Read about my favorite new appliances, new kitchen gadgets and new cookware from the show in upcoming posts. 

Outside of being a web designer, I dearly love being in the kitchen. Part of that is the tools and gadgets that I get to use in the kitchen, so every year, I go to the big industry event, The International Home & Housewares Show to check out what cool things my kitchen needs this year.

It’s pretty much a kid in a candy store situation.

I mean, last year I met Stephanie Izard, Buddy Valastro (Cake Boss) and Fabio Viviani. This year it was Chris Cosentino, Jean Layton (ok, she was in town for ICPA, but it counts) and Curtis Stone.

If I didn’t spend all day walking around the trade show, I wouldn’t have run in to my favorite clients (they make seriously awesome air purifiers) from my day job. Or had Mammacakes tell a Curtis Stone and his demo audience that I didn’t use to know how to cook. (It’s true. I hated cooking in high school, but I’ve always loved baking).

I got to see new product announcements, and had the joy of the most random pre-show product to try. (Seriously, why would a food blogger write about a personal travel bidet?)

But really, who would have thought to make spherical ice cubes? Or mix & match soda makers? Or knives with a more natural grip? Or Muffin Tops?

I’m not going to lie, I am still giddy about cooking with Curtis Stone, but the other finds are pretty darn awesome too.

Big trends this year were color – booth after booth was full of products injecting color into boring kitchen gadgets, technology – everything from computerized everything to all in one cookers and better product engineering.

This year is going to be a good one in the kitchen. Stay tuned for my best in show picks!