Winner: Panasonic Giveaway

March 11, 2014 | Leave a Reply

Thanks to those who entered and commented on last month’s Panasonic feature & giveaway. I am happy to announce that Boba is the lucky winner of the stainless steel microwave. Have a look at her old-world + modern appliances kitchen design. I love that the induction cooktop and modern wall oven look perfectly at home among the oriental rug, rustic wood table, and beautiful blue fabrics. I also love the inclusion of a classic white KitchenAid stand mixer and white Danby (I think) pots. Let us know how you love your new microwave, Boba!

Many thanks to Panasonic for sponsoring this giveaway and to Candace B. for her coordination.

Giveaway: #PanasonicStyle

February 3, 2014 | Leave a Reply

Hi all. Was the weekend a good one? Did you cook up a storm? How do you feel about getting creative this Monday morning? Good. I’m glad. Have I got a contest for you!

I wrote about Panasonic’s induction products last week and this week I’m challenging you (it’s an easy challenge, I swear) to create your own Panasonic kitchen style inspiration board using the Panasonic induction cooktop and convection oven.

Here’s my inspiration board to serve an example:

White Cabana’s #PanasonicStyle

My inspiration board includes items that are smooth, sleek, and highly functional – like the Panasonic appliances, the Kaiser Idell light, and the Bialetti coffee maker. I’m also inspired by natural sunshine, so this board includes gorgeous large windows. The fresh flowers promise the arrival of springtime and growth. The fresh squid ink pasta and black and white art show the beauty that comes from making things by hand.

But enough about my inspiration…it’s your turn!

What would you include in your #PanasonicStyle kitchen inspiration board? Go ahead, create one. When you’re done with your board, email it to me along with your contact info and I’ll add it to the #PanasonicStyle Pinterest board. That’s all you have to do to enter the contest!

So, you probably want to know what’s up for grabs, right? This is your chance to win…

A Panasonic Mid-Size Genius Inverter Microwave! The winner will receive the microwave as well as the trim kit (so that you can mount the microwave above the stove/over the counter). This prize is a biggie – valued at $470! Um, yeah. I told you it was going to be worth your pinning efforts! Who doesn’t want a new microwave, right?

To recap:

1. Create an inspiration board (i.e., collage) featuring the Panasonic induction cooktop or convection oven.

2. Email me your board – whitecabana [at] gmail [dot] com

3. The contest deadline is Friday February 21st, 2014 and it’s open to Canadian residents (over the age of 18, excluding Quebec).

Your popcorn kernels will thank you for entering and so will I!

Many thanks to Panasonic for sponsoring this giveaway and related posts.

Marketplace: The Panasonic Induction Cooktop

January 31, 2014 | 2 Commentaries

I recently learned that Panasonic has introduced a new induction cooktop. Induction heat has been around for years, but I feel like it’s only gaining momentum for home kitchens now.

Panasonic’s new induction cooktop sort of looks like a television, doesn’t it? So sleek and shiny, it is! Panasonic says, “The induction cooktop features infrared-sensors for precise temperature control and electrostatic glass touch technology for easy operation.” The cooktop also has the ability to rapidly generate heat. The fact that the induction cooktop doesn’t use flames or elements has got to mean that it’s pretty darn safe to operate*. Panasonic assures its customers that the cooktop surface remains cool to the touch, except just beneath where the cookware sits. The cooktop’s flat surface is much easier to clean than a traditional stove with burners and (those darn) burner guards.

But that’s not all that I’ve learned. Panasonic is also sharing news of its new convection oven.

Panasonic-induction-HL-BD825

I love that, like the cooktop, the convection oven is so sleek. It looks perfectly stylish in an all-white kitchen. Use of the convection oven should result in “even baking, browning, and crisping” as well as juicy and flavourful poultry and roasted meat. I wish it promised that it would cook for me every night. 🙂

I’d love to hear your view, but I am especially curious to know if anyone has an induction stove. Well worth it? Did you buy a completely new cookware set?

Come on back on Monday to learn about a not-to-be missed giveaway that I’ve organized with the good folks from Panasonic. Your kitchen will definitely want you to enter this one!

*I have never actually cooked on an induction cooktop.

Images courtesy of Panasonic Cooking Canada.

Photography: Buying a New Camera

April 25, 2013 | 1 Commentary

I have been wanting to buy a new camera for a while now – something small enough to carry in my purse, better than my iPhone 4S and Canon Elph (I do still love the Elph), and something with a great lens that would produce gorgeous photos. Oh – and in the $200-$300 price range (always on a budget, I am!). So when my photographer friend Joel told me about a great sale on Panasonic’s Lumix LX5 at Black’s, I had to check it out (with his help of course). After his explanation of its features – and my many “Are you sure this is what I want?”, I decided to order it online as there were none in stock in London. A $500 camera for $250 and it’s got a Leica lens (cool)! Needless to say it was an exciting afternoon! It was even more exciting when it arrived about a week later.

Unfortunately I got sent a camera that had previously been opened/used/touched so I contacted Black’s (oh, the power of a tweet) to inquire. The service I received to resolve this issue was so efficient and friendly that I might just be a Black’s fan for life.

me and my LX5, photo by Joel (with a cell phone)

Me and my camera are becoming the best of friends. We’ve already gone to The Home Depot, to work and to Toronto. There’s much to learn about photography and I think this little LX5 is going to show me the way.

Thanks to Anthony S. at Black’s for providing excellent customer service. Thanks for your advice Joel.