Michael Chernow's Essential New Year Gear

The TV star and restaurateur dishes on how to make this your best year yet

1XL Big Green Egg

Whether he's taking a break at home in Brooklyn from his restaurants or escaping to his house upstate, Chernow keeps this versatile outdoor cooker on hand at all times for healthy homemade meals. "It's the perfect accessory to have for a weekend with my family and is truly the ultimate grill," he says.

3Moleskin Notebook

"I spend most of my days in back-to-back meetings, so my notebook is essential," Chernow says. He carries it with him to take quick notes and keep life a little more organized.

2Custom St. Christopher Dog Tag Necklace

The New Year means a fresh start, but old habits (and keepsakes) die hard. Chernow wears this necklace (and a custom ring bearing his son's name)—a wedding gift from the restaurateur's wife—every day, "as a constant reminder" of his family.

4Frye Boots

"I'm obsessed with these boots," Chernow says. Whether stopping by his restaurant, Seamore's, or filming Food Porn, he wears the rugged Engineers almost every day. "They're versatile and super comfy."

5Skybuds Earbuds

When working out gets hard, music eases the pain. "Headphones are a major necessity," he says. "Skybuds give you incredible sound, and . . . they actually don't fall out."

6Nenox Chef's Knife

New year, new you, new knife. For Chernow—and for everyone resolving to get into the kitchen and cook more this year—a high-quality knife is nothing short of essential. "I've always said that anyone who's passionate about cooking needs at least one fantastic chef's knife in their kitchen," Chernow explains. "You can slice, dice, chop and mince, and it all makes meal preparation so much easier."

7WellWell Juice

As a self-proclaimed "animal" in the gym, Chernow turns to this refreshing watermelon juice—which he helped launch—to cool down. "It's perfect to drink after a heavy workout," he says. "It's 100 percent organic and helps with muscle recovery." (Now, if we could just find that same motivation to workout.)

8Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date 34 and Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II

Although he doesn't count himself a big spender, these watches "have significant meaning" to him, as "they were both career milestone gifts" to himself. Time to treat yo'self.

92011 Ducati Hypermotard Motorcycle

Chernow rides into the New Year in style on his go-to bike. "I love her dearly and don't know what I would do without her," he says of the 2011 Ducati. "There's nothing better than riding over the Williamsburg Bridge first thing in the morning."