Munchies Magazine
KZ

Kurt Zimmerman

Senior Editor, Kitchen & Gear

With over 20 years of experience in professional kitchens, from Michelin-starred restaurants to leading a major publication's test kitchen, Kurt Zimmerman has seen it all. His philosophy is simple: technique and tools are the bedrock of good cooking. He is obsessed with finding the best-performing, best-value kitchen gear, and his rigorous, unbiased reviews have become a trusted resource for home cooks everywhere. Kurt is the creator of the popular 'Kitchen Commander' video series, where he demystifies everything from knife sharpening to sous vide. He's passionate about empowering people to cook with more confidence and less frustration.

Expertise

Culinary EquipmentCooking ScienceRecipe DevelopmentButchery and Meat ScienceClassic Culinary Techniques

Coverage Areas

Kitchen & Gear
How-To
Product Reviews
Technique Guides

Latest Articles

A perfectly baked galette with a golden-brown, crisp crust, showcasing expert baking techniques that prevent a soggy bottom.
Recipes

Mastering Galette Crusts: Avoid Soggy Bottoms with These Techniques

Even a galette with a soggy bottom can be salvaged with a scoop of ice cream or fresh herbs, according to Bon Appétit.

Jun 15, 2026 · 2 min read

A diverse family happily eating a healthy, grilled dinner on their patio during a beautiful weeknight, with the grill in the background.
Recipes

Discover easy weeknight grilling recipes for faster, healthier meals

Sixty-five percent of American households now grill at least three times a week, a 40% jump from last year, according to the National Grilling Association.

Jun 11, 2026 · 3 min read

Two contrasting scoops of coffee ice cream: one dark and espresso-rich, the other light and creamy, presented in a visually appealing food photography style.
How-To

Taste Test Reveals Top Picks in Coffee Ice Cream

Bon Appétit's taste test of 10 popular supermarket coffee ice cream brands revealed no single champion, but instead two distinct winners catering to opposite ends of the coffee flavor spectrum.

Jun 10, 2026 · 2 min read

The Weber Searwood 600 pellet smoker in a backyard, showcasing its versatility for wood-fired cooking with smoke and glowing embers.
Recipes

Discover the best pellet smokers for wood-fired cooking

The Weber Searwood 600, lauded as the best overall pellet smoker, transitions effortlessly from low-and-slow smoking to intense searing at 600ºF, showcasing a new era of versatile wood-fired cooking,

Jun 9, 2026 · 3 min read

A collection of colorful and practical budget kitchen gadgets neatly arranged on a clean kitchen counter, showcasing affordability and functionality.
Kitchen & Gear

Best Budget Kitchen Gadgets on Amazon

Some of the best kitchen tools we tested, costing just a few dollars, outperformed gadgets priced four or five times higher.

Jun 8, 2026 · 4 min read

A blender filled with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers, ready to be blended into a smooth, refreshing gazpacho soup.
Kitchen & Gear

Simple Gazpacho Recipe: Blend Fresh Vegetables

Despite the allure of instant meals, a truly smooth gazpacho demands at least two minutes of high-speed blending and a minimum of six hours of chilling, a testament to culinary patience.

Jun 7, 2026 · 2 min read

Close-up of glistening macerated strawberries in a glass bowl, showing their syrupy texture and vibrant red color, ready to be used in desserts.
How-To

Macerate Strawberries with Sugar for Sweet, Flavorful Results

In just five minutes of active preparation, you can transform ordinary strawberries into a glossy, syrupy delight perfect for any dessert.

Jun 6, 2026 · 2 min read

A young person in a new, small apartment kitchen looks at a few basic cooking items, feeling the financial pressure of high rent.
How-To

First Apartment Kitchen: Why a 10-Inch Skillet Isn't Essential

In Boston, a first-time renter might pay over $3,193 a month for a one-bedroom apartment, according to Apartmentlist .

Jun 5, 2026 · 2 min read

A high-quality wooden cutting board with a chef's knife, representing a durable and plastic-free kitchen essential.
Kitchen & Gear

Top 6 Wood Cutting Boards for a Plastic-Free Kitchen in 2026

While a premium maple chopping block can cost upwards of $450, it's an investment designed for decades of use, outperforming cheaper alternatives in both performance and longevity.

Jun 4, 2026 · 4 min read

Chefs working in a massive, high-tech kitchen at Hard Rock Stadium, preparing food for thousands of fans during a large event.
How-To

Hard Rock Stadium chefs feed thousands daily

At Hard Rock Stadium, a single vendor prepares to churn out up to 7,000 pizza slices daily, alongside recreated iconic Cuban restaurants.

Jun 4, 2026 · 2 min read

A selection of beautiful, non-toxic cookware including cast iron, stainless steel, and ceramic pots and pans on a kitchen counter.
Kitchen & Gear

What are the best non-toxic cookware options to reduce microplastic exposure?

Despite claiming to be PFOA-free, one Swiss Diamond pan tested by Consumer Reports contained an average of 4 parts per billion of the chemical in its coating, alongside hundreds of parts per billion o

Jun 3, 2026 · 4 min read

A closed, ornate golden gate with a sign indicating the Bon Appétit 2026 Pantry Awards submissions are closed, symbolizing a missed opportunity for brands.
How-To

Bon Appétit 2026 Pantry Awards Submissions Closed

Despite a flurry of information about 2026 'Pantry Awards' deadlines, the submission window for the Bon Appétit Pantry Awards 2026 is already closed, according to Bonappetit .

Jun 2, 2026 · 2 min read

A close-up of the BA Bake Club's 'cutest pastry' recipe for 2026, featuring delicate decorations and a charming design, set against a soft, inviting background.
How-To

BA Bake Club unveils its 'cutest pastry' recipe for 2026

A single Instagram post of the BA Bake Club's June 'cutest pastry' recipe garnered over 50,000 likes in under an hour, far surpassing engagement for Michelin-starred dessert tutorials.

Jun 1, 2026 · 3 min read

Futuristic coffee brewing station in a modern kitchen with a new gadget grinding beans for perfect home-brewed coffee.
Kitchen & Gear

New coffee gadgets released in 2026 simplify home brewing

A quick spritz of water on whole beans can reduce static cling in plastic coffee grinders, ensuring more grounds end up in the dose.

May 31, 2026 · 3 min read

A collection of off-white, vintage-inspired kitchen appliances including a toaster, kettle, and stand mixer, arranged stylishly on a countertop.
Kitchen & Gear

Best Vintage-Inspired Kitchen Appliances for Home Cooking

Off-white appliances, once a neutral backdrop, now lead kitchen trends by allowing vibrant colors and intricate details to shine.

May 30, 2026 · 4 min read

A beautifully prepared kitchen scene with fresh ingredients, symbolizing the debunking of cooking myths and the ease of healthy home cooking.
How-To

Unpacking Kitchen Dilemmas: Debunking Cooking Myths

By 2050, more than 150 million Americans — close to half the nation's population — are projected to have a poor diet, a consequence often rooted in daily kitchen dilemmas.

May 29, 2026 · 7 min read

The exterior of the historic Billy Goat Tavern in Chicago, with its iconic sign, bathed in a soft, evocative light.
Recipes

Sam Sianis, beloved Billy Goat Tavern owner, passes away

On May 15, 2026, Sam Sianis, the 91-year-old owner of Chicago's legendary Billy Goat Tavern, passed away, having outlived the infamous 'Cubs Curse' his family's establishment helped create.

May 23, 2026 · 2 min read

A stressed person struggling with an AI meal planner interface on a laptop, surrounded by cooking ingredients, highlighting the unexpected stress of AI-assisted meal preparation.
Recipes

AI meal planners add stress to Sunday dinner prep

A recent Home Cook Trends 2024 Survey reveals a surprising truth: 60% of users felt more stressed about Sunday dinner prep after trying a new AI meal planner.

May 18, 2026 · 3 min read

A close-up shot of a hearty bowl of authentic Chicken Paprikash with traditional Hungarian egg noodles, showcasing its rich, velvety sauce and tender chicken.
Recipes

Make Authentic Chicken Paprikash with Traditional Noodles

The secret to a truly velvety Chicken Paprikash sauce isn't just any sour cream.

May 18, 2026 · 2 min read

French judges reacting with shock and surprise during the 1976 Paris blind wine tasting as American wines are revealed as winners.
How-To

American Wines' Historic Triumph Gains Global Recognition

On May 24th, 1976, at a blind tasting in Paris, Californian wines shocked the world.

May 18, 2026 · 2 min read