Name: Diane Beauregard
Occupation: Owner of Things are Cooking
What are some of the most common items that start flying off the shelves during Thanksgiving and the holidays?
I would say roasting pans for your turkeys or different roasts and meats. Pie plates. We sell a lot of thermometers and we sell a lot of turkey basters . . . Platters and that sort of thing. Brining bags and a lot of bake wear, baking sheets, cookie sheets. Those are pretty popular this time of year.
Can you name a few under-the-radar items that most people maybe wouldn’t think about that make holiday food preparation much easier?
Wonder Cups are great for dry and liquids. You put it in there and just push out what you need. Anything from shortening to peanut butter . . . (silicone lids) have been really, really popular. Those just fly out of here. They’re probably our No. 1 seller right now.
We see you sell and sharpen knives, so let’s talk turkey carving: what’s the best strategy for a perfectly carved bird?
First of all, you take your turkey out of the oven and let it rest for like 15 to 20 minutes, so the juices don’t all come out. It keeps the bird a lot juicier. Typically you’d cut into the center of the breast, cutting down, and then slice into it, is the general method.
What kind of pressure is on you to provide all the latest gadgets at your own family Thanksgiving dinner?
I do have a family of five and four grandkids, so I will be cooking for all of them and their spouses. So because I do have all of this, they do expect all the latest and greatest.
Any chance you have a microwave large enough to cook a turkey in? We’re looking to sleep in on Thanksgiving day but still want to be able to serve something.
I’d say no, but you could do a toaster oven. We have some really nice Breville ones that can cook a small turkey. But no microwaves.
If you could invent one piece of kitchen technology, what would it be?
I think if you had a touchscreen in your work station that could help you with roasting times, sizes, baking times that sort of thing. As well as just bringing up your recipes all right there. Not having to grab an iPad or something. Just have a touch screen that’s built in would be an ideal item I think.
Name five items in your kitchen at home you couldn’t live without.
My coffee maker No. 1. That’s key. A Vitamix. My gas cook top, which I love. I would say my wooden utensils or silicone spoons, those are really nice for cooking. And my Kitchen Aid.
What’s the most unique item you sell/have sold here at the store? Most unique customer request you can remember?
The Spirelli. They are great for just putting vegetables in and getting long strands. They are pretty unique. I just had a gentleman come in from a big box store and they said to come over here because we have different items than they do. More unique items I would say.
If you weren’t a kitchen guru, what would you be doing?
A chef. I mean a full-fledged chef. I have a deli across the street. I looked into culinary school back years ago and it just didn’t work out, so then I bought the deli. It would just be fun to know all the ins and outs of a kitchen.
Hidden talent?
That’s a good one. I’m pretty much a kitchen/foody kind of person. I don’t play any instruments or anything.
Guilty pleasure?
I’d say chocolate. I love chocolate. And popcorn.
