CrateChef Subscription Box Review + Coupon – July 2016

CrateChef is a bi-monthly subscription box curated by top-name chefs and sends artisan foods, recipes and kitchen supplies.

This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

The Subscription Box: CrateChef

The Cost: $45 a box (plus $6 shipping per box) or you may a purchase a one-time gift box for $49 a box (plus $6 shipping)

COUPON: Use code ADDICTION to save 10% off your first box!

The Products:  food products and cooking items from a top-name chef (a different chef curates each box)

Ships to: US

Check out all of our CrateChef reviews lots of food-related boxes in the Food Subscription Box Directory!

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Each box comes with a letter from the chosen chef. This box was put together by Chef Kent Rathbun! Chef Rathbun is an Iron Chef America champion beating Chef Bobby Flay and he’s also a multiple James Beard Best Chef in American nominee. Chef’s letter explained the reasoning behind his box choices and also listed their retail values.

Chef Rathbun included three recipe cards, some of which featured included ingredients.

Chroma Type 201 Paring Knife – $54.95

I’m drooling over this knife! I love really nice knives and this one is top notch. It’s gorgeous and functional and I’m thrilled to have received it in my first ChefCrate. This knife was designed by F.A. Porsche (yes that Porsche) and has an ergonomic design making it very comfortable for handling. While the knife looks like it is one piece, the blade and handle are actually made from two different types of steel. The knife has a “pearl” that helps keep your fingers in the proper position. This is the sexiest knife I’ve ever owned.

Kukuruza Hawaiian Salted Caramel Popcorn– $4.00

I love all things salted caramel and this popcorn is awesome! It has just the right amount of salt to counteract the sweetness to the caramel. Kukuruza also makes limited edition flavors of popcorn like lavender lemonade and strawberry rhubarb that sound amazing as well.

Falksalt Crystal Flakes Sea Salt (4.4 oz.)– $4.89 on World Market

These salt flakes are harvest from the Mediterranean Sea. They are a crunchy and chunky salt used for finishing touches on a meal. We sprinkled a little over our heirloom tomato salad and fresh mozzarella salad with a simple drizzle of olive oil.

Kent Rathbun Elements Barbeque Rub (12 oz.) – $5.00

This rub can be used on grilled or smoked meats but it can also be used to kick up the flavors on many other foods. It has a nice peppery kick to it.

Here’s a closer look at the rub.

Kent Rathbun Elements Garlic Salt (16 oz.) – $5.00

In the letter, Kent Rathbun recommends trying the garlic salt on vegetables (in addition to meats) so we did!

We sprinkled it on sliced zucchini and eggplant which we then grilled. It tasted great and was a nice change for our usual plain salted vegetables.

Larry’s Bag-of-Smoke Barbeque Wood Chips (4 oz.)- $5.00

This muslin bag is filled with natural Texas hickory wood chips and will add a smoked flavor to your grilled meat, fish, poultry and vegetables. This bag can be reused up to 5 times.

Verdict: I really enjoyed my first CrateChef box. I think Chef Rathbun did a great job curating a summery box with many ingredients that work with the grill, but also could be used in other ways for people who don’t own a grill (except for the wood chips). My favorite item is most definitely the knife, but I will be able to use everything that was sent. The value this month was about $80 which I think is fabulous for a food box.

What do you think of CrateChef?