Getting to Know Our ChefTools Foodies: Alison

I'd like to introduce you to Miss Alison.

Alison joined the ChefTools team almost 5 years ago and knows our company inside and out. She is originally from Maryland which is kinda funny because we have quite a few transplanted East Coasters who call ChefTools home. It makes for a fantastic variety of opinions, ideas and creativity - and we like it that way!

Although Alison loves food, she is not a cook herself. In fact, if she had it her way she’d eat out every night at a new restaurant until she’s “tasted everything under the sun”. One thing she cannot live without is crab cakes – but since she moved from Maryland, Alison has not found one that can compare to the cakes from back home. (Any local suggestions out there, Seattle?)

But to show that even non-culinary artists have their favorite kitchen tools and gadgets, Alison provided us with a list of her favorites. Either she has reviewed these items for our own site, bought them for friends and family, or just thinks they are pretty darn cute. This list just goes to show that even the non-cooks out there can benefit from great tools in the kitchen.

So… let’s get you cooking!

Alison’s Top 10 List

Goodbye Detergent! Original Spaghetti Scrub

Le Creuset Whistling Tea Kettle, 1.7 qt, Flame Orange

RSVP Just Ducky Floating Tea Infuser

RSVP Z-Gadgets Pizza Cutter

Plink Garbage Disposal Cleaner, Orange

Tovolo King Silicone Ice Cube Tray, Green

Tenuta Castello Rosemary Breadsticks, 6-1/3 oz Box

Vic Firth Mario Batali 7" Salt Mill, Orange

Vic Firth Mario Batali 7" Pepper Mill, Pesto Green

And of course, Miss Royal Kitty herself
Lucks Edible Image - Royal Kitten

Excuse Me Sir, But There's A Bird In My Pie

Sing a song of sixpence,
A pocket full of rye.
Four and twenty blackbirds,
Baked in a pie.

 The familiar nursery rhyme calls for 24 blackbirds to be baked in a pie. But you really only need one. Acting as a vent to release steam while baking, a pie bird prevents a bubbling mess of sticky sugar syrup and fruit from boiling out all over the place and baking to the bottom of your oven. A pie bird also supports the top crust, keeping it from sagging in the middle. The result is a lovely, picture-perfect pie.

For years, many pie birds have been spending their days quietly retired in Grandma's knick-knack cabinet, long forgotten as a collectible antique. But what's old is what's new. Pie birds are back in fashion. Try baking your next pie with the help of a pie bird, and find out for yourself what all the excitement is about. Don't put a fork in it. Put a pie bird in it.

Norpro offers both a modern Silicone Pie Bird and a traditional Ceramic Pie Bird. Your choice. And while you're at it, don't forget pie chains and pie crust shields.