Celebrity Cookware You Can Eat Off Of

NONSTICK MARCUS

We're usually dubious whenever we see a celebrity's name attached to cookware. After all, it's not like they're in the manufacturing plant pressing out a load of sauce pans. With that attitude we tried a Marcus Cookware 10-inch, nonstick fry pan endorsed by Marcus Samuelsson, chef and co-owner of Aquavit in New York City, Stockholm and Tokyo. We put the pan through an extra-gooey grilled cheese test and found that it not only resisted the sandwich's goo factor, it also cooked evenly and had a handle that was easy to grip. Cost: $49 at Amazon.com. (Eight and 10-piece sets also are available, including open stock.) Info: www.marcuscookware.com.

VINE ON A DIME

Woe to the oenephiles who need to trim their wine-buying budgets in these trying economic times without lowering the standard for what goes in their glass. One way around those tighter purse strings is discount wine buying. Bin Ends Wine offers new markdowns online weekly. If you're looking for gifts, hand-selected six-bottle themed samplers (by region, season, etc) may be the budget way to go, with prices starting at $58. For more info or to buy: www.binendswine.com.

HOLIDAY PEAR TREATS

OK, if you're not into wine but want to send a food gift, a surefire pleaser would be a box of Harry & David Royal Riviera Pears. Juicy with a creamy texture, the Oregon-grown pears are the best pears we've ever eaten. Not that we go around ranking such things. That would just be silly. ($29.95) Available at their stores at International Mall or Prime Outlets - Ellenton or www.harryanddavid.com.

FRESH FROM THE CAN

We were desperate. In the middle of making tomato sauce for a batch of angel hair the other night, we realized there was a deficit of actual tomatoes. Instead, we tried a can of Dei Fratelli diced tomatoes from the pantry. Darn if it didn't add a bit of fresh flavor to the gravy. Great to have in a pinch. Cost: $1.55. Available at Wal-Mart and Publix.

TAKE A LOAD OFF

The cooking is done and you, sir, are ready to sit a spell. But where? A man can only haul along so many folding chairs. Why not turn your pickup's tailgate into a comfy two-seat bench with the TaleGator? With contoured seats and beverage and food compartments, it works for tailgating, camping or any outdoor activity. The TaleGator is designed to fit in the back of mid- to full-size pickup trucks. (A smaller version will be out next year.) It comes in gator-embossed black, camouflage and some college logos, including the University of Florida. Prices range from $79 to $107. Available at www.thetalegator.com or call (866) 67-GATOR.