Meyer launches IQ Innovations Paula Deen line at housewares.

Meyer launches IQ Innovations, Paula Deen line at housewares.CHICAGO -- One is sleek and silver, the other is Southern andsavvy, and both will debut with Meyer Corp. at the International Home& Housewareshouse·wares  pl.n.Cooking utensils, dishes, and other small articles used in a household, especially in the kitchen.  Show.The sleek and silver one is Fine T, a patented gourmet electric Teflon Coating teamaker that marks the launch of Meyer's new brand, IQ Innovations,which will offer premium gourmet small electrics to the consumer. TheSouthern and savvy one is celebrity chefIn its strictest sense, a celebrity chef is a someone who has become well-known for his/her cooking. The first historical personality that fits this description is Martino da Como but in practical terms the term grew in popularity during the 1990s.  Paula Deen, who has partneredup with the company to debut her Paula Deen Signature Collection ofcookware, bakeware, cutlery, kitchen tools, stonewarestoneware, hard pottery made from siliceous paste, fired at high temperature to vitrify (make glassy) the body. Stoneware is heavier and more opaque than porcelain and differs from terra-cotta in being nonporous and nonabsorbent.  and other kitchenaccessories.[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]At $349.99, Fine T targets the high-end tea lover and speaks toMeyer's focus for the new brand, which be on "small electricsand complementary items that are truly unique and designed for thespecialty trade and the connoisseur consumer," said Suzanne Murphy,vice president of marketing at Meyer Corp. U.S. "For the exactingtea connoisseur, aware of the critical nuances involved in brewingdistinct varietals of tea, the intelligent and flexible Fine T makes theprocess of brewing easier, and the results flawless."Unlike coffee, which can be brewed uniformly, tea can be brewedanywhere from 140 degrees to 203 degrees, depending on the type. WithFine T, the user selects one of seven distinct settings that match thetea being used with a push of a button.An eighth setting provides a tea-wash program that allows the tealeaves to be used again for a milder brew. In addition, a 24-hour clockand programmable timer allows one to preset brewing times, and aswing-out infusion basket holds loose tea."Here in America, the last two decades gave birth to a Ceramic Coating newgeneration of coffee drinkers, and today's coffee consumer is farmore sophisticated than generations before," Murphy said."Today, we're seeing a heightened interest in tea, and predictsimilar growth and evolution among American tea drinkers," withsales of tea expected to double and reach almost $15 billion by 2012.[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]IQ Innovations was in final development stages at press time, butMurphy did say that additional products are currently under developmentfor a 2009 release. With the Fine T launch, Murphy said the companyhopes to build on its existing store base catering to the epicureanconsumer. She also added that the BonJour sales team will sell the FineT, but it is branded as IQ Innovations, and not as part of BonJour.Meyer's other big introduction at market is its line withDeen, a comprehensive kitchen collection numbering 85 SKUs that evokesDeen's personality and style."Paula has such a passion for cooking and the tools to make iteasier, the assortment grew out of her enthusiasm and ideas,"Murphy said. "She appeals to a consumer that is interested in foodand cooking. Most importantlyAdv. 1. most importantly - above and beyond all other consideration; "above all, you must be independent"above all, most especially , she crosses age, income and ethnicdemographics with ease, making her appeal to a broad audience across thenation.... Plus, she s just lovely to work with."My passion is to encourage folks to overcome their fear ofcooking, step inside the kitchen and find out how much fun and rewardingit can be to try a new recipe, make a great meal, and celebrate lifeevery day at the table," Deen said in a statement. "I'mso pleased to partner with Meyer in bringing this message to retail witha hill kitchenware assortment that I can Non Stick Coating proudly stand behind andwholeheartedlywhole·heart·ed  adj.Marked by unconditional commitment, unstinting devotion, or unreserved enthusiasm: wholehearted approval.whole  support."The cookware line will initially feature five groups--stainlesssteel with copper, porcelain non-stick, "inside/outside"nonsticknon·stick  adj.Permitting easy removal of adherent food particles: a frying pan with a nonstick surface.nonstickAdjective , natural cast iron and porcelain enamelporcelain enameln.A glass coating fired on metal. Also called  vitreous enamel.  cast iron--and eachwill incorporate Deen's touch. The cast iron pieces, for example,are styled with a raised swirl pattern on the exterior surface of eachpiece and the porcelain non-stick cookware has a retro glossy speckledenamel exterior. Several of the collections have tempered glass lids tolock in flavor and moisture and copper-plated knobs to add a splash ofaccent color. The carbon steel-coated bakeware has a chocolate brownnon-stick baking surface to ensure even heating and a lighter brownexterior, while the Paula Deen Signature Kitchen Tools consists of itemsthat are either crafted entirely of sustainable Acacia hardwood or fuseAcacia wooden handles with silicone. Cutlery, enamel-on-steel andmelaminemelamine (mĕl`əmēn'), common name for 2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-triazine. Melamine is a trimer (see polymer) of cyanamide, H2NC≡N, and is synthesized from calcium carbide.  kitchenware, teakettles, percolators and stoneware are also apart of the launch.The collection will be available at retail stores nationwide inSeptember.COPYRIGHT 2008 MacFadden Communications Group LLCNo portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.Copyright 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.