What a Sustainable, Well-Stocked Kitchen Looks Like, According to a Zero-Waste Chef
West~Bourne founder Camilla Marcus shares her cooking hacks and go-to gadgets.
Like so many others in the restaurant industry, Camilla Marcus felt the stress of the pandemic after shuttering her business, which was the first certified zero-waste restaurant in New York City. Today she’s carrying forth its name, West~Borne, with a new venture focused on zero-waste, plant-based provisions.
Marcus’s line of nourishing snacks, spices, and pantry staples echoes the values of mindfulness and sustainability that informed her upbringing in Los Angeles. We spoke with Marcus about West~Borne, and the choices she’s making in her kitchen at home.
Camilla Marcus is a chef and the founder of West~Bourne.
Photo Courtesy of Studio 1208
"I like to do a little thing I call ‘playing jazz in the kitchen.’ Part zero-waste, part creativity—this is when I take any and all leftovers or edible food scraps (think broccoli stems) to make a meal melody. Usually, I make these in my donabe, which I also love to use when making rice. Perfect every time."
Rikyu Tokusa Donabe
This is a very classic-style donabe which you can use for a wide variety of dishes. In Japan, almost every household has at least one classic-style donabe and most commonly use it to cook hot pot (“nabe”) dishes including shabu shabu and yosenabe on tabletop to enjoy with family and friends. The classic-style donabe is also ideal for stewing or braising. You can use it over gas stove top or in the oven. Iga-yaki donabe is known for its durability and perfect for everyday cooking.
Shop"Composting can feel a little overwhelming for anyone who’s just getting started. I’ve found that a simple bin makes it easy to store food scraps and West~Bourne pouches (yes, they’re compostable). Little steps make big change."
Bamboozle Bamboo Compost Bin
A modern compost bin that eliminates food waste and looks damn good in the process. For nearly everyone, food waste is an inevitable part of daily life. Rather than tossing it in the trash to get shuttled off to a landfill, the Composter is there to help you sort your food waste before tossing it in your compost bin or your own compost pile. The modern design and handsome construction allows the Composter to perfectly blend in on any countertop, and is built from dishwasher-safe bamboo for easy cleaning.
Shop"I do my best to shop vintage as much as possible when it comes to my home, and I’m a huge fan of searching for vintage wood for my kitchen. Whether you’re shopping at a market, a store, or online, search and curate as many vintage wooden boards, spoons, rolling pins, and bowls as you can find. They’re priceless."
Etsy is a great place to source vintage pieces for your kitchen.
Photo Courtesy of ChaseVintage
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"Diversifying your pantry is one of the best ways home cooks can help drive biodiverse farming. My philosophy is that small steps can create a big change—and in the kitchen, cooking oil is such a great place to start. Avocado oil has the one of the highest smoke points of all plant-based oils, and it’s such a simple switch from animal-derived fats."
West~Bourne Avocado Oil Set
From cooking to finishing, a set of Extra Virgin Organic Avocado Oil and Refined Avocado Oil, grown and pressed in Mexico's winter sunshine and bottled in Southern California. Extra Virgin Organic Avocado Oil ~ A pure finishing oil, meant to enjoy simple, drizzled over crunchy green salads, roasted vegetables, toast, yogurt, and baked goods (yes, you heard us right). Refined Avocado Oil ~ A pure cooking oil with a high smoke point, ideal for high heat charring, sautéing, roasting, searing, baking, and pretty much anything else you can think of.
Shop"Part of living sustainably is storing leftover ingredients effectively. I love these glass jars for keeping sauces, soups, veggies and more. They’re also perfect for preserving citrus and/or pickling."
Turnco Wood Goods Glass Jars With Hand-Turned Wooden Lids
Put a lid on it. Your food storage game just got a big upgrade. We can think of about a zillion uses for these airtight lidded jars, especially because they come in a slew of sizes (16 ounces up to a gallon, take your pick!). In the kitchen, we’re using the smallest one to keep our ground coffee fresh, plus the larger ones to store beans and rice. And in the bathroom? Our cotton balls and Epsom salt have never looked smarter, thanks to those eye-catching lids. Fill one up with preserves and give it as a hosting gift—we promise it’ll be more memorable than a bottle of wine. Oh, and here’s a fun fact: Each jar is handmade on Whidbey Island in Washington using USA mold-blown glass and black walnut wood (wow).
Shop"After I eliminated single-use paper products, these became a staple in my home. They’re durable, washable, and perfect for any mess."
Morihata International Striped Japanese Linen Kitchen Towels
Sunny stripes. True story: A good tea towel is absorbent, quick-drying, and breathable. A great one is all those things, and beautiful to boot. This cheerful, Japanese linen-cotton blend (50% of each = a completely durable blend) towel is the one we want 10 of around all the time for wiping hands, drying plates, dusting off floury hands while baking, and mopping up counter spills. Fold it up for neat storage, or hang it on a nail using the small tab. We're especially partial to those multi-toned stripes. Choose from a few eye-catching colors and stock up your kitchen.
Shop"This is the pot that gets better with time. Perfect for just about any meal, a Staub dutch oven is a prime example that quality is better than quantity."
Staub Essential Oven, 3.75QT
Staub enameled cast iron cookware is the top choice for chefs and home cooks alike. Rooted in French culinary heritage, Staub's renowned cocottes are timeless pieces, perfect for casual meals or sumptuous suppers. The Essential French Oven with Chistera lid is the latest star in the cast iron collection. Like Staub's signature flat lid, the domed Chistera lid has excellent self-basting properties. Usually, a convex lid causes condensation to fall to the sides. The innovative, Chistera drop-structure lid solves this problem by putting a twist on traditional spikes. Moisture cascades from the whole lid. This continuous basting guarantees delectable roast chicken and braised short ribs. What inspired this original design? Basque pelota players use wicker basket chisteras to scoop up balls and hurl them quickly. Under Staub's new lids, the chistera-shaped curves gather condensation to shower moisture upon the delicious dish that simmers inside.
Shop"A microplane is one of my can’t-live-without kitchen gadgets."
Microplane Master Series Zester With Walnut Handle
Expect grate things. From the company’s Master Series—and it lives up to its title—this grater means business. We’ll explain: It’s got a super sturdy stainless steel frame and an American-made photo-etched and ultra-sharp stainless steel blade that’ll make quick work of lemons, ginger, nutmeg...anything you want to turn to tiny bits with ease, really. That handle is made from walnut which is pretty but also means it’s easy to grasp when you’re going to town over your key lime pie. Don’t forget to use the protective cover to keep it nice ‘n’ sharp.
Shop"There’s nothing cozier and more comforting than the smell of an open fire. I stock up on these candles—they’re my favorite way to set the mood when cooking or dining as a family."
Diptyque Feu de Bois / Wood Fire Candle
The candle flame is enclosed in a colored hand-blown glass container. Recalling the crackling of an open fire. Warm and familiar during the winter days.
Shop"I’m currently pregnant with bebe number three, so I’ve swapped my usual go-to glass (or two) of wine—for the creative process—to my all-time favorite nonalcoholic beverage, Ghia. Made from plants, Ghia gives me all of the energy with zero booze."
Ghia Le Spritz, 12-pack
Just like we’re not asking you to choose between burger and fries, moules and frites, or Sonny and Cher, we don’t think you should choose your favorite Spritz. Half of each for double the fun. Because a real drink is made of real ingredients, powerful enough to bring out the best version of you. Crack it open, turn on the music, taste the bite, enjoy the night.
Shop"I always start cooking by setting the mood with the perfect playlist. Generally it’s a jazz or hip-hop record, but whatever is playing sets the tone for the meal I’m making—and the shared experience we get to have around the table."
Audio-Technica Brown AT-LPW40WN Belt-Drive Turntable
2-speed manual belt-drive turntable in brown. Includes AT-VM95E dual moving magnet phono cartridge, external AC power cable, RCA audio cable, 45 RPM adapter, rubber mat, counterweight, and detachable hinged dust cover.
Shop"Revamp your pantry with our sustainably sourced spices. These home cooking essentials in reusable, recycled-glass jars will inspire you to unlock the supernatural power of vegetables."
West~Bourne Seasoning Starter Kit
These staples will bring our California flavors to your table, day in and day out. Complete with our house Earthy Herb Spice and Smoky Pepper Spice, our Pistachio Dukkah and of course, our Chili Oil.
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