New Cookware - Lagostina Collezione Pro 12 Piece Elite Series

Hindsight is 20/20 and that could not be more true when it comes to certain kitchen equipment.  Two that comes to mind is pots and pans, and knives.  Those with minimal cooking skills or those setting up a kitchen on a budget, tend to buy sets not  necessarily the best quality without realizing that in any set, there will be pieces that end up not being used.  As newlyweds, we were gifted with a set of enamel coated pots and pans in the then popular mushroom  motif.  When the enamel started chipping, we replaced that set with a non-stick set with a brown exterior which was replaced a couple of years later with the same set only a grey exterior.  Now, all three sets likely had a retail price in the range of $50.  About 10 years ago, I replaced the grey set with a Lagostina Renaissance stainless steel set (4 saucepans, 1 stockpot, plus lids).  That set still looks new even though it is used daily.

When we set up our vacation home we bought an inexpensive non-stick pot and pan set even though we knew better because we planned on renting out the house when we weren't there.  In less than 2 years spanning 4 renters (5 months total rented) that set of pots and pans is trashed!  So, I decided to buy a new set for home and take my old set down to the vacation home.  The renters are just going to have to deal with stainless steel!  My old set should be able to withstand any cooking abuse they can muster.

I kept my eyes peeled on the Canadian Tire flyers hoping for a good deal.  Finally, the mid-March flyer had a set, and I do use that term loosely in this case,  Lagostina Collezione Pro 12 Elite Series on sale 60% off (regular $999.99, sale $399.99).  We headed to Canadian Tire that day but they didn't have them in stock so we got a rain cheque.  They called last night to say our much awaited purchase had arrived.

Why Lagostina?  Lagostina was founded in Omegna, Italy in 1901.  The company represents the philosophy of Italian culture and fine cuisine producing elegant, high quality products for state of the art cooking.  The Italian made Collezione Pro 12 Elite Series is a 12-piece set but it is not a matching set, rather a innovative 12-piece multi-material cookware set.  All of the pots and pans can be used on the stovetop or in the oven for functional versatility.  This actually means I can eliminate some of my other bakeware.  It also means more one pan cooking.  Here is a video on the set for a better idea of what this cookware set actually is.  I will post a few pictures with my first impressions of using my new cookware on Friday.  I must say they are very impressive looking!

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