27 Comments
User's avatar
Sally Burke's avatar

Pretty much most of those items listed are in my kitchen or pantry, and like you I always go prepared when we travel, particularly with a sharp knife and a cutting board.

Expand full comment
Jenn Davis - My French Table's avatar

I love that you take a cutting board! On a mountain cabin stay, I once took cookie sheets and a hand mixer.

Expand full comment
Shelby Elsbree's avatar

Love this.. it's the little things that make all the difference! My mom and I always bring a small candle & matches because... ambience :)

Expand full comment
Gwyn's avatar

Don't forget Piment D'Espelette AOC - dried, powdered, faintly smoky, sweet red, mild, chilli peppers from the small town of Espelette in the French Basque region. Delicious heated slowly to an infusion of olive oil, fresh garlic, chopped rosemary or fresh parsley, sea salt and black pepper. Can be used as a base for beans, pasta, risotto or tomato based sauce.

Expand full comment
Jenn Davis - My French Table's avatar

That sounds amazing, I will need to grab some! Thanks for sharing.

Expand full comment
Shelby Elsbree's avatar

Ooooo thank you for this direction! I was gifted a jar and have yet to bring dishes to life with it. Just the nudge I needed, I can smell this :)

Expand full comment
Terri S's avatar

Ooooo, I have a sexy kitchen and never even knew it. 😊 I consider my tiny kitchen and my cookware workhorses. Everything gets used a lot and with great appreciation for quality and function. It makes me feel accomplished just to look at a dwindling jar of anchovies. 😂

Expand full comment
Jenn Davis - My French Table's avatar

Love it! Sounds like a fabulous kitchen! Anchovies are a pantry must, I rarely start a pasta without them.

Expand full comment
le Bulletin 🇫🇷by Judy MacMahon's avatar

bonjour Jenn

Love this article, thank you!

I'd love to chat, I've left you a private message

Warm regards

Judy

Expand full comment
Lolly Martyn's avatar

I absolutely love this and agree about what makes a sexy kitchen. Merci for introducing me to the concept! I'm pulling together my Italian pantry essentials for my latest pasta series, so it's extra fun to see what's in the cupboards in France. x

Expand full comment
Jenn Davis - My French Table's avatar

So glad you do! I love the concept of making my kitchen sexy for making delicious food. Would love to know some of you Italian cupboard must haves!

Expand full comment
Lolly Martyn's avatar

A lot of similar items like anchovies and evoo but then of course puréed tomatoes 🍅!

Expand full comment
Jenn Davis - My French Table's avatar

oh yes, tomatoes for Italian dishes are a must!

Expand full comment
Karen Nutting's avatar

I love my mandoline(vegetable slicer with three interchangeable blades). It's great for getting evenly thick slices of potatoes and for cucumbers. I also think it's sexy to have a beautiful handmade pottery pitcher both for decoration and for fresh flowers to beautify the counters.

Expand full comment
Jenn Davis - My French Table's avatar

I need to work on my relationship with my mandoline, ha! Completely agree on pottery for multiple uses. I love handmade local pieces that tell me a story of the potter and city.

Expand full comment
Sacha Cohen's avatar

Fabulous list! I’ll be making your vinaigrette this week.

Expand full comment
Jenn Davis - My French Table's avatar

Thank you, I find it hard sometimes to narrow down. Hope you enjoy!

Expand full comment
Daniel Incandela's avatar

Love the term and concept of Sexy Kitchen.

Expand full comment
Jenn Davis - My French Table's avatar

Yes, anyone can have a sexy kitchen!

Expand full comment
Shelby Elsbree's avatar

I just absolutely smiled my whole way through this... now je m'excuse whilst I procure the must-have's of a sexy kitchen :)

Expand full comment
Jenn Davis - My French Table's avatar

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

Expand full comment
Lisa McLean's avatar

That’s a pretty good setup, I curious about your utensils in your luggage. I often carry a coffee maker, but leave the utensils at home. But I also front a kitchen gift for myself when I travel. Spoons, antique kitchen pieces. I’ve got small wooden boards from different places, bowls, pottery. So I can say I have a very sexy kitchen.

Expand full comment
Cassandra Tresl's avatar

I’m pleasantly surprised to see mascarpone on the list! What other cheeses does a sexy kitchen in France typically keep in stock?

Expand full comment
Majed Ali's avatar

Always encourage investing in high-quality kitchen appliances and equipment, especially if you are cooking every day.

Expand full comment
Mira Dessy's avatar

Great post, what a fun concept to think of a sexy kitchen. Kudos to you for traveling with supplies. I have sometimes been sorely disappointed upon arrival at an Airbnb to find a substandard kitchen. I may have to take a page out of your book and figure out what the absolute essentials are that I need to travel with.

Expand full comment
Lucy Hearne Keane's avatar

I am delighted to report that I have the bulk of the ingredients you have listed in my Sexy Irish kitchen. Not the case for the utensils you recommend though. Cast iron is expensive in Ireland.

Expand full comment
Lisa Lyons's avatar

I absolutely adore and can relate to a “sexy kitchen!”

Expand full comment