In my last Leader I encouraged you to attend KBB Birmingham, saying it would be a shame to miss it as the next Show was two years away. At that stage I expected my flu-like symptoms to clear up but sadly it wasn’t to be… I have no idea whether I’ve had mild Coronavirus or severe flu; either way, please accept my apologies for being unable to broadcast KBzine since then - but what with the aches, pains & brain-fog it was probably better that I stayed tucked up in bed. I really do hope that you and your loved ones are managing to stay safe and that you have plenty of everything you need.

The Show’s organisers say that not only was there an “exceptionally strong” turnout, but that a record number of visitors attended on two of the four days.

Richard Hibbert, KBSA national chair, was impressed that in contrast to some European shows where many of the exhibits are prototypes or inspirational, “there were lots of things that could be taken back to showrooms and implemented straightaway," he says. Well… after lockdown finishes, anyway…

Sustainability’s always been dear to my heart and I like that KBB Birmingham and The Used Kitchen Company (TUKC) launched a partnership to help exhibitors sell their displays. I do hope this is still up and running for KBB 2022, since I’m still sporting the Gumtree kitchen I had when I started editing KBzine well over a decade ago!

I also missed hearing the winners of the Blum-sponsored 2020 Innovation Awards announced, and seeing the 10 finalists’ entries displayed and admired for their forward-thinking and technically advanced design. Congratulations to Natufia Lab, crowned People's Choice Award winner for the world's first fully integrated and automated hydroponic kitchen garden, which maintains light, pH, temperature and water levels in addition to optimising minerals, nutrients and vitamins for non-GMO certified plants. It brings nature into the home and allows people to conveniently manage their own produce from the comfort of their kitchen. Mmmmm… Perhaps when I have my new kitchen…

Congratulations too, to Wirquin for its Neo Zero Leak Trap, which scooped the Judge's Finalist prize for its cost-effective and space saving zero-leak traps for basins or sinks, which incorporate washers that are over-moulded onto the body to ensure complete protection against leaks, while preventing odours and noises.

If you were particularly inspired by anything at the Show, please do let me know, so I can look into it, won’t you?

Yours,

Jan Hobbs