I’m Danny Palumbo, and I like to get busy in the kitchen. I’m a Sporked writer, but I’ve also written for Los Angeles magazine, The Los Angeles Times, and Eater. I eat a lot, but I cook and write recipes too. I’ve also worked in restaurants for over 15 years, so I feel like I know a thing or two about quality kitchen tools. These are some of my favorites.
- Reynolds Plastic Wrap, 2,000 feet
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Trust me when I say this: You need 2,000 feet of plastic wrap. Restaurant plastic wrap, as I have come to know and call it, is infinitely better than the grocery store brand stuff. Not only does it save you money, it’s just a more efficient, better way to wrap things. The 2,000 feet of plastic wrap fits snuggly into this 15 inch wide box, so it doesn’t take up nearly as much space as you think it does. Moreover, the box has some weight to it, which is paramount to wrapping things tightly. The weight allows you to set things in front of the wrap and use two hands to tightly cover leftovers or open packages with ease. This is the way plastic wrap is supposed to be. There’s no need to buy the flimsy wrap ever again.
Credit: Liv Averett/Amazon
- OXO Good Grips Rubber Spatula Set
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A rubber spatula is maybe the most important kitchen tool. Its main purpose is for scraping. If you’re trying to get every last bit of nuclear, Velveeta cheese goo from a pan, a trusty rubber spatula does the job with ease. Truly, though, you can use it for anything. If you’re baking, there’s no better tool to pick up frosting than a good rubber spatula. It’s invaluable in the kitchen, whether you’re cooking from scratch or preparing store-bought meals.
Credit: Liv Averett/Amazon
- Nordic Ware Half Sheet Tray
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I love my little half sheet tray and the wire wrack that comes with it. Whether you’re baking chicken nuggets or a roasting prime rib, the half sheet tray is your kitchen companion. I keep mine in the oven at all times. I have an affinity for pragmatic, restaurant-grade kitchen equipment, and the half sheet tray is one piece of hardware that both home cooks and professional cooks use. Everything you bake needs to go on it. Stop using the little pan that came with your oven; it’s trash.
Credit: Liv Averett/Amazon
- California Olive Ranch Olive Oil
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When it comes to olive oil, I try, as much as possible, to buy single sourced olive oil. I don’t like olive oil that comes from multiple olive groves and refineries as it diminishes the overall quality of the product. California Olive Ranch used to sell olive oil from only one source, but now they sell “global blends,” which I am not very fond of. Still, you should get your hands on the Extra Virgin olive oil from their California Collection, it’s delicious and versatile. It’s fat-forward and quite fruity. It’s great to cook with, but you can also finish any meal with a quick drizzle. It would enhance everything from chicken nuggets to frozen pasta dinners.
Credit: Liv Averett/Amazon
Recommended!
Recommended!
Recommended!
Recommended!
