Xmas Shopping: Rating Celebrity Chef Cookware

By JULIETTE ROSSANT NBC 17 in Raleigh, North Carolina, reported on the finding of the Good Housekeeping Institute (GHI), who have examined Celebrity Chef cookware. For this test, they look Rocco DiSpirito, Nigella Lawson, and Emeril. Rocco DiSpirito's 10-piece cookware set @ $220 (on sale at QVC for $148.98) ($164) received a favorable review, particularly for its handles that stay cool and its pots with built-in pouring spout. Emeril Lagasse's Emerilware Waffle/Sandwich/Pizzelle Maker ($60) also received a favorable vote -- "Bam!" imprint and all. 10-piece set is $199.99. Emeril's partner is one of the top in the industry -- All-Clad. Nigella Lawson's measuring cups and measuring spoons ($24.99 and $19.99 per set) were found inaccurate last year, and this year GHI still found problems with the 1/3 cup measure -- while only one measuring spoon was accurate. Wolfgang Puck's cookware remains the most interesting to me. I examined his pots and pans in Super Chef (pp. 35-36) with as much detail as Wolf and his partner were ready to share. You see, unlike most super chefs and celebrity chefs, Wolfgang has sourced his pots and pans himself, so when he hawks them on the Home Shopping Network, he is pocketing a far larger margin than most others, too. "Peppy and cheap" sums up his cookware deal (now, where did I hear that line before? Leave your answer in "Comments," below, please.) Previous article in Forbes: Corn Dog Cuisine [Emeril Lagasse] Previous articles: Amazon UK's Steamy Xmas Chefs Rocco DiSpirito: Be Warned By Me! Agassi's Star Palate: Michael Mina Does Emeril always kick products up a notch?