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.
Escali 136DK Alimento Scale
Better baking begins with weighing, not measuring, ingredients, and the Escali 136DK Alimento Scale is the best we’ve found for the task. Many kitchen scales are cheaply made, so their weight sensors are unreliable, but Escali's scale gives consistent, accurate readings. Lightweight yet sturdy, it's designed with an easy to clean, removable stainless steel platform so you can read the weight without a bowl blocking it. A sealed control panel prevents food from getting inside during inevitable spills, and a straightforward tare function allows you measure multiple items quickly. Combined with an easy to read, backlit display, these features make the Escali the best in class. While most scales only handle up to 11 pounds, Escali's manages up to 13 pounds for larger baking projects and detects even the slightest weight change, down to 0.1 ounces or 1 gram. Plus, it automatically shuts off after 10 minutes to preserve battery life.
Miya Company Pacific Forest Matte Bowls - set of 4
Made from Japanese stoneware, this set of four minimalist bowls are deep enough for a side of rice, noodles or soup. Finished with a matte glaze, the bowls come in four complementary tones of green and brown; hints of the stoneware’s brown color peek pleasantly through the glaze.
Vermicular 10.2 inch Oven Safe Skillet with Lid
Our kitchen team was, quite frankly, stunned by the Vermicular 10-inch skillet. Weighing in at 2.4 pounds, it is at least 50% thinner than other cast-iron skillets, making it the lightest skillet we’ve tried. Durably designed and nonreactive, it features a heat-resistant enameled surface and an oven-safe aluminum handle. The pan cooks more like stainless steel than cast iron thanks to its thinness, which makes it heat more quickly, but it offers the nonstick and cleaning advantages of enameled cast iron. And it still retains heat well and evenly like cast iron. It’s the perfect skillet for searing or stir-frying. The skillet also comes with a stainless steel lid with an attached cast-iron handle that’s designed to be stood upright to avoid touching a dirty counter. Use to sauté veggies, fry an egg, sear a steak or make the perfect crispy grilled cheese.
Ttyokzk Pomme (Apple) Sugar Jar
Handmade in small batches, this porcelain and wood apple-shaped sugar pot is made in Japan by ceramic designer Tatsuya Okazaki. Designed to store sugar, spices or salt on your kitchen counter or on the table, it has a “stem” that looks like a lid handle but is actually a built-in wooden spoon. The spoon handle fits through the center of the lid for easy scooping. Available in three colors in limited quantities, each pot is slightly different due to its handmade nature.
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.
Escali DH1 Thermometer
Temperature is key when cooking, which is why an accurate thermometer is so important in the kitchen. Escali’s DH1 Thermometer is one of the best we’ve used, with an ergonomic design and extra-long probe for better accuracy. Developed with a smooth comfort-grip handle and a protective stainless steel probe sheath, you can cook poultry, pork, beef, lamb and veal with restaurant-level precision. Plus, the probe sheath also features a temperature guide, so you’ll have every target temperature right at your fingertips.
Garcima Pata Negra 15-Inch Paella Pan
This classic paella pan produced in Valencia, the birthplace of the Spanish rice dish, is made of heavy-duty, professional-gauge carbon steel, with an extra-thick bottom that holds more heat—and evenly cooks your paella. It’s the only pan we’ve tried that cooks evenly regardless of heat source. We tested this on gas, induction and electric stoves, plus an oven and grill to boot. The rice at the base toasts to form a socarrat, a thin layer of crispy rice at the bottom of a paella, without burning, while the rest cooks through until fluffy and tender. And the sturdy construction means it will turn out dozens of paellas without warping. The 15-inch pan comfortably serves 4 to 6 people, and bolted-on handles help maneuver the heavy vessel. Named as an homage to Spain’s prized Ibérico ham, pata negra translates to “black foot,” after the dark color of Iberian pigs.
Jefferson Street Ceramics Pie Weights
Made of hand-mixed clay, these pie weights from Jefferson Street Ceramics are the best we’ve found for blind baking, the practice of pre-baking crusts for chilled custard pies or extra-juicy fruit-filled ones. Fill your pie shell with these ceramic beads to prevent dough from bubbling up, slumping or shrinking while in the oven. The ample 2.4-pound quantity of easy-to-clean beads is more than enough to fill a 9-inch pie or two 7-inch ones. Every bead is made by hand, varying slightly in size, shape and color, which adds to their rustic charm. The pie weights come packaged in a breathable, cotton mesh bag that you can reuse; pair them with Jefferson Street Ceramics’ pie dish for a great holiday gift.
Andree Jardin Hand Brush & Dustpan
Handcrafted in France, Andreé Jardin’s Handbrush and Dustpan is the perfect handheld, compact set to sweep up crumbs and minor messes with ease. The beechwood handled brush is made using centuries-old techniques from horsehair and synthetic fibers, accompanied by a metal lacquered dustpan. Simple, durable and stylish, you’ll love this addition to your home for quick clean ups. Available in gray and red.
Ttyokzk Poire (Pear) Sugar Jar
Handmade in small batches, this porcelain and wood pear-shaped sugar pot is made in Japan by ceramic designer Tatsuya Okazaki. Designed to store sugar, spices or salt on your kitchen counter or on the table, it has a “stem” that looks like a lid handle but is actually a built-in wooden spoon. The spoon handle fits through the center of the lid for easy scooping. Available in two colors in limited quantities, each pot is slightly different due to its handmade nature.
La Cerise sur le Gateau Tea Towels - Stripe
We found these charming tea towels in Paris. Made of 100 percent cotton in Portugal by family-owned workshops, they’re extra absorbent. Each towel comes with a little hook for easy hanging and a playful, durable striped print. Sold individually in two different colorways. Ray Pickle: A classic striped towel, in pale pink and sage green. Ray Nuts: A classic striped towel, in washed blue and tan.
