Kitchen Essentials — Simple Tools for Extraordinary Meals
I remember when Airbnb first started and suddenly, we were staying in strangers houses all over the world. This was long before we moved into a tiny home and honed in on the details of our lifestyle, but it was an eye-opening experience all the same.
Even though many of these homes were designed for guests, the kitchens were almost always full of clutter and useless tool. We began to notice a simple principle: the more storage space, the more junk.
The truth is that everything you need to cook restaurant-quality meals, pans excluded, can fit into a single drawer.
Believe me, I’ve worked as a professional chef for a decade and I’ve used all the gizmos, made the sauces, sliced the marrow bones… I’ve done it all. While these things may have their place and you might even indulge yourself in some extras once you master the basics. But in my experience, this list covers everything you need to eat well and cook simply.
Chef’s Knife
Without question, this is the most important and often the most overlooked tool. You don’t need a paring knife, you do need a chef’s knife. Too often, this is applied in reverse.
This is the one area where I would recommend going big and buying something nice. Good knives last a very long time and the quality of a top-tier, hand-made knife is well beyond even the best-manufactured brands. They’ll hold their blade for longer, get sharper and have better balance.
Fish Spatula (aka Peltex)
From working the grill to pan-roasting a ribeye, peltexs are deft and near unbreakable. They flex with pressure and allow you to sneak right under whatever you’re trying to turn. I heavily prefer an acrylic handle so that it can go in the dishwasher without deteriorating.
Medium and Large Cutting Boards
I’ve used so many cutting boards in my life it’s hard to fathom, and somehow I still prefer OXO’s. They’re lightweight but sturdy, can be bleached if ever they discolor or begin to smell, and they last a very long time. The medium size will fit in your dishwasher for easy cleanup and the larger one is essential for juicy meats.
Silicon Spatulas
There is no other brand worth considering except for GIR (Get it Right). Their spatulas have a steel core with just the right amount of give at the tip. Personally, I use an Ultimate Spoonula and Spatula, as well as a mini Spatula. You could just use one of the Ultimates if you aren’t ready to commit, but if you take care of these they will last a lifetime.
Large Mixing Bowl
Get as big a bowl as will easily fit in your dishwasher. My favorite style is enamel because they’re stylish, lightweight, and very durable. Falconware is a solid option. Wood is a great option as well, but beware that you’ll always have to hand wash.
Carbon Steel Sauté Pan
There are a lot of pan options out there and honestly, they all have their place, but you can truly get by with just a 10”+ carbon steel sauté pan. They’re lighter than cast iron and do a better job on a sear. They’re naturally non-stick but won’t leech chemicals into your food. Best of all? They’re very cheap.
Splatter Guard
For years, I didn’t even know what this even was. When I found out, it changed my life forever by the tune of erasing at least 5 minutes of (nasty) clean-up every day. Make sure that your splatter guard matches the size of your pan and place it over the top right after you begin to sear. You’ll cut down the grease splatter by more than half and save yourself a headache.
A Spoon
Tasting, basting, stirring... it’s almost ridiculous to put a spoon on the list at all, but I think it’s important to have at least one spoon that you love. You’ll inevitably end up using it all the time and you may as well make that experience something special!