#modenus

I remember it well. In 2018 at KBIS which is the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, an appliance company that had been in the background for a few years decided to make a splash and arrived at the show with this stunning, two-story booth. They hosted the Champagne and Cupcakes event that is always a sought-after ticket, and while we were there, told us about a new range they had that was going to change the way consumers cook.

They had done their homework, and their advertising agency which has always created some of the best campaigns that I have ever experienced had renowned chef and author Mark Bittman there to explain why Signature Kitchen Suite was going to be different from the rest - they were True To Food®. They would appeal to Techincureans® who loved to cook, but also wanted smart technology to be part of the cooking experience. After doing extensive research, they were launching a Pro Range with Sous Vide - the first in the residential market. I had no idea what sous vide was and why I needed another gadget in my kitchen, so I was skeptical. Obviously, the SKS team was much wiser than I was.

In 2019 when I got an unexpected phone call and was asked to help LifeStyle the new Signature Kitchen Suite Experience and Design Center in Napa - a place that I had never been to but was at the top of my bucket list. Of course, I said yes, and it was an incredible experience to be behind the scenes and really learn about this company and what drove them to do what they did. They never waivered -they stayed True To Food and designing products that made it a joy to spend time in the kitchen was always their first priority. They created a series of short films featuring people who were artists in the kitchen that helped design their appliances including Dr Bruno Goussault who is considered the Father of Modern sous vide and Jean-Charles Boisset who is one of the most passionate, creative winemakers that I have ever met.

At the opening, I got to hear firsthand about why these top people in their fields not only chose to endorse these new innovations, but they even used them in their own homes.

But what really sold me was when the chef did a demo with a steak and I got to have a bite… or two… I may have even stayed behind to see if there were any leftovers!

Sous Vide cooking combines vacuum sealing and precision cooking to create perfect results every time. For the busy cook, if you don’t take your vacuum sealed pouch out of the water bath at the exact time it’s OK - you will still have the results you had hoped for. With meat it creates “edge to edge cooking” - when you order a steak at a restaurant you can tell if they used sous vide if it is the same color edge to edge. If it is raw in the center and brown at the edge they should have sous vide’d it!

So fast-forwarding to the last KBIS… Chef Nick had standing-room-only crowds at his sous vide demos, Champagne and Cupcakes at Signature Kitchen Suite was sold out immediately and the SKS Pro Range with sous vide was what everyone was talking about at Design and Construction Week. Other companies have tried to tap into the sous vide Tsunami (did you know they are featuring sous vide options at Costco now?) but no one has been able to stay as True To Food as Signature Kitchen Suite has.

I am hooked! My Candied bacon recipe has become a family favorite, I won five ribbons including two blue ribbons at the State Fair of Texas this year, and my sous vide tools have taken a permanent spot on my countertop. I’m saving up to replace the range that I have (and hate!) with a Signature Kitchen Suite Pro Range.

The other day I got a wonderful package that just seemed to bring everything full circle - Veronika Eagleson the founder of Modenus and Designhounds had invited me to be part of the launch of her Designhounds AT HOME launch and Signature Kitchen Suites was sponsoring the launch party! I received a beautiful box of goodies that included a recipe from Chef Nick to make Limoncello sous vide style and everything that I would need to make it. It was so easy, and of course this Lifestylist had to take it to the next level and I started playing with making margaritas, Aperol Spritzers and Gin and Tonics sous vide style -the possibilities are endless! Boozy Sous Vide Pops are next on the list!

The best part of this entire experience though has been how even though we aren’t able to travel and be at KBIS in person this year, I already feel like I my get more out of the virtual experience than I did being there in person. Being in touch with other Designhounds and hearing about their joy in discovering SKS and sous vide, not having to fight 100,000 plus people to be close enough to hear what someone has to share with you, and being up close and personal with brands and their newest developments I think may have advantages.

With this being an election year, I’ve been trying to pay attention to what the candidates are saying, including getting really mad about the wine cellar comment. I spend time in wine caves any chance that I get, and I doubt that I will ever be a millionaire.

When I was named a finalist in The DesignHounds Influencer Awards, I was honored and thrilled with this opportunity to share what the Lifestylist Brands is all about. I started reaching out on Facebook and Instagram but quickly realized it was going to take more than that to win.

I’m quickly learning who my friends are. People that I haven’t talked to in years have been kind enough to share my information and say really sweet things, the groups that I’m involved with have been sharing and supporting, and I’m making new friends that believe in what I do now and have started following me.

Being honored by Veronika Miller-Eagleson and her Modenus and Designhounds group is a win by itself. It’s a group that is the best of the best, and making it this far with them is a huge accomplishment.

But after riding horses competitively and entering baking contests for years, I play to win and have decided to give this contest my all. I don’t have nearly as many followers as many of the other finalists do, but I am working on it, and I think that I have a lot to share. As a working designer / Lifestylist writing and posting on social media is something that I often do at 2 am when I can’t sleep, but a 2020 goal is to get better at it.

I have so much more respect for anyone who runs for a political office or any other position -it’s a lot of work! A vote is something that has to be earned, and it really makes you appreciate the supporters you have.

If you haven’t heard of Signature Kitchen Suite yet, you will. This new, innovative luxury brand is changing the way we approach our kitchens and how we cook in them: one Technicurean® at a time.

Zach Elkin, General Manager of Signature Kitchen Suite, loves to ask lots of questions, then he actually listens to your answers. It’s not enough that you love to cook, why do you love to cook? How do you cook? When do you cook? The questions are endless, and the results are mind-blowing. Everyone who knows this Lifestylist® knows I have an opinion, and what I love is Zach not only pays attention to what I say, he understands what I want or need even when I don’t.

I’ve known this man for a long time, back to when we were both very involved with the National Association of Homebuilders and their National Membership Day. He was with a company that sponsored this significant day, and I was there representing the National Sales and Marketing Council. Even though I didn’t know a soul, he made me feel so comfortable and part of this compelling group of mostly men. We kept in touch, and when he moved on to another company, he asked if I would be interested in being on their design council. I accepted, but I was terrified - these people were the best of the best - people and companies that I’ve followed and been in awe of, and my small company paled in comparison to their accomplishments. Zach always says we have two ears and one mouth for a reason, and he put together a group of talented, dedicated, insightful people from all over the country, and we got to rebuild a brand. Such a huge opportunity that I will never take for granted - so proud of what we accomplished.

So when Zach approached me again and shared that he had the opportunity to develop a brand that was everything we had ever talked about, I was in. I love the start-up phase, and when Zach shared that he wanted me to help lifestyle a new Experience and Design Center for him in Napa - a place that I had always dreamed of visiting, I couldn’t wait to get started. The team he put together was some of my favorite people in the world. It was a lot of long nights and days and carefully encouraging people. At the end we made it happen, and we opened on time.

Once again, in May Zach thought out of the box and I got an invitation to be part of the new SKS Design Council. I was so excited, and I knew great things would happen with the group that Zach put together. But then as only he can do, he made our first meeting even more special. Instead of just the Design Council meeting, he also invited Veronika Eagleson and her Designhounds to visit Napa and the EDC at the same time. I had met Veronkia numerous times over the years but was sure she wouldn’t remember me. We were always at a show being pulled in all different directions. I’ve been following her group and the great blogs that they write but had never had a firsthand experience.

The first night we had a reception, but it still felt like two separate groups. We would do some things together, but would also be having different meetings and tours as well. As luck would have it, my talented friend and Designhound Toni Sabatino introduced me to Veronika’s daughter and I found we had a lot in common. Veronica and her husband came over and joined us, and it was a beautiful, insightful evening.

What a magical few days! I had a general knowledge of what Signature Kitchen Suite offered, and one of my clients had even chosen their pro range for their own home. By the end of the trip, I’m rethinking my entire kitchen, laundry room, and dressing room in The Home Idea Factory.

The thoughtfulness behind everything they do is exciting! Having a Duel-Fuel Pro Range that not only has induction, gas and steam convection but also is the only range that has a built-in sous vide module I - it’s life changing! I had never considered sous vide cooking until the SKS trainer Michelle Mazzola made a steak that I couldn’t stop eating.

Then they brought in AJ Schaller from CREA to show us what this range could do from crispy croutons to perfectly prepared eggs, and I was sold.

Between sous vide and steam convection, I may not need anything else in the kitchen. Oh - maybe one of their wine cellar columns and refrigeration columns. And one of their enhanced new dishwashers…

And then there was the trip to the CIA at Copia where there is an SKS demo kitchen as well as the Chuck Williams Culinary Museum.

They had a photography exhibit of Julia Childs photography that made me appreciate what she accomplished for women in the kitchen even more.

Going into the clouds to visit the Artesa Estate Vineyards and Winery, having a private dinner at the EDC with Moone Tsai Winery and perfect pairings by Chef Nick followed by live music in the tasting room.

And finishing an evening with a cupcake extravaganza in the wine room was so special, and I appreciate how much time and attention to detail all of the team put into our trip to make it so unique.

Another special moment was when we pulled up to Auberge du Soleil in the drizzling rain -their employees lined up with umbrellas to keep us dry. So many beautiful memories, it’s hard to share just a few.

So when I named this post Building Relationships, there was a reason behind it. This trip wasn’t about selling products, drinking wine, or getting a sponsored trip to Napa. This was about relationships that will transcend this week. I’m now passionate about making sure that everyone knows about Signature Kitchen Suite and wants to be a Technicurean.

The three speakers that were part of this experience have genuinely changed the way I do business in a significant way. LuAnn Nigara - I have revisited how I interact with my clients. Claire Jefford - I did a video the day you spoke, and hope to follow up with many, many more. Leslie Carothers - you have made me rethink so many things that I have been doing in my business, and it’s time for a change. Veronika Eagleson - I now understand Modenus and Designhounds. You have curated an incredible group of storytellers who can help consumers find the products that can make their dreams come true.

The relationships I have made through this trip continue to grow, and a lot of us are keeping in touch and sharing. When I went to the Dallas Market Center this week, it was great to catch up with Designhound Carla Aston and hear Leslie Carothers speak again. And they were so kind to introduce me to so many people that I hadn’t met before, and to give me some great advice about what I want to do with The Lifestylist Brands - I hope that I can return the favor soon.