BY CAROLE ROSNER
If you’re a chef, caterer or restaurant owner, you’ve probably shopped at Star Restaurant Equipment & Supply Company in Van Nuys sometime in the past 50 years. Even if you’re a novice, cooking in your own kitchen, Star has every gadget, utensil, pan, pot and knife you might need, and a super knowledgeable sales staff that can answer any question.
The shelves are stocked from floor to ceiling with products for commercial and home use.Photos: Carole Rosner
There are many items here that you might not know even existed which help make food prep much easier. “We have a number of unusual gadgets including, but certainly not limited to, hand held julienne and bean slicers, a corn zipper that removes corn from the husk, avocado slicers, pineapple cutters, tomato corers, vegetable choppers and so much more,” Owner Les Birken said.
A 50 year old Van Nuys staple
“I have been a customer of Star Restaurant Supply since I started working in the industry in 1978. They have knowledgeable staff and carry equipment that is restaurant quality, which is what I look for when I add to my kitchen tools repertoire. I also recommend Star to my students who live in the San Fernando Valley because they accommodate the students and give them a professional discount,” said Chef Cecilia de Castro, owner of the Academy of Culinary Education in Woodland Hills.
Supplies can be up to 70% off.
The Birken family owns this no-frills store just north of Costco on Sepulveda Blvd. The shelves are stocked from floor to ceiling with products for commercial and home use. Compared to the high-end cookware stores in the malls, the prices are great. On my last trip to Star I found an 8” bread proofing bowl (often called a Banneton) at Star for over 20% less than the same one at a famous store at The Grove and a 10oz. porcelain soufflé dish for over 70% less!
Pizza supplies.
Satisfied customer Anida Sterman explained, “When you walk into Star you can be carried away with the wide range of things available to anyone, whether it be for a new cook, an old cook like me, or a professional. It is exciting to see what is available for the average person. It makes you want to go home and cook or bake some great thing.”
Ramekins and more.
Melinda Lee, KNX 1070 NewsRadio’s host of “Food News with Melinda Lee”, is a big fan of Star Restaurant Equipment & Supply too. “I make a pilgrimage to Star every two to three months,” she said. “They are fabulous. They carry durable and quality products that chefs know are well made. There are always new things. The staff is friendly and very accessible. As I say on the air, Star has never heard of boutique prices.”
Baking supplies.
STAR Restaurant Equipment & Supply Co., Inc. 6178 Sepulveda Boulevard Van Nuys, CA 91411-2591 (818) 782-4460 www.starkitchen.com Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm & Saturday 10am-4pm. One hour parking on street.
About Karen Young
