Kitchen Master
Cookbooks, utensils and kitchen accessories for everyone—from the foodie to the foodidiot.
Living with Wine by Samantha Nestor with Alice Feiring
Tour 30 distinctive wine cellars around America, including those of Nancy and John Lasseter, the founder of Pixar Studios, and American Idol host Ryan Seacrest. From cellars with fingerprint access to systems that keep track of bottles through bar codes, learn how to mix preservation techniques with design aesthetics to create a truly modern entertainment space.
Living with Wine by Samantha Nestor with Alice Feiring (Publisher: Random House, Inc.), $75.
Photo Courtesy of Random House, Inc.
Cookie Press by The Pampered Chef
Making homemade cookies has never been easier! With a simple twist, the Cookie Press releases dough for perfectly portioned treats. It sure beats the mess created by trying to spoon out the dough.
Cookie Press by The Pampered Chef, $29.50.
Photo Courtesy of The Pampered Chef
Bottle Bag by Reisenthel
Whether you use it to carry wine to a holiday party or bring recyclables to the market, this mod bottle bag keeps bottles from banging into each other. Tip: When not in use, it’s perfect for organizing your magazines or newspapers.
Bottle Bag by Reisenthel, $15.99
Photo Courtesy of Reisenthel
Bib Audrey—Woven Houndstooth Apron
Throw on an episode of I Love Lucy, and get to work. This apron is great not only for cooking but for playing hostess as well. The woven cotton fabric is adorned with pockets and contrasting trim for a retro-chic look that will make all your neighbors jealous.
Bib Audrey – Woven Houndstooth Apron by Jessie Steele, $32.95.
Photo Courtesy of Jessie Steele
WineMaker Select by Mr. Beer
Love to unwind with a glass of vino? Be adventurous and make your own! This winemaking system includes everything you’ll need to produce 24 bottles of red and white wine in four weeks. Bonus: The entire kit is reusable, so after the first round, try making different varietals.
WineMaker Select by Mr. Beer, $229.95.
Photo Courtesy of Mr. Beer
90th Anniversary Stand Mixer by KitchenAid
An oldie but goodie, this classic mixer takes on a bold hue to brighten any kitchen. The 90th Anniversary Limited Edition features a five-quart glass bowl and 10-speed slide control that lets cooks blend ingredients from a very slow stir to a very fast whip. The mixer is not only for baked goods—use available attachments to make homemade pasta, squeeze fruit and stuff fresh sausage.
90th Anniversary Stand Mixer by KitchenAid, $349.95.
Photo Courtesy of Sur La Table
Ad Hoc at Home by Thomas Keller
Thomas Keller, lauded chef and restaurateur behind The French Laundry in Yountville, California, and Per Se in New York, presents this cookbook of more than 200 American comfort-food classics. Ad Hoc at Home, inspired by the menu of Keller’s Yountville restaurant of the same name, features recipes for fare such as potato hash with bacon and melted onions, grilled-cheese sandwiches and beef stroganoff.
Ad Hoc at Home by Thomas Keller (Publisher: Artisan Books), $50.
Photo Courtesy of Artisan Books
No Mess Cooking Spoons
Know someone who loves to cook but hates the mess left behind? This set of four stainless steel cooking spoons could be the solution. A kink in the frame allows each spoon to hang inside pots rather than on a spoon rest, and silicone handles make them safe to touch. Set includes a stirring spoon, ladle spoon, slotted spoon and gravy spoon.
No Mess Cooking Spoons (exclusively at QVC), $19.93 (retail value $32).
Photo Courtesy of QVC, Lori Greiner
Top Chef Quickfire Challenge Game
Bring the hit television competition to life—short of having Tom Colicchio in your kitchen—with this trivia game. Each player must answer questions about the contestants, the judges and the food seen on the show. Win, and you’re named Top Chef. Lose, and it’s time to “pack your knives and go.” (Available December 23.)
Top Chef Quickfire Challenge Game, $19.95.
Photo Courtesy of Chronicle Books
Demy Digital Recipe Reader
It’s like a Kindle for the kitchen. Demy’s high-res touch screen allows access to personal recipe collections, built-in timers, ingredient substitution lists and the ability to easily convert measurements. Sync it up to your computer, and you’ll never lose a favorite recipe again. Demy Digital Recipe Reader by Key Ingredient, $299.95.
Photo Courtesy of Demy