November Food Holidays

Beyond Thanksgiving, November has a bountiful harvest of food lover’s holidays

· Georgia Pecan Month

· Good Nutrition Month

· National Peanut Butter Lover’s Month

· National Pepper Month

· National Pomegranate Month

· Raisin Bread Month

· Vegan Month

· National Fig Week is the first week in November



Each day of the month has something to celebrate too:

November 1: National Deep Fried Clams Day

November 1: National Vinegar Day

November 2: National Deviled Egg Day

November 3: National Sandwich Day

November 4: National Candy Day

November 5: National Doughnut Day

November 6: National Nachos Day

November 7: Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day

November 8: National Cappuccino Day

November 8: National Harvey Wallbanger Day

November 9: National Scrapple Day

November 9: Cook Something Bold & Pungent Day

November 10: National Vanilla Cupcake Day

November 11: National Sundae Day

November 12: National Pizza With Everything Day (Except Anchovies)

November 13: National Indian Pudding Day

November 14: National Guacamole Day

November 14: National Pickle Day

November 15: National Raisin Bran Cereal Day

November 16: National Fast Food Day

November 17: National Baklava Day

November 17: Homemade Bread Day

November 18: National Vichyssoise Day

November 19: Carbonated Beverage with Caffeine Day

November 20: National Peanut Butter Fudge Day

November 20: Beaujolais Nouveau Day

November 21: Gingerbread Day

November 22: National Cashew Day

November 23: National Espresso Day

November 23: Eat a Cranberry Day

November 24: National Sardines Day

November 25: National Parfait Day

November 26: National Cake Day

November 27: National Bavarian Cream Pie Day

November 28: National French Toast Day

November 29: Chocolates Day

November 29: National Lemon Creme Pie Day

November 30: National Mousse Day

New member websites come online

Le Roux Kitchen of Portland ME; Portsmouth NH; and Martha's Vineyard has a new website.  Check it out here.

And here's the link to Faraday's Kitchen Store in Austin TX.  Both have online shopping adding "clicks" to their "bricks"

Fun with Food August’s National Food Holidays

August is the month for vacations and well, er….we missed passing along a few food holidays…so maybe you were on vaca and missed a few as well.  But the good news….you still have a few weeks to celebrate:

National Brownies At Brunch Month

National Catfish Month

National Panini Month

National Peach Month

National Sandwich Month

National Apple Week Is The Second Week

And, the rest of these daylong celebrations:

National Mustard Day: The First Saturday

August 1: National Raspberry Cream Pie Day

August 2: National Ice Cream Sandwich Day

August 3: National Watermelon Day

August 3: Grab Some Nuts Day

August 4: National Lasagna Day

August 5: National Waffle Day

August 5: National Oyster Day

August 6: National Root Beer Float Day

August 7: National Raspberries in Cream Day

August 8: National Zucchini Day

August 8: National Frozen Custard Day

August 9: National Rice Pudding Day

August 10: National Banana SplitDay

August 10: National S'mores Day

August 11: National Raspberry Tart Day

August 12: Julienne Fries Day

August 13: National Filet Mignon Day

August 14: National Creamsicle Day

August 15: Julia Child’s Birthday

August 15: Lemon Meringue Pie Day

August 16: Bratwurst Day

August 16: National Rum Day

August 17: National Vanilla Custard Day

August 18: National Soft Ice Cream Day

August 19: Potato Day

August 19: Hot & Spicy Food Day

August 20: Lemonade Day

August 20: National Chocolate Pecan Pie Day

August 21: National Pecan Torte Day

August 22: National Spumoni Day

August 22: Eat a Peach Day

August 23: National Sponge Cake Day

August 24: National Peach Pie Day

August 25: Whiskey Sour Day

August 26: National Cherry Popsicle Day

August 27: National Pots de Crème Day

August 27: Banana Lover's Day

August 28: National Cherry Turnover Day

August 29: More Herbs, Less Salt Day

August 29: Chop Suey Day

August 29: Lemon Juice Day

August 30: National Toasted Marshmallow Day

August 31: Eat Outside Day

August 31: National Trail Mix Day

Today is international beer day

The motto is "Because you need another excuse to drink beer."  So we'll be kicking back celebrating that food holiday and will post the August foodie holidays after our celebration....but encourage customers to buy beer glasses for their celebration

Look who's on the cover!

When we travel around to different kitchen stores, the colorful displays of Le Creuset Cookware always catch our eye. 

In a great store in California 

...in this kitchenware store in France's Loire Valley.  

This spring we visited the Le Creuset Signature Store in Charlston, SC (their US headquarters) which was chockoblock full of everything Le Creuset, including dinnerware

Could this be coming soon to your store? 

For the recent Charleston Wine & Food Festival, Le Creuset created a limited edition set of 3 mini dutch ovens in Gullah Blue, named for the language and culture of  the South Carolina Low Country's first inhabitants.   

Lovely color, yes? 

Le Creuset's newest color, Fennel is featured on the cover of the HTI Late Summer Flyer.  It's a perfect choice too, as Fennel reflects the season--a just picked garden fresh hue that adds a splash of color to the kitchen--and to the cover of the flyer.

July Foodie Holidays

We shouldn’t be surprised that July celebrates grilling, barbecue and ice cream should we? But National Gummy Worm Day? Well, guess it has to be sometime. Enjoy the month and all these great food holidays:

• National Ice Cream Month
• National Baked Bean Month
• National Bison Month
• National Culinary Arts Month
• National Grilling Month
• National Hot Dog Month
• National July Blueberries Month

Each day you can celebrate:
July 1: Creative Ice Cream Flavor Day
July 1: National Gingersnap Day
July 2: National Anisette Day
July 3: National Chocolate Wafer Day
July 3: Eat Beans Day
July 4: National Barbecued Spareribs Day
July 5: National Apple Turnover Day
July 6: National Fried Chicken Day

July 7: National Strawberry Sundae Day
July 8: National Chocolate with Almonds Day
July 9: National Sugar Cookie Day
July 10: Pick Blueberries Day
July 10: National Piña Colada Day
July 11: National Blueberry Muffin Day
July 12: National Pecan Pie Day
July 13: National French Fries Day
July 13: Beans ‘n’ Franks Day
July 14: Bastille Day
July 14: Macaroni Day
July 14: National Grand Marnier Day
July 15: National Gummy Worm Day
July 15: National Tapioca Pudding Day
July 16: National Corn Fritters Day
July 17: National Peach Ice Cream Day
July 18: National Caviar Day
July 19: National Daiquiri Day
July 20: National Lollipop Day
July 20: National Hot Dog Day
July 20: National Ice Cream Soda Day
July 20: Fortune Cookie Day
July 21: National Ice Cream Day
July 21: National Junk Food Day
July 22: National Penuche Fudge Day
July 23: National Vanilla Ice Cream Day
July 24: National Tequila Day
July 25: National Hot Fudge Sundae Day
July 26: National Coffee Milkshake Day
July 27: National Crème Brûlée Day
July 27: National Scotch Day
July 28: National Milk Chocolate Day
July 29: Cheese Sacrifice Purchase Day
July 29: National Lasagna Day
July 30: National Cheesecake Day
July 31: National Raspberry Cake Day
July 31: Cotton Candy Day
July 31: Jump for Jelly Beans Day

It’s finally summer—let’s celebrate with a month of foodie holidays

June is a month long celebration for:

National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month
National Candy Month
National Dairy Month
National Iced Tea Month
National Papaya Month
National Seafood Month
National Turkey Lover’s Month




And every day we can celebrate:
June 1: National Hazelnut Cake Day
June 2: National Rocky Road Ice Cream Day
June 3: National Egg Day
June 4: National Cheese Day
June 4: National Frozen Yogurt Day
June 4: National Cognac Day
June 5: National Gingerbread Day
June 6: National Applesauce Cake Day
June 7: National Chocolate Ice Cream Day
June 8: Jelly-Filled Doughnut Day
June 8: World Oceans Day (Sustainable Seafood)
June 9: National Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie Day
June 10: Herbs & Spices Day
June 10: National Iced Tea Day
June 10: National Black Cow* Day (that’s a root beer float for the uninitiated)
June 11: National German Chocolate Cake Day
June 12: International Cachaça Day
June 12: National Peanut Butter Cookie Day
June 13: Kitchen Klutzes of America Day
June 14: National Strawberry Shortcake Day
June 15: National Lobster Day
June 16: National Fudge Day
June 17: Eat All Your Veggies Day
June 17: National Apple Strudel Day
June 18: National Cherry Tart Day
June 18: International Picnic Day
June 19: National Dry Martini Day
June 20: National Vanilla Milkshake Day
June 21: National Peaches and Cream Day
June 22: National Chocolate Éclair Day
June 22: National Onion Rings Day
June 23: National Pecan Sandy Day
June 24: National Pralines Day
June 25: National Strawberry Parfait Day
June 26: National Chocolate Pudding Day
June 27: National Indian Pudding Day
June 27: National Orange Blossom Day
June 28: National Tapioca Day
June 29: National Almond Buttercrunch Day
June 30: National Ice Cream Soda Day

Displaying soft-wear

Towels, aprons and other linens give instant softness to store displays and add a pop of color too. Here is a selection of merchandising ideas from different kitchenware stores we have visited--from hanging towels on a clothesline overhead to a basket of towels discreetly placed by the cookbook collection

May Food Holidays

It’s the merry month of May and there are food celebrations every day

In May we celebrate:
• National Asparagus Month
• National Barbecue Month
• National Chocolate Custard Month
• National Egg Month
• National Gazpacho Aficionado Month
• National Hamburger Month
• National Mediterranean Diet Month
• National Salad Month
• National Salsa Month
• National Strawberry Month

Weeklong celebrations this month include:
National Raisin Week and National Herb Week are the first week of the month
National Hamburger Week the second week of the month
International Pickles Week the third week
National Frozen Yogurt Week and American Beer Week fall in the fourth week.

Why are we not surprised that National Barbecue Day and National Hamburger/Cheeseburger Day both fall on Memorial Day Monday—but plan to celebrate these days this month too:
May 1: National Chocolate Parfait Day
May 2: National Truffles Day
May 3: National Raspberry Tart Day
May 4: National Homebrew Day
May 4: National Orange Juice Day
May 4: National Candied Orange Peel Day
May 5: National Chocolate Custard Day
May 5: Cinco de Mayo
May 5: National Hoagie Day
May 6: National Crêpes Suzette Day
May 6: International No Diet Day
May 7: National Roast Leg of Lamb Day
May 8 National Coconut Cream Pie Day
May 8: National Empanada Day
May 8: Have A Coke Day
May 9: National Butterscotch Brownie Day
May 10: National Shrimp Day
May 11: Eat What You Want Day
May 12: National Nutty Fudge Day
May 13 National Apple Pie Day
May 13: National Fruit Cocktail Day
May 14: National Buttermilk Biscuit Day
May 15: National Chocolate Chip Day
May 16: National Coquilles St. Jacques Day
May 17: National Cherry Cobbler Day
May 18: National Cheese Soufflé Day
May 19: National Devil’s Food Cake Day
May 20: National Quiche Lorraine Day
May 20: Pick Strawberries Day
May 21: National Strawberries and Cream Day
May 22: National Vanilla Pudding Day
May 23: National Taffy Day
May 24: National Escargot Day
May 25: National Brown-Bag-It Day
May 25: National Wine Day
May 26: National Blueberry Cheesecake Day
May 26: National Cherry Dessert Day
May 27: National Grape Popsicle Day
May 28: National Brisket Day
May 29: National Coq Au Vin Day
May 30: National Mint Julep Day
May 31: National Macaroon Day

Perfect pairings

Like salt and pepper, peanut butter and jelly, or birds of a feather…some things just go together. That’s why kitchenware retailers merchandise pairs of items or themes in their stores to give customers ideas. Here are a few examples we have found. What pairings are featured in your store?

This California Store put together a food processor with the Pourfect Bowl sets.

And here's a Georgia Kitchenware Store with a pairing of everything needed to make everyone's favorite pair of foods--pizza and tacos.

April Food Holidays

Easter Is coming this month but why wait when there is a food holidays every day to celebrate!

National Florida Tomato Month
National Garlic Month
National Grilled Cheese Month
National Soft Pretzel Month
National Soy Foods Month

Here are some weeklong celebrations:
National Bake Week Begins First Monday
National Egg Salad Week Second Week
National Hot Cross Bun Day Good Friday
National Baked Ham with Pineapple Day Easter

And the daily rundown:
April 1: National Sourdough Bread Day
April 2: National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
April 3: National Chocolate Mousse Day
April 4: National Cordon Bleu Day
April 5: National Caramel Day
April 5: National Raisin and Spice Bar Day
April 6: National Caramel Popcorn Day
April 7: Coffee Cake Day
April 8: National Empanada Day
April 9: Chinese Almond Cookie Day
April 10: National Cinnamon Crescent (Croissant) Day
April 11: National Cheese Fondue Day
April 12: Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day
April 12: National Licorice Day
April 13: National Peach Cobbler Day
April 14: National Pecan Day
April 15: National Glazed Spiral Ham Day

April 16: National Eggs Benedict Day
April 16: Day of the Mushroom
April 17: National Cheeseball Day
April 17: Healthy Kids Day
April 18: Animal Crackers Birthday
April 19: Garlic Day
April 19: National Amaretto Day
April 20: National Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Day
April 20: Lima Bean Respect Day
April 21: Chocolate-Covered Cashew Truffle Day
April 22: April 22 is Earth Day
April 22: National Jelly Bean Day
April 23: National Cherry Cheesecake Day
April 23: National Picnic Day
April 24: National Pigs-In-A-Blanket Day
April 25: National Zucchini Bread Day
April 26: National Pretzel Day
April 27: National Prime Rib Day
April 28: National Blueberry Pie Day
April 29: National Shrimp Scampi Day
April 30: National Raisin Day

March Foodie Holidays

Of course, this month we'll be celebrating Mardi Gras as well as Chocolate Chip Cookie Week during the second week of March and American Chocolate Week the third week.

All month we'll be enjoying:

• National Celery Month
• National Flour Month
• National Frozen Food Month
• National Nutrition Month
• National Noodle Month
• National Peanut Month
• National Sauce Month
• National Caffeine Awareness Month




Each day of the month has something to celebrate:
March 1: National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day
March 1: National Fruit Compote Day
March 2: National Banana Crème Pie Day
March 3: National Cold Cuts Day
March 3: National Mulled Wine Day
March 4: National Pound Cake Day
March 5: National Cheese Doodle Day
March 5: National Absinthe Day
March 6: National Frozen Food Day
March 6: National White Chocolate Cheesecake Day
March 7: National Crown Roast Of Pork Day
March 7: National Cereal Day
March 8: National Peanut Cluster Day
March 9: National Crabmeat Day
March 10: National Blueberry Popover Day
March 10: Pack Your Lunch Day
March 11: Oatmeal-Nut Waffles Day
March 12: National Baked Scallops Day
March 13: Coconut Torte Day
March 14: National Potato Chip Day
March 14: Pi Day in Math Circles (Pi is (3.141414); Bake A Pie In
Solidarity
March 15: National Pears Helene Day (with Chocolate Sauce & Brandy)
March 15: Ag Day, Celebrating Our Bountiful Food Supply
March 16: National Artichoke Hearts Day
March 17: Corned Beef And Cabbage Day
March 18: Oatmeal Cookie Day
March 19: Poultry Day
March 19: Maple Syrup Saturday
March 19: National Chocolate Caramel Day
March 20: Bock Beer Day
March 20: National Ravioli Day
March 21: California Strawberry Day
March 21: National French Bread Day
March 22: Coq Au Vin Day
March 22: National Water Day
March 23: National Chip and Dip Day
March 23: National Melba Toast Day
March 24: National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day
March 25: National Lobster Newburg Day
March 25: National Pecan Day
March 25: National Waffle Day
March 26: Make Up Your Own Holiday Day (We’ve Chosen To Make It Gourmet Mac & Cheese Day)
March 26: Spinach Day
March 27: National Spanish Paella Day
March 28: Something On A Stick Day
March 28: National Black Forest Cake Day
March 29: National Lemon Chiffon Cake Day
March 30: Turkey Neck Soup Day
March 31: Tater Day
March 31: National Clams On TheHalf Shell Day
March 31: Oranges and LemonsDay

Register by February 15

When was the last time you participated in professional development?

Learning and retail training not only invigorates your store with new ideas, approaches and strategies but also recharges and refreshes you and your participating staff. That’s why Housewares Training & Information Group (HTI) has launched the One Voice Conference which will premiere in March at the 2011 International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago. The March 5 event will bring together retailers and vendors together in a daylong forum focused on education and networking. A special part of the event is the retail roundtable where you can share information and learn about successful strategies from other retailers just like you. It will also be a chance to meet with vendors to discuss product lines, issues of concern and build relationships one-to-one in a relaxed atmosphere--including a Friday night reception.

Participating in the educational forum is easy too--because it is held in conjunction with existing event, the confluence of the timeframe and the International Housewares Association’s mission made Chicago the perfect place to hold this event.

Author, seminar leader and speaker, Harold Lloyd (left) will keynote the conference. Lloyd is known in the gourmet industry for his presentations at Retail 2020, The International Dairy-Deli-Bake Conference and the National Grocers Association Convention. He has been the president of a 14 store company with 1,000 employees and a franchisee of an award-winning family restaurant group.

Lloyd joins HTI President Bob Coviello (left) who will bring his know-how and vendor-retailer experience of more than 25 years to the conference.

The One Voice Conference has been developed by independent retailers including: Karen Skalicky of Creative Kitchen, Fargo, ND; Mike Fear of Now Your Cooking, Bath, ME; Karl and Marie Benson, Cooks of Crocus Hill, St. Paul, MN.; and Dean Eaton of Your Kitchen, Keene, NH.

FMI contact Annette Quezada hti.aquez@gmail.com

Time to celebrate

Food Holidays for February

• Berry Fresh Month
• Canned Food Month
• Celebration of Chocolate Month
• Great American Pies Month
• National Cherry Month
• National Fiber Focus Month
• National Fondue Month
• National Grapefruit Month
• National Heart Healthy Month
• National Hot Breakfast Month
• National Snack Food Month
• Potato Lover’s Month
• Sweet Potato Month
• International Pancake Day, Shrove Tuesday (February or March)
• Oatmeal Monday, second Monday

And this month's daily celebrations include:

February 1: National Baked Alaska Day
February 2: Heavenly Hash Day
February 3: National Carrot Cake Day
February 4: Homemade Soup Day
February 4: National Stuffed Mushroom Day
February 5: National Chocolate Fondue Day
February 7: National Fettuccine Alfredo Day
February 8: Molasses Bar Day
February 9: National Bagels and Lox Day
February 9: Pizza Pie Day
February 10: Cream Cheese Brownie Day
February 11: Peppermint Patty Day
February 11: Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day
February 12: National Plum Pudding Day
February 13: National Tortellini Day
February 14: National Creme-Filled Chocolates Day
February 15: National Gumdrop Day
February 16: National Almond Day
February 17: National Indian Pudding Day
February 18: Crab-Stuffed Flounder Day
February 18: Drink Wine Day
February 19: National Chocolate Mint Day
February 20: National Cherry Pie Day
February 21: National Sticky Bun Day
February 22: National Margarita Day
February 23: National Banana Bread Day
February 23: Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
February 24: National Tortilla Chip Day
February 25: National Clam Chowder Day
February 25: National Chocolate-Covered Nuts Day
February 26: National Pistachio Day
February 27: National Strawberry Day
February 27: National Kahlua Day
February 28: National Chocolate Soufflé Day
February 29: Surf and Turf Day

Keeping it local

Unlike big box stores which sell the same products, in the same layout, in the same store, in the same looking mall in everywhere USA, local independent kitchenware stores boast a hometown flair.

Whether stocking aebleskiver pans at the Creative Kitchen in Fargo, featuring cookbooks by local chefs at a kitchenware store in Napa Valley (left, above), or cheering for the Super Bowl-bound hometown team (left, below) at Pittsburgh’s In the Kitchen (Go Steelers!) independent stores are “keeping it local.”

How does your store show its hometown local pride?

Get an edge on profits

We just read a report in the latest edition of Gourmet Retailer that knives posted a large gain in retail sales--10.7%--in the past year. HTI member store KitchenWares, on Newbury Street in Boston, is part of the trend with an extensive cutlery selection and sharpening services to drive sales.

The Kitchenware Tourist Visits Pittsburgh

Do you visit other kitchenware stores when you are travelling? We do! And we take along a notebook and our trusty digital camera to take photos of cool stores, interesting products and other great ideas. So from time to time, the Kitchenware Tourist will be sharing these visits with you.

A few months back, we visited HTI member store In the Kitchen, which has been voted best kitchen store in Pittsburgh by the Tribune-Review two years in a row!

Owner KC Lapiana doubled the size of the store a few years back and uses every inch of space to showcase product.

The expansion has enabled the store to feature an extensive assortment of specialty foods.

January Food Holidays

Create some fun and ring up sales in your store with these month-long food holidays in January:

• Bread Machine Baking Month
• National Candy Month
• National Egg Month
• National Hot Tea Month
• National Meat Month
• National Oatmeal Month
• National Soup Month
• National Wheat Bread Month
• Prune Breakfast Month
• National Slow Cooking Month

And with these daylong celebrations:

January 3 National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day
January 4 National Spaghetti Day
January 5 National Whipped Cream Day
January 6 National Shortbread Day
January 7 National Tempura Day
January 8 National English Toffee Day
January 9 National Apricot Day
January 10 National Bittersweet Chocolate Day
January 12 National Marzipan Day
January 13 National Peach Melba Day
January 14 National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day
January 15 National Strawberry Ice Cream Day
January 16 National Fig Newton Day
January 20 National Buttercrunch Day
January 20 National Cheese Lover's Day
January 21 National Granola Bar Day
January 22 National Blonde Brownie Day
January 23 National Pie Day
January 23 National Rhubarb Pie Day
January 24 National Peanut Butter Day
January 25 National Irish Coffee Day
January 26 National Peanut Brittle Day
January 26 National Pistachio Day
January 28 National Blueberry Pancake Day
January 29 National Cornchip Day
January 30 National Croissant Day
January 31 National Popcorn Day

Welcome

Happy New Year and Welcome to the HTI Buying Group News Blog. We'll be posting occasional information and ideas for our retail members on this blog...so bookmark us and check back often to see what's new. Best wishes for a profitable 2011.