If there's one thing I learned doing set design and prop styling for the Food Network years ago, it's that people eat with their eyes. Say, for example, Mario Batali was going to be doing a segment on pork chops. It was my job not only to find a beautiful antique cutting board but the butcher paper to go along with it. After all, nobody wants to see all that meat directly on the cutting board, right? Or maybe it was Gale Gand making Baked Alaska on her show Sweet Dreams. In my mind, I'd have to know what it's going on, how it's being served, and what she'd need to eat it. Food, especially in the magazine and television worlds, requires props. It's all the servingware, utensils, linens, even furniture that work together to give a cooking show real authenticity—and beauty. Enter the Food Network Prop House, a vast treasure trove filled with every conceivable compote, cake stand, cutting board and carving set (among other things) you can possibly imagine!

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Of course, a place like this could—could—be a terrific mess, but it's not. It's a beautiful, organized and efficient machine, thanks to two old friends and colleagues of mine: Wendy Waxman and Jamie Tulchin. Wendy was actually the one who hired me at Food Network (after half an hour, if can you believe it); our shared love for the flea market, together with a passion for beautiful things, created an instant bond. To this day, she's the only other person I've ever met who could be just as excited as I am to pick out a fork! But, as Jaithan and I found out over brunch before the tour, it's Jamie, Wendy's new partner in crime, who's the real brains behind the prop house—or at least its staggering order. She's the one who oversaw it in the move from Food Network's old offices on 52nd Street, where I worked, to their new digs in the Chelsea Market downtown. Here I am in the prop house with Jaithan, Jamie on the left, and Wendy in front.   

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As you can see, the place is filled with shelves upon shelves of beautiful things. There's more antique ironstone than even I'd know what to do with…

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…glasses and barware for every cocktail imaginable…

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…cake pedestals in Lucite, glass, china and metal…

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…antique chocolate, ice cream and baking molds in every size and shape…

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…cutting boards made from bamboo, oak, walnut and maple…

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…mid-century modern plasticware and melamine in every color…

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…and dish towels so organized, it's incredible!   

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Speaking of, take a look at this shelf of salt and pepper shakers and grinders. How incredible is that?

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For the full, beautiful photo album (with captions!) of our behind the scenes tour of the Food Network prop house, click here. Then come back and share what items you'd most want in your kitchen! You know…while you're making, say, pumpkin ravioli with a sage butter sauce, talking out loud, pretending you're on a show…pinch of nutmeg, salt to taste…

Wait…maybe that's just me. Enjoy the pictures, everyone!