Recommendations For Good Cookware Starter Set Needed

Q: I want to buy a good bundled cookware set. I have a 10 piece set of Calphalon Nonstick Commercial cookware. I have not unboxed it, as I have had second thoughts about my purchase. The reason for my second thoughts? I have been watching cooking shows and reading a little more about cookware and have thought that maybe the way to go is something like an All-Clad stainless set of cookware, with maybe a single 10" fry pan with nonstick coating. Since I am a true beginner, I'm not interested in starting out with every pot that I will ever need, but I would like to start with an excellent cookware set to build upon. I'd like to have some opinions and recommendations on cookware sets, and if I have made a wrong decision with the Calphalon Nonstick cookware, it's not too late - I can trade it in on something else or even get my money back. Please let me know - I'm a bit confused right now.

A: I have been collecting All-Clad for 6 years, 2 pieces a year (I live right by their factory and they have *great* factory sales) and I absolutely adore it. It heats like a dream. I had the opportunity to meet the owner of the company at a business event last year, and he said that even famous chefs (including *the* French Chef) who endorse other brands in public use All Clad when the cameras aren't rolling--and they pay for it, the company doesn't give it away. All that said, I'd not recommend their nonstick. For nonstick, I use Scanpan, which is a solid ceramic nonstick, not a sprayed-on finish. My All Clad nonstick flaked off after 2 years, although if I hadn't purchased it at a factory sale it would have been guaranteed for life. Good Luck!

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