I'm a former chef who shops for 2 at Costco. Here are 11 foods I get there that feel gourmet.

As any chef will tell you, fat has flavor — and this butter is more flavorful than many other brands I've tried.

Expectations are high when I'm in the kitchen, so I think it's worth splurging a little to get a high-quality, flavorful ingredient. This 2-pound box easily lasts over a month — unless my husband goes on a baking spree.

Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter is quite reasonable at Costco, as a package of four 8-ounce bars costs $14.50 at my store. I find this butter also freezes well, so when it's on sale, I like to stock up.

Though we often have vegetarian meals, we still consider these packs of Kirkland Signature boneless and skinless chicken breasts as a staple item.

These chicken breasts are often quite large, so we freeze them individually and halve them before cooking to keep portion sizes under control.

These versatile chicken breasts are a great value at about $3 per pound at my Costco.

There's an old story about how the ripples on a chef's toque represent the 100 ways a proper chef can cook an egg. However, I'm fairly certain there are many more ways.

One of my favorite ways to make eggs is in a large frittata with bits of leftover produce or cheese. It's great to serve at a gathering with friends or keep on hand as an easy, reheatable option for weekday lunches.

Each package of eggs is about $7.60 at my Costco.

Expectations are high when your friends and family know you're a proper chef. So, for an easy brunch, I get this pack of smoked-salmon slices — it comes with pepper, traditional (plain), and dill flavors.

I serve smoked salmon with capers, crème fraîche, and chopped dill on rye or pumpernickel for a delicious, refined brunch component. I'd also suggest pairing smoked salmon with rosé and a frittata — but you might have some trouble getting your guests to go back home.

A 12-ounce package of smoked salmon is $13.50 at my local Costco. 

Besides just looking good in a bowl on the counter, lemons pack a lot of punch. If a meal doesn't taste exactly as you hoped, consider adding a bit of acid — just a little squeeze of lemon can lift and brighten even the most stubborn meal.

To me, nothing says summer quite like fresh-squeezed lemonade, and it's pretty easy to make yourself.

At my Costco, a 5-pound bag of lemons costs $6.50. I usually get an extra bag, as I crave more lemonade once I make a fresh batch.

Beyond cherry pies, this fruit is also tasty as a sweet bite after dinner. Three or four cherries can often satisfy my taste for dessert without adding many calories or extra effort to my meal.

I also use them in a homemade, elevated lemonade (it's a messy but fun project). I use a chopstick to poke out the pits and add the fruit to a blender with simple syrup and lemon juice. Finally, I pour the beverage through a strainer and serve it over ice or mix it with sparkling water.

I pick up a 2-pound box for $6 at my store.

This exceptional wine is well-balanced, elegant, and complex. It has notes of peaches, apricots, and white blossoms. It's also pleasantly dry with a long finish (a fruity aftertaste).

This mouthwatering wine is a delightful addition to a summertime picnic or a get-together with friends on the porch.

These bottles are a few dollars cheaper than those I've seen at other stores near me. I like to grab several bottles at Costco, priced at about $12 each.

When we have guests over, I often try to cook a meal that feels a bit fancier. One way to hit that note is to serve lamb — just be careful not to overcook this delicate meat.

I cut this frenched lamb into chops, pan-sear the meat, and serve three pieces with greens and potatoes as a flavorful, bold main course. I also like to coat my lamb in a mustard crust when I'm feeling adventurous.

At about $13 per pound, Costco keeps my fancy dinner parties affordable.

In my opinion, this Kirkland Signature Parmigiano-Reggiano is just as good as the stuff you can find at a fancy cheesemonger. Though the size of the blocks can seem overwhelming, when properly stored, they can last quite a while in the refrigerator. 

We love shaving some with a vegetable peeler over a salad or grating some to serve with pasta or in a frittata. It adds a wonderful depth of flavor to almost any dish.

My store sells a block for $11.30 per pound, which seems a bit pricey, but a little goes a long way.

Admittedly, this isn't Brie de Meaux — a fancy French form of Brie — but it's dependable and flavorful.

It's a wonderful crudité (appetizer) or addition to a fancy cheese spread. Your guests probably wouldn't guess you bought it at Costco, either.

Leftover Brie also makes a delicious, simple lunch when paired with rustic, crusty bread the next day. At my Costco, each round is just $7.

It's summertime, and, in my book, that means grilling outdoors. Fortunately, an easy and nearly labor-free take on the standard hot dog is delectable and inexpensive.

These chicken-and-apple sausages are especially tasty. They have a satisfying texture, a hint of sweetness from the apples, and a lightly smoky flavor that becomes more pronounced the longer you leave them on the grill.

I like to serve them on standard hot-dog buns. Add a fun slaw, and you're good to go. A 3-pound package of these sausages is $10.70 at my location.

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