6 food and kitchen items to buy at TJ Maxx, according to a private chef
Private chef Olivia Tiedemann shared her discount-store shopping tips for high-quality cookware.
She said that quality cookware doesn't have to be expensive.
Tiedemann recommends buying stainless-steel pans, name-brand cookware, and serveware from TJ Maxx.
Discount stores like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Home Goods often carry high-quality cooking tools without the high designer price tags.
Olivia Tiedemann, a private chef and content creator based in New York City and the Hamptons, spoke to Business Insider about the cookware and kitchen products she looks out for when shopping at TJ Maxx and other discount stores.
While private cheffing often provides a luxurious experience for clients, Tiedemann said finding high-quality cooking products doesn't have to cost a fortune — and that's where discount stores come in.
Here are six food and kitchen items to buy at TJ Maxx, according to a private chef.
Look for higher-end brands, but don't assume the most expensive products are the best ones.
"Find brands you like and look out for their products when you need something new," Tiedemann said, noting that she looks for cookware from Le Creuset, Demeyere, Made In, and Williams Sonoma.
However, she also said price and the name brand aren't everything.
"The price is not always the best way to tell. I always read reviews online before buying," she said. "The most expensive item isn't always the best one."
"Sometimes I prefer to have an item that's mid-range I can abuse a little bit," she continued.
Ceramic, cast-iron, or stainless-steel cookware is usually a good bet, but you don't have to choose the most expensive item.
Tiedemann said she avoids plastic cookware and usually opts for stainless-steel products or other more durable materials, if they're available.
And rather than assuming price dictates quality, she checks items while in store to see how durable they might be.
"If you can't tell if a stainless-steel pan is good quality, pick it up and look for it to have decent weight and balance," she said. "You never really want a thin pan."
Simple ceramic plates can add an elevated feel to a dinner party but don't have to cost a lot.
"I'm not the frilliest person, but I love a nice tasteful plate," Tiedemann said. "I use a lot of flat shiny plates in white or black, and for the summer, adding more color is definitely fun."
Serving tools like tongs, salad spoons, platters, and serving boards can also be picked up at discount stores.
When planning a dinner party or gathering, simple tools like wooden spoons and serving dishes can take a party to the next level.
However, these aren't items you necessarily need to splurge on.
"Don't forget to have serving spoons or tongs for all of your dishes," Tiedemann said. "Putting everything together on the table is always a satisfying moment, and having bowls, plates, and platters you love makes that end moment all the better."
You can also find kitchen staples like salts, jams, and sauces for discounted prices, in addition to more niche products.
In addition to cookware, TJ Maxx carries a variety of shelf-stable kitchen products from brands like Stonewall Kitchen for discounted prices.
This food aisle at TJ Maxx is actually designed to make you spend more.
"The shopper compares the price to what they've just spent on clothing or household goods, rather than comparing them to another [similar] product," Fiona Fitzpatrick, a consumer packaged-goods consultant who hosts the podcast "Brand Growth Heroes," recently told Business Insider. "As a result, they seem like a little bit of luxury for a steal."
While the availability of gourmet food products varies all the time, Tiedemann recommended sticking to "staple items" like kosher salt and different kinds of vinegar for making sauces and vinaigrettes.
Read the original article on Business Insider
