At Yuppiechef HQ's we've often spoken about the need for a quality kitchen 'starter kit' - we think it's a great way to get going in the kitchen and were of course delighted to discover the 36-piece Pro Kitchen set for everyday cooks by My Pro Kitchen. Check it out. (Not available in SA)

[via NOTCOT.org]

This is a fascinating look at what families from around the world eat in one week. See all of them here 

The Casales family of Cuernavaca,Mexico

Food expenditure for one week: 1,862.78 Mexican Pesos or 189.09$
Favorite foods: chicken, pizza, crab, pasta

We like blenders. We came across this uber-cool Wolfgang Puck blender and are salivating at the sheer power of 1000w motor (The closest we stock is 500w). We can't get our hands on one of these but we think the noise might come close to the legendary "potato, potato, potato" sound of a Harley. The fact that it looks like it has a clamp to keep the lid down says it all.

This Wolfgang Puck Power Blender is possibly the most powerful blender ever. Even with the glass container filled to its 50-oz. capacity, this blender features 6 blades that rotate clockwise, and 4 stirring blades that rotate counter-clockwise simultaneously to ensure blades will not get stuck. 1,000-watt professional blender can crush ice without adding liquid. Patented automatic system reverses blade direction if slowing occurs . Safety-interlocking arm. Computer-controlled blender speed stays constant.

[via]   

We don't normally write about ads, but we couldn't resist German knife makers, WMF's latest campaign. Now we know we have to brush up our knife skills. (More after the jump)

Read the rest of this entry »

Following on the trend of outdoors/innovation comes this new gadget (not currently available in SA). The Handpresso is a contraption (not to be confused with a bicycle pump) that allows you to make an espresso anywhere - more specifically in the bush.  

How does it work?

Nothing is easier! Just pump the machine to 16 bar, add hot water from a kettle or a thermo insulated bottle and an E.S.E. pod. Then, serve a premium quality coffee in your cup by pushing the button.

It seems to be the latest thing (for like 10 years now) to 'rough it' without really roughing it, but are we willing to forego our creaturely comforts of hot water, a comfy bed and at the very least our eternal espresso? Well it seems that our friends over at the 'centre for scientific inventions to rock the world' have solved these problems in a few easy pumps.

Find out more: Handpresso

Have you ever been asked 'how do you like your coffee?' with the answer generally being something like '1 milk, 1 sugar'. Now you don't have to worry about trying to work out a scientific method of explaining how much milk you want (while assuming your lovely servant can comprehend it) resulting in the perfect cuppa. 

The cup has a whole host of colour coded labels on the side from 'milky' to 'builder's brew' that helps you guide your able-bodied servant to mix the right amount of milk in and make that perfect cup for you. All they need do for the sugar content is decide how sour you are and add accordingly to 'sweeten' you up!

Only in this world full of pedantic coffee experts would there be such be such seriousness when it comes to things like this but don't you fret - there is a similar cup for tea lovers as well.

Available from Generate.

So, although we love to stand around the braai and talk rugby, how great would it be if the braai could be ready in 60 seconds? Don't believe us..? Check out this new contraption which gets your charcoal going in a minute.

Similar to the heat-focusing technology used in paint-stripping hot-air guns, the charcoal starter emits hot air at 600° C (1,290° F), providing a constant, precise flow of heat from the tip of the unit. Simply plug the device into a standard wall outlet, place the metal tip into the charcoal and hold down the button.

[Via]

The guy who brought 'Cool' into the kitchen , Jamie Oliver (much respect from the YC team), is opening a new "neighbourhood" restaurant. The new establishment will offer high quality, authentic Italian food at an affordable price - the first restaurant (of what seems to be many) is set to open in Bath, England in early 2008.

'Jamie's Italian', aims to bring Jamie's books to life and provide fast, urban casual dining, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week.

Keep watching this site for news. For Jamie's signature range go here.

We end off the the Top 10 Weirdest Kitchen Gadgets as featured in PC Mag with the Thermador Freedom T36IT70PNS Refrigerator. The great thing about this fridge is that it's shelves can be adjusted at the push of a button. If you've ever had to re-adjust a shelf in a fridge, you will remember that it's quite a mission to get the shelves to line up first time, so it usually requires a fair bit of tinkering before you get it right. The Thermador Freedom also has electronic sensors that will keep the fridge temperature constant. 

Coming in at number nine is the Zero Gravity Magnetic Spice Rack. Once mounted on the wall, each spice canister magnetically attaches to the bottom or the top of the rack. Very nice idea if you're into spice racks…we're not too sure why it made it onto the Top 10 weirdest gadgets list though!?