Hello my Foodie Friends. I hope the holiday season is off to a magical start for everyone. We want to thank our community for the wonderful support on Small Business Saturday. We are so thankful for our foodie followers that think of coming to Compliments to the Chef to fulfill their culinary needs and to purchase holiday treasures for friends and family. As you probably know from my many articles, I love to go to the movies. Recently I saw the movie “Allied” with Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard. The movie’s genre’ is a WWII romance and thriller. The movie actually starts out in Casablanca. Both Pitt and Cotillard speak French in the early parts of the movie. French is such a beautiful language to listen to. Along with the language, is the food and cookware that comes from France. We have two lines of cookware from a company called De Buyer. Thanks to more than 180 years of experience working with various metals such as steel, stainless steel, copper and aluminum, De Buyer is recognized as a leading brand in the creation of products, expertise and excellence in cooking utensils. De Buyer’s cookware and tools are greatly appreciated by culinary Professionals throughout the world. The company has received awards of distinction by the EPV (Living Heritage Company) and the French government. The De Buyer B Element French Collection version is made with a cast stainless steel riveted handle inspired by the Eiffel Tower. It is a beautiful and ergonomic handle. The pan is an elegant, modern pan, perfect for buffets, outdoor dining or for the table. The thick heavy iron pan is coated in an Organic Bee’s Wax finish that allows for a natural anti-oxidation protection and facilitates seasoning with improved natural non-stick properties. The pan has enhanced non-stick qualities when used for the first time. The De Buyer B Element cookware is excellent for the caramelization of food. Users tip: preheat using a little fat. Care: Season when first used. Deglaze, rinse with warm water, dry and lightly oil. Store the pan in a dry place. Do not use detergents or put in the dishwasher. The De Buyer B Element cookware can be used on all cook tops including induction. The French Collection is a gorgeous way of getting this cookware into your home. There is also the Mineral B Element with the Riveted handle curved in French-style for easy handling and is ergonomic. For individuals that love to cook with copper, De Buyer carries Inocuivre; a copper cookware made with exceptional material of 90 percent copper and 10 percent stainless steel. Inocuivre masters the cooking process perfectly through uniform heat diffusion. The range therefore ensures remarkable cooking results, perfectly uniform on any cook top except for induction. With their cast stainless steel handles, Inocuivre utensils bring charm and elegance to your kitchen. The stainless steel interior makes it easy to clean your copper utensils. At CTTC, we carry this fabulous line of cookware. We are located at the Compliments to the Chef Plaza on Marion Avenue. If you are looking for that new, different, wonderful pan for that “special culinary someone” this holiday season, stop by our shop and take a look at the various assortment of “cool tools” we have for cooks. Mangez bien, riez souvent, aimez beaucoup means: “Eat well, laugh often, love abundantly.” This season, divulge in some wonderful French recipes, and play Edith Paif; “La Vie En Rose” while you are cooking. Julia Childs gave some interesting advice from her book, My Life in France: “This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook- try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless, and above all have fun!” Have fun cooking with your family and friends this season. Stop by our store this season and find those culinary must haves. Remember; “Life Happens in the Kitchen”. Take care, John and Paula