Tools of the Trade: Asia Phillips

Monday was my first time visiting a William-Sonoma store. I was in awe of all the fancy and sophisticated cooking utensils and machines. One that caught my eye was a green and creme colored gadget that favored a children's version of a food processor. This tool was called the Beaba Babycook from France. The tab boasted the Beaba's ability to defrost, blend, steam and reheat anything from fruits to veggies to meats while maintaining original vitamins and nutrients. This high-tech green machine was just under $150.00, which is a small price to have your little one indulging in finer eats than Gerber. This item was placed near the cash register to make sure it gets attention and awareness. Fun and easy on the eye for children, with benefits for adults makes the Beaba Babycook a staple for all homes of babies and toddlers.

Tools of the Trade - veronica p.

On monday our class took a field trip to Williams Sanoma, which is a cooking store nearby. They had all kinds of tools in the store (along with GREAT hot apple cider for the season) and our job was to find a tool that we did not recognize. The tool I found turned out to be a simple "Lid Gripper," but until I read the lable I had not had any idea of what it was. To me it had looked like some sort of flat crushing device with a long handle, possibly to squeese something (it was in the vegitable section so I thought vegitables). The black knob on the back could be twisted to make the three odd roundish teeth like grippers to move in and out. But it's simple use is to open jars, and the kind staff pointed out its benefits, how it easily fits on to most size lids and makes it easier for people to open them using the long handle at the end. She said it is exeptionally good for older people with arthritis who aren't as strong as they once were and have trouble gripping things. Very useful, and easy to handle the Lid Gripper was something new to me that I wouldn't mind having, especially with my brothers not around to open things for me!
veronica

Tools of the Trade by Ysabelle Maramag

On the field trip at Williams-Sonoma, I discovered an automatic yogurt maker. It was a machine base with dials like a crock pot and had a clear upper half that housed seven glass jars with white plastic lids. It provides the consumer with seven 6 oz. containers of yogurt in 6-10 hours. I was curious as how this is possible. It seemed like a good investment for yogurt lovers at $50. Apparently you add milk, yogurt culture, and whatever flavoring you want in each jar and put it in the contraption. A helpful staff member told me that this automatic yogurt maker uses heat to activate the culture and produce yogurt. They also told me that the jars come with a dial on top with numbers so the production date is known for proper consumption. I noticed that the price was lower at Williams-Sonoma and it surprised me because I thought of it as a place that might milk every last dollar from the consumer. After hearing the back story on the company though, it made sense. I think this tool is really only meant for those who use yogurt often and know how they want it made. It might be a waste for those who just like yogurt because if you’re in a house by yourself, who is going to eat 35 ounces of yogurt with you. However, I thought it was a nice idea for those who are curious how food is made and it can ensure fresher ingredients and better living because it is in the makers hands. Also, I thought is gives creative freedom because a person could create any flavor that they wanted and maybe create something new and not seen or tasted before.

Tools of the Trade- Sarah Naqvi

Beaba Babycook

The Beaba Babycook is a small bright green steamer, blender, re-heater, and defroster all in one. It is the perfect tool for mothers! With the Beaba Babycook, they won't have to use multiple appliances when preparing food for their babies. It can cook vegetables, fruits, meats, and fish in less than 15 minutes. Beaba Babycook, originally from France, also ensures more fresh and healthy food for babies since no preservatives from store bought foods are used. With the Beaba Babycook, babies can have more flavor and vitamins in their meals. As soon as I saw this cool tool, I was attracted to it. It seems like it will make a mother's life a lot easier. Also, I loved how it also came with recipes. Mom's as well as Babies would be fascinated by the Beaba Babycook!

Tools of the trade

The tool I found interesting was the waffle tongs. At first it seem strange but then i thought how there is an invention for everything. well the top of the waffle tong looked like a fork while the bottom of it was flat. It made it easy to grap and hold on to. Heaven forbids someone drops their waffle using their hands. It was somewhat funny and i find it hard to believe someone would buy this product.

Tools of the Trade-- KHolzman

KHolzman

Food as Muse

Professor Whitman

27 October 2010

Tools of the Trade-- KHolzman

I had the divine pleasure of becoming familiar with the "Rosle Egg Timer and Piercer" during my visit at the local "Williams-Sonoma." Not only is this privileged information useful in everyday conversation and dating ice-breakers, but now I can do things with an egg that most can only dream of.

This handy-dandy gadget is small and metallic and is primarily used for timed egg cooking. The "Rosle" punctures the egg shell with minimal cracking allowing the egg to heat more efficiently.

Why might cooked eggs with undamaged shells become of great importance you ask? Well, according to the well-informed staff members at "Williams-Sonoma," they are ideal for serving whole as well as ornamental displays around easter. I assume that this device may also be convenient for paper weights for those of us who are Jewish vegetarians.

Tools of the Trade--by. Anam Mian

I found this ancient looking tool at Williams-Sonoma called Chinois Bouillon Strainer. The staff member told me that it is mainly used to make soups and various types of sauces. In addition, it helps give them an extremely smooth texture. You pour in the sauce and use the wooden handle to strain it out. To me it looked so neat and precise, I am sure you can use other kinds of new technological based tools to make smooth sauces or soups etc… However, I feel like tools that remind you of the days when technology didn’t exist, make you feel like you are actually working hard, on whatever you are trying to accomplish. There is so much beauty in it. Most of the equipment reminded me of Pakistan, the wooden handles to make garlic pieces, or smash up any other type of ingredient instead of using a food processor or some other type of easy utensil. It made me extremely happy to see that Williams- Sonoma had these kind of rich tools as well, and not just the stuff that belongs to the modern era. These kind of ancient tools are much needed in our society today, because they can help us reminisce on our history, and taste the hard work of our past.