I would like to gift a nice cookware set to a mid 20’s professional couple. They are both into cooking, and I would like to get the a nice set that will last them, about $500 for the set. They are foodies, always trying anything off pinterest or wherever.What brand/set do you think I should get for this couple?;
I would recommend Tramontina 18/8 Stainless Steel Tri-Ply available at WalMart. It’s a knockoff of the much pricier All-Clad. It would actually cost much less than $500, leaving room to give other items if you like. I’d recommend supplementing the cookware set with a Lodge cast iron frying pan, an enamel dutch oven like Le Creuset, and a T-fal Professional Nonstick skillet. Don’t spend too much money on a nonstick pan as they never last long anyway, regardless of the price. The T-fal and Lodge cast iron are inexpensive, the Le Creuset costs $$ but sometimes you can find pieces at good prices at Marshall’s or Home Goods. Or go for the cookware set and spend the extra on a KitchenAid stand mixer.
Tramontina was recommended by Cook’s Illustrated based on their testing. Here’s another writeup on the cookware: http://www.seriouseats.com/2010/08/equipment-the-all-clad-vs-tramontina-skillet.html
Thanks, will check those out. Want to buy them a KitchenAid Mixer, but that may have to wait,. How long will that knock off brand from Wall Mart last? I guess I am wanting to know is it better for the brand name vs the less expensive.
It’s very solid stuff. Triple ply, riveted handles. I did extensive research before buying mine. I was all ready to shell out the $$ for the All-Clad, which I can definitely afford but I have Yankee frugality, too, so why pay more? My folks have All-Clad which I’ve used and I can’t tell the difference in performance or construction quality and I cook a lot, pretty much everything from scratch. I’ve found the handles more comfortable than All-Clad. And it leaves money for the KitchenAid mixer within your budget. If you choose not to go with Tramontina, the splurge on All-Clad would be my second choice recommendation. Previously, I used Calphalon before but wouldn’t recommend it as the new stuff is not as good.
I personally love the old reverware and farberware cookware sets I bought decades ago. Sadly they don’t make them the same anymore and neither H nor I can find anything we like as well. If they’re serious foodies, they may appreciate a shopping spree up to $500 on cookware and kitchen items instead. To me cookware is very personal. Some folks live nonstick–we hate it. Some like heavier stuff while others of us really dislike cast iron and other heavy stuff. I think they’d be in heaven to go on a shopping spree with you–a cookware store or online and a nice meal out to celebrate.
While All Clad is the gold standard, I have also heard very good things about the Tramontina from a cooking board I have been on for ages. I didn’t know they carry that at Walmart. I think that is a great suggestion for a young couple. You need the regular pans in order to get a fond for deglazing. But I need a small nonstick for my eggs. And I must have a couple pieces of cast iron. I’m with @doschicos
Thank you all, I will check out the Tramontina, and definitely want to get them a cast iron skillet. Thanks for the suggestions
Wow, just ordered that, less than $150…I can get the a skillet and maybe the blender too! Thanks again!
I have a lot of cookware , most of it bought by the piece. I have a combination of All-clad and Calphalon and one ( so far ) Le Creuset dutch oven
My husband used his rewards points a couple of years ago without my knowledge and bought me a set from Calphalon. It’s actually really nice ! I gave a couple of pieces to my daughter but here is the link for it and it is well under $500
I would suggest you get them something they would not get themselves. Get a La Creuset Dutch oven. The larger one is well over $300, and not something most 20 something couples will buy themselves. They will get cookware, if needed.
My kid is a huge foodie, and it’s the one item he really wants.
Also, they are guaranteed. We had a friend with an old one…like 25 years old, and something happened to it. He sent it back (I think they paid the shipping too)…and they sent him a brand spanking new one. He is a huge foodie too!
In my opinion…get a big ticket item…like the La Creuset or the Kitchen aid mixer. The couple can get pots and pans open stock too…getting one at a time…or two…when they are on sale, which does happen.
Another source for great cookware is Williams Sonoma.
I’m really curious to learn more about the Tramontina cookware as I need something for a second home. I was planning to get All Clad a piece at a time, though the Tramontina might be a much smarter alternative. I looked it up online and see there are 2 lines carried at Walmart. Doschicos, is your experience with the 18/8 set that sells for $119 or the 18/10 set that is $300? Cooks Illustrated recommended the 18/10 set in 2009 (when it was priced at $150) and when I follow the links in the Serious Eats article it refers to a 18/10 set that is no longer available. Best I can tell the biggest difference is the more expensive set has 3-py construction on the bottom and sides and the less expensive set had 3-ply on only the bottom.
Unless they really cook often, I’d be frugal on the cookware. But if they truly cook often…
Firstly, cooking sets don’t work for a lot of people. The sizes just aren’t practical, depending on what you like to cook. Therefore, you might want to buy a few pans and pots separately. Yes, it will cost more but the advantage is that you won’t have 1.5 qt sauce pans and 8’ skillets sitting in your cabinet, never to be used.
I like All-Clad. If your have a specialty shop in your town, such as Sur la Table, go visit. World Market has nice cookware, too, but pricey. Don’t forget to buy the old staple iron skillet. Versatile and indestructible.
Find out what kind of stove they have before you buy that staple cast iron anything. If they have a flat top electric, the cast iron works more than poorly…because the flat tops require flat bottom cookware.
This is another reason to steer away from stovetop cookware. My foodie son prefers gas stoves, but his first house had electric flat top. He hated it…and moved to where there was gas. BUT…my point is…any cookware I bought him for that electric stove would have needed to be usable on gas as well.
Plus real foodies have very specific preferences in terms of their cookware…they really do!
But a Le Creuset is a Le Creuset…and a Kitchenaid mixer is a kitchen aid mixer. Both very generous gifts that most foodies would love, and use forever.
Saucepans…they come and go around here!
Oops…I see the OP has already ordered the cookware from Walmart.
It wouldn’t work for a gift, but I agree with HIMom that the vintage Revereware and Farberware is really good, heavy stuff. Both are fairly easy to find at estate sales and sometimes thrift stores. I’ve been stockpiling these pans for the time when my two recent grads aren’t moving every year or so and are more settled down.
These pans have lasted 40-50 yrs and should be good for decades to come. “They don’t make 'em like they used to.”
I haven’t seen the Tramontina cookware but I do have several Tramontina nonstick skillets. One huge one and the other two mid sized. I bought them at Costco. What I love about them is that the handles are silicone sleeves that you can remove so that you can finish a dish in the oven. Most low cost cookware doesn’t have that feature.
My S and his GF recently received the set of cookware made by Costco from her Mom. They are happy with it.
We also stockpiled the Farberware we stopped using, as well as the Farberware from my mom’s place.
Neither kid had any interest in owning it…at all. So we gave it to a friend for her summer camp.
Now, my big Revereware stock pot is a whole other story. Both want it. The one I have was purchased in 1953…and they stopped making it shortly thereafter. It’s taller with a handle that folds down. It can be someone’s inheritance (see other thread).
Tramontina makes most of their pieces in the US.
The only issue with both Le Creuset and Kitchenaid mixers is picking the righy color!
@grits80 - You are correct. I meant the 18/10 not the 18/8. Sorry, I was posting when I should have been sleeping and made a mistake @5turtle5. Here’s the set I own which has pieces that cover all my needs well but they have smaller sets as well: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tramontina-12-Piece-Tri-Ply-Clad-Cookware-Set-Stainless-Steel/22984416
Sorry for posting incorrect info above! 
I like my lodge Dutch oven ( coated ceramic) so far, and at $50, ( on sale at Fred Meyer) it was a pretty good deal compared to going to Sur la Table.
My mom worked at Renaware, which made pans very similar to Revereware. I mostly use my cast iron skillets or griddles, as well as the Dutch oven for everything.
I also have a cast iron ceramic saucepan, hold the heat so nice that I don’t use the others.
This is what’s on my wish list:
http://m.surlatable.com/product/PRO-686840/Scanpan+Classic+Nonstick+Skillets
One specialty piece that I enjoyed a lot as a younger cook is an unglazed clay pot. It’s great for baking all sorts of things and available both online and at William Sonoma and other specialty stores. Makes great casseroles and stews. You soak the pot for 15-20 minutes and then bake per directions. Great on cold days! We have a large and a medium one.