Welcome to our Tucson Foodie staff recommendations article, where we unveil the tried-and-true recommendations from the passionate members of the Tucson Foodie staff. With their collective expertise and discerning palates, we’ve handpicked a range of exceptional products that have earned their approval.
Whether you’re a food enthusiast seeking culinary inspiration or a discerning consumer searching for top-notch kitchen gadgets, our team guides you on a delectable journey. Get ready to discover the products that our Tucson Foodie staff members adore and trust. Prices are listed as of Thursday, June 29, 2023.
If you buy something through a link, Tucson Foodie may earn a commission. Learn more.
Misen Chef’s Knife
Pick by Jessie Jean Mance
I was first told about the Misen brand by a local knife sharpener — he uses Misen exclusively for its durability and razor-sharp blade edge. He wasn’t kidding on either count. I move fast in the kitchen, and I tend to be rough on my cookware and tools. This chef’s knife has been dropped, clanged on granite countertops, and put away damp, and it still looks and performs as well as the day I bought it. The blade edge sharpens up like new with a simple sharpening steel, which I like to do before I’m about to cut into something super solid, like butternut squash. Plus, it stays sharp longer than other knives I’ve owned, making the need to sharpen the blade infrequently. The knife has good heft and perfect balance and helps me breeze through chopping and dicing. Plus, it makes that cool horror movie knife noise when I pull it out of the knife rack.
Price: $85
Etsy Mezcal Copita
Pick by Jessie Jean Mance
When you’re enjoying liquor neat, it’s nice to elevate the simplicity of the experience with some proper glassware. There is something so ceremonial yet rustic about these copitas. They are handmade, kiln fired, and each one is slightly different, much like the agave distillates they were designed to serve. The wide bowl allows smoke and aromatics from the mezcal to hit your nose before tasting, and the stemless design helps warm the liquor to the perfect tasting temp just from the heat of your hands. I love the hand-carved skull in the base of each copita, which also provides a clever way to measure your pours (“only up to the eyes tonight,” or “drown him.“)
My skull copita gets used with some agave distillate or another every night before bed!
Price: $100
Countertop Ice Maker
Pick by Addie Ibarra
I use my countertop ice maker every day
Price: $109
Himalayan Salt Tequila Glasses
Pick by Hannah Hernandez
Whatever you fill them with will absorb the salt and create the best taste. I keep them in the freezer, so they’re always cold and ready to go!
Price: $20 – $35
Vitamix
Pick by Feng-Feng Yeh
A lot of chefs call the Vitamix a defining machine of a chef but this food processor is a game changer in so many ways. Use this as a kind of sous chef who has faster chopping abilities than most to cut down on prep. It is also powerful enough to make a myriad of things from mirepoix to creamy, emulsified sauces. It is sturdier and has a more consistent chop than smaller capacity food processors. This is one to keep and use for a lifetime!
Price: $249
Soda Stream and Maya Tea
Pick by Daniel Clarke
I use a two-part combo to make the best energy boost every morning. I make soda water with my Soda Stream and then add Maya Vibes Focus. I can make the drink as strong or caffeinated as I want and any time I want. The whole process only produces a small amount of recyclable/reusable waste, and in the long run, it is much less expensive than buying coffee or energy drinks every day.
Price: $99
Desert Pearl Mushrooms
Pick by Rita Connelly
Pearl oysters, lion’s mane, chestnuts, enoki, Shitake, and more. This is a tasty mix of tastes and textures and the very definition of umami. Sauté them simply in butter for a most satisfying meal.
Price: $8+
Piggy Steamer Lid
Pick by Sariya Jarasviroj
I use a hand-thrown ceramic berry bowl and my Marna piggy steamer lid almost every day
Price: $15
Tucson Plates
Pick by Shane Reiser
My whole kitchen is outfitted with HF Coors products. It’s so cool to have a local company produce the plate ware I used every day. I chose the Matte White set because I fell in love with them at Penca.
Price: $238
FoodSaver V4400 2-in-1
Pick by Kim Johnston
Simple to use: Built-in roll storage and cutter lets you easily make custom-sized bags to fit whatever you seal, while led light indicators easily guide you through the vacuum sealing process.
Price: $196
Luchador Bottle Opener
Pick by Matt Sterner
There’s nothing worse than wrestling with a beer bottle cap when you’re thirsty, and this luchador bottle opener is the perfect tool for fighting ‘em off. Plus, once the luchador completes its finishing move, I stick it back on the fridge (the back is magnetized).
Price: $9.89
Breville Joule Sous Vide
Pick by Shane Reiser
The visual Doneness feature in the Joule app displays exactly how food cooks. Dinner comes out predictably perfect, every time. Wifi and Bluetooth ready: Works with iPhone or Android—connect with Bluetooth alone, or cook from anywhere with Wi-Fi.
Price: $199
