EVER WANTED AN EXTRA HAND?
If you have ever been to a business networking event, a cocktail
party or staff function, you will be familiar with the problem. You
have a glass of wine in one hand, a plate of nibbles in the other,
and nowhere to put either of them when you have to shake the hand
of someone you have just met.
Whangarei couple Ada and Evan Davis watched it happen time and
again and decided to do something about it.
Their company, Handy As Ltd, based in Parua Bay, last year
started production of the Handy As ® Fumble Free Function Plate,
designed purely to make networking and socialising that bit easier.
The plate is designed to hold food, toothpicks and even sauces,
while slotting on to the stem of your wine glass.
Ada and Evan got the idea for the plate when they were at a
tourism seminar and found they could not fit a cup of tea and a
sticky bun on one saucer.
Left standing around with both hands full, Ada remembers
thinking there must be a better way. "We just looked at each
other," Ada remembers. With Evan's experience running a
manufacturing engineering business and his cunning way of finding
solutions for everyday problems, she knew he would be able to craft
the perfect product.
The plate was developed over 12 months and now comes in two
styles. While one is designed for wine and nibbles, the other has
space for a cup of tea and a roll or bun - although Ada points out
it could accommodate a bottle of beer equally well. They have been
used as far afield as the Russell Oyster Festival and Dunedin, and
have been seen at the Fat Pig in Kerikeri and Dress for Success in
Northland.
Ada says: "They appeal to anyone who likes to eat and drink at
the same time." The plates are ideal for pre-wedding nibbles,
or mix-and-mingle networking events. "They're not a novelty," Evan
adds, "They solve a problem."
The plates can also be set up ahead of time at events to give
organizers and caterers control over portion sizes. Produced
in Auckland, the plates are sturdy, recyclable PET1 +
reusable. Available in TWO styles: Elite/stemmed glasses
& Executive/tumbler, cup or stubby; + THREE colours, Black,
White + Clear