What pots, which knife, what gadgets are truly indispensable? What do we keep for the downsized kitchen? What do we insist upon for the first apartment or for the student going away to school for the first time? What do good cooks and housewares experts deem essential?
A good knife was at the top of everyone’s list.
“For the minimalist, a chef’s knife,” says Kevin Kent, owner of Knifewear. “For a small set, but a lot more utility, you’ll need one paring knife (120-135mm), one multipurpose knife (santoku, gyuto or chef knife), in whatever size you are most comfortable with; one utility knife (150mm), one bread knife and maybe a slicer for roasts and turkey dinners.”
“My daughter is off to Mannheim, Germany and I was just thinking what will she really need in her small kitchen?” said Karen Visser of Bella Casa. “A good paring knife and a chef’s knife are musts. A couple of good pots, one small and one larger; one non-stick frying pan, a peeler and a grater (and a microplane) a good spatula, a whisk, a colander and a chopping board, even a little one that folds, and some things in bright colours,” says Karen.
Teresa Spinelli of the Italian Centre Shop calls her pressure cooker the most essential item in her kitchen. “I cook everything in it, risotto, a roast, vegetables. It keeps the moisture in. I like the speed (instead of standing and stirring a risotto which I love to do when I have time, but who has the time?) just throw it all in a pot, and it’s ready in no time.”
“No matter what, you need a good knife, a Zwilling Pro 8 inch chef’s knife to start,” says Jane Simpson of the Pantree. “A frying pan. Le Creuset forged non-stick fry pans are indestructible. I would need that in my kitchen. A cookware set would be good. I like Zwilling Sensation with the Silvinox coating which makes clean up amazingly easy. A good can opener is essential. The Zylis Lock ‘N Lift can opener is super easy, not tricky, and perfect for seniors.”
Le Creuset Braiser Think of a pan the size of a sauté pan with the built-in versatility of two-handles and the enameled cast iron finish allowing it to move from stove-top to oven to table without a hitch. Braise chicken with olives, cook fish quickly without it drying out, or potatoes and other vegetables easily. Le Creuset colours are so gloriously French, contemporary sunny shades, along with true blue and classic black and white. This is the new Palm, three sizes priced from $190-$365. |
Le Creuset Stainless Steel Stockpot with Pasta Insert  This well-built stockpot will see you through countless family dinners, canning bees, sauce-making adventures and weekly soup over a cooking lifetime. Features included patented stay-cool handles, built-in steam vents in the lids, and it’s good for every sort of cooktop, including induction, and oven safe to 500°F. Love the concentric grooves on the stainless lids, a design feature which echoes Le Creuset’s cast iron enameled cookware. In three sizes, with excellent heat conductivity and distribution, and easy-to-use handles, even when full of hot liquid, three sizes, $250 to $350. Stainless steel sets, five-piece $560, 10-piece $800. |
Le Creuset Round French Oven  Every kitchen needs a French oven for stews, soups and vegetables due to its oven to table versatility, wonderful cooking properties of cast iron and easy clean up of the enamel exterior. This style is in flame, Le Creuset’s trademark colour and style since 1925. Eight sizes to $430. |
The Microplane The handy microplane grater/zester is the workhouse of the kitchen. Create fine citrus zest, clouds of grated cheese, thinly shaved dark chocolate, or reduce a knob of ginger to dust for stir frys or smoothies. The new models have a comfortable handle and a plastic blade protector. Easy care: rinse off, hang up, it’s done. Under $20, depending on size and model. |
Cole and Mason Morley Crank Pepper Mill  The spring-loaded carbon steel grinding mechanism cuts cleanly, releasing the fullest aromas and flavours. The handsome beechwood and stainless steel exterior is attractive, and it’s built to last, with a lifetime guarantee on the grinding mechanism. Also comes in a salt mill. $50. |
Joseph Joseph Elevate Jar Spatula  There’s no reason why a lowly spatula can’t be bright and cheerful. The Elevate, made of tough polypropylene with a flexible silicone head, is designed with a built-in tool rest to keep the business end off the counter. Entirely suitable for non-stick pans, in several shapes and colours, and is heat resistant up to 650°F. $12. |
Zwilling Sensation Frypan  Everybody needs a basic high-quality fry pan for both stove-top and oven use. The Sensation line of cookware from Zwilling undergoes a proprietary process called Silvinox, which prevents discolouration over time and makes the surface virtually non-stick. Fry pans in three sizes, $150-$200. Find the 10 piece Sensation set on promo in several stores, $1000. |
Prepara Herb Savor  It’s been a summer of glorious fresh herbs in abundance, ready for the picking. In winter? Not so much — the Herb Savor helps preserve those precious market herbs to see full value out of every bunch. $30. |
Prepara Herb Shears  Why dirty a knife and cutting board to chop a few herbs? Herb shears makes snipping dill and other leafy herbs a cinch. $16. |
Staub French Oven (Cocottes) High-quality enameled cast iron is essential in every kitchen, for beauty, longevity, and performance. We love Staub’s flat continuous self-basting lids and sturdy constriction. Several sizes in both ovals and round styles, in of-the-moment colours, even one with a rooster knob, for coq-au vin of course. $207-520. |
| Oxo Serrated Peeler Oxo’s trademarked ergonomic handles are comfortable to hold and make using the tool less tiring. The serrated stainless steel blades are ideal for both fruit and veg, $10. |
Danesco Box Grater Sturdy, balanced, doesn’t shimmy on the counter. High quality stainless steel doesn’t rust even after numerous trips through the dishwasher. Four sides for precision grating of cheese, vegetables, bread. $20. |
Prepara I Prep Tablet Stand  A sturdy I Pad stand is the new essential in the kitchen, all the better to follow Daniel Costa’s new Tavola app. The iPrep has a non-slip rubber grip and weighted base to keep it stable and comes with a handy stylus to keep things clean. Gift boxed. $30. |
ChopStir The original Chopstir breaks up ground meat while it cooks, effortlessly. It’s also excellent for chopping whole canned tomatoes, no muss, no fuss. Solid plastic, dishwasher safe, made in the USA. $13. |