Whether you’re whipping up a simple weekend supper or crafting a gourmet feast for guests, quality kitchen tools can make or break the experience. We asked respected chefs around the South to share the home cooking appliances and gadgets they frequently gift and rely on themselves. While the list includes a few classic favorites, there are also a few unexpected picks to enhance everyday meal prep and extravagant dinner parties alike. Take a look!
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Mezzaluna Knife
Dubbed the “rocker knife,” the mezzaluna knife boasts a curved blade and dual handles. Chef Deb Paquette of Nashville’s etch and etc. suggests it’s ideal for those needing a break from more strenuous physical activity. “As one grows older, exerting pressure with traditional knives can strain hands and wrists. The mezzaluna requires two-handed rocking motions, distributing chopping pressure,” she explains.
Milk Frother
Chef Paquette also recommends the milk frother. Beyond its usual role in frothing coffee, its compact size facilitates easy cleaning and excels in tasks such as whisking eggs, making aioli, or preparing Swedish pancakes. “If a whisk becomes difficult, the little foamer frother is Mama’s best kitchen companion!” she exclaims. This well-rated Amazon find comes with three replaceable versatile whisks.
Dutch Oven
Chef Forough Vakili from Atlanta’s Le Bon Nosh shares that nothing beats a Staub Dutch oven when gifting a kitchen essential. The traditional French cooking vessel is known for enhancing flavors and preparing a variety of dishes, including stews, soups, casseroles, roasts, and braises.
Vacuum Sealer
Chef Steve Robilio of Nashville’s Amerigo and Jasper’s recommends always having a vacuum sealer on hand. This appliance is great for sealing anything you want to freeze to avoid the kind of freezer burn that can result from using plastic bags such as Ziplocs. Chef Robilio says it particularly comes in handy when he buys meat in bulk, as he uses it to seal some of the cuts after breaking the meat down into smaller portions.
“Spoonula” Spatula
Part spoon, part spatula, this multi-purpose kitchen utensil truly does it all. The Spoonula scrapes, scoops, and serves up whatever dish you’re preparing. Made from platinum silicone, it is heat resistant up to 425Β°F and nonstick-safe. Chef Jason Lalacona of Nashville’s Miel claims it is the best spatula he has ever used, sharing that he has gifted it to others countless times.
Kitchen Tweezers
Unlike tongs, kitchen tweezers provide a gentle, precise grip with a little more finesse. Chef Arnaldo of Atlanta’s Tio Lucho’s tells us they can be used to check if your noodles are ready to serve, to arrange herbs on a dish, or even to flip meats or shellfish on the grill. They also can fit in a silverware drawer without taking up too much room.
Kitchen Knife Set
Chef Jean-Georges, the culinary mastermind behind the highly-acclaimed restaurant Drusie & Darr, suggests gifting the βLes Essentiels Kitchen Knife Setβ from Opine. Featuring a paring knife, vegetable knife, serrated paring knife, and stationary peeler, it makes the perfect gift for aspiring chefs or home cooks. These knives are endlessly versatile and come in a variety of fun colors.
Vegetable Speed Peeler
Know someone who dreads peeling vegetables? This is the peeler they need! Chef Vivek Surti of Tailor Nashville swears by this vegetable speed peeler. βIβm obsessed with this peeler that sharpens itself β especially when it comes to making all the spring and summer salads,β he says. Weβll take any tool that makes prepping veggies easier!
Lodge Cast Iron
Lodge Cast Iron’s seasoned carbon steel skillet stands out as a top choice. Pitmaster Pat Martin of Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint trusts his 14-inch skillet for grill-top cooking, highlighting its versatility. “There are a couple of things I especially enjoy making in a skillet on the grill β hoecakes (savory cornbread pancakes) and fish.”
Keep these picks in mind next time you’re refreshing your own kitchen, or looking for the perfect gift!
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