From snacks to kitchen tools to cookbooks.
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A cast-iron Dutch oven that does the job of a pricier Le Creuset one.
For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted a Le Creuset Dutch oven. They're heavy, sturdy, and beautiful ― but they're also pretty darn expensive. That's where this baby came into play. For only $50 you can get a beautiful Dutch oven that rivals the designer ones. It's heavy, it gets super hot, and it's perfect for not only searing meat, but slowly braising it as well. I use mine for just about everything from boiling pasta to making tomato sauce. It makes me feel like I'm cooking with luxury equipment without the looming credit card debt (and it photographs really well). —Jesse Szewczyk
Get it from Target for $47.49.
Jesse Szewczyk / BuzzFeed
Jacobsen Salt's huge, paper-thin flakes, which are perfect for sprinkling on veggies and desserts.
I spend a good amount of time styling food for the camera. One product that I found to be not only insanely delicious but perfect for making any photo pop is Jacobsen salt. The flakes are HUGE yet paper thin, lending the beautiful shimmer and crunch of flake salt without being too salty. I have the classic variety that I love to sprinkle on raw fruits, veggies, and desserts (flaky salt + chocolate is always a good idea), and a matcha one that is cool but not as versatile as the original. When I worked in restaurants, we would use a similar variety of flake salt that is twice the price and, IMO, not as good. Try using the salt to finish salads, meats, and desserts to take them from just fine to restaurant quality in a snap. —Jesse Szewczyk
Get it from Amazon for $14.39.
Jesse Szewczyk / BuzzFeed
These cheap plastic containers that'll help you Marie Kondo the shit out of your kitchen.
Every time I test a recipe at home, I end up buying a different spice or exotic ingredient. At one point, my kitchen became a literal war zone of specialty foods. Three types of cinnamon, six types of pepper, and an entire shelf dedicated to flours filled my kitchen and my stress levels to the brim. One weekend I decided to tackle the clutter and invested in a label maker and deli containers. It was time to transform my kitchen.
I transferred all of my spices and pantry items into the deli containers and have never looked back. Just like in restaurants, this way of organizing helps me take a quick look at everything that's in my kitchen to make sure I'm not buying doubles. I used the little ones to keep spices in, the medium ones for things like chocolate chips, and the large ones for all my grains. It has truly made cooking in my kitchen easier and more enjoyable. Gordon Ramsay and Marie Kondo would be proud. —Jesse Szewczyk
Get a 36-pack from Amazon for $20.95.
Jesse Szewczyk / BuzzFeed
This Hedley & Bennett apron, loved by chefs and servers alike for its sleek look and durability.
I'm filmed cooking quite a bit lately and (selfishly) wanted an apron that made me feel confident and stylish. My old bistro apron was worn out, looked like something out of a '70s TV show, and just didn't look professional. So one day (aka payday) I decided to splurge on a Hedley & Bennett apron for myself and have not regretted it. It looks professional, sleek, and has been abused several times and shows no signs of staining or damage (the apron is made of heavy canvas and is machine washable, so it's meant to withstand those unexpected mixer explosions). I have even noticed restaurant servers and chefs wearing the same apron when I go out to eat! If you want to invest in an apron for life and take cooking seriously, this is the one for you. —Jesse Szewczyk
Get it from Amazon for $75.
Jesse Szewczyk / BuzzFeed
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