Got a hankerin' for crinkle-cut watermelons, perfectly wedged apples, or artfully zested lemons? The Pampered Chef, a direct seller, provides more than 500 gourmet kitchen gadgets, cookware, cookbooks, and foodstuffs. It boasts some 60,000 independent sales reps who hawk their wares through in-home kitchen parties (à la Tupperware) throughout North America, Germany, and the UK. It holds 1 million parties in the US each year. Representatives demonstrate product use and care and share recipes. As an incentive (à la Mary Kay), reps can earn jewelry and trips. Founded in 1980 by home economist and educator Doris Christopher, The Pampered Chef is owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway.