Apartment Therapy The Kitchn | Hot Trend: Rachael Ray for Your BacksplashInternational Home and Housewares Show 2008

Hot Trend: Rachael Ray for Your Backsplash
International Home and Housewares Show 2008

So, this trend at the Housewares show was one that took us by surprise at first, but now we think we kind of like it. The good people at Rachael Ray and Emeril's cookware lines were pushing their new offerings hard: much-larger-than-life, backlit photo portraits of the celebrity chefs, designed as backsplashes or entire walls for your new or remodeled kitchen. Think of it as the modern version of the icon...

Who wouldn't want Rachael or Emeril looking over them benevolently as they cook? Maybe offer up a prayer or two? I mean, look at Emeril - he's positively glowing with a BAM! halo - wouldn't you offer up a prayer to a glowing icon of a kitchen god like that?

....

.... errr. No, neither would we, and these are just (although nearly as scary) promotional displays from the show. Some of the booths were two stories tall, and celebrities' faces were splashed all the way up the sides! What this has to do with cooking - we can't tell you. But happy April Fool's Day 2008 anyway. And here's one display we did find rather attractive...

Chris got pretty excited, in fact, at the All-Clad booth!

See all of our April Fools 2008 fun here!
Dates with Jamie Oliver, self-peeling citrus, in-sink composters...

(All images: Faith Hopler for The Kitchn)

Comments (9)

I might consider Julia, though.

posted by Joan A. on April 1st 2008 at 6:13am
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i gotta admit, i was totally fooled. thank goodness those posters are as revolting to you as they are to me.

posted by selena on April 1st 2008 at 6:25am
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i think i might loose my appetite having picture of Rachel in my kitchen. Could be new dieting method.

posted by Astrid Vladi on April 1st 2008 at 6:38am
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I knew it was a joke this time. I've got my guard up now.

posted by Likey on April 1st 2008 at 6:42am
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i saw a schizo on the street yesterday looked just like emeril but he kept saying "damn!...DAMN!" and freaking people out.

posted by kdkaboom on April 1st 2008 at 6:44am
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With that picture of Rachael Ray next to my coffee, I'd go back to bed for a week.

But maybe a pic of Mario or [unnamed female equivalent, to avoid offending] on the fridge or under the baking stuff could be good for me.

posted by renata on April 1st 2008 at 6:49am
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Actually I wouldn't mind Mark Bittman, either.

posted by Joan A. on April 1st 2008 at 8:52am
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Bobby Flay? Robert Irvine? Wolfgang Puck?

No. My real idol: Alton Brown

posted by Aldyth on April 1st 2008 at 9:45am
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Check out the video I just posted, Aldyth.

posted by faith on April 1st 2008 at 10:02am
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