Tuesday morning saw a steady flow of line cooks, sous chefs, and home cooks scrolling through Amazon listings in between prep shifts. Prime Day, Amazon’s annual summer sale, is underway. This year, cookware sits among the top trending items in the New York food community.
Deals on stainless steel sauté pans, Dutch ovens, and nonstick skillets have caught the attention of professionals and amateurs alike. At a bistro kitchen in Prospect Heights, a chef de partie compared prices on a new carbon steel wok before the lunch rush. "I need something that can take the heat," she said, tapping her phone screen.
Supply stores along the Bowery reported a quieter-than-usual Tuesday, as regulars appeared to be shopping from their phones. "A lot of our customers are texting about what’s on sale online," said a manager at JB Prince. "They’re looking for deals before coming in."
Some restaurants are also using the sale to stock up. An owner in Astoria said she placed a bulk order for saucepans and sheet trays. "It’s easier to replace things in the summer, before the fall busy season," she said.
Prime Day pricing will continue through Wednesday. The sale comes as restaurants face ongoing cost pressures, making small savings on equipment more significant. For many, the day’s deals are less about impulse shopping and more about making the numbers work for another season.