5 Things to Know About All Those Dutch Ovens Made by Celebrities
Ree, Rachael, Martha … you love ’em! They’ve practically taught you how to cook, and for years you’ve been keeping your family well-fed with their recipes. But does their expertise extend to cookware? Is one of their names on a Dutch oven a stamp of approval? Here’s what you need to know.
1. They don’t make the stuff themselves.
That means a Dutch oven from a star is only as good as the company that’s licensed their name. However, you may have to dig to find out who that manufacturer is. The good news: Most contract with well-established businesses. Take Rachael Ray, Ayesha Curry, and Paula Deen products — they all come from Meyer, one of the largest cookware companies in the world, which also makes the highly rated Circulon and Anolon brands.
2. They are usually involved at least a little bit.
Often the celebs weigh in on preferences for materials and colors, and may even think up a useful feature. For example, the Pioneer Woman collection looks like it belongs in her ranch kitchen. If you dream about living Ree’s life, cooking her chili recipe in her Dutch oven might give you a little taste of the Oklahoma plains. And Rachael Ray insisted that some of her Dutch ovens be oval-shaped so you can easily cook spaghetti in them.
3. Most celebs keep you in mind — and prices down.
The only celeb Dutch oven on the market that sells for more than $100 is from the Martha Stewart Collection for Macy’s. Emeril offers several options for $50.
4. It’s important not to fall for names or labels.
As much as you may love Rachael’s medium-toned Danish color scheme, it might not look all that great in your kitchen. Martha might like the heft of cast iron, but do you have the muscle power to lift it in and out of the cabinet, oven, and sink? Before you buy, think less about the cachet of the name and more about your own preferences. Of course, the same can be said about other name brands, too.
5. The cachet of the pot is only as good as the star’s.
Which brings us to this: If the celeb’s light goes out, your Dutch oven may seem tainted too (especially if it’s embossed with their signature). Let’s face it — no one wants to be cooking in a Mario Batali pot right now. And remember there was a time when the reputations of Martha Stewart and Paula Deen took a nosedive too.
What do you think? Do you have or would you buy a Dutch oven from a celebrity?