The days of your mother calling you into the dining room and placing a plate of steamy goodness right in front of you are over. You’re now what we call an “adult”, and hopefully you’re a somewhat independent one, too. You spend ample amounts of time being responsible: you go to work, pay taxes to your lovely government, and even try to take care of your health! Unfortunately, you may not have the time or knowledge to cook for yourself, so you end up hopping on your Seamless account and ordering away…
Since this is a new year, we hope that one of your resolutions is to learn to cook! We here at Gents Among Men decided to partner up with the new NYC-based personal chef startup, Eat In Chef, for a series of culinary tips and tricks designed to help you Master the Kitchen.
Essential Cookware
Saucepan- Starting with cookware, a two-quart saucepan is an absolute kitchen essential. It should have a flat bottom, large bevel, tall, straight sides and a tight-fitting lid. The saucepan is best used for boiling or steaming vegetables, making sauces, and cooking any grains and pastas.
Where to buy: Cuisinart, via Macy’s // All-Clad, via Williams-Sonoma
Cast iron skillet with lid – A second important piece of cookware is a medium-sized 10-12 inch cast iron skillet with lid. While a skillet and a sauté pan are almost interchangeable, a skillet has slanted sides, making it more versatile and perfect for quick cooking techniques like stir-frying.
Where to buy: Lodge, via Walmart // Le Creuset, via Cutlery
Essential Kitchen Tools
Chef’s knife – One of the most important kitchen tools to have is a chef’s knife. With so many different styles and brands, I’d recommend starting off with an affordable, simple model. Taking the time to learn to hold your knife and master some basic cuts is a must. The key to a good chef’s knife is its owner, as maintaining a sharp knife is ideal. A good chef’s knife will be your go-to knife in the kitchen, and can handle almost anything, including chopping meats and vegetables. Once the basic handling is down, it becomes easier to take on more advanced cuts and techniques, such as the julienne or mince.
Where to buy: Victorinox, via Food Service Warehouse // Shun, via Crate and Barrel
Tongs – Tongs are a multi-tasking kitchen high-flyer! You can use them to lift, flip, move, and mix salads and other food items, and are really an amazing and indispensable cooking tool. You can find an array of different types, but a pair of stainless steel tongs are the most versatile and durable.
Where to buy: Vollrath, via Food Service Warehouse
About Chef Jose
Chef Jose DeJesus is the Chief Culinary Officer at Eat In Chef and the culinary mastermind behind the Trill Pop-Up Dining Series. He has years of experience as both a private chef and in the restaurant industry, including a recent tenure as the Executive Sous Chef at La Marina, in Washington Heights, NYC.
About Eat In Chef
Eat In Chef is a NYC-based personal chef startup building lasting relationships and memories for its chefs and food-lovers alike. Whether for a casual dinner after a long day at work, date night, or wanting a nutritional makeover, Eat In Chef gives food-lovers full access to professional chefs from any electronic device, for any occasion. Their hand-selected chefs will receive your request, pick up fresh ingredients, and cook an unforgettable meal in your kitchen.
For more info about Eat In Chef, visit their website at EatInChef.com. They’re currently offering $10 off your first booking, so give them a try today!
Content provided by Chef Jose for Gents Among Men