MEET HEXCLAD’S CULINARY COUNCIL

Who Are They?

Our Culinary Council features crown jewels of the culinary world – visionaries who work alongside us to test products, develop recipes and strengthen our commitment to the culinary arts. Showcasing Michelin-starred chefs who are innovators in their field and lauded for their ceaseless creativity, this is a council with whom we are honoured to share a table.

Choose your chef

Meet Massimo Bottura

A restaurateur and entrepreneur for nearly 40 years, Massimo Bottura is one of the most innovative and influential figures in the global gastronomic scene. In 1995, he opened Osteria Francescana in his hometown of Modena. The restaurant has received numerous accolades, including three Michelin stars and two first-place rankings on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Over the years, Bottura’s Francescana Family has opened award-winning properties in Italy (Franceschetta58, Cavallino, Gucci Osteria, Al Gatto Verde and the guesthouse Casa Maria Luigia, also home to Acetaia Maria Luigia) and internationally (Torno Subito in Singapore and Miami, as well as Gucci Osteria in Tokyo and Seoul).

In 2015, alongside his wife Lara Gilmore, Bottura founded Food for Soul, a nonprofit association and cultural initiative aimed at combating food waste and social isolation. In recognition of his humanitarian and environmental efforts, Bottura was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme in 2020 and most recently as SDG Advocate.

“My life has always been about one thing: taking care of people through food. Whether I’m at home, in a Refettorio or in a three-Michelin-starred restaurant, quality is how I show respect. HexClad feels like a natural partner because it brings precision, performance and beauty to the table. And when the tools are right, even the simplest meal can become an act of love.”

Massimo's Must-Haves

1 Litre Hybrid Pot with Lid

$189

3 Litre Hybrid Deep Sauté Pan with Lid

$259

Meet Clare Smyth, MBE

A regular on “MasterChef” and “Top Chef” in the US, Clare Smyth is the first female chef in the UK to win three Michelin stars. Her acclaimed London restaurant, Core by Clare Smyth, showcases her precision and delight in British ingredients. Clare’s Sydney restaurant, Oncore by Clare Smyth, earned the maximum Australian accolade of “three hats,” and she has won “Chef of the Year” (Good Food Guide) and “Best Female Chef in the World” (World’s 50 Best Restaurants). President of the UK team for Bocuse D’Or and an MBE, she also catered the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018.

“My passion for sourcing quality doesn't just stop at produce: it extends into everything I do, including what cookware I use. Being able to officially champion HexClad and their incredible products is a natural step for me, and I’m excited and proud to be associated with the brand. Their pans elevate the cooking experience for the professional and home cook alike, and I can't wait to see what's next.”

Clare's Must-Haves

6.6 Litre Hybrid Deep Sauté Pan/Chicken Fryer with Lid

$339

HexMill Salt and Pepper Grinder Set

$458

25 cm HexClad Hybrid Pan with Lid

$224

HexClad Silicone Trivet Set

$49

Meet Gordon Ramsay

When global icon and Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay joined HexClad as a brand partner in 2021, he became the leading member of our Culinary Council. Ramsay, the star of “Hell's Kitchen,” “Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted” and “MasterChef Junior,” has 43 restaurants worldwide and serves as our lead ambassador, co-creating products, content and branding. For a chef who pursues excellence nonstop – he has been awarded a slew of Michelin stars over the course of his career – only best-in-class cookware will do. Ramsay’s kitchens in his 43 restaurants worldwide use HexClad products for signature dishes, such as his stunning beef Wellington. Watch an episode of “Hell’s Kitchen,” “Next Level Chef” or “Idiot Sandwich” to inspire your dinner menu.

“The sear I can get with these pans is incredible, with absolutely no stick. The temperature control is utter perfection, and the clean-up is effortless. I love using HexClad at home."

Gordon's Must-Haves

4 pc Japanese Damascus Steel Steak Knife Set

$304

30 cm HexClad Hybrid Pan

$249

HexMill Pepper Grinder

$229

Meet Paul Ainsworth

Paul Ainsworth is chef-restaurateur at his eponymous Michelin-starred restaurant Paul Ainsworth at No6 in North Cornwall, England. He and his wife, Emma, own five hospitality businesses, including his flagship restaurant, Ci Ci’s Bar, Caffè Rojano, The Mariners public house and a luxury hotel, the Padstow Townhouse.

Known for highlighting seasonal ingredients from Cornwall’s land and sea – such as local oysters, pasture-fed beef, and sustainable seafood – on his menus, Paul is a regular guest on TV cooking shows such as “Next Level Chef,” “MasterChef” and “Great British Menu.” In 2011, his dessert titled “A Taste of the Fairground,” a whimsical tribute to nostalgic childhood fairground favourites, earned him a place at the “Great British Menu” winner’s banquet.

“HexClad helps me get great results with every dish. These hybrid pans distribute heat evenly, so even the most delicate ingredients cook perfectly. Whether creating crisp skin on fish, caramelising a stunning steak, or creating superb sauces, beautiful stews, braises or confits – these HexClad pans can do it all.”

Paul's Must-Haves

13 pc HexClad Hybrid Cookware Set w/ Lids

$1,189 ($1,783 value)

20 cm HexClad Hybrid Pan

$159

6.6 Litre Hybrid Deep Sauté Pan/Chicken Fryer with Lid

$339

HexMill Salt and Pepper Grinder Set

$458

Meet Dominique Crenn

Dominique Crenn, originally from France, is the only female chef in the United States to garner three Michelin stars at her namesake San Francisco restaurant, Atelier Crenn. Crenn’s nearby farm in Sonoma connects her with her childhood on her family farm, which is where she gleans much of her inspiration. Crenn is a trailblazer in every sense of the word, from her multiple advanced degrees to her elevated viewpoints on new gastronomic techniques and classic French ingredients. She has won the James Beard Award for Best Chef of the West, her restaurant won the “World’s 50 Best Restaurants Icon” award, and she has starred on television shows including “Next Iron Chef.”

“HexClad pans are a revelation in my kitchen. Their innovative design and hybrid technology ensure not only precise cooking but also inspire artistry in every dish. From delicate sauces to perfectly seared proteins, HexClad pans elevate my culinary creations with unparalleled performance.”

Dominique's Must-Haves

30 cm HexClad Hybrid Pan

$249

13 pc HexClad Hybrid Cookware Set w/ Lids

$1,189 ($1,783 value)

Meet Nancy Silverton

Nancy Silverton – American chef, baker and cookbook author – is the winner of numerous awards and accolades. Those include the James Beard Foundation's Outstanding Chef Award in 2014 – 24 years after she won the prestigious organization’s pastry chef award in 1990. Silverton founded La Brea Bakery and co-founded Los Angeles restaurant Campanile, which closed after a 23-year run. She is currently the co-owner of Mozza group, which includes Michelin-starred Osteria Mozza, Pizzeria Mozza and chi SPACCA in Los Angeles. She is credited with popularising sourdough and other artisan breads in the United States.

“What's great about HexClad is that even though it's non-stick, it's stainless steel-based, which makes a huge difference for conducting heat. I think that they are really terrific, well-made and have a lifetime guarantee, and that's a huge asset when it comes to pans.”