How do you start your cookware collection from scratch? Or how to pare down what you have to just the cookware that is worthwhile and necessary? The answer is a little different for everyone. Welcome to My Kitchen Essentials, a column by Made In staff detailing, well, their kitchen essentials.
Today, Jenna from hospitality sales gives us the rundown on all her favorite and most-used cookware. Jenna is a culinary school graduate and engaged to a restauranteur, so you'll find things in her kitchen like labeling tape, a million tasting spoons, a stack of stainless clad butter warmers for hot holding sauces and a carbon steel griddle being used like a mini flat top. Jenna is a longtime member of the Made In team, so her collection includes a peek at some of our discontinued and never-released cookware.
Carbon Steel Griddle
This never leaves our stovetop. It’s our go-to for just about everything: turkey clubs, pancakes, sautéed veggies, and endless batches of smash burgers. We’ve even used it for recipe testing things like crab roll melts and swordfish pastrami sandwiches. It’s hands-down the most-used piece in our kitchen.
12” Carbon Steel Fry with Matte Black Handle
Okay, technically this one’s contraband since we never released it, but maybe one day we will. The moment I saw it, I knew I needed it.
Masking Tape Cutter
I met my fiancé in culinary school, so cooking together is kind of our love language. He still works in the hospitality industry, so everything in our fridge is labeled. This little tool hooks onto the side of our fridge and cuts tape perfectly—it’s his favorite “non-cookware” item in the kitchen.
3QT Saucier
The three-quart saucier is my universal pan—it truly does everything. From savory sauces to pastry projects, it’s the one I reach for whether I’m making caramel or pâte à choux. It’s the unsung hero of our kitchen.
Butter Warmers
Our butter warmers might be the most versatile things we own. We use them for sauces, hot holding, and—don’t judge—occasionally as a meat mallet. It’s the piece I always recommend buying at least two of.
Garlic Mandolin
It’s a $10 tool that no one needs—but I swear by it. It’s a teeny mandoline just for garlic, and it sparks joy every time.
Oyster Shucker
We own...a lot of them. My fiancé is opening a raw bar restaurant, so we’re well-stocked. These are the best shuckers around and yes, we even personalized them.
Seafood Tower
What, you don't have one for hosting? Breaking this out is not only a party trick, but an essential with how much we love seafood and entertaining.
Ready to Shop?
That’s what’s in my kitchen—for now. Be sure to keep an eye out for future installments of My Kitchen Essentials to see what other products are loved by Made In staff.
