Dominique Ansel’s Favorite Things

“Thom Browne’s pieces are timeless and I love the clean lines, quality, and craftmanship. These running sneakers are incredibly well made with the softest smooth leather and, most importantly, are quite comfortable.”

“It’s really a Swiss army knife in terms of pastry production. I still remember, when I was still a young cook in France, I found a broken one on the street that someone had discarded. I had next to nothing at the time, let alone my own mixer. I toiled on it for days, and eventually fixed it up with some tools and got it working again. I had never owned anything so fancy in my life, and I cherished it. Nowadays, they are a staple in our kitchens, and this particular model even has an over-the-bowl light, which allows you to see your creams, doughs, and ganaches more clearly to get that perfect texture.”

“Grey Goose’s newest release beautifully infuses ripe summer berries, including strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries. It reminds me of our summer pastries, where we highlight the best of what’s in season, and has a gorgeous smooth crisp finish. The wheat used in the vodka is also grown in Picardy, which is close to where I grew up in France, so I’m particularly fond of it.”

“I’ve recently been introduced to Zebra’s line of clean personal care products, and found myself switching over to their toothpaste and deodorant. They’re made with natural ingredients, and the scents are subtle and not too overpowering.”

“Butter is one of the most important ingredients that we use every single day in our recipes. And the best butter is Isigny Ste. Mère, hailing from Normandy in France. It’s what we use in all of our croissants and viennoiserie, and makes all the difference—the most delicious rich butter flavor, the texture and creaminess from the butterfat content (which also helps the dough develop its elasticity), it all contributes to making a great croissant.”

“I’ve been wearing Herno outerwear for years, both for warm winter parka to lighter-weight jackets for the fall or spring months. They’re beautifully made and well-insulated, so they keep me plenty warm during New York winters.”

“These days whether I’m traveling for work or flying with the kids, good quality luggage is a must. Tumi luggage lasts for years, and I’m currently using this black aluminum hard-case carry-on most often. It’s sturdy and fits plenty.”

“My son and I love to go fishing together, and I’ve been showing him all about the different lures, hooks, rods, etc. It’s a special bonding time for us, and I love seeing his face light up when he gets a bite and reels it in on his own. We’ve been toting around our gear in a Yeti Gear Case, though I think he might need his own soon.”

“This Japanese toaster uses steam to perfectly toast bread with a crisp crust and a fluffy interior. The secret is a small slot at the top of the oven, where you can pour in a tiny bit of water, that then creates just the right amount of steam. It’s great for toast, but also re-heating or crisping things up, and this model has a salamander setting for broiling too.”