Rachel Litner Associates

Gourmet Show and the Golden Gate Bridge

Just came back from the San Francisco Gourmet Show on Monday. As expected, traffic was down, big time, but there were still some great products to check out, especially in the cleaning and kitchen tools category. Among my favorites: Goodbye Detergent! (Just Say No to Soap!); two lumps of sugar; fusionbrands; and last but not least, StuckOnTools, the brainchild of a surgeon-turned product developer.

Of course, in kitchen electrics the big story was Cuisinart, and the debut of the company's new Elite food processor collection. OK so I'm biased, but I'm not the only one that loves the product. It's hitting retail shelves now and the feedback from buyers and press is super positive. People love the fact that the blade locks in place, the unit is so quiet, among other things. Check it out here, and look for the podcast on Homeworld magazine's website from the show, which should be posted soon.

And what conversation about San Francisco is complete without mentioning restaurants?? I loved Zuni Cafe, whose chef and co-owner is Judy Rodgers. The restaurant is all about seasonal organic ingredients with a French and Italian cuisine influence. Definitely have the roasted chicken for two, their signature dish. Another great place is La Mar, a wonderful Peruvian restaurant located at the Ferry Building. We tried an array of food - cebiches, empanadas, the works, just for fun. A feast of flavors, and a great view to boot!

"It's time to get happier..."

I'm a real fan of Bulldog Reporter, that offers conferences, newsletters and other resources for PR professionals and journalists. Last week's food and beverage audio conference spotlighted some of the most seasoned editors out there: Hugh Garvey, Bon Appetit; Tina Ujlaki, Food & Wine; Regina Ragone, Family Circle; Megan Steintrager, Epicurious.com; Nancy Hopkins, Better Homes and Gardens; and Phillip Rhodes, Cooking Light. They all agreed that fresh, honest cooking, local stories, sustainability, and affordability continue to resonate with their readers. They also pointed to the rise in home cooking, with a new focus on simpler foods and more casual approach to entertaining.

And on an upbeat note, they see brighter times ahead for the home cook, as the economy slowly rebounds. As Phil Rhodes put it, "It's time to get happier, we've been sad for so long." Food has always been the gateway to great times, added Tina Ujlaki. "Food gives us a reason to celebrate and come together at the table. Plus,it doesn't have to cost a lot of money." Nancy Hopkins summed it up perfectly: "Food is a way for our readers to get back to themselves. Maybe you can't afford a $400 pair of boots, but you can afford a $4 jar of conserve."

That's a great way of looking at it. I left the conference feeling inspired by such a positive  conversation. The magazine industry is more challenging than ever, and these editors sounded pumped and focused. Definitely one of the more meaningful teleconferences I've participated in!