While it has been possible to buy a small selection of cookware from Australian supermarkets for some time, this has generally been limited to a few simple utensils.
But now Australian supermarket chain Coles has just revealed its new collection of Cook and Dine cookware which features 200 updated or new products.
In a bid to capture the imagination of the home cook, Coles’ new range includes items such as heavy gauge carbon steel bakeware and induction frying pans, stainless steel knives and high-quality food storage containers.
Supermarket chain Coles (pictured) has just revealed its new selection of Cook and Dine cookware which features 200 updated or new products
And the cheapest of these, a paring knife, is priced at a mere $4.
The range’s focus on quality comes at great value to customers, with 65 per cent of the range priced $5 and under and 91 per cent of the range priced $10 and under.
According to Coles general manager of non-food, Charlotte Rhodes, the new collection aims to give the home cook everything they need to make a delicious meal.
‘We know that our customers are more adventurous than ever in the kitchen and we wanted to be able to support that with high-quality utensils,’ she said.
‘We’ve worked tirelessly to create a range anyone would be proud to have in his or her kitchen.’
Leading chefs across the country have praised the affordable range, including Michael Weldon, who was the runner-up of MasterChef 2011.
Food writer, Tristan Lutze, recently put part of the range to the test, creating a chicken stir-fry using Coles small knives, chopping board, saucepan and wok.
Leading chefs across the country have praised the affordable range, including Michael Weldon (left), who was the runner-up of MasterChef 2011 (pictured with Coles General Manager of Non Food, Charlotte Rhodes)
Coles’chef’s knife (pictured) retails for a mere $4
His first task was to cook some rice for which he used the 20-centimetre induction base saucepan, priced at $18.
‘The pan was sturdy, with a thin but solid base and comfortable handle. It brought water to a simmer quickly on our induction stovetop and cooked the rice evenly and without sticking,’ he wrote for news.com.au.
He also used a range of knives to cut vegetables including onion and red peppers and said that his favourite was a smaller utility knife, one priced at $4 that sliced through food ‘like butter’.
A garlic press, which retails for $6 was also used. This, however, didn’t rate as highly and he didn’t consider it value for money.
Pictured is the Acacia chopping board, priced at $20, and the non-stick wok, priced at $14
Of the wok, he said: ‘It sat neatly on the stove and heated quickly; its handle sturdy enough to maintain control yet light enough to make the wok easy to lift.’
However, he did comment that after it was washed, it showed signs of failing in spots, leading him to question the product’s longevity.
‘Broadly, the stir-fry was a success, with the small knives, chopping board, saucepan and wok performing exceptionally,’ he said.