Spatulatta's Top Ten Picks from the International Home and Housewares Show 2009

This year we don't have a video report because most of Team Spatulatta was laid up with the flu. Liv and Belle were down for the count and Miss Heidi, their mom, was trying hard to stay on her feet while tending to the girls. So I was on my own with a still camera and a pad of paper.

My first impression was vibrant color. Color was popping everywhere. Even OXO with its signature black and white had added color to their spatulas. Here's our TOP TEN PICKS:

1. Chef'n PalmZester

Looks like a Power Ranger bracelet but really goes on your finger tips. With a few quick strokes this zester makes quick work of a lime or lemon. Chef'n CEO and inventor, David Holcomb, has gone the extra mile once again. The citrus zest is neatly stored in a flip open compartment rather than being shot all over the kitchen! Fabulous design and dishwasher safe.





2. Chef'n Four-Sided Grater

Always on the lookout for knuckle-saving devices. This is variation on the traditional box grater but it has a genius finger guide to keep your digits away from the super sharp blades. It also has a bottom so you're not grating directly onto the counter or having the grater slide around on a plate. The bottom comes off for easy access and cleaning.









3. ISI Flex It Measuring Cups

We've found over the years that children need practice pouring and until they get the coordination to stop the liquid, they have a tendency to overpour. These flexible measuring cups are great for putting oil or milk back into the bottle. Give these measuring cups a little squeeze and they make the perfect shape spout.

They are especially good for getting liquids into a running stand mixer. The flexible cup can be squeezed into a perfect shape for maneuvering into the area between the motor and the bowl. ISI also has flexible bowls that do the same magic for dry measure.








4. Zyliss Apple and Potato Cutter

We're always looking for cutting implements that keep children's hands away from the blades. The Zyliss Apple and Potato Cutter works like a traditional apple corer but it also has a replaceable blade that will cut potatoes into fries.








I could see all sorts of uses for the potato blade. Making small, relatively uniform cubes is a big challenge for small people. We could use it on jicama, squash, maybe even carrots. The child has both hands in plain sight and can use her or his full weight to press down on the implement.

When the cutter makes it through the veggie it gives a satisfying "thunk." Suddenly your 7-year old has done the work of a sous chef.







5. Playful Life French Cooking Set

I'm always rooting for women entrepenuers and I was glad to see a number of them at the show this year. Liz Rossilli was a teacher for years before she started her business. She draws on her knowledge of early child development in her products.

The Playful Life French Cooking Set is a great example. Not only do you get the chef's hat and the child-sized implements but you also get 5 French recipe cards that teach a little geography along with how to make chocolate mousse. Perfect for a 3 or 4 year old's birthday gift.

Liz also has a line of place maps that would be perfect for 1 -5 year olds with mapes and counting games. For older kids she has the Playful Party Planner, with etiquette tips, creative ideas and list maker. The graphics are adorable.



6. Zanda Panda Silicone Heart Mold

Sandra Lira, the designer, started as a sculptor and used silicone for molding bronze. One day it dawned on her that she could put her skills to work in the kitchen. She observed that children would bicker over who was going to get the decoration on a cake so she decided to make the whole cake a decoration.

She has a number of designs of cake and chocolate molds some of which have hand sculpted unicorns. I especially liked the heart mold. It's perfect for shortbeard because it's deeply scored. You can easily divide the cake into 8 individual heart shapes. Sandra uses the mold for chocolate, painting red chocolate into the small hearts before pouring milk chocolate into the rest of the mold. She then uses edible Luster Dust to highlight the flowers and curlicues.

Molds are also great for crafts. They form plaster of paris or paper maché as easily as cake batter.


7. Precidio Buddy Measuring Cups

These measuring cups with extra large handles are eronomically correct for really little hands. They're also beautiful bright colors. The measuring spoons have a slight dip in their handles to accomodate kids' range of motion.

Precido has a complement of cute bowls, cute spoons, cute cookie cutters perfect for the 2 to 6 crowd.



8. Orka Toast Tongs

Orka makes silicone mitts, ice cream scoops, dripless ice pops in a variety of yummy colors. My choice this year are a pair of silicone toast tongs. You can fearless dig down deep into that toaster to rescue that artisan bread slice or half bagel. They also double as mini salad tongs but I'm sure there are many other uses.

Orka also makes an omelet pan with lower sides so instead of struggling to lift the omelet, it can be slid onto the plate.










9. Jo!e - Kitch Pizza Cutter

I saw a lot similar cutters by other manufacturers but this circular blade had a red plastic cover so you can see that the blade is covered when not in use. A child might need to use both hands on this tool and then need some assistance holding the pizza. But this tool will be much safer than the traditional wheel blade on a handle.

Jo!e has a whole line of too cute zesters and peelers with little faces. I was really intrigued by the double bladed carrot peeler. Do twice the work in half the time.


10. ISI Get-it Tongs

Bamboo tongs come with a red silicon stand that also keeps the tongs together so small people don't have to wrestle trying to get the implements at the right angle.

They kind of look like reindeer antlers and I can see all sorts of family pictures featuring these tongs.











Thanks to all the exhibitors for sharing