Buy It For Life Cooking & Dining Guide

Cast Iron — Enameled & Otherwise

Staub and Le Creuset people love to die on the hill of their brand. The reality is they’re both great. I think Staub has the nicer aesthetic, but I’ve inherited 50-year-old Le Creuset from my grandmother and been gifted new pieces, and I have no complaints. It’s a matter of taste. If I’m spending my own money, I pick Staub.

Both are known for enameled cast iron — essentially a thin layer of glass applied to the surface, which means no seasoning required.

Dutch Oven

• Staub 7 Quart Dutch Oven — Size up. These come out when you’re cooking for a crowd, and 5 qt can limit you.

Skillet

• Staub 10 Inch Enameled Cast Iron

• Budget option: Lodge Cast Iron (not enameled)

Random Faves

• Staub Sizzle Platter — I love these for serving sides and appetizers.

Stainless Steel

It might behoove me to claim absolute loyalty to one brand, but most people aren’t buying entire collections at once — you’ll end up with a mix. Here’s how they compare:

Demeyere is the most expensive of the three, but the quality blows me away, and it’s especially great on induction. All-Clad is what I grew up using; I have All-Clad pans older than I am, from my parents. You can sometimes find it on sale at TJ Maxx-type stores. Made In is the new kid on the block, but I’ve had their stuff going on six years now and it’s legit — and of the three, they tend to be the most affordable.

Unreal Favorite

• Demeyere 3.5 Quart Saucier — One of my favorite pans of all time. Half pot, half skillet — very open, but with a lot of surface area for searing. Perfect for pasta, risotto, or any quick dinner.

• Made In 3 Quart Saucier — Cheaper option, still great.

Big Skillets

• Demeyere 7 Ply 12.5” Skillet

• All-Clad 5 Ply Version

• Made In 5 Ply Version

Small Skillets

• Demeyere 7 Ply 8” Skillet

• All-Clad 5 Ply Version

• Made In 5 Ply Version

1–2 Quart Pot — A portion of oatmeal, melting butter, steeping things, heating milk or cream for baking.

• Demeyere 7 Ply 1.6 Quart

• Made In 2 Quart

4 Quart Pot — Pasta for two, soups for four to six, blanching veggies, boiling eggs. A necessity.

• Demeyere 7 Ply 4 Quart

• All-Clad 4 Quart

• Made In 4 Quart

Flatware

• Sabre — I have to say, I had these before they were cool.

• Jean Dubost Laguiole — Be careful, there are a lot of knockoffs.

Utensils

• Rösle — Iconic large stainless steel utensils.

• Nicolas Vahé — Vintage-inspired ladles and metal spatulas.

Unfortunately, in a world of planned obsolescence, it’s rare to find appliances that last more than a few years. Here are some favorites that should last longer than average.

• Breville Toaster Oven

• KitchenAid 7 qt Bowl Lift Stand Mixer

• Cuisinart 14 Cup Food Processor

• Vitamix Blender

• Zojirushi Rice Cooker

• Lello Musso 4080 Ice Cream Maker

Expensive, but timeless and they last forever

• Bernardaud Organza Dinnerware Collection — I love this specific collection, and it’s what my family uses at home.

Also love, and much cheaper

• Our Place Bowls and Plates Set — Such a nice minimalist look.

• Amelie Latte Anthropologie Bowls — A classic for cereal or ice cream.

• Searra Collection Portuguese Ceramics — Discovered these in Spain. The most gorgeous serving platters and mugs, and some are oven safe.

Wine Glasses

• Prose Wine Glasses — I have these and think they’re stunning, but they are soo thin that they are quite breakable.

Not Nonstick

• Fat Daddio’s Round Cake Pans

• Fat Daddio’s Half Sheet Pans

• Fat Daddio’s 9 x 13” Pans

• Fat Daddio’s Quarter Sheet Pans

Nonstick

• USA Pan Half Sheet Pan

• USA Pan Wire Rack

• USA Pan Round Cake Pan

• USA Pan Muffin Tin

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