‘Top Chef’ host Kristen Kish’s favorite snacks

A photo of someone smiling on an illustrated background including images of candy and chili peppers.

Dana Davis/NYT Wirecutter; source photos by Kristen Kish, AdobeStock

As a chef, restaurant owner, and the host of Top Chef, Kristen Kish is perpetually on the road. And, over the years, she’s learned that she might not always be able to find the food she’s craving while on the go. So Kristen has perfected her list of must-pack snacks — including chili-lime-crusted gummies, Aussie-style sour licorice bites, and a Skittles dupe with just the right amount of chew.

All of Kristen’s favorite snacks→

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Plus: Our favorite foods from Trader Joe’s

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Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter

We taste-tested more than 70 items from Trader Joe’s, and we found 18 things that we just couldn’t get enough of. A few of our favorites? Tom Yum snack mix, a sweet, tangy fruit snack, a decadent mini cake, and much more.

Everything worth adding to your cart→

More travel essentials

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13 mini beauty products for your toiletry bag

Including a moisturizing lip butter, a styling bundle for curly hair, and a gentle cleanser we love→

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The best luggage tags

Our favorites can survive rough handling and will surely catch your eye at baggage claim→

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One last thing: Gifts for people who love food

A collection of products we recommend in our gifts for people who love food guide on display in front of a light blue background.

Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter

Our gifting expert has rounded up a few delicious and surprising gifts for the foodie in your life, including a sardine pillow, anchovy-stuffed olives, and a smiley wooden spatula — just to name a few.

What to give a chef, snack-lover, or foodie→

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