matfer – Chef Michael Rockwood

February 15, 2022April 21, 2022top picks

February 2022

What is the first food you think of when you hear Italian Food? For me it’s pasta! Celebrate National Italian Food Day with these three great products for making that perfect handmade pasta dish. The Matfer Bourgeat Imperia pasta machine is the perfect tool for making homemade, delicious pastas. Attach the clamp to the countertop or table and use the manual hand crank to work the interior rollers. This pasta machine has an adjustable thickness knob that accommodates dough up to 3/8 of an inch and can accept dough roughly twelve inches wide. Attachments are available for the production of different pasta shapes. I prefer the manual crank to the electric. Besides the price difference, the manual has less of a chance […]

January 15, 2022April 21, 2022top picks

January 2022

With the new year comes a new set of hobbies. Celebrate national pie day with these three great products that will help get the perfect slice of pie, every time–regardless of the filling you have chosen. This American Metalcraft pie pan is perfect for making great pies with delicious fillings. The pan is constructed of 18-gauge aluminum: this classic round pan is great for making the secret family recipe apple pie! The aluminum construction offers quick and even heat distribution, as well as quick cooling, making this pan perfect for pre-baking or blind-baking your crusts. The wide rim allows for fluting while the angled sides allow for a straight crust without the fear of the dough sinking during baking. Never […]

December 20, 2021April 21, 2022top picks

December 2021

In honor of National Hard Candy Day, here are three great products that will assist in creating the perfect sugar hard candies for the holiday season. The Matfer Bourgeat Sugar pump is the perfect tool for creating sugar art. The copper end is a great conductor of heat and ensures the sugar will stay at a temperature that avoids texture change. The air pump delivers a large volume of air quickly, while the wide, easy grip hose assures secure handling throughout the process. Cooper-Atkins Candy / Deep Fry Paddle Thermometer comes with an adjustable clip hook so the thermometer easily hooks onto the side of pots. The thermometer has a non-toxic spirit-filled tube and durable stainless steel housing for longevity […]

October 15, 2021October 15, 2021top picks

October 2021

In honor of National Chocolate Cupcake Day, here are three products that will assist in baking the perfect cupcake! The Matfer Bourgeat disposable pastry bag is the ideal bag for decorating, as the bag is made of polyethylene. This pastry bag is tougher than typical disposable bags to reduce the risk of rips. The disposable pastry bags come in a few different sizes–12, 18 and 21inches. All three sizes are able to withstand temperatures of 158 degrees Fahrenheit. The leak proof design allows for a translucent quick fill, twist to close and pipe. These disposable bags will allow for refilling to complete the task, but eliminates the need for cleaning up or waiting for a reusable pastry bag to dry. Matfer […]

May 14, 2021March 26, 2021top picks

May 2021

In keeping with the grill theme from last month, here are three great products to help celebrate National Hamburger Day. The Dexter Russell High Heat burger spatula features a stain resistant high quality, high-carbon blade and a slip-resistant polypropylene handle. Perhaps the best feature is the Cool Blue handle is built to handle temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, while preventing those annoying burn marks on standard handles. These are available in several different lengths and widths designed to fit the needs of almost any kitchen. We all know the phrase “April showers, bring May flowers” and what better to hold the flowers than with the American metalcraft hammered flower vase. This vase stands about five and a half inches high and […]

February 26, 2021January 29, 2021Recipes

Gingerbread Doughnuts

Doughnut Ingredients: 150g All Purpose Flour 10g Gingerbread Seasoning 3g Baking Powder 3g Baking Soda 50g Dark Brown Sugar 3g Kosher Salt 1 Egg 110ml Milk 50ml Molasses 30g Unsalted Butter, melted Doughnut topping Ingredients: 113g Unsalted Butter, Melted 100g Granulated Sugar 10g Gingerbread seasoning Although Gingerbread is associated with the holiday season, I enjoy this dessert with a cup of coffee throughout the year. Cooking Method: Doughnuts: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Combine all of the dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl Combine all the wet ingredients into a bowl Combine the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until the batter is incorporated. Transfer the batter into a piping bag Using an Gastroflex Savarin Mold, […]

February 12, 2021January 27, 2021top picks

February 2021

With February comes Valentine’s Day! After years of providing extra special touches on a brunch buffet or a romantic themed dinner, I am happy to recommend a few products that I use to provide that. Matfer Bourgeat Heart Shape Plain Dough Cutters are a great set of eight different sized hearts. Constructed of tin with a rounded topedge that allows for repetitive pressing into the dough safely and comfortably without worry of being cut. These cutters are perfect for a variety of applications from cookie dough to fondant and everything in between. One of my personal favorite uses is to use two cutters to create a hollow heart shaped top cookie for Linzer Tarts. The hearts range in size from […]

January 5, 2021January 6, 2021top picks

December 2020

When I think of December, I think of the holiday season and lots of baking and catering for family and friends. Here are three products that I cannot do without. Matfer Bourgeat Fluted Non-Stick Tart pan is a great way to make those family style desserts look upscale and professional. Showing off those fluted edges has never been easier than with the two piece construction, allowing the base to be used for serving and storage. Available in 61/3, 7 1/16, 7 7/8, 9 1/2, 11, 11 3/4 inch diameters. The American metalcraft doughnut cutter is a great tool for adding a homemade touch to a menu or catering package. The three inch diameter cutters are made of one-piece 16 gauge, 1.25 mm […]

November 19, 2020November 19, 2020top picks

November 2020

“It’s time to turn those leftover Halloween pumpkins from window displays into delicious soup using this month’s top picks” The Matfer Bourgeat Stockpot with faucet is an NSF approved stainless steel pot that is easy to clean both inside and out. The base is covered with metallic stainless steel which makes this a great choice for induction cooking. Perhaps the best feature is the insulated handles which are great for preventing heat transfer, allowing the pot to bepicked up without burning the cook! It is available in 9 1/2, 11, 121/2, 14 1/8, 15 3/4 inch diameters. The Waring induction burner makes cooking faster, and more efficient. The four-inch diameter requirement for pans ensures that almost any pan can be […]

August 17, 2020February 22, 2021top picks

August 2020

With the pandemic causing most virtual fall semesters, here are a few products that are great for the last daytrip to the beach or cookouts. The Cambro GoBox is made from expanded polypropylene plastic. This lightweight box is perfect for both hot and cold items. Although lightweight, it’s durability is not affected, even when being tossed around in the back of a car. This is an all-inclusive option for the sandwiches and beverages that head from the car to the beach for that last-minute getaway. Available in top loading half size or full size hotel pans. The full size pan comes in a front loading option as well. These Matfer Exoglass Tart Rings are non-stick and easy to clean in […]