Latest news with #Ototo
Forbes
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
An Acclaimed Los Angeles Sake Bar Brings Beachside Bites To Hawaii
The culinary creatives behind L.A.'s Ototo sake bar are staging a restaurant residency at Mauna Lani in Hawaii through September 1, 2025. Noe DeWitt You never know what to expect from Ototo. Two years ago, the James Beard Award-winning Izakaya spot in Los Angeles dressed itself up as the fictional Netflix restaurant Midnight Diner for a Halloween homage. More recently, the Echo Park space transformed into a Japanese 7-Eleven with a one-night menu of crust-less egg salad sandwiches and custom canned chu-hi. Now, Ototo is popping up on the Big Island of Hawaii for a summer restaurant residency at Auberge Resort Collection's Mauna Lani. Between now and September 1, chef Charles Namba and his restaurant (and life) partner and beverage director Courtney Kaplan are overseeing a beachy, barefoot version of what the Los Angeles Times called 'L.A.'s best sake bar.' Each evening, Mauna Lani resort guests can enjoy sesame-seed fried chicken wings, chilled hiyashi chuka egg noodles and other Izakaya delights with their Kohala coast sunsets. Restaurant (and life) partners Courtney Kaplan and Charles Namba want to show how versatile Japanese sake and Izakaya flavors can be. Ototo The California-Hawaii-Japan connection certainly makes sense. With flavors that riff on Tokyo's casual taverns and yatai stalls combined with L.A. creativity (like a tasty spin on McDonald's Filet-O-Fish) and fresh-from-the-land-and-sea Hawaiian ingredients, Ototo's outpost is practically a tri-coastal flavor summit. Surprisingly, this is Namba and Kaplan's first trip to Hawaii, which makes the residency a real-world test of Ototo's playful ethos. I checked in with them to hear how they're adapting their kitchen techniques and keeping that three-way mash-up delicious under Hawaiian skies. David Hochman: You've done interesting pop-ups before but never anything outside Los Angeles. How did Hawaii happen? Charles Namba: I'm not really sure, honestly [laughs]. Our PR person thought it would be a good idea. Mauna Lani invited us to do it and we said yes. Courtney Kaplan: We've done collabs with friends and chefs in L.A., but to actually go someplace completely different was a brand-new experience. We thought it sounded really interesting to have this opportunity for people to eat our food and drink great sake on the beach, if only to prove how versatile these flavors can be. Drawing inspiration from Japan, Los Angeles and Hawaii, the menu is a three-coast flavor summit. Nani Welch Hochman: How does one pack for a three-month culinary residency in paradise? Namba: I packed one chef's knife and an apron. Mauna Lani took care of everything else. Kaplan: We're not there the whole time. We still have a restaurant to run in Los Angeles, and there's a great team in place that we worked with. For us, it was about figuring out how to get the most from the fresh ingredients on the Big Island and match those with delicious drink pairings. Hochman: What excites you most about what's available in Hawaii versus Los Angeles? Namba: We've obviously got great farmers markets in Los Angeles but things somehow feel even fresher in Hawaii. We're doing a grilled fish in ponzu oroshi butter, with farmers market vegetables that are just bursting with flavor. We've got a 'keiki cuke' sunomono cucumber salad that tastes very much like Hawaii. We're using watercress from a nearby farm. Kaplan: We're working with a local taro root farmer who's got a five-acre farm. He was showing us pictures of the hundreds of pounds of taro he's harvested. Namba: But he's also got incredible fiddlehead ferns. It reminds you how much you can grow beautifully on the Big Island. Hochman: You're pairing sake with burgers and fried chicken. What's the idea there? Kaplan: I want people to see how much range sake has. We brought over Shiokawa Cowboy sake from Japan to pair with the burger. The sake itself is meaty and savory. Tensei Song of the Sea Junmai Ginjo comes from a coastal brewery. You get some of that salt-water taffy flavor of a small surf town. Then you pour something like Kameizumi Junmai Ginjo Namazake and it's big, tropical, fruity, fresh. Hochman: What are you doing for fun? Must be hard concentrating on work with all those Mauna Lani beach chairs beckoning. Kaplan: Honestly, we've been pretty busy with the project. We did do some snorkeling, and got to swim and enjoy the landscape. You can hike near Mauna Lani and look at the petroglyphs close by. There are lava formations around the hotel as well. It's pretty incredible. Namba: We ate really well. The hotel has a restaurant called Canoe House that's run by Rhoda Magbitang, who was executive chef at Chateau Marmont and other places, and her food is excellent. She has this shokupan Japanese milk bread that I thought was amazing. The texture is perfect. It tastes like Japan. In Hawaii. Hochman: Does all this Hawaii livin' make you want to give up Echo Park and move to a tropical island? Namba: I love Hawaii. But after working at restaurants in New York and opening Ototo in Los Angeles—I have to say, I love the rush of the city. The conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Eater
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
A Rooftop Pizzeria With Cheesy Pan Pies Opens in Silver Lake Just in Time for Summer
Downtown pizzeria Pi LA, owned by Fred 62 founder Fred Eric, will expand with a new location in the heart of Silver Lake, opening June 14, 2025. Located right on Sunset Boulevard, the pizzeria will operate across the ground floor and rooftop, serving crispy-edged pan pizzas. The first Pi LA opened Downtown in March 2022 in the former Vito's location. Signature pies at the new shop will include the Seoul Love smoked spiced pork belly, the cherry tomato-topped Lil Red, and Mr. Frenchy with potato gratin and truffle-infused Gruyere cheese. Alongside the pizza, Pi LA will serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, baked goods, and frozen pops from Sno Con Amour. At the new location, find Pi LA's forthcoming collaboration with Five Point Five Brewery — a genmaicha and ceremonial grade matcha beer. The new pizzeria's exterior features a mural from artist Shepard Fairey, who is an investor in the restaurant along with Quixote's Mikel Elliott and Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh. While Silver Lake has plenty of patios for warm-weather eating and sipping, Pi LA's rooftop is sure to be a hit on nice days. Pasjoli hits pause The Los Angeles Times reports that chef Dave Beran's acclaimed Santa Monica French restaurant Pasjoli is temporarily closing on May 31 to revamp the dining room and menu, which had converted to a sub-$100 prix fixe in its last iteration. The closure is planned to last for two weeks, and the restaurant will reopen on June 12. Beran intends to keep the iconic pressed duck presentation, in addition to the popular bar burger, which makes its way to the main menu. The new iteration of Pasjoli will also serve mini versions of French onion soup, French onion fondue, and duck poutine. Miya reopens after the Eaton Canyon Fire Altadena Thai restaurant Miya is reopening its doors on May 27, just four months after the devastating Eaton Fire burned through the neighborhood. Former Eater senior editor Cathy Chaplin spoke to Miya's owner, David Tewasart, for a story on LAist about the process of getting the restaurant open again. Ototo takes an island vacation Echo Park Izakaya Ototo is kicking off summer residency at Mauna Lani in Hawai'i, which will run between June 7 and September 1. On-property restaurant Surf Shack will serve a menu of Ototo favorites, including the Ode to Mos Burger, alongside sake selections from co-owner Courtney Kaplan. Seaside skating and snacks Street League Skateboarding (SLS) is headed to the Santa Monica Pier for a takeover on May 23, bringing top skaters to a custom-built course. Alongside the kickflips and nosegrinds, SLS will also bring a lineup of food vendors to the pier, including Villa's Tacos, Heavy Handed, Miya Miya Shawarma, Uncle Paulie's, 27 Club Coffee, and Tacos 1986. The event is free to attend. Sign up for our newsletter.
Japan Times
05-04-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
In Los Angeles, Courtney Kaplan says sake is having a moment
A long, white oak counter anchors the intimate space of Ototo, behind which a row of sake bottles are fixed to the wall like beer taps. In the cozy, private dining room, warmly backlit shelves display an eclectic collection of o-choko and tokkuri — sake cups and flasks — nestled among ceramic cats. Meaning "little brother" in Japanese, Ototo is located next to its sibling restaurant Tsubaki in Los Angeles' Echo Park neighborhood. At the helm of what many consider the city's most exciting sake selection is sommelier Courtney Kaplan, 46, who, alongside Japanese American chef Charles Namba, her partner in business and life, has created a Californian sanctuary for sake lovers and the sake-curious alike. Becoming one of America's most influential sake experts wasn't part of Kaplan's original plan, though. "I did not intend to end up in hospitality," admits the American restaurateur. Despite its appearances, Ototo styles itself as a casual watering hole where even novices can drop in to learn more about Japan's national drink. | WYATT NAOKI CONLON Her journey began in 1999, during an undergraduate study abroad program in Tokyo, where she got her first taste of restaurant work at a yakiniku (grilled meat) establishment. The immersive experience proved transformative, allowing her to develop both her language skills and an appreciation for Japanese hospitality. By 2003, Kaplan was back in New York and working as a translator at the New York bureau of Nikkei when her roommate suggested she apply to Decibel, the city's pioneering sake bar. Despite her limited sake knowledge, she got the job and embarked upon what would become a career-defining experience. At Decibel, she learned through immersion — tasting extensively with colleagues and meeting visiting sake brewers, often sampling open bottles together after closing time. After furthering her sake education at En Japanese Brasserie, a trailblazing izakaya (Japanese pub) in New York, and meeting Namba, the two relocated to Namba's native Los Angeles in 2010. Eventually, in 2017, the couple opened Tsubaki, serving modern Japanese fare in a relaxed but refined setting, followed by Ototo in 2019. "We wanted an izakaya that reflected LA — seasonal, dynamic, composed," says Kaplan. 'Not necessarily authentic Japanese but through our lens and experience.' As opposed to creating its offerings from its food on, the menu at Ototo is designed to "taste good with sake." | WYATT NAOKI CONLON Dinner at Tsubaki is a sit-down affair with a sophisticated menu — think dishes like kanpachi (yellowtail) crudo and charcoal-grilled blue prawns with garlic-chive butter — whereas Ototo welcomes walk-ins to drop in for a casual glass and bar snacks. Through Ototo's carefully curated selection of more than 50 varieties of sake by the glass, Kaplan continues to showcase the beverage's diversity, introducing guests to everything from "really meaty, savory" flavors to "spritzy yamahai,' she says, referring to a style of sake characterized by high acidity and umami. The menu of Japanese-inflected comfort food — including a popular Japanese-style chili burger, savory okonomiyaki pancakes with rock shrimp, and oden (seafood and vegetables simmered in broth) — is designed specifically to complement the sake. 'We decided to create a menu that tastes good with sake as opposed to finding sake that tastes good with this food," she explains. Their culinary vision has continued to evolve. In 2023, Kaplan and Namba launched Camelia, a Japanese-French bistro concept that quickly captivated diners and critics alike, garnering two prestigious James Beard awards in 2024 for Best New Restaurant and Outstanding Beverage Program. At Camelia, Kaplan approaches sake pairing differently, selecting styles with 'glutamate depth' to complement the restaurant's richer, sauce-based dishes, like the pairing of Tedorigawa Brewery's yamahai daiginjō (a brew made with rice polished down to at least 50%) with chicken with kōji (Japan's national mold), seaweed cream sauce and grilled cabbage. in terms of popularity, Courtney Kaplan believes sake is approaching a moment of critical mass. | WYATT NAOKI CONLON "For me it's a pairing of harmony rather than contrast," she says "The sake has a soft, velvety texture and underlying umami that brings out the caramelized flavors that the kōji helps develop in the chicken and also echoes the luxurious cream sauce. While rich, the sake still drinks clean and bright." Central to Kaplan's mission is education. Her Sunday Sake School events have become an institution, offering themed tastings with down-to-earth tasting notes that explore everything from rice varieties to brewing methods. "The number one thing I hear is, 'I love sake but don't know how to learn about it,'" she says. "People felt lost at sea." For years, Los Angeles lagged behind New York in sake appreciation, but recently Kaplan has witnessed a significant shift. "A big tipping point was really having wine people coming in excited about sake," she notes, adding that the inclusion of sake on menus at LA's non-Japanese fine dining restaurants like Providence and Majordomo helped push the drink's profile. "I do feel like this might actually be the moment for sake in the U.S. I've heard that many times before, but now I believe it."
Buzz Feed
05-02-2025
- General
- Buzz Feed
30 Products That'll Make Your Kitchen A Place You Actually Want To Use
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page. Make cooking, caffeinating, and concocting a casually cutesy affair. 1. A fun and whimsy-filled croc-inspired veggie chopper whose five interchangeable blades and adjustable settings make this the best chomper in the biz. It slices, dices, and grates! Why waste time (and tears) chopping onions by hand when your green friend over here can lend you some of its very sharp teeth?? Ototo It comes with two dicing blades and two spiralizing blades, btw! Promising review: "I wasn't so sure if I would ever use something like this, but it has become a staple in my kitchen! I actually already have the white version of this, but saw the Croc Chop and had to have it! It makes perfect pico de gallo in minutes and is great for chopped salads! It chops anything from lettuce to chicken, perfect for salads! It's top-rack dishwasher safe, so easy to clean. It comes with cleaning brushes and picks as well. Definitely a must-have for perfectly chopped or spiraled veggies!" — Tammy Get it from Amazon for $34.99. 2. A pair of minimalist automatic salt and pepper mills that dispense seasoning with the push of a button and look so friggin' chic you'll be glad to keep them on your kitchen counter or dining room table. Not only are they rechargeable, but their built-in ceramic grinders offer grain sizes from very fine to very coarse. Promising review:"Not only are they attractive, they work great! No more struggling with the manual pepper grinders. You can adjust the size of the grain to your liking. They are easy to refill and easy to use. Great addition to any kitchen." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in nine colors). 3. A compact and portable Ninja air fryer system — just pop this over the included 4-quart or 6-cup container to cook (re-crisp, bake, or air fry) the perfect amount of dinner. You'll have less to clean up since you can serve from the very same container you cooked in! If being in the kitchen causes Smooth Brain Syndrome (I get it, food is hard), you'll want this versatile appliance in your arsenal. Amazon Each air fryer comes with the "PowerPod," two containers (a 4-quart and a 6-quart), and lids. The PowerPod has auto-shutoff and four modes: Max Crisp, Bake, Air Fry, and Recrisp. The "feet" are heat-safe, so you can prop it on any surface without worrying! Promising review: "I got my Ninja Crisper today and reheated some stuffed bread with feta cheese and spinach, and it did a wonderful job. I t was like it just came out of the oven the first time. Nice and crispy outside, but the inside heated just right. I love that the bottom glass can be covered with the lid it comes with. They come with a metal plate you can put in the glass bottom part, and it actually fits into the lid, so it doesn't get lost. The glass makes a difference in the taste, too. It is a great product and well worth it." — Jennifer Get it from Amazon for $154.99+ (available in three colors). 4. A pink heart-shaped Paris Hilton Dutch oven you'll wanna do all your cooking in. And you actually can do all your cooking in it since it can be used as a braiser, sauté pan, saucepan, roaster, slow cooker, and artisan bread pan. Yeah. That's hawt. Promising review: "This has quickly become my favorite kitchen piece! The 2-quart size is perfect for small meals and side dishes, and the pink color adds a lovely touch to my kitchen. The dual handles make it easy to move, and it works on all stovetops, which is super convenient. It's also oven safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, so it's great for a variety of recipes. The enameled cast iron ensures even cooking and retains heat beautifully. This pot cleans up well and I have not had an issue with chipping. If you're looking for a functional and adorable Dutch oven, this one is a fantastic choice. Highly recommend!" — Jamie Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in two sizes). 5. An easy-to-use mug ice cream maker so you can have a delicious cold treat in under 20 minutes, which is about how long it'll take you to find a show to watch as you dig into your dessert. And now that you're in the driver's seat, you can blend whatever flavors don't exist at ice cream shops. (I'm thinking chocolate and orange?) Reviewers even say this is a cheaper alternative to the Ninja Creami! Promising review:"This is a fun and easy way to indulge my sweet tooth. It's incredibly simple to use; just add your favorite ingredients to the mug, pop it in the freezer, and enjoy delicious homemade ice cream in minutes. I've experimented with different flavors, from classic chocolate to fruity sorbets, and they all turn out perfectly. This little machine is a fantastic addition to my kitchen and brings a touch of joy to every dessert occasion." — Kleo Get a pack of two bowls for $38.31. 6. A flexible platypus-inspired scraper spatula because it'll help you get that last stubborn bit of mayonnaise from the bottom of the jar so you don't have to settle for a too-dry ham and cheese sandwich. Amazon Promising review: "A useful and amusing stocking stuffer for my 79-year-old dad. The Splatypus is gentle on his arthritic-but-still-very-busy digits. And as a Baby Boomer, he never wastes a smidgen of his beloved peanut butter or orange marmalade. Dad loves the Splatypus!" — dk72 Get it from Amazon for $12.95. 7. A"Gracula" garlic crusher — just because the Count has a garlic aversion doesn't mean he can't help you mince a little for your homemade pasta sauce. And it'll only take a few seconds! Promising review: "I love this little guy. I found him on a BuzzFeed list and had to have it as soon as I saw it! I've minced as many as five cloves in it in seconds. It's a little tricky getting all of the garlic out once minced (I use a silicone basting brush to get most of it but I always use more than the recipe calls for anyway so it's not a deal breaker). Cleanup is a breeze because he goes right in the dishwasher!" — Barbie Get it from Amazon for $18.99. 8. A rapid egg cooker for effortlessly preparing up to six eggs. Now you don't have to worry about cracking into a hard-boiled egg and finding a runny yolk. Get ready for instant hard-boiled eggs, poached eggs, scrambled eggs, and omelets! BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says,"I've owned one of these babies and have faithfully used it every week for upward of two years, and especially love it while working from home — it simplifies breakfast because I know no matter what assortment of groceries I'm working with, there are precooked eggs to add some protein to it. (I like mine medium-boiled. 🍳) If my dinner is boring or seems like it needs a little extra oomph to it, I'll throw in an egg from this, too. Some reviews note that the alarm on it is a little loud, but the new models have significantly decreased the volume and sing a little song instead!" Promising review: "I saw someone on TikTok with this and gasped! Ordered it right away. I had no idea these things existed. Super easy and convenient, and the hard-boiled eggs came out perfectly. I'm testing a batch now without punching a hole in the eggs to see how they come out. Because why not make an easy process even easier?!?! LOL." — Gina Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in five colors). 9. A chic lil' Grosche espresso maker so you can get caffeinated in style. No need to break the bank on a $$$ espresso machine when this easy-to-use moka pot can quickly make delicious lattes. Promising review: "Greatest purchase in the last five years!!! I have always been a coffee drinker, but I recently purchased a Moka pot to make iced espressos during the summer. Quickly, it became an everyday thing! I love this Moka pot more than any other item in my kitchen other than my actual coffee pot brewer! I had bought a cheap one elsewhere, and that lasted about three weeks before falling apart. I spent a little more money on a quality product and have never looked back! I recommend this particular moka pot as it was slightly more than the cheap ones but less than some of the bigger name brands. It has lasted me two and a half years now without ever giving me a problem. Definitely a customer for life." — A. Arvy Get it from Amazon for $31.62+ (available in 11 colors and four sizes). 10. A super fast electric milk frother to add to your Corner (of the kitchen) Café so you can add lattes to your at-home menu. This can also be used to make cold foam! Don't forget the AA batteries! Promising review:"OMG, this milk frother makes my homemade latte taste like it was made by a barista. It was perfect. So perfect that I bought a second one for my brother who loves coffee to use. I've already recommended it to some coworkers. It has changed my coffee-drinking life. This comes highly recommended." — Michelle Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in three styles, with/without AA batteries, and in lots of colors). 11. The popular and splurge-worthy Balmuda toaster — this sleek toaster works by enveloping bread (or frozen foods) in a layer of steam and keeping its inner moisture and flavor from seeping out. If you've been chasing the ever-elusive perfectly toasted piece of bread, look no further. It has four specialty bread modes — sandwich bread mode, artisan bread mode, pizza mode, and pastry mode — plus an oven mode with temps of 350, 400, and 450 degrees Fahreheit, ideal for frozen foods, cheese-topped gratins, and other oven-cooked dishes. Promising review: "Holy moly! Best toast I have ever made. I did a comparison taste test with the Balmuda toaster versus my cheapie $60 toaster oven. You can really taste the difference in the toast with the texture and the moisture of the inside of the toast. Hands down, Balmuda blew my other toaster out of the water. So happy with the purchase." — JL Get it from Amazon for $299 (available in four colors). 12. A pair of bat-shaped kitchen scissors for chopping herbs and cutting more importantly, keeping your kitchen a little spooky. It can even function as a bottle opener and nutcracker! 13. A flippable ceramic Belgian waffle maker so you can delight in a sweet, extra-thick, and fluffy breakfast! And no need to worry about dealing with a messy cleanup since this gadget easily wipes clean. Amazon Promising review:"Cook's Illustrated (America's Test Kitchen) recommended this product. It's a good product for the price. It makes perfect Belgian waffles. I like how it has a small footprint, and I'm able to easily store it in my pantry because it folds up. I think it's great. I bought this for my husband as a Father's Day gift this year. He couldn't have been more surprised and pleased. He LOVES waffles. I think he said this was the best gift I've ever given him :)" — Kindle Customer Get it from Amazon for $59.99. 14. Or a nonstick breakfast maker that'll make omelets, frittatas, quiches, and more! Need an added bonus? You can make up to two omelets at once, and there's no flipping necessary! Promising review:"As a working mom with little kids, I usually don't get to have breakfast due to time and focusing on my kiddos getting ready for school. I love this thing! I can now whip up breakfast for myself and leave it to cook for eight minutes without having to watch over a pan while tying shoes, etc." — Brios Get it from Amazon for $19.99. 15. A decorative cat towel as cute as it is absorbent. If you love kitties or have a few of your own, you'll surely love these paw-tastic towels! Drape them over your oven handle then snap the buttons on the cats' paws to prevent the towels from slipping. Promising review: "I did not buy this to actually use as a towel. To me it doesn't seem like it would be good at serving this purpose as the material is not very absorbent, however, it is great for decoration purposes. It is really, really adorable! I love how there's little snap buttons to keep it in place. I highly recommend this as a decorative gift for the cat lover in your life or for yourself if you love kitties! Great purchase!" — Crystal Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in lots of designs). 16. And a pair of heat-resistant cat paw oven mitts purr-fect for keeping your own pretty paws protected. Amazon 17. Or this dachshund-shaped double oven mitt — this hot dog will help make sure you don't burn your fingies when reaching into your oven. This machine-washable mitt is heat resistant up to 482 degrees! It's also got a loop for a tail that you can use to hang it up for easy access. Amazon Promising review: "Great for all ages — my young son thinks this is the funniest thing, and so does my husband. Great product." — April Get it from Amazon for $18.99. 18. A delightfully whimsical Mackenzie-Childs enamel tea kettle so your tea parties feel (and look) a little more like the Mad Hatter's. This hand-painted kettle has a wood handle and a clear glass knob and will totally stand out in your kitchen. I mean, cute and practical? We love to see it! Amazon, Promising reviews: "Really, has anyone ever gotten anything from MacKenzie-Childs and NOT been completely over the moon? I love this teapot! I wish I could afford the whole line of Courtly Check enamel a start!" — Debbie Dombrowski "As silly as it sounds, I see this teapot on so many TV shows sitting on the stove. I just had to have one, and this is perfect — it brightens up my white kitchen. It doesn't whistle, so you can't leave the room with it on the stove. But if you watch Real Housewives and see this on every single stove, it's the one, and I love it!" — Jackie M Get it from Amazon for $149+ (available in two sizes and six colors). 19. A darling little witch spoon rest that just ~magically~ snaps onto your pots and pans so you can keep your stirring spoon nearby and accessible. 20. An adorable four-piece mushroom-shaped measuring spoon set because the act of delivering the perfect amount of sugar to your baking concoction should, in fact, be filled with whimsy. Need more? The spoons' holder can also be used as a measuring cup! Amazon Promising review:"I absolutely LOVE this measuring spoon set! I don't have much cabinet space at home, so this lets me keep them on out the counter but look like decor!!" — Tiffany Haynes Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in three other styles). 21. A pair of farfalle-shaped pot grips if the pasta-bility of you accidentally burning yourself on a hot pot is incredibly high. These cute and realistic grips will keep your fingies safe. Amazon Monkey Business is a small biz making fun and unique versions of useful products! Promising review: "I find these hilarious and easily the best kitchen gadget I've spent my money on! They're super handy for getting stuff out of the oven, and I feel less likely to drop a dish than when I use traditional hot pads/oven mitts with padding. Very grippy, thick enough that heat doesn't transfer through, and again, hilarious." — Hannah B 22. A sword-shaped cheese grater since you've been knighted Commander of the Kitchen Realm. And it can grate more than just cheese; let it dig into some nutmeg, chocolate, or hard veggies! Amazon Promising review:"It's so cute!!! I've ended up using it so much since getting it, there are plenty of times I've avoided using my regular grater but didn't because box graters are so hard to clean. This one makes it so much simpler, and it goes perfectly with our DND-ish themed home!" — Natalie Get it from Amazon for $14.90. 23. A mushroom kitchen timer that'll help make sure you don't burn what's supposed to be your magnum opus: a triple-layer German chocolate cake. This can time you for up to 60 minutes, ending in a loud buzzer. Reviewers also use it to help time themselves with work tasks and studying. Promising review: "This is whimsical and fun. My kids love it. I tell them their dinner comes from a fairy mushroom forest. 😋 Works great, keeps my little monsters in line — 'Dad, the mushroom went off.' Love it." — Vik V Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in three colors). 24. A devilish digital thermometer so you don't accidentally serve your chicken undercooked instead of HELL it? This instant and easy-to-read thermometer will help ensure anything you cook in the fiery pit that is your oven comes out exactly when it's supposed to. Promising review: "This thermometer not only works perfectly but is a great conversation starter at gatherings! I've used it a few times and am completely satisfied with the purchase. It is accurate, and the display is super easy to read. If you buy this, make sure to read the back of the box ;)." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $16.95. 25. A foldable and dishwasher-safe mushroom-shaped funnel — just flip it inside out and stick the cute little "stem" into your container's opening to transfer oils, spices, and more! It can fit inside oil bottles, wine bottles, and even mugs! Amazon Promising review: "I am obsessed with this funnel!!! I juice a lot of citrus and juices for cocktails, and this little guy is the perfect size for bottling. It's beyond cute and really great quality. I'm always hesitant about buying silicone items, as I don't want them to be too thin. This is perfect! Sturdy and cute! It can't get better than that! The perfect addition to any cottagecore kitchen!" — Abbey Klem Get it from Amazon for $13.95+ (available in two sizes). 26. A set of pink and gold cooking utensils to help you get your Gordon Ramsay on with a little more flair. These stylish and durable pieces are made with nonstick silicone so cleanup is a breeze. This set includes a spoon, a turner, a spatula, tongs, a ladle, a whisk, and a matching holder. Promising review: "They are true-to-color blush pink and gold. Matches my kitchen perfectly! I have used these almost every day for cooking and baking, and they have held up awesomely!! I was afraid of peeling, but they haven't peeled, and I have put them in the dishwasher several times. Would definitely recommend." — Trudy Anne Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in two other colors). 28. A daisy egg separator — a quick, cute, and effective way to make sure only egg whites end up in your low-cholesterol recipe. Now you can stop playing that weird juggling act with eggshells and yolks. Amazon Promising review:"This is a terrific little tool, and it works perfectly. I place it over a short drinking glass and crack an egg right into it. The white of the egg tends to hand down in one long 'stalactite,' but with a couple of shakes, it plops neatly into the glass." — D. Rachlin Get it from Amazon for $12.90. 29. A set of six colorful Cuisinart knives sharp enough for cubing cheese and slicing salami for your charcuterie board. These stainless-steel knives have a color-coded nonstick ceramic coating, so you can avoid chopping veggies with the same knife you prepared raw chicken with. Promising review:"The look, the colors, and oh man, the blades! They are like razors but work excellently in the kitchen. The colors are great for glancing and finding exactly the knife you need for a specific job. They clean easily and seem to be keeping their sharp edges." — Darsen Get it from Amazon for $22.47+ (available in three color combinations). 30. A Pokémon-inspired PokéBall-shaped popcorn maker that'll pop kernels so quickly, you'll likely mistake it for its lookalike — the Pokémon with one of the best speed stats — Electrode! Amazon
