11 ways to make your kitchen feel like a professional culinary establishment
They say the secret to cooking good food is passion. That, and the right bit of kit…
Stir your sauces with tenderness, cherish each slice of a beefsteak tomato and cut your onions with the type of frenzied love usually reserved for greeting your dog when you get home from work because, chances are, your dish is going to turn out OK.
If you have Chef Passion.
Chef Passion isn’t like regular-person passion – it’s a loud, visceral type of passion that swings between emotions at alarming frequency, when your mood is quite literally balancing on a knife edge. What fun!
The easiest way to tap into this type of pro-level passion is to equip your kitchen with the tools of the trade. Just ask chef and restaurauteur Max Halley. ‘The right bit of kit makes cooking more seamless and life easier, which tends to make things taste better.’ And who are we to argue with the King of Sandwiches? (He rates his Microplane grater and Oxo Good Grips Julienne Peeler above all else.)
The ultimate kitchen kit list
Microplane Stainless Steel Zester/Grater, Black/Silver
‘My Microplane is the best bit of kit in my kitchen,’ says Max. ‘I use it for garlic, ginger, hard boiled eggs for leeks vinaigrette, and tonnes of other stuff.’
Tefal IH201840 Everyday Portable Induction Hob
You could use this single induction hob to perfect the ultimate raspberry doughnut filling, thanks to its superior ability to control temperature with ease. Or, just use it in place of your conventional oven when you want to save time, energy and money.
SCANPAN Techniq Stainless Steel Stockpot, 6.8L
Nothing says professional sous-chef quite like a massive pot of stock nonchalantly bubbling away in the background like it’s no big deal. This pan will hold a lot of stock. Or pasta. 6.8kg of pasta to be exact. Plus, it’s induction friendly.
OXO Good Grips Julienne Peeler
If anything can make skinning a 1kg stack of potatoes more appealing, it’s this. Plus, it gets the Max seal of approval – he ‘absolutely loves it’.
KitchenAid Mini Stand Mixer, Matte Black
The G.O.A.T. of mixers for a reason. Simple to use, the KitchenAid creates consistently great results every time, plus this lightweight mini version makes it perfect for non-industrial spaces, aka most people's kitchens.
Cole & Mason Stadhampton Chilli & Spice Mill
There’s no denying the special feeling you get when crushing herbs in a pestle and mortar, like you’re one step away from completing a very potent spell, but there’s nothing quite like the thrill of ending a load of peppercorns with a single twist to make you feel alive.
OXO Good Grips Soft Handle Can Opener
Nothing kills a vibe faster than wrangling with a razor-sharp, half-opened aluminium can lid. The OXO Good Grips can opener works. Really well.
Salter 515 Leave-In Cooking Thermometer
Even if you only use this on December 25, having this bit of tech available makes you feel like anything is possible (namely, creating a turkey crown that isn't dry).
Arthur Price Old English Serving Spoon
Turns out a serving spoon is not just for serving. Use the spoon to stir, baste and sauce your plates the chef’s way.
STAUB Cast Iron Round Frying Pan, Black, 24cm
An essential piece of kit which, if looked after, can last decades (hand-wash it using normal washing-up liquid). It also works on all types of heat – including induction.
John Lewis Cotton T-Shirt, Pack of 3, White
White? In a kitchen? Yes, chef! A well-fitting, crisp white T-shirt is the coolest addition to your kitchen wardrobe. Trust us (but trust this more).
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