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GF&WS: The who, where and why
Posted on: Tuesday, 13 July 2010
By Rhiannon Zanetic

The Good Food and Wine Show (GF&WS) will open in Sydney this weekend, bringing to visitors tastes, flavours, products and techniques from many of the world’s leading appliance companies.

 So why should you go, and what can you get? The GF&WS is essentially a collaboration of gourmet foods, kitchen shops and fabulous restaurants, complemented by Celebrity Theatre for Australia’s celebrity chefs.

On the eve of the event, www.connectedwomen.net.au spoke with the women at Sunbeam, LG Electronics and Tefal about their involvement at the Show this year, and what they are showcasing to the many culinary-eager guests.

Sunbeam: all about interactivity

Sunbeam‘s Academy workshops were a hit at the GF&WS in Melbourne this year. They offered participants expertise on the arts of coffee and cupcake making. Tickets for the Sydney classes sold out three to four weeks ago; according to Sunbeam product marketing manager Nicole Cowley, families are engaging with food, not as a chore - but as a hobby.

Cowley said the company focused their approach on interactivity and participation to extend participants experience beyond that of a brief observation.

“Consumers don’t just want to walk passed and observe; they want entertainment, interactivity, and a learning experience. We spent an hour and a half with the Academy attendees. With a stand to only showcase products, we could only hold consumers there for a couple of minutes,” Cowley from late 20s to early 50s attended the classes.

“The guests who attended the Sunbeam Academy cupcake workshop were a varied, diverse group – including both younger and older males who eagerly participated. Some of the guys whipped out their iPhones to download cupcake designs,” she said.

LG shows you how it’s done

According to LG, the past few years have shown a significant increase in the popularity of stay-at-home cooking and a return to entertaining in the home, leading families to invest in their homes, and in making the kitchen the hub of the household.

“At the Good Food and Wine Show this year, LG aimed to increase its presence and reinforce our commitment to providing premium products,” LG category manager home appliances, Glacel Lubrin-Zabat said.

LG’s stand located at N34 in the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre will feature demonstrations of new products that combine stylish design and innovative technology, and will also feature a series of cooking demonstrations by Sydney Chef Darren Simpson, owner of La Scala on Jersey. The demonstrations will take place three times a day showcasing a simple way to prepare gourmet meals, using the latest LG technology.

The company is offering consumers that purchase over $3000 in one transaction in home appliances at the Show, a Bonus LG 22 inch LCD TV Monitor via redemption. Additionally, all visitors have the chance to win a SolarDOM Stainless Steel Light Wave Oven valued at $899.

Tefal brings its best to the table

Tefal is exhibiting at the GF&WS to showcase its most popular products, including the Tefal MasterChef range, the Tefal ActiFry that cooks 1kg of chips with only one spoon of oil, and the Tefal Minut’Cook that cooks risotto in six minutes.

“The Minut’Cook is truly a world class time saver! We believe we have some of the most innovative and beneficial products in the world, and we want people to be able to see what they can do for themselves,” Tefal marketing coordinator, cookware, Claire Durand said.

The company will also be showing, but not demonstrating Tefal Quick Cup, Vitacuisine Steam Compact, which cooks a three-course meal in one go, Toast n Egg, which cooks toast and egg at the same time in 4 minutes, and the Toast n Grill, a space saving toaster and griller in one.

According to Durand, Tefal will have two stands at the Show; one of which we will display the Tefal MasterChef range where guests can enter a competition to win Tefal MasterChef cookware for themselves, and the second stand will demonstrate the ActiFry and Minut’Cook.
 

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Decoding the NBN: Do we care about bits and bytes?
Posted on: Wednesday, 11 August 2010
It’s easy to be left feeling bewildered by the cloud of pre-election policies and debate, but one issue in particular seems to have left many women scratching their heads – the National Broadband Network. And it’s this precise issue that’s shaping up as one of the most contentious of the Federal Election. But does Australia really need to fork out $34 billion for faster internet? The simple answer is yes.  ... Read More
Life’s Apples when you’ve got a Mac
Posted on: Wednesday, 4 August 2010
It’s official: the world is obsessed with Apple. You need only to have seen a queue of people camped outside an Apple store before a product launch to know this, or be aware of its mammoth sales figures. You’d be hard pressed to find a man, woman or child in the developed world that hasn’t been exposed to the giant that is Apple’s marketing machine. But just what is it about Apple products that sends people into a frenzy?  ... Read More
MasterChef spurs the palate, not the purse
Posted on: Wednesday, 28 July 2010
The MasterChef whirlwind that saw 5.75 million viewers tune in at peak on Sunday evening has clearly sparked culinary interest across the country. But have the fabulous dishes and fancy appliances really inspired Australian women to get creative in their kitchens, or rather overwhelmed them?  ... Read More
Follow up: Facebook fever infecting young women across the globe
Posted on: Wednesday, 21 July 2010
Are you a constant tweeter, liker or status updater? If so, you sit perfectly in a huge mass of young women, obsessed with the social media phenomenon. Last week www.connectedwomen.net.au wrote about recent US research that revealed women between the age of 18 and 34 are becoming addicted to social networking, finding that over a third of respondents check their Facebook account before going to the bathroom.  ... Read More
GF&WS: The who, where and why
Posted on: Tuesday, 13 July 2010
The Good Food and Wine Show (GF&WS) will open in Sydney this weekend, bringing to visitors tastes, flavours, products and techniques from many of the world’s leading appliance companies.So why should you go, and what can you get? The GF&WS is essentially a collaboration of gourmet foods, kitchen shops and fabulous restaurants, complemented by Celebrity Theatre for Australia’s celebrity chefs.  ... Read More
Germs-be-gone this winter, look to your vacuum
Posted on: Wednesday, 7 July 2010
With winter keeping families and their pets indoors and rugged up far more than during the warmer months, it becomes more important to keep the home free from dust, allergens and bacteria. But as any woman knows, it’s near impossible to keep the house sparkling clean all the time. What can be done to combat the nasties and keep your family protected during the long winter months is to ensure that you’re not only using the best cleaner for your home but all of its special features too.  ... Read More
A conference to push the role of Australian women in the workforce
Posted on: Wednesday, 30 June 2010
While the gender gap present within the workforce has decreased considerably over the past 25 years, there are still challenges women face, when climbing the corporate ladder. Macquarie University’s Women, Management and Work Conference, scheduled for July 29 & 30, 2010, couldn't be coming at a better time for Australian women. ... Read More
AMD ditches the PC tech-talk and keeps it simple
Posted on: Wednesday, 23 June 2010
To the majority of us computer specifications sound like another language, one you would almost expect is spoken in a distant galaxy. RAM, gigahertz and megabytes do very little to explain whether a PC is going to make storing and sharing precious family memories easy or give the optimal home office experience. This is why www.connectedwomen.net.au was pleased to discover that one company is making the computer-buying process simple, once and for all.  ... Read More
No need to fear, an AV specialist is near
Posted on: Wednesday, 16 June 2010
So you’ve bought the latest AV system only to bring it home and find the mountains of cables and connections beyond not just yourself, but beyond your partner’s comprehension too. Or you may be contemplating designing a new system for the home or office, and it all just seems too hard. It will come as a relief for many then, to discover that one Connected Woman has taken note, started her own AV systems design and integration business and best of all – she’s just a phone call away. ... Read More
Release your inner photographer at Nikon School
Posted on: Wednesday, 9 June 2010
Own a great camera, but don’t know how to use it? Or perhaps your dial is permanently stuck on ‘Auto Mode’? If so, Nikon School may be just what you need. Nikon Australia is launching a series of hands on classes that will guide students through the vital steps in the digital photography process. Sessions will be held at leading venues across Melbourne, Sydney & Brisbane, and will be presented by some of Australia’s most talented photographers.  ... Read More
Missed opportunities: one woman’s appliance shopping misadventure
Posted on: Wednesday, 2 June 2010
Shopping is meant to be an enjoyable, almost therapeutic experience – isn’t it? Yes, but the reality is it can also turn into an extremely frustrating exercise too. With the internet and its world of information and networks at our fingertips these days, it’s not unreasonable to expect to be able to find product details and reviews with minimal fuss. One connected woman found during her shopping adventures however, that independent appliance product information and reviews across all areas of th ... Read More
A wrap up of CeBIT 2010: The benefits of tradeshows for women
Posted on: Wednesday, 26 May 2010
CeBIT is the most influential trade show in the Asia-Pacific region; with over 600 exhibitors, 35 000 attendees and a host of conferences and workshops. But let’s be frank, trade shows are very much a man’s world – designed by men, for men. What this often means is that women aren’t able to take as much away from such a significant event as they ideally should. ... Read More
Female friendly: the 5 best consumer electronics websites
Posted on: Wednesday, 19 May 2010
There’s nothing more off-putting than a poorly designed website; one that’s difficult to navigate around and makes finding products and prices near impossible. It’s safe to say that not only is such a situation frustrating, but it also has a considerable effect on one’s blood pressure.  ... Read More
Ladies – listen up! 10 hot tips for consumer electronics shopping
Posted on: Wednesday, 12 May 2010
By polling a number of women from all walks of life, www.connectedwomen.net.au found that when it comes to shopping for electronics the vast majority are concerned about not being listened to, not having their needs met and ultimately walking out of the store with completely the wrong product for their situation.  ... Read More
Networking guru says technology is vital for successful business
Posted on: Wednesday, 5 May 2010
Common knowledge; networking is vital for successful business. But according to networking expert Kim McGuiness, technology is the key in taking networking and the efficient running of a business, to a whole new level. “I couldn’t survive without technology! I basically run my business from my iPhone at the moment,” McGuinness said.  ... Read More
The pick of the crop: the 10 best Mother’s Day deals
Posted on: Wednesday, 28 April 2010
If your mum deserves the best, then this is the guide is for you. With Mother’s Day approaching fast, www.connectedwomen.net.au has sprung into action, scoping out the ten best specials from consumer electronics retailers and manufacturers that are guaranteed to get mum connected with the latest in technology. If you haven’t managed to find that all-important gift yet, just read on as there are a number of seriously good deals out this year. ... Read More
Suck it up! Women must be heard
Posted on: Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Slowly but surely many appliance manufacturers are realising what us ladies have known for a very long time; that women are the key decision makers and buyers in households. Research conducted by Sheconomy found that a staggering 85% of brand and buying decisions are now made by females. A number of companies are finally embracing this fact and taking another step in the right direction – asking these important individuals questions and actually heeding their responses. ... Read More
3D makes a fashionably late entrance to Australia
Posted on: Wednesday, 14 April 2010
Australians have eagerly awaited the entry of 3D entertainment into their living rooms, following the release of 3D televisions across the globe. Now, finally, the introduction is upon us, with Sony, Samsung and Panasonic set to offer Aussies 3D technology in the coming months. It is now of course a matter of determining which brand and which model is the most desirable... 3D LCD, 3D Plasma or 3D LED??  ... Read More
The digital switchover: decoding the mixed signals
Posted on: Wednesday, 7 April 2010
“Are you ready for digital TV?” The Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy’s, Digital Switchover Taskforce tagline asks (gee – what a mouthful!). This seemingly simple question is evoking as much of a glazed-eye response as the taskforce’s name does. It need not though, as there is a raft of support and information available to anyone feeling even slightly confused. Want some more good news? Many will likely find that they are already digital TV ready. ...