CrateChef is a bi-monthly subscription box curated by top-name chefs. They send artisan foods, recipes, and kitchen supplies in each box, typically with a cookbook or recipe cards from the featured chef so you can put your items to use!
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About CrateChef Subscription Box
The Subscription Box: CrateChef
The Cost: $45 a box (plus $6 shipping per box) or $44 a box when you choose a 3-month subscription. You may also purchase a one-time gift box for $49 a box (plus $6 shipping).
ACTIVE DEAL: Save 10% off your first order!
CODE: ADDICTION10
The Products: Artisan foods, recipes, and kitchen tools, curated by a different chef each month– usually from the Southern region of the US.
Ships to: U.S.
CrateChef October Review: Serious Eats
Each CrateChef box starts off with an introduction of the Chef curator(s). In this box, the curators are editors from Serious Eats and focus on “Holiday Essentials.” The four folks listed on the card include the managing culinary director, the culinary editor, the chief culinary consultant, and their pastry wizard. What I know for sure is that these people are better cooks than me so I’m going to use their advice!
This information is quite timely, as we host Thanksgiving at our house every year. My husband does the bird, so I’ll pass this along to him to see if he wants to give this method a try!
These are just fun little paper inserts that were included in the box.
Recipe cards are included that utilize all of the ingredients and tools included. I love that some of the specialty ingredients (like the bitters) are provided, with an idea on what to do with them.
ThermoWorks ThermoPop Kitchen Thermometer – Retail Value $34.00
I was excited to see this when I opened the box because I'm a firm believer in taking the temperature of meat (vs. the method my mother used to use of slicing it open). We have a classic thermapen that we use all of the time while we’re cooking, so this is a familiar, trusted brand in my home already. This thermometer is easy to use, seems accurate, and gives you a reading in just a few seconds.
OXO Good Grips Poultry Shears – Retail Value $24.99
Another great brand! These shears are 9.5” x 2.75” and are perfect for cutting through poultry – including the bones. They open really wide, they have serrated blades to help hold the bone in place as you cut through it, and feature stainless steel blades. I think the handles are comfortable and love that it’s spring loaded to help prevent hand strain. I also love the locking feature, these are sharp shears as you would expect, and I love that I can lock them for safe storage since I have a young child in my house.
I think it’s great that these shears come completely apart to ensure you get them nice and clean after cutting your poultry.
Bittercube Bolivar Bitters (1 oz) – Retail Value $10.00
Bittercube Blackstrap Bitters (1 oz) – Retail Value $10.00
Bolivar: Versatile and aromatic, with floral notes of chamomile and jasmine, plus cinnamon and dried fruits on the finish. Bolivar is an homage to an old recipe found in a 19th-century cocktail book. These bitters add complexity and depth to any cocktail.
Backstrap: Full-bodied and earthy, with two types of molasses, three types of cinnamon, nutmeg, sassafras and sarsaparilla aroma, and flavors. Perfect for garnish atop egg white cocktails to provide visual appeal and intense aroma.
These bitters sound really yummy and smell amazing. I’m excited to make some cocktails out of them for Thanksgiving! I don’t typically make cocktails, as I’m more of a wine drinker, so the recipes included aren’t ones that I think I’d enjoy. The recipes included (pictured above) are for a Manhattan (whiskey based) and an Old Fashioned (bourbon based) – and when I do drink liquor it’s vodka or gin.
I’m going to try to find a way to use these in a cocktail I’d more likely enjoy and I love that there are so many recipes listed on the Bittercube website. I think I’ll try the French 75 with the Bolivar Bitters and keep the Blackstrap Bitters for the next time I’m sick to make a Hot Toddy!
Fabbri Amarena Cherries in Syrup (4.2 oz) – Estimated Value $4.34 (Buy 16.2 oz for $16.74)
The box included these cherries for their recommended cocktail, but I think they'd be fantastic as a topping to vanilla ice cream. They're sweet, very rich, and could serve a variety of purposes – in oatmeal, baking, pudding, yogurt or of course at your bar.
Red Boat Fish Sauce (3.38 oz) – Estimated Value $3.40 (Buy 16.9 oz for $16.98)
This chefs grade, Vietnamese fish sauce is extra virgin and perfect to add to your favorite stir-fry recipe. It’s salty and delicious – I just try to NOT think about what it’s made from (only 2 ingredients – black anchovy and sea salt). I also really like using this when making homemade Caesar dressing!
Pecan Shop Pecans (Native Halves) (4 oz) – Retail Value $8.00
These pecans looked perfect and would be beautiful in any of your holiday baking, especially as a topping! They are small, uniform, sustainable wild-harvested and certified pesticide free. These are raw, and I found myself unable to use them for baking because I kept snacking on them while I was writing this review and inevitably, the bag disappeared!
Verdict: This is my first CrateChef box and I was really pleased with the curation, theme, inclusion of tools, new recipes, and few specialty ingredients. At $51 for this box ($45 + $6 US shipping), I calculated an estimated $94.73 in products, almost double the cost of the box. I think this is great for a cooking box!
To Wrap Up:
If I sign up today, will I get this box? Yes, if you choose! When you join CrateChef, you can select which box you receive first. This box is currently available.
COUPON– Use code ADDICTION10 to save 10% off your first box!
Value Breakdown: At $51 for this box ($45 + $6 US shipping), here’s what you are paying approximately per item:
- ThermoPop: $18.30
- Poultry Shears: $13.45
- Bitters: $10.77 (or ~$5.38 each)
- Cherries: $2.34
- Fish Sauce: $1.83
- Pecans: $4.31
Check out all of our CrateChef reviews lots of food-related boxes in the Food Subscription Box Directory!
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