A Few of Our Favorite Things: Behind the Scenes at the Shop
One of the best parts of working at a cooking store is getting to spend our days surrounded by things that inspire us to cook and create. Our shop is more than the things on the shelves. It’s about the joy of cooking, the pleasure of sharing a meal, and the little discoveries that make our kitchens all the more wonderful. We’re often asked what our favorite items in the store are, so we thought it was time to share a few! From the tools we reach for every day to specialty items we can’t live without, our team has plenty of opinions (and a few friendly debates) about what makes a kitchen truly special.
JANIE:
Ankarsrum Stand Mixer - A powerful and versatile stand mixer. I love the flat bottom of the 7.5 QT SS bowl as well as the side scraper that can be in place all the time when mixing. This meets all my mixing and baking needs.
Staub 3.5 QT Everyday Braiser - An unsung hero in the kitchen. Great for one pot meals, slow cooking after braising, and works great in the oven as well as on the stove top.
Shun Classic Blonde Nakiri - The blade stays sharp for a very long time, it slices through squash as well as a tomato. It is now my go to for any vegetable chopping. Makes the job quick and easy!
DONNA:
deBeyer Mineral B Carbon Steel Omelette Pan 8” - Needs a bit of seasoning at the start but developed a beautiful patina and is very nonstick.
Le Creuset 4 QT Dutch Oven - I bought this to cook Julia Child’s Boeuf Bourguignon and it worked well. It is a staple piece in my kitchen. I would go up in size if I were to buy it again.
Danish Dough Whisk - This is the perfect tool for a batter that’s too thick for a regular wire whisk like muffins or pancakes. It makes the whole job so much easier!
SARAH:
Miyabi Kizen II 8” Chef - I use it everyday for anything from onions to slicing steak for sandwiches. I get a smooth thin cut every time.
Cole & Mason Derwent Salt & Pepper Mills - Another item I use everyday and love how easy they are to adjust and grind.
Staub Silicone Rice Spoon - My family uses this weekly. The rice doesn’t stick to it and it’s easy to wash.
ANNA:
Staub 5.5 QT Dutch Oven - enameled cast iron is easy to clean and so versatile - I can cook on my wood stove, stovetop or in the fire (the flat top is great for hot coals)
USA Pan Medium Bread Loaf Pan - My go to for sandwich bread or a sweet loaf, they always come right out!
SS Dreamfarm Fluicer - lays flat in the drawer and gets out so much juice!! I love the plastic versions but the new stainless steel version has my heart. Easy to clean if you rinse it right away.
Thank you for reading out our Kitchen Notes! We will be sharing different resources, recipes, tips & tricks once a week. So check back here!