Kitchen + Bath innovators competed at 8th Annual DesignBites in KBIS

Published on : Saturday, February 4, 2023

The 8th annual DesignBites competition attracted an enthusiastic crowd at the KBIS stage on January 31, 2023. “Get ready for speed dating meets ‘Shark Tank,’ Arianne Bellizaire of Baton Rouge, LA-based Arianne Bellizaire Interiors, LLC welcomed attendees and detailed the rules for another memorable showdown. Bellizaire explained how representatives from 10 exhibiting brands were competing for the title of “Brand With the Biggest Bite,” each having three minutes to pitch their newest innovations on the stage, followed by two minutes to answer questions. Then it was up to a panel of designers to choose the 2023 champion.

The competition singles out the brand that offers the best combination of innovation and presentation of the capabilities and benefits of the product, as determined by judges Leigh Harrington, Reviewed, part of the USA TODAY Network; Sarah Robertson, Studio Dearborn by Sarah Robertson; and Breegan Jane, TV host, interior designer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.

A People’s Pick award, introduced at KBIS in Orlando in 2022, also allowed everyone in the audience — which included members of the media and the Designhounds Influencer Network — to get in on the judging as well via a live vote by text message.

The Winners are:

And with the judges’ votes tallied, the “Brand With the Biggest Bite” was Beko for its Harvest Fresh crisper-drawer technology, with the award being accepted by Justin Reinke, Beko’s Vice President of Marketing.

But it was a split decision, because the People’s Pick as voted by the live audience was Brondell’s Nebia Corre showerhead. It was the second People’s Pick win for Brondell and President Steve Scheer proudly claimed the honor — although he admitted he was aiming for the “Biggest Bite” title.

Speaking on behalf of the judges, Breegan Jane summed up the competition. “The brands put so much thought into their presentations,” she said. “They all came with their top game.”

Tags: awards, Designer awards, furnitrue design, furniture and accessories, furniture industry, High Point Market, interior design and furniture industry, KBIS, Kitchen and Bath show, USA, USA furniture