By Andrea Lillo
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark.–Sold worldwide, Cristel cookware will be introduced to the American market this month as Haute Cuisine Imports brings the French company to the United States with its two removable handle collections, Agate and Zenith.
Made of 18/10 stainless steel, the lines were chosen to debut from the company in the United States first because of their removable handles, which allow for easy stacking and storage, as well as for use as serving pieces after cooking. The handles, along with the lids, are also interchangeable between the two lines.
“Since the cookware market is so crowded in the U.S., with the majority being fixed [handle] cookware, we thought the removables were something different and unique and that we could hit a market that can not be hit with regular fixed cookware,” said Katie McIntosh, marketing and public relations coordinator for Haute Cuisine Imports.
The Agate collection has three-ply construction on the bottom of each pan and a polished, stainless-steel finish, while the Zenith is three-ply from the bottom all the way up the sides and has a brushed, stainless-steel finish. The handles are available in red, black, white, dark blue and stainless steel for the launch, with more colors to come later.
Exclusively marketed to high-end national and independent stores this spring, the Cristel line will have price points ranging from $85 to $350, while the handles would retail anywhere between $34 and $54.