Kitchen Tools
Tools used in The Picture Cookbook Basic items such as tableware and cutlery are pictured in generic forms in the cookbook. Even the salt and peppershakers are similar to what you would likely find in a restaurant. However, when it came to the specialty kitchen tools actually used to make the recipes, it was necessary to find equipment that was appropriate for special chefs. I searched for the best kitchen tools I could find. I purchased all the kitchen tools, dishes, and gadgets in department and retail stores. Each store had a different collection of kitchen items mixed and matched from numerous different companies' products. Many innovative kitchen tools and gadgets make cooking easier for everyone. It is truly amazing what kitchen tools and gadgets are available today. I am looking forward to trying out some of new tools and gadgets that we will be using in the next volumes in The Picture Cookbook Series. I cannot guarantee that every kitchen tool I choose to use in this cookbook is the best or safest available worldwide. What I can say is that the kitchen tools that I ultimately chose to picture in The Picture Cookbook are all suitable for my own daughter with special needs. 
An excerpt from the Strawberry Shortcake recipe Good Grips: OXO InternationalGeneral Housewares Corp
I found many of the kitchen utensils from OXO International to be the best suited for the needs of young children, people with special needs and elderly adults. I was unable to find any other company with so many good features all from the same product line. The Good Grips measuring spoons and cups are all colour coded, and they had one of the few sets of measuring cups that included a two-thirds cup, as well as measuring spoons that included a one-eighth teaspoon. The angled liquid measuring cups that come in four different sizes also make measuring easier for persons with special needs or a disability as the user can easily read the amount of liquid in the cup from the top without having to peer into the side of the measuring cup. The Good Grips mixing bowls have a good handgrip as well as bottoms that grip the work surface and stay still when mixing the ingredients. The spatulas are also colour coded for each different size and salad spinner was extremely easy to use, even for small hands. Another great feature of the Good Grips products is the manual Chopper and Mini Chopper, allowing cookbook users to easily cut up fruit and vegetables with minimal use of sharp knives and without the aid of an electric blender. The Good Grips products include:
Click Clack Storage Containers1860 Renaissance Blvd
I was unable to find any other storage containers in department and retail stores that had so many features appropriate for young children and disabled persons as the Click Clack containers. The storage containers from Click Clack are clear plastic allowing the user to see the contents without opening the container. If dropped on the floor the plastic does not break. It is possible to crack the plastic but you have to work hard to do so, but even if cracked the container still holds dry ingredients well. The top fits tightly but is very easy to put on and take off. The container is so airtight that even turned upside down the contents do not spill out. The Click Clack products include:
BeaumarkHudson's Bay Company
I liked the Beaumark baking pans as they are heavy duty and all but the spring form pans have rubber grips on the sides making them very easy for inexperienced cooks to hold and carry from the workspace to the fridge, freezer or oven. The Beaumark products include:
Progressive International6111 S. 228th Street
I like the Progressive Vegetable Corer. In one motion, all seeds in a large cucumber can be removed. The Avocado Slicer makes cutting up an avocado a very easy task. It is not easy to remove the tomato stem without using sharp knives, but the Seed and Stem Remover makes it easier and safer than any other kitchen tool that I have ever tried. The Progressive products include:
Cuisine EssentialsB&C Incorporated (Imports product into Canada)
I like the Stainless Steel Spice Rack from Cuisine Essentials as the spice jars were unbreakable, had a see through top and had a wide opening for easy measuring of spices. The lids were also easy to get on and off. The Cuisine Essentials product pictured is the Magnetic Spice Rack. Taylor Precision ProductsCorporate Headquarters
Salter Housewares Canada
Taylor Precision Products
The Classic 10-Key Style Timer has large buttons and is very easy to use and to read. I preferred this timer to many other timers on the market simply because it was large and easy to read. The Taylor Precision products pictured is the Classic 10-Key Style Timer Danesco International IncDanesco International Inc.
The onion holder is useful for many different fruit and vegetables. It easily and effectively keeps the cooks fingers away from the knife. The Danesco products pictured include:
|
