Now I look for quality over price, so I was psyched to try out this Retroneu Pinch Mirror 45-piece flatware set that weceived to review here on The Cook’s Kitchen.  

My first thought when I received the package was that the smooth modernistic curves were really hot. This is the flatware that I would imagine using in my Manhattan flat for a grand dinner party with friends. You know, everyone decked out in their finest cocktail attire … Ah, to dream.
Then I picked up the dinner fork. My goodness, is it heavy. Same goes for the other pieces. Talk about sturdy. And with the seamless construction, it’s sure to hold up for awhile. It’s made of 18/10 stainless steel, which I gather is a good thing.

Now, the dessert fork is a bit smaller and lighter. In fact, it is the perfect size fork for younger members of the family — like my two and a half year old son. Much better than those dull, won’t stab anything toddler forks, and smaller than most dessert forks, this is the perfect utensil for his little hand.

My favorite element of the set is the polished metal which is, as the name suggests, very mirror-like. Seriously, if you are going to touch up your lipstick in the reflection of a knife, make it this one. It’s really quite striking.

As for cleaning, I ran these through the dishwasher a few times. Each time, they came out perfect and spotless. They do say to avoid soaking these to avoid pitting, but that’s easy enough.

So would I buy this flatware myself? Definitely. I am a big fan of the design and it’s durable, sturdy and can accommodate both children and adults. Works for me.

It’s the person you know who likes to cook but is still learning basic techniques. This person will eventually appreciate the best of the best stuff, but for now, they just need a few good tools to help them get started.

The budding chef isn’t ready for cookware that takes longer to clean than use and doesn’t need gadgets to be great in the kitchen (though gadgets might save time, it’s ultimately better to know how to do things by hand first). Think entry level. The budding chef needs things to help them get started and develop their love of cooking.

Here’s a few ideas to help you along your gift-buying way:

1. Cuisinart 5-Inch Santoku Knife - I bought this knife a few years ago after hearing much about the ease of chopping with santoku knives. It’s a great starter knife for a budding chef because it’s sturdy and doesn’t cost a fortune.

2. An apron - Aprons are a necessity in the kitchen for anyone who cooks. Who wants to end up with sauce on your nice blouse or a streak of oil on your oxford? A fun or practical apron for the budding chef in your life would make a great gift. Check out the ultra-hip (and retro) Jessie Steele line of aprons. They are very fun. For the guy in your life, he might prefer a more basic apron. And waist aprons can be a good alternative too. Me? I collect special aprons (read: no weird sayings or bizarre slogans for me) and have a few hanging in my kitchen — one from my days working at Williams-Sonoma and one from my last trip to London, from Harrods.

3. Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless Steel pan set - This is the set of pans I started out on, and still cook with. Love them. They aren’t top of the line, but they are very good. They’re durable and have withstood some big mistakes (a few scorchings, in fact). They clean up nicely, even stuck-on stuff, with the scrubber pad on the back of the sponge (though I do have a box of Brillo beneath the sink, just in case). This is a great starter set that can be used for years to come.

4. A cookbook - Well, duh — that’s a no brainer, but getting the right one can be a little more tricky. Everyone needs inspiration sometimes. Here are a few good cookbooks for those who are just starting out as budding chefs:

• How to Cook Everything - This cookbook is great for the person who wants to cook well, but just doesn’t know how yet. It’s clear and easy directions made it a huge hit when I gave it to a friend at a bridal shower several years ago. There is also the new volume, How to Cook Everything Vegetarian, which has gotten good reviews.
• The Good Home Cookbook - I was lucky enough to get a review copy of this book a year ago and I loved it. It’s a thick round-up of classic recipes that everyone should know how to make. It’s been used many times by me in the past year and I definitely recommend it for anyone who likes to cook.
• Betty Crocker Cookbook - This is another great general starter cookbook. I’ve been using it for years and still find some great ideas for baked goods, meals and more. The newest edition (this one) is the best yet (I’ve owned several editions).
• Joy of Cooking - This is a little more advanced in technique, but overall a great kitchen bible. Everyone should have a copy of this on their shelves.

5. A cooking class - Sorry, no links for this one. But to find cooking classes in your area, check any local community colleges, culinary schools (for noncredit courses) and even Williams-Sonoma stores. You can also check the James Beard Foundation for special foodie events in your area. Is there a Ritz Carlton hotel near you? Check there too, as the spas often offer classes as well. This is a great gift, since it can broaden your budding chef’s experience through hands on learning.

This article originally appeared on Cucina Bella.

I was expecting a rubber piece to fit onto my existing blade, but instead got a whole new blade. How awesome! I had been worried that it would be a pain to attach to the blade, but fortunately my worries were completely unfounded.  A few things I noticed off the bat:

• It’s dishwasher safe (top rack).
• Made from a different material from the usually KA accessories
• Fits right on the mixer as promised

I tested the blade making one of my favorite things: brownies. Usually, I end up stopping the mixer a few times before the process is over to scrape down the sides. I never realized how much time this added to my mixing though. With the SideSwipe, the whole mixing process - from start to finish - took about two minutes. Check out how clean the bowl was during the mixing process:

The only downside was that the bits of batter that got stuck to the blade were hard to get off (I usually scrape them off to maximize whatever I am making). Ultimately, I realized that this wasn’t THAT big a deal (and my husband surely enjoyed licking the blade since I didn’t obsessively scrape it this time), so I guess that is something I can live with. But that leads also to my other concern — how well and easy it would be to clean? Would the dishwasher be able to do it without prerinsing (which I HATE to do)? As it turns out, I again had nothing to worry about. This cleaned up like a charm.

So, would I buy this blade for myself if I didn’t have the sample? I checked out the price — $24.95. With shipping, it would be just over $30. Not bad at all. And with the holidays coming up (read: cooking frenzy), I will definitely get a lot of use out of it. So, yes, I think I would.

Have you checked out the Kenmore PRO appliances and fallen in love with their sophisticated styling? Or perhaps you have the Kenmore PRO line at home and can’t imagine living without them . . . Well, this is your chance to tell the world why you love the Kenmore PRO line.

The Cook’s Kitchen is proud to announce the Kenmore PRO, How Do I Love Thee? essay contest, sponsored by Sears and the Well Fed Network.

What do you have to do to enter?

1. Write an essay, 250 words minimum, explaining why you love the Kenmore PRO line. Make us feel what you do! Poems of at least 20 lines are also acceptable.
2. Email the essay to info@wellfed.net no later than June 20, 2007 at 11:59 p.m.
3. Check back on July 2 to find out who won and read the winning essays (or poems).

What does the winner get?
One GRAND PRIZE winner will receive $150 in Sears gift card(s). Their essay will be published on The Cook’s Kitchen and the Well Fed Network.

One 1st RUNNER-UP will receive $75 in Sears gift card(s). Their essay will be published on The Cook’s Kitchen.

One 2nd RUNNER- UP will receive a $25 Sears gift card. Their essay will be published on The Cook’s Kitchen.

Who’s doing the judging?
The essays will be judged by the Sears Public Relations Department.

Who’s eligible?
As long as you are not a writer or editor for the Well Fed Network or work for Sears, you are eligible to participate. So get writing!

First off, new is a word I use very loosely. The Kenmore PRO line was announced in April 2006 and debuted in September of that year. Comments on Sears’ website all seem pretty positive about the appliances. But, since they are Sears’ own brand and the comments are on their website, that is something that should always be taken with a grain of salt.

Ranges
The Kenmore PRO ranges look like their high-end (think Viking and Wolf) counterparts. The burners all have different BTUs, specially designed to handle everything from delicate, low temperature dishes to fast cooking items. It also includes a built-in griddle. Price-wise, a Viking 36″ Range Top runs about $3,000-$4,000. The Kenmore PRO is $1099.

Refrigerators/Freezers
There are a few models of refrigerators and freezers available from the Kenmore PRO line, including a full-size professional refrigerator and freezer (separates) that can be housed side by side. Unfortunately, unlike top makers like Subzero, there no version that can be concealed by cabinet faces.

Dishwashers
For me, this was the disappointing category. I have a Kenmore dishwasher that I purchased two years ago - it’s not a PRO or even the Elite line. Just a basic dishwasher that fit my minimum requirements. Unfortunately, the thing is wrought with problems (cycles can run as much as 5-6 hours at a time). So, I decided last weekend to kill two birds with one stone and head over to Sears to find a new dishwasher and check out the (very expensive) Kenmore PRO line one. Knowing that I wouldn’t be able to afford the PRO line, I checked out the other models (I wanted something that will last, but no more than $750). Ultimately we chose a Bosch that my parents bought last year and rave about. It has a steel tub, is energy efficient, etc. It meets my needs and was about $630 after the percentage off sale they were running. On our way out of the store, I detoured by the Kenmore PRO line and checked out the dishwasher. It was strikingly similar to the Bosch, but twice as much money. Go figure. And the styling? Eh. Coincidentally, the Bosch uses an estimated 353 kWh per year and the Kenmore uses 362 kWh. For $1,399, I would expect the Kenmore Pro to be more efficient, not less.

Ovens
Ahhh, something I loved. When I checked the ovens out in the store, I was impressed with the number of racks each oven had. That would be awesome for baking large quantities of cookies and whatnot at holiday time. And they were nicely styled. The downside? That style is going to cost you $1,999 for a single (though it’s on sale for $100 less right now) and $2,999 for a double. Steep.

The verdict?

These appliances appear to be just what Kenmore/Sears billed them as: professional, sleek styling without the price tag. But you are still paying a large sum to have the look. I wish we knew how they performed as that would really make or break this discussion. Judging by looks alone . . . well, that’s just not how I shop.

Photo courtesy of Sears.com.