'People ask me all the time what kind of knives they should get,' Ina Garten announces – and we're not surprised why she's every cook's go-to. The Barefoot Contessa has spent decades refining our culinary habits, primarily from her Hamptons kitchen, where she creates some of the nation's most beautiful recipes. However, the basis for perfectly cooked food begins with the right equipment – or, more specifically, the best chef's knives. So, which one has a place on Garten's countertop?
As per her Instagram, Garten opts for Wüsthof Classic knives, which she says are an investment – but if there's ever a time to shop, it's today. Her favorites are reduced by nearly 40 percent for Amazon Prime Day, and, best of all, Garten suggests that it's a once-in-a-lifetime purchase.
'The most important tool every home cook should have is a great set of knives. Mine are Wüsthof Classic knives. They’re an investment, but if you take care of them, they’ll last a lifetime,' she comments.
This Garten-approved 10-piece set features knives with triple-riveted synthetic polypropylene handles that resist fading, discoloration, heat, and impact. The blades are precisely laser-cut and stamped for superior quality and value.
If any knives are made to stand the test of time, it's those from Wüsthof. The German-based brand crafts all cutlery to corrosion and dulling, meaning they come with a limited lifetime warranty.
Founded in Solingen, Germany, the family-owned business has created knives for over 200 years, and they proudly carry the Solingen name – a designation reserved for products that meet the strictest quality standards. It's no surprise, then, that they deserve a place in the Barefoot Contessa's kitchen. However, her guidance doesn't end with the brand of knives we should buy.
Despite having a block filled with various knives, she advises that all home cooks only need a handful of blades, all of which serve different purposes.
'There are four really important knives: there's a chef's knife, there's a slicing knife, a bread knife, which is serrated, and a paring knife,' she says in the footage. 'If you have those four, you can do almost anything,' she says.
Next, knowing how to take care of our knives (to further guarantee they last a lifetime) is key. Thankfully, Garten has a recommendation for that too, and it just so happens to also enjoy a discount now.
This stainless steel knife sharpener applies a traditional 20-degree edge (or a finer 15-degree edge) for precision slicing. It's Garten-approved and currently enjoying 35 percent off – but we will need to act fast.
'We've all seen chefs take a knife to sharpen it,' Garten says in the video. 'I'm always worried I'm going to get the wrong angle, and it will ruin the knife, so I'm going to show you how to sharpen a knife,' Gaten says in the Instagram footage before demonstrating her Chef’sChoice sharpener.
She explains that the sharpener has two sides—a rough side and a fine side. We should gently place the knife through each side twice to achieve optimal sharpness. 'All I do is wash the knife to get any filaments off, and you've got perfectly sharp knives every time.'
