Christmas Gift Ideas: 14 chef-approved tools for the gastronomes on your list
Christmas Gift Ideas: 14 chef-approved tools for the gastronomes on your list
By Toronto Life |
By Toronto Life |
In food circles, chefs are like rock stars: we know their names, fan-girl over their credentials and try to ape their style on our own humble stoves. In order to cook like a pro, however, you need the right arsenal. We polled some of the city’s best chefs on the gadgets and pantry staples they can’t live without. Here, 14 tricks of the trade from Toronto’s top culinary brass.
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- “I use it for grinding meat and making sauces.” <strong>—Attilio Pugliese, The Happy Hooker</strong><br /><br /><br /> $969. <b>Canadian Restaurant Supply,</b> <a href="https://www.crs-online.ca/sagro/storefront/store.php?mode=showproductdetail&product=4071">crs-online.ca</a>
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- Robot Coupe Food Processor
- Robot Coupe Food Processor
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- “The tapered edges make these spoons great for basting.” <strong>—Craig Harding, Campagnolo</strong><br /><br /><br /> $15–22. <strong>Knife,</strong> <i>658 Queen St.W., 647-996-8609</i><i></i><br />
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- Gray Kunz Spoons
- Gray Kunz Spoons
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- “In 15 years working in kitchens, I’ve gone through 30 pairs.” <strong>—Cory Vitiello, The Harbord Room</strong><br /><br /><br /> $129–169. <b>Get Outside,</b> <i>437 Queen St. W., </i><i>416-593-5598</i>
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- Birkenstock Boston Clogs
- Birkenstock Boston Clogs
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- “It slices vegetables paper-thin—a must for Asian salads.” <strong>—Alec Martin, Hawker Bar</strong><br /><br /><br /> $59.75. <b>Shop.ca, </b><a href="http://www.shop.ca/c/benriner-benriner-mandoline-slicer-%28benriner%29-22859715">shop.ca</a>
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- Japanese Mandoline
- Japanese Mandoline
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- “My giant tweezer tongs <br /> are essential for plating.” <strong>—Alexandra Feswick, Samuel J. Moore</strong><br /><br /><br /> $37. <b>Amazon. </b><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/WUSTHOF-Wusthof-12-Plating-Tongs/dp/B0050D7DVG">amazon.ca</a>
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- Wusthof Tongs
- Wusthof Tongs
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- “I use it all the time for lifting cookies off sheet trays.” <strong>—Danielle Oron, Moo Milk Bar</strong><br /><br /><br /> $5–10. <b>Placewares, </b><em>St. Lawrence Market, 416-603-1649</em>
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- Offset Spatula
- Offset Spatula
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- “We smoke the whisky and add it to our barbecue sauces.” <strong>—Judson Flom, Leslieville Pumps</strong><br /><br /><br /> $46. <b>LCBO, </b>multiple locations
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- Knob Creek Bourbon
- Knob Creek Bourbon
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- “The sound sets the tone for a busy service at the restaurant.” <strong>—Claudio Aprile, Origin</strong><br /><br /><br /> $10. <b>HMV, </b><a href="http://www.hmv.ca/Products/Detail/31134.aspx">hmv.ca</a>
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- Moving Pictures by Rush
- Moving Pictures by Rush
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- “A huge time-saver, since I don’t have to melt the cocoa butter.” <strong>—J. P. Challet, Ici Bistro</strong><br /><br /><br /> $10. <b>McEwan Foods, </b><i>38 Karl Fraser Rd., </i><i>416-444-6262</i><i></i>
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- Powdered Cocoa Butter
- Powdered Cocoa Butter
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- “The flavour is so rich and peppery, I can use it as a sauce.” <strong>—Gihen Zitouni, Toca</strong><br /><br /><br /> $29. <b>All Things Olive. </b><a href="http://www.allthingsolive.com/catalog/i56.html">allthingsolive.com</a>
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- Frantoio Olive Oil
- Frantoio Olive Oil
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- “The simplest way to crush herbs and release their full flavour.” <strong>—Matthias Laurin, Le Ti Colibri</strong><br /><br /><br /> <br /> $125. <b>Williams Sonoma, </b>multiple locations
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- Mortar and Pestle
- Mortar and Pestle
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- “It’s an incredible tool. Mine has a custom-made antler handle.“ <strong>—Rob Gentile, Buca</strong><br /><br /><br /> $130. <b>Tosho Knife Arts, </b><i>602 Markham St., </i><i>647-722-6329</i>
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- Gyuto Knife
- Gyuto Knife
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- “Some days it’s the only non-pastry thing I consume.” <strong>—Lorraine Hawley, <br /> Mabel’s Bakery</strong><br /><br /><br /> $4. Mabel’s Bakery, 323 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-534-2333
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- Chasers Juices
- Chasers Juices
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- “A shot of Sailor Jerry spiced rum helps take the edge off.” <strong>—Matt Pettit, Rock Lobster</strong>
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- Sailor Jerry Rum
- Rum
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