Chefs Say These 6 Deals Are Must-Buys During Memorial Day Sales

Memorial Day always seems to come out of nowhere, and the sales tend to drop just as quick. For most of us, sales are great opportunities to finally grab the items we’ve been eyeing for months. But what happens when you look at your computer screen and are faced with a veritable ocean of deals, but can’t quite remember that thing you wanted six weeks ago? We totally get it – it’s kind of like when someone asks you what albums you’ve been into, and you can’t remember ever having heard music before. Anyway, from a 33%-off Le Creuset Dutch oven and a beloved cast iron griddle to an essential cleaning tool that costs less than your favorite breakfast sandwich, here are some things that real chefs would buy on sale right now, just in case you needed some inspiration.

Chef-Recommended Products on Sale for Memorial Day

• Lodge Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle, $35 (originally $60) at amazon.com
• KitchenAid All-Purpose Kitchen Shears, $8 (originally $12) at amazon.com
• Le Creuset 5.5-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven, $280 (originally $420) at amazon.com
• Hestan 8.5-Inch Nonstick Skillet, $120 (originally $170) at hestanculinary.com
• JBL Charge 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker, $140 (originally $180) at amazon.com
• Matscover Pan Scraper 5-Piece Set, $6 (originally $8) at amazon.com

Lodge Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle

“The Lodge cast iron griddle excels in heat retention and distribution, ensuring consistent cooking results…. imparting that crust-like texture and rich flavor that’s synonymous with a restaurant-quality steak. The naturally nonstick surface makes it easy to cook and flip meat without sticking, ensuring a nearly foolproof method for preparing steak at home.” – Michael Mina, James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur

KitchenAid All-Purpose Kitchen Shears

“One of the most versatile tools in the kitchen has to be these shears. I use them for everything from snipping fresh garden herbs for dinner (guests love this touch) to butchering whole birds (without butchering them). They’re great for precision cutting in those in-between joints and sinewy connectors.” – Daniel Parker, chef and co-owner of Txa Txa Club in Chicago

Le Creuset 5.5-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven

“I use a Le Creuset Dutch oven pretty much every time I cook at home. I’ve had one of mine for over 20 years, and it still works perfectly. [I use mine for] making sauces, roasting bones to make meat juice, and creating rich, flavorful soups. It practically stirs itself.” – Michael Cimarusti, chef-owner of Providence in Los Angeles

Hestan 8.5-Inch  Nonstick Skillet

“It’s the Cadillac of pans. You need a pan that heats up quickly and gives you even heat across a surface, and Hestan has nailed this. Not only does this pan heat up quickly, but it maintains heat, and disperses it evenly.” – Michael Cimarusti

JBL Charge 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

“Cooking and entertaining are all about vibe. This lightweight, portable speaker produces incredible sound, delivering just the right energy no matter the occasion.” – Daniel Parker

Matscover Pan Scraper 5-Piece Set

“Total no brainer. My mother worked for Pampered Chef when I was a kid, and these scrapers ended up in every kitchen drawer in the house. I keep two in the drawer to this day, having used it for everything from college dorm cooking (cleaning my roommate's grease-turned-igneous-rock-laden George Foreman grill) to professional catering. It's perfect for those difficult cake pan corners and eliminating crusty shards in cast iron skillets.” – Daniel Parker