Miniature Cheesecakes

In this episode of Kitchen Essentials, we visit sushi master Nozomu Abe at his celebrated omakase restaurant, Sushi Noz in NYC. Noz has been perfecting his craft for over 20 years, and it shows in his obsessive attention to detail when it comes to his food and the exclusive dinner experiences he offers. At Sushi Noz you will find Edomae sushi, a style that focuses on the treatment of ingredients through preservation of the fish, and a particular preparation of the rice. These processes are all part of the performance Abe puts on for his diners at his counter every night. When it comes to his favorite tools, he shows us both his prep and counter knives; His binchōtan coals and gril,l which he brings out to show customers how he sears and smokes delicate morsels of tuna or eel. After that he talks to us about the most important element of sushi, and the tool that is essential for him to make it: the rice and his traditional hagama. Setting the stage for his performance, is a space carefully curated to look, smell and feel like a traditional omakase in Japan, complete with a traditional hinoki refrigerator that he specifically commissioned for the restaurant, and a beautiful collection of Japanese ceramics both old and new, that lend the final touches to this unique food experience.

In this episode of Kitchen Essentials, we visit the amazing Einat Admony, owner and head chef of Balaboosta, Kish-Kash and the Taïm chain in NYC. Einat is an expert on all things couscous - to the point that the entire menu at Kish-Kash is centered around the Moroccan preparation of these delicious semolina pearls. She talks us through her favorite, and ultimately essential tools, that she uses in the kitchen to make delicious couscous-centric creations. Everything from her favorite brand of semolina, to a kish-kash (Moroccan sieve specifically used to make the beads), a double boiler, a spray bottle, and an ancient cooking tool that is making a comeback, called spurtle. Watch to learn how Einat makes couscous by hand, and why these are her essential tools.

In this episode of Kitchen Essentials, we visit Jered Standing, owner and head butcher at Standing's Butchery in Los Angeles. Jered talks us through his favorite tools as he demonstrates how he breaks down a pig to make sausages. Everything from a boning knife, to a bone saw, all the way to the sausage stuffer, with an unexpected incursion from a utility knife. Watch to learn more about why these are Jered's essential tools and how he uses them in his butchery.

Chefs Nick Montgomery and Akira Akuto have had a big year, thanks in part to their restaurant Konbi being named Bon Appetit's Best New Restaurant in America. In this episode of Kitchen Essentials, we visit the sandwich shop in Echo Park, Los Angeles to talk to Nick and Akira about their favorite kitchen tools, which include: a German egg slicer, a Japanese chef knife, a Thermapen, and a rubber spatula. Shop Nick and Akira's Kitchen Essential Picks.

In the Armenian neighborhood of Glendale, Los Angeles, Armen and his family have been serving up mini kabobs to hungry to loyal customers for more than thirty years! Every morning they start whipping together fresh ingredients - fresh potatoes, red ripe tomatoes, and grandma’s special hummus recipe. We took a trip to this local attraction to witness their juicy skewers on the flaming grill and hear more about their generational story.

Offal is having a big moment in the food world, which prompted Guillermo (a self proclaimed offal lover) to visit chef Jeremy Salamon (one of NYC's youngest LGBTQ+ rising star chefs) at The Eddy, right on time to celebrate Pride month. Jeremy's critically-appraised, mostly Hungarian menu, was inspired by his grandmother’s recipes. Offal is a staple of Eastern European cuisines, so it made sense to make delicious pastrami beef tongue. Let's tongue for Pride! PS: The Eddy will be closing its doors this Monday 6/17 after dinner service - New Yorkers: the restaurant will be offering all guests a 25% discount on their check (no minimums, no maximums, no questions asked).

Award-winning chef, restauranteur (Anissa, Rickshaw) and cookbook author Anita Lo joins us for the latest edition of Chowhound's Table to Talk to dish about her book SOLO: A Modern Cookbook for a Party of One along with her philosophy around solo cooking. Lo also shares the food parts you should definitely stop throwing out, her new favorite food cities, and how being an LGBTQ chef has changed since she first picked up the knives.

In this episode Guillermo visits Haven’s Kitchen, part café and part cooking school, to learn how they are working to reduce food waste, and promote sustainability to improve the lifestyles of consumers and home cooks. Guillermo meets with head chef instructor Alexis Delaney, to make a zero-waste gazpacho using ugly produce, and even pickling watermelon rinds. They talk about the problem of food waste, and what we can all do to contribute to a larger solution.

In this episode of Chow-To, Guillermo meets with kawaii foods master Hiroyo Belmonte at the Japanese cultural center, Resobox to learn how to make Kazari Maki Sushi, also known as decorative or cute sushi. Peach blossoms, penguins and jack-o-lanterns are just some examples - kawaii overload! Learn how to make the most adorable sushi DIY-style at home like a master sushi chef.