Each new January drags change in its wake, and this year, we’re bringing that energy to the kitchen. It’s time to say goodbye to the utilitarian or solely decorative, and hello to a functional, whimsical wonderland that turns cooking into an activity you’ll look forward to. Not sure where to start? Let this guide take you through everything from kitchen cocktail accessories to baking tools, and get inspired to turn your kitchen into your personal paradise.
1. Verve Culture: Italian Apron and Kitchen Towel
From bubbling sauces to sticky dough, cooking is a messy business. All it takes is a poorly timed spit of oil or a brush of your hand against your pant leg for your kitchen adventures to once again end with a slightly fuller laundry basket. And while no kitchen tool can protect you from everything, an apron can go a long way in keeping the mess to certain surfaces.
Of course, that doesn’t mean sacrificing style for practicality—and Verve Culture agrees. With its colorful herringbone stripes and comfortable length, the company’s Classic Italian Bistro Style Apron is as classy as it is useful. Extra-long waist ties ensure one size fits all, while a side pocket provides the perfect place to hold in-use gadgets like thermometers. Each Florentine-crafted apron is also made from 100% cotton, making them entirely machine-washable—a necessary attribute for this type of accessory.
For those who prefer some symmetry in their kitchens, Verve Culture creates a matching set with their Classic Italian Kitchen Towel – Herringbone. Crafted in Firenze, Italy, these towels feature the same patterns as the bistro-style aprons, and are easily hung from the waist tie for quick access. The tight weave makes them long-lasting, while their size and absorbency make them the perfect companion for everything from spills to dish drying. If you get a set, you could even use them as napkins for the meal you’re preparing.
Take a look at Verve Culture’s myriad kitchen tools HERE.
2. Barlow & Co.: Aspiring Artisan Bundle
If you’re anything like me, baking a fresh loaf of bread (and eating the end result) is a great way to distract yourself from stress. And while it may take a bit more time for those of us who don’t have a bread maker, there are still tools we can use to make the process a whole lot easier. For example, Barlow & Co.’s sourdough-focused Aspiring Artisan bundle.
A Danish Dough Hook and “Bobbie Jo” Sourdough Starter packet—alongside a bowl and some ingredients that you’ll need to gather yourself—give you everything you need to start baking. The starter was, for me, a particularly exciting inclusion, as I’ve never successfully kept a starter alive on my own. Each bag includes 20 grams of dehydrated starter, with instructions for rehydrating it easily accessible on the website. Once it comes to life, it just needs a little care and feeding—primarily in the form of water and flour—to be ready for use in no time.
The Danish Dough Hook, on the other hand, isn’t just for bread. The heavy-gauge wire head makes mixing doughs and batters by hand a much easier process. And, unlike other whisks, you don’t have to thwack clumps of dough out from the middle afterwards. Each dough hook is also an attractive accessory in its own right, with beautifully finished hardwood handles and bright copper ferrules. The one thing to remember? Avoid letting the handle sit in water after use (washing it is fine) in order to preserve its longevity.
Start your baking journey with Barlow & Co. HERE.
3. Piecework: Cocktail Napkins
When cooking with friends and family, a good cocktail can make the experience that much more fun. Personally, it all depends on what we’re making—brunch, for example, is often accompanied by a mimosa. But no matter what you’re drinking, there’s a nearly surefire way to make the mood even more playful: a unique set of cocktail napkins. And for the perfect style fit, there’s no better place to look than Piecework.
With 25 offerings currently available, many of them seasonal, the challenge is not finding something you like—it’s choosing between favorites. From meal and dish components (the Caesar Salad and Brunch sets) to trending imagery (the Sardine and Pasta sets), there truly is something for everyone.
Personally, I fell in love with the Cloud Cocktail Napkins and the Cheese Cocktail Napkins as soon as I saw them. The former set of four contains two of each silvery-blue cloud, with elegantly curved details picked out in raised embroidery. The latter set, on the other hand, is just pure fun, with brie, swiss, manchego, and blue cheese brought to life in 100% linen—the perfect (handwashable!) addition to any appetizer night.
Choose your own set of Piecework napkins HERE.
4. OTOTO Design: Prep Pals Bundle
Who among us hasn’t wished, at times, that our kitchen accessories were just a bit more whimsical? I certainly have—and I’ve found that OTOTO Design’s collection of Prep Pals fits the bill perfectly. The set contains three pieces from their popular array of kitchen tools—Crabby, Nessie and Red.
Crabbie, a crab-shaped, silicone and stainless steel strainer, is designed to clamp onto the edge of a pot instead of sit in the sink like most bowl strainers. By avoiding the transfer of cooked food from one container to another and back again, it means fewer pieces falling down the drain, something I’ve often had happen with pasta. Just remember to pour slowly, or things might still make it over the sides.
Nessie, a Loch Ness Monster-shaped ladle, is perfect for soups and sauces with her food-safe plastic form. The little legs under the ladle’s bowl crack me right up, and unlike other kitchen utensils, I never mind seeing her sitting out on the counter. And Red, a silicone, crab-shaped utensil holder, sits on the side of the pot with his claws raised high, ready to clamp onto any spoon handle. One warning? Be careful not to knock him over when cooking, or both he and your spoon may go flying.
Liven up your kitchen with your own OTOTO Design accessory HERE.
5. Wire Monkey: UFO Bread Lame
Have you ever seen those beautifully designed loaves and wanted to attempt them yourself? Unfortunately, if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably learned that a normal kitchen knife isn’t usually up to snuff for the job. It’s razor blades that are the perfect tool, but just holding a bare blade in your hand can be a recipe for disaster. So instead of risking a trip to the hospital, consider trying a tool that’s been designed for this exact purpose—a bread scoring lame, like those crafted by the team at Wire Monkey.
Here, there are several styles on offer, from the handled Goose lame to the curved Arc lame. But the company’s truly standout product is their UFO lames, small, circular casings with an Astra double-edge blade tucked away inside. My personal favorite of the bunch is the UFO Corbeau, a tough, waterproof tool made from recycled paper and food-safe resin. The rounded bumps along the casing are delightful to touch, and the black coloring adds a touch of modern class. It does take a little practice to get the hang of tightening and releasing the case to use the blade, but once you do, it’s all smooth sailing from there.
Find your favorite Wire Monkey lame HERE.
