Blim Plus Spremiagrumi UFO Juicer and Carafe
Italian designer Raffaello Galiotto launched his Blim Plus line to infuse great versions of everyday objects with aesthetic design. This juicer and carafe combination, aptly named “UFO,” looks like a flying saucer: a manual juicer sits atop a half-liter jug with graduated measurements in milliliters. The juicer can accommodate citrus of various sizes, and the carafe, complete with a drip spout, provides a stable base. The Blim Plus line is made of polypropylene, a durable, nontoxic plastic that maintains temperature well, has antibacterial properties and is 100% recyclable.
Blim Plus Poggiamestoli Stand
Italian designer Raffaello Galiotto launched his Blim Plus line to infuse great versions of everyday objects with aesthetic design. Designed as a ladle rest, this is an ingenious solution to the problem of clunky spoon rests, which take up valuable space on the range or counter. This one has a sleek, vertical design that saves space. And the anti-slip stand isn’t just for dirty spoons: Try it for cookbooks, iPads or anything else you want to prop up. Rubber along the base provides stable, nonslip protection as well. The Blim Plus line is made of polypropylene, a durable, nontoxic plastic that maintains temperature well, has antibacterial properties and is 100% recyclable. Available in gray and blue.
L'atelier du Vin Oeno Motion Wood & Chrome Wine Key
Sleekly modern and classic at the same time, this wine key from L’Atelier du Vin was designed in France with materials that will last. The vertical lever corkscrew is larger than other models we’ve tried and sturdily built, but what it lacks in compactness, it makes up for in style—made from graceful lines of chrome and solid walnut, the key will blend in with classic and modern bar tools. The device opens bottles and expels the cork in a single sweeping motion of the ergonomic lever (a fan-favorite feature for anyone with limited wrist mobility). A foil cutter comes built in, and the jaw is designed to fit bottlenecks in a range of sizes. The key comes with a spare steel spiral worm and a ready-to-gift box.
Hario Donabe Glass Lid Cooking Pot
A donabe is an essential piece of cooking equipment in the Japanese kitchen. Made from thick earthenware, these traditional pots maintain a gentle, even heat. It’s the best way to make fluffy, evenly cooked rice. Hario’s ceramic products are known as Banko ware, a regional form of pottery from Mie Prefecture that are perfect for making rice dishes or other filling one-pot meals. Equipped with a glass lid with a silicone handle, you’ll be able to keep an eye on your ingredients without losing steam by opening the lid. Try it to make koge (scorched rice), in which the lower bits of rice become crunchy and nutty as they overcook, which is difficult to make in a typical electric rice cooker.
Genicook 10 Piece Set
Never go rummaging around for a matching lid again with 10-piece set of nesting glass bowls and snap-on lids. Genicook’s bowls are made of sturdy borosilicate glass, the same material as science beakers, which makes them less likely to crack, chip or scratch. They are safe for the oven, microwave and dishwasher, and when not in use, simply stack the bowls with the lids on and cover with the largest lid. It’s equipped with a carry handle for easy transferring from cabinet to counter.
Milk Street Cast Iron Furusato
Here at Milk Street, we’re big proponents of cooking with cast iron because it heats evenly and retains that heat—which is why we designed our own pot for the ideal solution for soups and stews. Our Cast Iron Furusato is modeled after the traditional pot used for Japanese nabe (hot pot), but its durable cast-iron craftsmanship and stunning wooden lid carved from Japanese cedar make it a candidate for everyday use. Sturdy yet light enough to use often, it’s equipped with a swinging handle for easy maneuvering. Plus, unlike some furusato pots, this one is compatible with any stovetop, and it comes with a small silicone pot holder.
Goyon St. Vincent Wine Opener
Made entirely by hand in Goyon-Chazeau’s knife workshop in Thiers, France, this beautiful tool is part wine opener, part pocket knife. It comes with a full-cutting, 4.5-inch blade. It’s designed by Robert Beillonnet, a renowned French cutlery expert synonymous with beautiful, functional knives. The blade, notched lever and thin corkscrew are made from sturdy, hardened steel that will stand up to a lifetime of heavy use. And it makes an elevated gift (especially for the person who has everything)—every wine opener comes in a leather pouch and cork gift box.
Turkish Zirh Butcher’s Knife
When traveling in Istanbul, Chris Kimball saw chefs using stunning “zirh” knives as comfortably as if they were using a chef’s knife to efficiently mince meat and vegetables. This impressive Turkish knife gets even the most painstaking jobs done in a flash, thanks to its large, curved blade. Use the 3-inch deep blade, which looks like a saber, by rocking it back and forth through a mound of vegetables, meat or herbs. The rocking motion is Turkish chefs’ secret for perfectly uniform chopped meat, peppers and onions for kebabs, with just the right texture—and much less effort.
Milk Street Cast Iron Grill Plate with Detachable Handle
Here at Milk Street, we’re big proponents of cooking with cast iron to get a good sear on food—which is why we designed our Cast Iron Sizzling Plate. The thin yet sturdy construction heats up quickly—over any burner or grill—and holds its heat well. The cast iron surface, when taken care of, prevents foodstuffs from sticking, so you can get an excellent sear on scallops, fish, jumbo shrimp, chicken, pork, steak, vegetables and more. With its sturdy birch wood base and detachable handle, the griddle can also easily be brought to the table and used as much as a hot plate as a cooking pan. Heat it in the oven and fill it with appetizers like warm, spiced nuts or baked feta drizzled with fruity olive oil, herbs and pepper flakes. Or use it to serve sizzling fajitas or stir-fried noodles. Plus, the ingenious handle removes easily for serving and storage.
Hario V60 Coffee Dripper
Hario’s V60 Coffee Dripper is one of our favorite ways to brew a great cup of coffee. We love the pour-over method, which allows you to control the nuance and flavor notes of your coffee, but most designs are made of fragile ceramic or glass. Hario’s alternative is made of light stainless steel. It’s durable—great to travel with (especially with its removable silicone rubber base)—and it conducts and retains heat well for a hot, flavorful cup every time. The overall design has been around since the ’80s, but now with ribs to keep filter paper from getting stuck on the sides and a larger hole for a faster flow and more clarity in the cup. The conical shape also allows for a deep layering of coffee grounds—pour quickly for a lighter, delicate cup or slowly for a heavier, fuller flavor. Plus, the V60 is large enough to make up to four cups of coffee. You’ll never need your bulky Mr. Coffee again. Available in Matte Black or Silver.
Cuisipro Kitchen Grips Oven Mitt
Handling hot kitchen equipment or serving dishes has never been safer than with this heat-resistant, stain-resistant, water-repellent oven mitt. This dishwasher-safe mitt has a nonslip grip from the raised nub surface pattern, which allows for more insulation between your hand and a hot surface. The result is a better and safer grasp, even as the mitt remains soft and flexible. Made from FLXaPrene™ material and Kevlar® stitching, the surface rejects bacteria buildup and is easy to clean in the dishwasher. Plus it is water repellent to protect hands from steam and liquid burns. This functional mitt offers high-quality workmanship that has been subjected to rigorous testing standards—no detail is overlooked. Available in small and large, sold one to a set.
Anatolia Hand-Painted Ceramic Salt and Pepper Set
When traveling in Istanbul, our buyers found world-class Turkish ceramics at the Grand Bazaar—one of the world’s oldest markets—including these hand-painted salt and pepper shakers. They’re sourced from Kutahya, a Turkish city renowned for hand-painted pottery. The shakers are painted with vibrantly colored motifs inspired by Iznik tulip designs, featuring red and blue flowers. Iznik, an art form dating back to the 15th century, fuses Ottoman patterns and elements of Chinese design—its abstract patterns, floral motifs and bright colors are synonymous with fine Turkish ceramics. The shakers come with a small tray to hold them and catch any errant seasonings, also painted by hand with red and blue flowers. As every piece from this maker is crafted by hand, slight variations in design are natural and add to their beauty.
Suncraft Wood Cooking Chopsticks
Streamline your cooking with cooking chopsticks—replace your spatula, tongs, whisk and spoon as you turn, flip, mix and stir with one sleek tool. Longer than chopsticks designed for dining, cooking chopsticks keep your hands far from heat and flames, which makes them safer for risky jobs like deep-frying. And they’re more precise than tongs or spatulas: Gripping food with the pointed ends means you can target even pieces or parts of a single ingredient with extra dexterity, for specific control and even cooking. Suncraft’s are simultaneously fine enough to pick up a single noodle to test doneness or an herb sprig while plating, while also being sturdy enough to toss a whole stir-fry with speed and confidence.
What sets these apart from other cooking chopsticks is a small scoop for seasoning at the thicker end, perfectly sized to add a pinch of salt, pepper or spice while cooking, and a textured point on the narrow end, which provides traction and helps grip food better. Made from handsome dark wood, which won’t scratch up your pans, these chopsticks are resistant to high temperatures.