NYC chef Alessandra Ciuffo: 12 HexClad picks and essential kitchen must-haves
Fox News and its syndication partners may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.
Home chefs need reliable tools to conjure up delicious meals they'll be proud of. From the pans they use to make gourmet dinners to the mixing bowls they create baked goods in, each kitchen item should be a helpful companion that's easy to use and even easier to clean.
To get a list of the best tools, we interviewed NYC-based chef and food influencer, Alessandra Ciuffo. Originally a Fordham University grad with a degree in Business Administration, Alessandra has since started the Culinary Arts program at the Institute of Culinary Education. She's also created the culinary lifestyle brand, Flavors by Ale.
"Food and cooking have always been a part of my life," explained Alessandra during our interview. "I grew up in a large Italian family where food was a very special focal point for everything that we did… At the age of three I was already standing on the stools in the kitchen stirring tomato sauce every Sunday."
Like many chefs, Alessandra's love of food grew quickly when she started watching shows on the Food Network. She quickly found herself on the very same network.
"When I was 11 years old, I found myself on the Rachael vs. Guy Kid Cookoff, which really launched my food media career… I came as the runner-up, but it really ignited in me a larger passion that kick-started that," Alessandra told us. Now, she makes videos for TikTok, Instagram and YouTube Shorts.
Throughout the interview, HexClad stood as the number one brand in Alessandra's kitchen. Known as the cooking line renowned chef Gordon Ramsay uses, Alessandra gave stellar reviews on all of HexClad's products (Fox is an investor in HexClad).
Read On The Fox News App
"I've been using HexClad pans since I started going to culinary school in 2023, so it's been over two years now," she explained. "They're truly such an incredible product in the way they're so versatile."
Below, we've lined up the must-have HexClad products and other kitchen products that Alessandra uses every day.
Every chef should have a 12-inch HexClad fry pan. It's the pan Alessandra uses every single day personally and professionally. It's a universal pan that's metal-utensil safe, oven safe and dishwasher safe.
"It's super lightweight and easy to clean out. It's a superpan, it does a lot of different things," Alessandra explained during our interview.
6 Baking Essentials Recommended By Cake Influencer Natalie Sideserf
Alessandra doesn't just use the 12-inch pan, she also uses the whole fry pan set on a daily basis. You get an eight-inch, 10-inch and 12-inch pan, all with matching lids.
"I reach and grab [them] every single day," Alessandra explained when discussing the other HexClad sets she uses on the regular.
In the HexClad hybrid pot set, there's a size pot for everything you'd cook regularly. You'll get a small, medium and large pot, perfect for sauces, soups, baking and much more.
The eight-inch Damascus steel chef's knife is the standard knife all chefs can appreciate. From the 67 layers of Japanese Damascus steel to the forest green Pakkawood handle, there's a lot to love about the knife.
"My go-to is definitely the eight-inch chef's knife. I also use that every single day," said Alessandra when asked if she'd ever used any of HexClad's knives.
HexClad has a Damascus steel knife set that includes everything any home or professional chef could want. It includes an eight-inch chef's knife, a paring knife, bread knife, Santoku knife, a five-inch utility knife and a sharpening rod. All come with the same forest green wood handle.
"I have to throw a shout-out to the HexMill grinders. They're one of my favorite slept-on HexClad products," Alessandra told us. The salt and pepper grinder set comes in gunmetal black and has grinders that rival the best coffee grinders.
"Everyone who uses them is in awe, they just work so well," said Alessandra. You get 10 ten grind settings, from coarse to super fine.
Get a cutting board that's built to last with the HexClad walnut cutting board. The beautifully colored walnut wood is durable and has natural antimicrobial properties that make it safe to use for all your cutting needs.
8 Kitchen Gadgets To Take Your Cooking To The Next Level
Alessandra mentioned that another kitchen product she always has on hand is a set of HexClad stainless steel mixing bowls. No matter what you're mixing, the small, medium and large bowls will work perfectly. They're easy to clean, and they come with vacuum-sealed lids so you can easily store leftovers.
When asked about other kitchen products she uses every day, Alessandra was quick to say, "I'm reaching for my handy dandy microplane grater."
A microplane helps grate garlic, ginger and other ingredients you need to chop extra fine. You can get an official Microplane-brand grater on Amazon for under $20.
Cook More At Home With The Help Of These 8 Kitchen Gadgets
Original price: $67.99
Another way to chop ingredients quickly is with the help of a mandoline. Alessandra specifically mentioned her Oxo mandoline.
"It's easy to easily cut things, whether I'm adding them to a salad or something like that," she explained.
You can also get a mandoline with different size grates that you can switch out, although these are pricier. For an affordable option, Walmart has a Faberware mandoline slicer.
Alessandra mentioned her collection of Earlywood wooden spoons during the interview, explaining: "They're home-crafted wooden utensils. They make them for left-handed chefs, which I love because I'm left-handed."
These unique spoons come in all shapes and sizes, like these long-handled tasting spoons or this set of flat-headed spoons for stirring and serving. Just note that, due to the popularity of Earlywood's spoons, they're currently on back order, so shipping will take longer.
For more Deals, visit www.foxnews.com/category/deals
Original price: $33.99
To top out her list, Alessandra explained that she always had non-stick baking sheets on hand. There are sheet pans for every budget, from this affordable three-piece NutriChef set to the more durable, but pricier two-sheet set from Viking.Original article source: NYC chef Alessandra Ciuffo: 12 HexClad picks and essential kitchen must-haves
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Lerner on the Lawn returns
ELKHART — The free Lerner on the Lawn concert series is back this summer at Central Green with new energy and flare, Lerner Theatre officials said. It will also be on a different day of the week from the downtown ArtWalk this year. This is the fourth year The Lerner has hosted the free monthly concert series. The first Lerner on the Lawn will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 28, featuring EatDrinkBeHappy, a music project from Nashville-based songwriter and artist John Allan Miller. 'If you can imagine the kind of music that you'd like to hang out on the lake and listen to on a boat, maybe a yacht, I don't know, and come together with your friends, maybe have a little drink, and just relax,' said Jenna Brouillette, marketing and communications manager. 'And really enjoy the summer feeling that comes with the warm weather and the clear skies. That's the kind of event that we're looking forward to.' Like in previous years, the Lerner on the Lawn event will have food trucks along High Street, Brouillette said. The events will be sponsored by the city and the Elkhart County Convention and Visitor's Bureau. The events will coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Lerner Theatre and will be free to the public. In years past, the ArtWalk has occurred alongside the Lerner on the Lawn events, but this year the events will be separate. 'ArtWalk is being a little bit reimagined,' Brouillette said. 'It's being taken on by Elkhart Parks and Recreation, which we are super excited for them to continue Elkhart ArtWalk on Wednesdays this year.' ArtWalk will be held the last Wednesday each month through September starting June 25. By separating the events, Brouillette said, people have more opportunities to head downtown to see, eat and play. The vision was to bring ArtWalk back down to Main Street and showcase the businesses in downtown, Parks and Recreation Superintendent Jamison Czarnecki said. 'The goal is to take it back to its roots to where it was when it was first created,' Czarnecki said. 'Put it in around Main Street and then try to put as many artists as we can on Main Street, in and out the businesses, diversify the types of art that are out there that we're showcasing, and then have music throughout Main Street. It should be a fun event.' ArtWalk will also feature a large kids zone on the plaza led by the Tolson Center, Czarnecki said. The hope is to continue to make downtown vibrant with something to do for everyone, he said. More information about Lerner on the Lawn is available at or from The Lerner Theatre's Facebook page.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Gigi Hadid & Bradley Cooper Are Beaming In NYC Date Photos
Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper's new photos from the streets of New York City show the high-profile celebrities wrapped up in each other's love. The supermodel and the actor recently stepped out in NYC to enjoy a dinner date. They appeared to be in great spirits as they held hands and flashed their bright smiles in the photographs. Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper screamed true love goals when they went out for a dinner date in New York City. New photos of the two sharing some wholesome moments have been garnering a lot of attention from fans. The supermodel opted for a vibrant neon green top, which she paired with a greenish-yellow midi skirt. The skirt featured tiny polka dots, adding more chicness to the look. Hadid further styled her dinner date look by donning a stylish dark brown leather jacket over the top. She sported a pair of white socks to go with the ensemble. As for shoes, the model went with a pair of simple brown loafers. The photos also showcased Hadid carrying a small brown leather bag. When it came to makeup, the model took the minimalistic approach and wore a no-makeup look. Open hair with a side part finished off her NYC look. In the meantime, Gigi Hadid's boyfriend, Bradley Cooper, looked quite handsome wearing a black full-sleeve shirt with big, white buttons. The actor paired the shirt with simple black pants. He opted for a pair of black sneakers to go with the ensemble. The actor further added a camouflage and black hat to his dinner date look. A pair of black sunglasses completed his getup. It seems like the two celebrities, whose love keeps blossoming every day, complement each other's outfits perfectly, setting new bars for couple fashion goals. Originally reported by Nikita Nath on Reality Tea. The post Gigi Hadid & Bradley Cooper Are Beaming In NYC Date Photos appeared first on Mandatory.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Justin Hartley says his show 'Tracker' is successful because it ‘doesn't apologize for his masculinity'
Actor Justin Hartley says his show "Tracker" is successful because the lead character that he plays in the series is comfortable with his masculinity. "One of the things I really love about Colter and the way we've built him is that he doesn't apologize for his masculinity," Hartley said in an interview with Men's Journal published on June 5. The show is centered on the character Colter Shaw, a survivalist who tracks down missing people. Hartley says that the show's portrayal of manhood is what has made it successful. Liberal Author Tells 'The View' There's 'No Such Thing' As Toxic Masculinity "I think that's what people are looking for," the actor said. "You're asking yourself, 'What kind of people do I want to hang out with?' And particularly: 'What kind of male friends do I have in my life that I really value?' I think we've crafted a character that is so emotionally evolved, and he really does want to get to the root of why people do things." Read On The Fox News App The show is currently in its second season with a third season reportedly in the works. The specific reason Hartley thinks his character has resonated so much is because of how Shaw balances his masculinity. "He's a man through and through," Hartley said. "And that doesn't mean you have to be the loudest person in the room and know every single f-----g thing and throw tables around and scream and shout and yell and smoke and drink. He's all about talking with people. Reading people. Understanding them. He's an all-encompassing man. He's not just a guy. He's a man." Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture Also playing into the success of the show is the work the team has put into the character's development. "The facts are that [executive producer] Ken Olin and I set out to do a show that was in fact a throwback," Hartley said. "We wanted a new spin on a procedural, meaning our character would evolve over time. He would not just remain the same exact person every single week. We were hopeful people would like it. People ended up loving it. I think there's a huge appetite for this kind of show." Hartley is well-known for his role in the CBS series, as well as other hit series, including the NBC drama "This Is Us," "Passions," "Smallville," and "The Young and the Restless."Original article source: Justin Hartley says his show 'Tracker' is successful because it 'doesn't apologize for his masculinity'
