nabbing. Drat. But I'll be contacting the vendors for press kits and maybe I'll be able to report back on what were some of the most interesting products of the show. Thanks for tuning in :)

The Housewares Story

I discovered this gem at my library's book sale the other day: The Housewares Story: A History of the American Housewares Industry, by Earl Lifshey, published in 1973 by the National Housewares Manufacturers Association. It covers the history of housewares from pretty much the beginning of recorded history, through 1973. The really cool thing about this book is that it's not just a history of eating, drinking, and cooking implements, but of the industry itself. It discusses the advent of trade shows, how housewares were sold, major developments in manufacturing, and lots lots more. There are a ton of pictures and charts, making this a fun book to browse through. Well worth the dollar I paid for it.

Duff Goldman, Star of "Ace of Cakes," appearing at IH+HS

Three words: Edible Airbrush Art. That's right--Duff Goldman, owner and founder of Charm City Cakes, and star of tv's Ace of Cakes, is going to be at the Housewares Show next week demoing an airbrush machine you can use in your own home, on your own cakes. Duff will be at the Gartner Specialty Products booth (#3086) to showcase his "Duff  Goldman by Gartner Studios" line of bakeware and cake decorating products on Saturday, March 10 from 1-2pm, and Sunday, March 11 from 4-5:30pm. He'll also be appearing in the Cooking Theater, on Sunday from 3-3:30pm, so there are plenty of opportunities to see this guy in action.