Kitchen • One
of the most expensive, and least useful
for a college student, items in The
Todd English Collection is an innovative
winesceptre, left, that sells for $119.
For the aesthetically-minded, a dinner
valet is also available for $39.90.
Coburn Communication
Star chef creates quality kitchen
line
By Lesley Nickus
Online Forty-Niner
Diversions Editor
For many, the college experience includes a stint in the dorms. For students
at Cal State Long Beach, the impaction in the dorms causes many first-year students
to find housing off campus. To the inexperienced mover, this can create confusion.
The ever-increasing list of things to buy can be overwhelming and, at times,
grow to be quite expensive and after furnishing a bedroom and bathroom, the last
place a student is going to think about filling with exciting items is the kitchen.
Luckily for students, there are a number of available places to go to purchase
furniture, as well as a number of designers and chefs creating quality items
for home decor and use. Todd English is one of these chefs.
English received culinary acclamation in 1991 when the James Beard Foundation
named him their National Rising Star Chef. Since then, he has been named the
Best Chef in the Northeast and Bon Appetit’s Restauranteur of the Year.
He was also one of People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People in 2001.
His career took off when he became the chef and owner of Olives in Charleston,
Mass., in 1989. Olives has spread across the country from Las Vegas to New York,
making English one of the most well-known chefs in the culinary arena.
He created the Todd English Collection for the Home Shopping Network. Multiple
shows this week highlight his collection of kitchen cookware and utensils.
For the money-strapped student, it may take a little bit of searching to determine
which items are worth the cost, ranging from $19.90 for a set of six aluminum
cooking utensils to $129 for a seven-piece set of pots and pans, at
HSN.com. It is important to compare the quality of the item to the price when
deciding on kitchenware.
When it comes to quality, the materials that go into the aluminum cookware are
worth the price. The cooking utensils are made from hard andonized aluminum and
are non-stick and dishwasher safe. Generally, non-stick pots and pans should
never go in the dishwasher because the pressure of the water and the soap lessen
the non-stick abilities over time. This does not mean that on a college budget,
you should spend $129 on the pots and pans. The $19.90 set of aluminum utensils
is a good investment though, they will last longer than the average cheap plastic
spoons.
English also has a Tuscan-themed collection of stoneware—which is much
more durable than the other materials dinnerware is made of—in five colors.
For $69.90, you get dinner service for eight—eight each of bowls, mugs,
salad and dinner plates. These are chip resistant, which is very important when
you are trying to empty the dishwasher in a hurry. There is nothing more ugly
than a white chip on the corner of a black plate.
All in all, the collection includes a number of gourmet items the average college
student would rarely use but if you want quality kitchenware that will last,
check out the Todd English Collection on HSN.com.
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