A Colander, Cake Stand, and My Grandfather's Iron Skillet: Today's Top Chefs on the Stories and Recipes Behind Their Most Treasured Kitchen Tools

About the Author: Byers Murray, ErinIn every cook's kitchen, there is a treasured tool: a workhorse utensil, go-to gadget, or a family heirloom with its own background story and the lofty standing of being a cook's most-prized possession. These beloved items say as much about the cook as their style of cooking. They tell stories about a cook's past and about the moments that led them to where they are today. For some, it might be a spoon inherited from a grandmother's silver set, which they use to taste every sauce. Or it could be a spaetzle maker picked up during a stage in Germany that's been used during every job since. Whether it's a colander, cake stand, or a grandfather's iron skillet, every chef has a piece in their arsenal that gives a glimpse into their cooking history, their philosophy, and their technique. In the enlightening kitchen compilation A Colander, Cake Stand, and My Grandfather's Iron Skillet, author Erin Byers Murray collects stories from 37 top chefs about their