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I love rainbow sets of nesting bowls, they just seem to exude happy optimism, but I'll admit I often wonder how many of those bowls you'd actually use. As always Joseph Joseph have also noticed this, and created a clever Prep Set. The eight-piece set includes a large non-slip mixing bowl, a smaller mixing bowl with a pouring spout, a colander, sieve and a set of four measuring cups. Each brightly coloured piece features large convenient handles and nests within each other to neatly store out of the way. A great way to keep your kitchen organised, and a great gift for students or house warmings the Joseph Joseph Multi-Colour 8-Piece Bowl & Food Stacking Prep Set is £35.00 from Heals.
Continue reading "Joseph Joseph Mix & Measure Prep Set" »
Posted by Kate on August 14, 2008 12:00 AM
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Nothing says party like cake and ice cream, and now Nordicware have created a clever new Cake Mould that celebrates this party classic! Rather than one large cake, the Nordicware Cake Mould makes six individual cakes each shaped like an ice cream cone. To serve you just need to top with your favourite ice cream. Mint Choc' Chip, Double Fudge or plain ol' Vanilla, the plain cake cones will complement any flavour. To decorate simply sprinkle with hundreds & thousands, chocolate sauce and a bright red cherry. A great activity for children's parties, every guest can create their own special dessert. A brilliant new cake design from Nordicware, the Ice Cream Cone Cake Tin is £23.95 from DeCuisine.co.uk.
Posted by Kate on August 6, 2008 12:03 AM
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With a touch of wartime glamour, these simple star cutters are a stylish addition to your kitchen arsenal. The set of five cookie cutters creates a variety of different sized star across your plate or table. Stars are such a simple shape yet promise both dreams and magic. The variation in size can transform even simple sugar cookies into a sophisticated display without any extra effort. The set comes with a lovely retro storage tin that just calls to be displayed. Black sweeping letters decorate the front of the cream enamel tin capturing that retro glamour. A great gift for cookie lovers or for your next housewarming, the Stream Line Star Cookie Cutters are £10 from John Lewis.
Posted by Kate on July 25, 2008 12:05 AM
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OXO Good Grips has always been a proponent of universal design. Whether it's through old age or injury, nearly everyone will discover that common everyday items don't work as well as you thought. From short term injuries like broken arms and legs to long term afflictions like arthritis, Good Grips aims to design stylish kitchen products for everyone. The Good Grips Mixing Bowl features a none-slip base, which gives to a firm stable surface to work against. The black non-slip handle mean you don't need to hold the bowl as tightly and you're unlikely to drop it even if things get messy. Finally the wide lip and spout make it easy to pour out batter or other mixtures. Great for whisking eggs, mixing batter and making marinades, the dishwasher safe Good Grips 2.8 Litre mixing bowl is available for £8.95 from Pots-and-Pans.co.uk.
Posted by Kate on June 16, 2008 12:00 AM
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Every so often the temptation gets to be too much and you have to give in and buy that irresistible kitchen gadget, for me that gadget was a Cookie Press. Every Christmas I pull the mixing bowls out and heat up the oven, mass producing hundreds of cookies for our friends and family. So any gadget that offers to make beautiful and professional looking biscuits is going to catch my attention. Now I'll admit I've heard many people claim they have a cookie press gathering dust in the back of the cupboard. Often they are thought to be too much effort or don't work well enough. I like this baking set because it also can be used as an icing set, so even if I get frustrated by the cookie press it will hopefully still be useful. The set includes the press, eight icing nozzles and 13 biscuit template all stored in an acrylic storage box. It will probably be a few months yet before I pull this gadget out, but I hope it add a touch of glamour to my Christmas parcels. Recently spotted in Selfridges, you can find the Cookie Press and Icing Set at Amazon.co.uk for £19.99.
Continue reading "Cookie Press and Icing Set" »
Posted by Kate on June 13, 2008 12:04 AM
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I'll admit I'm not a great fan of making pastry. I find it tricky to roll things out to the right size, and I'm often left growling in frustration as one edge is just a bit short. Apparently I'm not the only one with this problem, as the new Professional Non-Stick Rolling Pin from Eddingtons is designed to measure while you roll. A very simple rolling pin design, the Eddingtons Professional has no gaps and crevices for flour to hide in. Formed from a stainless steel centre, the rolling pin is then covered with a rubberised non-stick coating. Printed onto the rubberised surface, the Professional Rolling Pin features two rulers allowing you to measure up to 30cm or 12”. A great kitchen essential, the Eddingtons Professional Non-Stick Rolling Pin is available in Red, Sky Blue and Grey for £19.95 from DaysGoneBy. Red
and Grey
are also available from Amazon.co.uk for £19.99
Posted by Kate on April 17, 2008 12:12 AM
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A crowning accent for a Winnie-the-Pooh party, children young and old can recreate Pooh's honey hunting adventures. The Beehive Cake Tin will transform your home into a cosy corner of the Hundred Acre Wood, the perfect treat for your own Christopher Robin. The Beehive Cake Tin is made from cast aluminium, and creates wonderfully detailed cakes even without icing. Simply top with sweet honey and some buzy bees and you've created a fabulous designer cake. An easy way to impress family and friends, the Beehive Cake Tin will give even amateur bakers confidence. An exclusive release from Lakeland the Beehive Cake Tin is available for £24.99.
Posted by Kate on February 18, 2008 12:05 AM
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I have to admit I'm not a confident baker; I'm just never sure when a cake is just right. I love the simplicity of the new Nordicware BundtCake Thermometer. Just stick the thermometer in the centre of your cake and leave for 15 seconds. When you pull it out, the tip of the thermometer will be bright red if you cake is perfectly baked, or blue if it needs a little longer in the oven. At a handy 15cm long, the Nordicware Thermometer reaches the centre of nearly all cakes. Quick, simple and easy to read, the Nordicware BundtCake Thermometer helps ensure all your cakes are perfect. A new product at decusine.co.uk, the Nordicware BundtCake Thermometer is just £5.50.
Posted by Kate on January 31, 2008 12:00 AM
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With all this horrible wet weather, who isn't looking forward to warmer seasons. This fabulous new Garden Gang Cake Tin, captures the magic and life of spring gardens. Forming eight individual cakes, the Garden Cake Tin creates beautiful bees, butterflies, lady birds and dragonflies for you to decorate. Perfect for children's parties, these tasty treats will thrill young backyard explorers. Arranged on a leaf shaped tray, the cast aluminium cake tin accommodates a 4-egg sponge cake mix. A brilliant addition to your baking collection, the Garden Gang Cake Tin is £24.99 from Lakeland.
Posted by Kate on January 21, 2008 12:02 AM
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A great activity for the holiday season, baking and decorating home-made gingerbread cookies is a delicious way to express your creativity. Featuring the original 1950s packaging, the Tala Gingerbread Cookie Cutters brings magic back to the kitchen. A fabulous stocking stuffer for your prospective bakers, the set offers everything you need to create decorated cookies. Each box includes four stainless steel cookie cutters and a Tala icing bag and nozzle. Available for £6.95 from Conran, the Tala Gingerbread Cookie Cutters Set promises old fashioned fun this holiday season.
Posted by Kate on November 28, 2007 12:00 AM
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While the 16th of November seems a long way off yet, Children in Need will soon be upon us. For those who plan on joining the festivities and baking some fund raiser cookies, Lakeland are offering some cool tools. What better way to mix up Children in Need cookies than with your Pudsey Bear Mixing Bowl and Spoon? The adorable 20cm porcelain mixing bowl features a happy skipping Pudsey Bear that dances around the rim of the bowl. The maplewood spoon on the other hand is crowned with a small Pudsey Bear character. A fantastic way to support charity while staying busy in the kitchen, Lakeland will donate £1 or £2 respectively when you purchase the Pudsey Bear spoon or bowl. Available online from Lakeland, the Pudsey Bear Wooden Spoon is £1.99 while the Pudsey Bowl is £6.99.
Posted by Kate on October 11, 2007 12:02 AM
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A new exclusive to the extensive Lakeland selection, the Train Cake Tin creates a magical addition to parties. With an endearing style and some creative decorations the Train celebrations cake will charm young and old alike. Cast from aluminium for even heat distribution, the tin actually forms nine separate mini cakes with sharp defined outlines. When lined up the cars can twist around your table anyway you like. The individual cakes also make it a fabulous cake decorating project for children, where each child can decorate their own car. While an obvious choice for birthdays, this cake is a hit at any occasion. A fantastic and simple way to create magical memories, the Train Cake Tin is just £24.99 from Lakeland.
Posted by Kate on September 4, 2007 12:01 AM
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Inspired by her pride in British industry, Kathleen Hills allows you to proudly stamp your home baked goods as 'Made in England'. While being a statement on modern life, the 'Made in England' Rolling Pin is also a high quality kitchen tool. The body is made from durable white Bone China while the sculptural curving handles are turned from warm Beech. As you roll out your dough, the raised vintage font presses into your pastry and cookies creating a nostalgic feel in line with the traditional vintage form. Kathleen Hill transforms an everyday kitchen item into a charismatic statement of British pride. A fabulous designer gift for bakers and kitchen aficionados, the 'Made in England' Rolling Pin is £29.50 from MyLivingSpace.co.uk.
Posted by Kate on August 24, 2007 12:14 AM
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Recently creating a new exclusive line for Heal's, Keith Brymer Jones's distinctive ceramics are quickly becoming the new trendy and fashionable thing. While Heal's has not yet released their new additions to the internet, these Keith Brymer Jones Mixing Bowls reveal the earth quirky style. Combining simple handmade forms with small stamped text, the pieces achieve a unique juxtaposition old world trades. Created in Whitstable Kent, the Keith Brymer Jones ceramics are all hand thrown for a hand-crafted individuality. The cream glazed pottery has a rustic charm and beauty lacking in so many mass produced pieces. The small stamped words recall old typeset fonts found in newspapers and books. Though mechanically measured and precise these letters still retain an individuality lost in the digital age. The mixing bowl shown features a small pouring spout and three bars of blue text which read Full, Half Full and Empty. Cute and endearing, these mixing bowls by Keith Brymer Jones are available in three sizes from Beth Stevens Ltd.
17cm Small Mixing Bowl (Dark Blue Letters) - £18.50
20cm Medium Mixing Bowl (Light Blue Letters) - £22.50
23cm Large Mixing Bowl (Dark Blue Letters) - £26.50
Posted by Kate on August 23, 2007 12:08 AM
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With a creative eye and a sense of humour Atypyk can transform even a simple rolling pin into a charming kitchen accessory. Made of solid wood, the Atypyk Rolling Pin at first seems the familiar shape we all recognise. On closer inspection though one notices the tell-tale ring on the handles and the rounded curve of the barrel. Inspired by the local Bordeaux, this rolling pin is like two bottles stuck end-to-end. Perfect for wine lovers, the image is completed by a white 'wine label'. A great gift that offers an abundance of character despite its simple form, the Atypyk Bordeaux Rolling pin is available from Atypyk online for €24.00 or about £16.50 or $21.40.
Posted by Kate on July 31, 2007 12:18 AM
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If you've a little helper around the house that loves to get messy in the kitchen, the Mummy's & Mine Cook Set may be the prefect treat for this summer's entertainment. Designed by Sophie Conran, the pieces blend Japanese serenity and English eccentricity. Not that your kids will notice, they'll be too busy getting their hands on these fabulous tools. Included in the set is a small mixing bowl with a convenient pouring spout, a matching small jug, a thick sturdy wood rolling pin, a wooden spoon and spatula set, as well as cookie cutters and two boxes of bun cups. Oh and don't forget the all important apron and hat! A fabulous touch the apron and hat makes kids feel grown up while still protecting their clothes from the inevitable mess. A wonderful mini-cookery set from Portmeirion, the Mummy's & Mine Cook Set will thrill any Little Chefs and make kitchen baking magical. A classic set that will create long-lasting memories, the Mummy's & Mine Cook Set is £27.50 from Heals.
Continue reading "Mummy's & Mine Cook Set from Portmeirion" »
Posted by Kate on July 20, 2007 12:10 AM
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Next week starts the summer holidays for children across the UK. So in anticipation of these care-free summer days Kitchen Critic is featuring kid themed products perfect for parties and summer activities. Our first product is the Lego cake and jelly mould. Made of silicone, this mould makes 6 tiny individual treats ideal for snacks and party cakes. The featuring six 2 1/2” blocks bring the magic of the classic Lego square to your dining table. The silicon Lego Mould is both dishwasher- and microwave-safe and can be used up to temperatures of 210º C (410º F). With a retro charm and a nostalgic glamour, the Lego Cake Mould will be the perfect addition to parties for children both young and old. Available online from Lego, the Lego Brick Cake/Jelly Mould is just £7.99.
Posted by Kate on July 16, 2007 12:01 AM
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The retro classic KitchenAid Artisan Mixer is now available in a fabulous apple green enamel finish! Incredibly versatile, the KitchenAid Mixers have long been the favourite of home bakers and cooks. Besides its fine curving form, the KitchenAid Artisan Mixer offers 10 speeds to tackle all your mixing needs. With a 300 Watt drive motor and a planetary action beater the KitchenAid Mixer easily provides a thorough mixing. Featuring a large 4.83 litre bowl that can accommodate large batches of batter, baking becomes a snap. Made in the US and with a 5 year guarantee, the KitchenAid Artisan Mixer will become an immediate eye catching fixture in your kitchen. Available for £345.10 from Amazon.co.uk
or $299.99 from Target.
Posted by Kate on May 31, 2007 12:13 AM
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A wonderful classic, the Mason Cash Mixing Bowls have offered simple beauty and utility for generations. I love the elegance and grace Mason Cash bring to a common material like ceramic. The Mason Cash Bowls are steeped in tradition, with a shape that has been unchanged for years. Still made as in days past, each mixing bowl is unique and has a beauty that is missing from the perfectly mass-manufactured competitors. The neutral cane colour offers a rustic warmth that is accented by the white glazed interior. A durable quality bowl that will last generations, they are available from John Lewis.
3.5L Mixing Bowl - £8
4.3L Mixing Bowl - £10
5.8L Mixing Bowl - £11
Posted by Kate on April 6, 2007 12:07 AM
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For those that are looking for something personal to mark this Easter with, a home-made chocolate Easter egg might be just the thing. Simple enough for even kids to create, a home-made Easter egg may add that personal touch to gifts and holidays. Easter Egg Moulds are available from deCuisine.co.uk in three sizes and can be re-used several times. The Easter Egg moulds allow you to combine your favourite chocolate with personalised icing, and your favourite sweets inside. Each mould comes in two pieces and prices run from £2.45-£4.00 at deCuisine.co.uk, making it an affordable project for the holidays.
Posted by Kate on April 3, 2007 12:07 AM
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A traditional style baker's pin, these silicon rolling pins make baking a breeze. Silicon is the newest and best material for use in the kitchen. While in the oven silicon transmits heat evenly, but in the kitchen the silicon rolling pins remain cool while working delicate pastry and shortbread. Fantastically easy to clean with a simple wipe, silicon also resists odours, flavours, and doesn't harbour bacteria. A long hefty rolling pin that's effortless to use, the rolling pin is ideal for even pizza bases and dough. Simple and practical, the Non-Stick Silicon Rolling Pin is 50cm long and available for £19.50 from John Lewis and $29.99 from Amazon
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Posted by Kate on March 19, 2007 12:08 AM
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There is something charming and endearing in the simple Burleigh mixing bowls. The last working Victorian pottery in England and still family owned, Burleigh make their wonderful handmade ceramic ware in the traditional English style. The simple bowls feature the classic form we all knew as children. The thick solid rim and rounded pudding bowl base have been a staple of the English kitchen for generations. The Burleigh ware bowls retain this elegant simplicity, only adding a single number to each bowl. The fabulous vintage font is in a bold cranberry red that adds rich character to each bowl. The set includes a 3/4 pt, 1pt, 2pt, and 1 1/2pt bowls, making bowl 1 the smallest and bowl 4 the largest. The Burleigh ceramic Mixing bowls are available from Willow & Stone for £50, while a larger bowl set with blue numbers is also available for £68.
Posted by Kate on March 9, 2007 12:11 AM
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For those heading into the kitchen this Valentines Day, Le Creuset offers the prefect presentation for your hard work. Featuring a range of heart shaped dishes, all in their fabulous red Cerise finish, Le Creuset dishes
show on the outside all the love and effort invested on the meal inside. Perfect for quiet evenings for two, Le Creuset dishes add old fashioned charm to anniversaries, birthdays, and Valentines Day dinners. The range includes stoneware ramekins perfect for rich individual desserts, a 26cm baking dish for warm apple pies, silicon muffin trays for heart-shaped breakfast treats, and cast iron casserole dishes for the your favourite comfort food. The range also includes matching red utensils and oven mitts. Besides offering the high quality and durability they are renowned for, Le Creuset will donate 50p to the British Heart Foundation for each product purchased. If you go to Amazon you can also get a Stoneware Heart Ramekin and lid free when you spend £30
on Le Creuset Heart Range items. (Our American friends can get the free ramekin when they spend $99.99
on any Le Creuset items.) With all these incentives, now is the perfect time to invest in this fabulous Valentines Day cookware, while also donating to a very good cause.
Free Ramekin offered:

Posted by Kate on February 6, 2007 12:37 AM
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These cute cookie cutters are sure to get a laugh. Available in a variety of classic shapes, each one includes a sneaky missing bite. Fabulously whimsical the ABC cookie cutters make memorable cookies people will adore. For those of you whose culinary creations disappear off the plate, just mix a few of these in and you’ll always have some cookies left over to appreciate at your leisure. There are two sets; one includes the classic heart, circle, flower and star; while the other offers three festive gingerbread men missing an assortment of appendages. Made of cast aluminium, the ABC Cookie Cutters are free of rough edges or seams, making them simple to clean. A delightful item that will bring smiles, ABC Cookie Cutters are just £6.95 from ShinyShack or $4.99 from perpetualkid.com.
Posted by Dan on December 8, 2006 3:40 PM
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The Nordicware Cake Moulds brings childhood dreams to life! No matter how old the recipient, a fantastical Castle Cake makes any birthday magical. The finely detailed cake looks stunning straight out of the tin and without decoration, making it fast and easy to present a fabulous cake your family will remember for years. A simple dusting of powdered sugar over a dark chocolate cake creates a snowy winter wonderland perfect for your Christmas crowds. And for the adventurous a bit of decorative icing makes the Castle cake come alive. Made of cast aluminium and with a 25 year guarantee, Nordicware Moulds are some of the best available. The non-stick surface ensures your cake will come out perfectly every time, and it is even dishwasher safe. Ideal for cakes, jellies and even ice sculptures, it is currently available at an amazing £24.95 from IWOOT in the UK or $25.00 in the US
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Posted by Dan on December 7, 2006 5:00 PM
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