By Donna Heiderstadt
The 8th annual DesignBites competition attracted an enthusiastic crowd at the KBIS NeXt Stage on Jan. 31, 2023, as host Arianne Bellizaire of Baton Rouge, LA-based Arianne Bellizaire Interiors, LLC welcomed attendees and detailed the rules for another memorable showdown. “Get ready for speed dating meets ‘Shark Tank,’” she said. Bellizaire explained how representatives from 10 exhibiting brands were competing for the title of “Brand With the Biggest Bite,” each having three minutes to pitch their newest innovations on the stage, followed by two minutes to answer questions. Then it was up to a panel of designers to choose the 2023 champion.
The competition singles out the brand that offers the best combination of innovation and presentation of the capabilities and benefits of the product, as determined by judges Leigh Harrington, Reviewed, part of the USA TODAY Network; Sarah Robertson, Studio Dearborn by Sarah Robertson; and Breegan Jane, TV host, interior designer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.
A People’s Pick award, introduced at KBIS in Orlando in 2022, also allowed everyone in the audience — which included members of the media and the Designhounds Influencer Network — to get in on the judging as well via a live vote by text message.
The 10 Competitors
Fulgor Milano: Italian appliance brand Fulgor Milano kicked off the DesignBites session with a pitch for the Sofia 48” Pro Induction Range with Griddle, the newest offering in its Sofia collection. The product, designed as an alternative to a gas range, features five induction cooking zones and a dual-zone European induction-powered griddle, as well as full-featured primary and secondary convection ovens. It also offers interchangeable door color kits in six colors.
ROBAM: Global appliance manufacturer ROBAM presented its new 7” Ultra-Slim Series Range Hood, which offers high-power efficiency in a sleek package. Its 100 percent touchless design simplifies the cooking process, with activation through voice control or the ROKI app.
Nobilia: German brand Nobilia, the world’s largest manufacturer of European kitchen furniture, introduced its Cascada Collection of cabinetry, describing the aesthetic as “form follows function with materials inspired by nature.” The cabinets feature integrated lighting systems, intelligent construction (100 percent made in Germany with a focus on ergonomics), storage flexibility, and advanced sustainable materials — even in the color palette, which includes Fjord Blue, Reed Green, and other colors inspired by nature.
Moen: Kitchen-and-bath fixture brand Moen presented its new Tenon Collection of kitchen faucets offering “soft modern design for a clean aesthetic.” The faucets feature a soft double-bent spout, a seamless wand, touchless Motion Control and Power Boost technologies, and an authentic teak-wood handle inspired by biophilic design. They are available in Chrome, Spot Resistant Stainless, Matte Black, and Lifeshine Brushed Gold.
One Click Contractor: The sales enablement platform One Click Contractor, which specializes in sales and estimating software for remodeling professionals, introduced Smart Interiors, a smartphone technology that allows homeowners or field pros to use their smartphone to capture detailed property information. The technology generates 3D modeling, photos, measurements, and schematics and rolls them into One Click Contractor to take a project from proposal to contract.
Beko: Furthering its commitment to sustainability, Beko, Europe’s top freestanding home appliance brand, revealed its contribution to reducing food waste: Harvest Fresh, a new crisper-drawer technology that via 12 hours of blue, green, and red light exposure, followed by 12 hours of darkness, preserves fruits and vegetables’ vitamin potency and freshness by simulating the natural 24-hour sun cycle. As a result, produce can last in the refrigerator for up to 30 days, helping to decrease household food waste.
Bocchi: Combining Italian heritage and Turkish design, Bocchi talked up its Baveno Lux Hide-Away Granite Sink System, crafted in Fireclay and available in 12 colors. The system features a telescoping faucet that goes away when you don’t need it, workstation accessories (cutting board, colander, etc.), as well as a cover to create added space. The sink systems are available in both drop-in and undermount styles.
Fotile: The product presented by appliance maker Fotile, the 36 Inch “The Elevator” Insert Hood, is an industry-first insert hood with five smart-tech features that include self-adjusting ventilation, smart auto turbo mode, smart pairing with a cooktop, and wave-motion activation. The sleek hood hides in cabinetry and then comes down to within 12-14 inches of the cooktop.
LG Studio: Buyers of LG Studio’s new MoodUP refrigerator can expect a completely new kitchen experience: They can program four panels on the exterior to display up to 190,000 color combinations via LG’s ThinQ app — ranging from soothing natural hues to vibrant holiday colors — and a built-in Bluetooth-enabled speaker lets them play curated or personal playlists. There’s a Craft Ice maker, too, meaning the party has definitely shifted to the kitchen.
Brondell: The new Nebia Corre showerhead by Brondell is part of the company’s “eco-system of products that promote wellness with a sustainable footprint.” Designed with water conservation in mind, the Nebia Corre system features four unique and powerful spray modes (at an eco-conscious 1.5 gallons per minute) with technology that reduces water usage by up to 50 percent a year. It’s available in five finishes and is designed for easy DIY installation.
And the Winners are…
And with the judges’ votes tallied, the “Brand With the Biggest Bite” was Beko for its Harvest Fresh crisper-drawer technology, with the award being accepted by Justin Reinke, Beko’s Vice President of Marketing.
But it was a split decision, because the People’s Pick as voted by the live audience was Brondell’s Nebia Corre showerhead. It was the second People’s Pick win for Brondell and President Steve Scheer proudly claimed the honor — although he admitted he was aiming for the “Biggest Bite” title.
Speaking on behalf of the judges, Breegan Jane summed up the competition. “The brands put so much thought into their presentations,” she said. “They all came with their top game.”