Our kitchens have been busier than ever this year, as a family hub, a source of comfort and a place for home cooks to learn and experiment. Now’s the perfect time for some special new touches to spark creativity and feed our need — for joy.
STYLISH SERVICE
Function meets flair with these versatile Anya Nesting Bowls from Room & Board, handcrafted of porcelain yet durable enough for dishwasher and microwave use. The slightly asymmetrical curves avoid a mass-produced look, for a fruit bowl that’s a true piece of art. Three sizes, from 6 inches to 9½ inches in diameter. Available in six colors. $25 to $45. roomandboard.com
UPPER CRUST
Show your appreciation for all that sourdough, with a knife-friendly, easy-care Fordham Bread Board. This dishwasher-safe, antimicrobial board from Room & Board is made of a durable wood fiber composite that will develop a patina over time (or slather on Epicurean Board Butter to preserve luster). Bonus: Write labels on it in chalk and, voilà — it’s a cheese board. 20 inches by 6 inches. $40. roomandboard.com
SEASONAL TOUCH
Saco Pinch Bowls from Room & Board give you an excuse to pull out your array of fancy salts from the cupboard. The modern, super-smooth 3-by-3-inch bowls are made of a special concrete formula and come with a cork bottom. White or gray. $10 each or $45 for set of 3 with a tray. roomandboard.com
LOW AND SLOW
The kitchen buzz this year? It’s all about sous vide, a cooking technique used by pros that yields moist, tender results from precise temperature control. The petite Anova Precision Cooker Nano includes Bluetooth-enabled technology that lets you start, stop and monitor on your phone. $129. crateandbarrel.com
A GOOD CATCH
Keep the cooktop cleanup easy — and add a wee bit of charm — with the A Mano Patterned Spoon Rests from West Elm. Each piece in Louisa Podlich’s collection is shaped and decorated by hand, a mano. Available in two eclectic patterns, Polka Dot or Sprinkles, the spoon rests are 4.75 inches in diameter. $28. westelm.com
RINSE AND REPEAT
These fast-draining stainless-steel colanders from Williams Sonoma are the workhorses every kitchen needs, with sturdy handles and a polished finish. Use them for rinsing fruits and vegetables, pasta, even rice and beans, with holes small enough to not let your food slip down the drain.
$39.95 to $59.95 / set of 3 for $149.85. williams-sonoma.com
SMOOTH OPERATOR
Elevate mornings with the OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker, at Williams Sonoma, and enjoy low-acid taste. Add coarsely ground coffee and water, filter and steep for up to 24 hours. One carafe of brewed concentrate makes 12 to 14 beverages. $49.95. williams-sonoma.com
SWEET TREAT
Inspire seasonal joy in bakers of all ages with a sturdy set of stainless steel snowflake cookie cutters with copper plating, and let the flurries fly — even here in San Diego. Heavy gauge, 3-inch and 5-inch diameter, hand wash. $7.95 for set of 2. crateandbarrel.com
PROPS TO YOU
Made of solid marble, this elegant stand from West Elm holds a cookbook or tablet for easy recipe viewing, while also adding classic sophistication to the kitchen countertop. Simply wipe clean. 10 inches high by 7½ inches wide by 5 inches deep. $30. westelm.com
KEEP YOUR COOL
A black marble wine cooler creates sleek tableside drama in the Marble Serveware Collection from Pottery Barn. This simple column, 5.25 inches in diameter and 6.5 inches high, is all natural stone, with color variations that make each one unique. $59. potterybarn.com
CARNIVORE CRAVINGS
For those who take their meat seriously, The Butchery Quality Meats provides individual cuts and curated gift boxes online and at their Del Mar location, from skilled butchers who really know their stuff. Among them: the Top Choice New York Strip from Revier Ranch, approximately 16 ounces, prized for its fine texture and buttery flavor. $27.99. butcherymeats.com
GARDEN VARIETY GOODNESS
San Diego County farms and ranches have some of the best gifts of all: superb fresh produce, eggs, meat, poultry, seafood and more. Whether you subscribe to a CSA box with delivery, buy direct from the producer or stop by a farm stand, a small investment helps local neighbors and guarantees you some extraordinary flavor. Price varies. sdfarmbureau.org/-san-diego-farms
STIR THE POT
Small pops of vivid color and shine from these Henriette teaspoons can dress up a table setting for coffee, a decadent dessert or more. Vibrant floral designs and metallic shimmer add a sense of romance to the everyday. $32 for set of 4. anthropologie.com
DISH IT OUT
Woodworker and ceramist Steph Trowbridge’s Oona Serving Spoons add whimsy and workmanship, taking an ordinary household object and transforming it into a distinctive, sculptural showpiece. Comes in three woods and three designs. $16 each. anthropologie.com
