As a trained cook, I’m always drawn to the little rituals that make cooking more joyful. And while I was watching our exclusive How I Host with Clodagh McKenna video my eagle eye was drawn to her wonderful array of cookware and tools. While she was whipping up some delicious fall recipes from her new book, I spotted a Microplane Master Series Wood Handle Grater and it reminded me how a beautifully-made tool can transform not just how your food tastes, but also blend with your kitchen aesthetic.
The Microplane made quick work of grating garlic for Clodagh's roasted cauliflower soup and brought a wonderful freshness with orange zest to finish off her parsnip cake. With this small, yet mighty tool, each layer of flavor feels effortless yet intentional.
A Red Dot Design Award winner, this zester uses ultra-sharp stainless steel blades to grate and shave everything from garlic to chocolate with ease. Home cooks say that the walnut handle, sourced from Kentucky, not only looks gorgeous but feels comfortable in the hand.
When I was at cookery school in London, I learned that it's the little things you do after cooking – a quick grating of citrus zest or a generous glug of extra virgin olive oil – that can transform a dish to extaordinary levels. It’s amazing how such small touches lift flavor, aroma, and even the way it looks on the plate. That's exactly why I love a Microplane grater.
In my kitchen, a steel Microplane hangs above the stove, ready for zesting lemon over my favorite fennel broth, finishing a creamy pasta with Parmesan, or adding a final dusting of dark chocolate to a tiramisu.
Clodagh's Microplane Master Series Wood Handle Grater, next to her Parsnip cake with maple frosting and nutty topping
The Microplane Master Series Wood Handle Grater taps into one of this year's biggest kitchen appliance trends. From KitchenAid’s walnut wood mixer to BoardSmith’s end-grain cutting boards, soft walnut and natural details are bringing a tactile, grounding antidote to soulless modern tech. But, the walnut wood handle on Clodagh's favorite grater is more than decorative – it actually brings a comfortable grip for extra precision.
Although I'm very attached to my trusty Microplane grater, I'm now tempted to upgrade to this version, and buy a few more as Christmas presents for my foodie friends, too.
Elegant kitchen tools that instantly elevate my recipes
I may talk a lot about the best non-toxic cookware or the most powerful air fryers, but these unsung heroes do a lot of the heavy lifting in my kitchen.
My supper club friends are obsessed with these shears – they’re the talk of our WhatsApp group. Sharp stainless steel blades make snipping herbs effortless, and with dishwasher-safe, soft-grip handles in chic colors, they’re stylish and practical.
If you’ve ever watched a chef like Clodagh cook, you’ll notice how often they taste their food. A walnut wood tasting spoon like this turns that simple act into a ritual.
Like Clodagh, I’m addicted to drizzling EVOO over my dishes, and the Le Creuset Olive Oil Cruet makes it effortless. The precise spout gives you control, while the sturdy stoneware looks beautiful on the countertop.
Clodagh’s fall table decor ideas feel instantly inviting. I love how she combines deep, earthy woods and honey tones with soft, creamy linens and ceramics.
Even her kitchen tools, like the Microplane Master Series Wood Handle Zester, become part of the story, making her kitchen, dining space, and each recipe she prepares feel homely and lovingly crafted.
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