As a chef trained at Le Cordon Bleu and the owner creator of the delicious weekly, seasonal menus here at Pete’s Real Food, Chef Pete has spent countless hours in the kitchen, both professionally and at home. Over the years, he has come to rely on a select group of tools that not only make cooking easier but also elevate the quality of the food he prepares. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting to explore the joy of preparing real food, these kitchen tools are must-haves.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Every Home Cook
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A Quality Chef’s Knife
A good chef’s knife is the cornerstone of any kitchen. If there’s one tool you’ll use every day, it’s this.
One really good chef’s knife is all you need for 95 percent of what you will encounter. Yes, there is a “perfect” knife for filleting a fish or deboning a chicken, but unless you’re doing a hundred of them a day, a chef’s knife will handle the job just fine.
A high-carbon stainless steel blade, well-balanced with a comfortable handle, allows for precision cuts and makes prep work efficient. With a sharp chef’s knife, you can slice, dice, and chop vegetables, meats, and herbs with ease, which is crucial for everything from meal prep to presentation.
Pro tip: Invest in a good sharpener or honing steel to keep your knife performing its best. A dull blade is not only frustrating to use but can also be dangerous.
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Cast Iron Skillet
My cast iron skillet is probably one of Chef Pete’s most loved and well-used tools. It’s perfect for everything from searing a steak to roasting vegetables and even baking. The even heat distribution ensures perfect cooking, and the natural non-stick surface that develops with seasoning makes it a versatile, go-to pan for so many dishes.
Why cast iron? It retains heat exceptionally well and lasts a lifetime (or more) if taken care of properly. Plus, it adds a touch of iron to your food, which is a nice bonus.
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High-Quality Cutting Boards
A solid, durable cutting board is another kitchen essential. Chef Pete recommends wooden or bamboo boards for their durability and the way they’re gentle on your knives. They also bring a bit of warmth to the kitchen.
Tip: Keep separate boards for raw meats and vegetables to avoid cross-contamination. And, remember to clean them thoroughly after each use.
Our weekly menus provide delicious, seasonal, gourmet meals delivered fresh from our kitchen to you. No prepping, chopping, slicing or blending required. Order from this week’s selections here >>>>
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Immersion Blender
For quick soups, sauces, and dressings, an immersion blender is a game changer. It allows you to blend ingredients right in the pot, saving time and reducing cleanup. It’s also perfect for making smooth purees or emulsifying vinaigrettes in small batches.
Reasons to love it: It’s a compact, handheld tool that can achieve what a traditional blender does, but with much less hassle.
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Industrial Sheet Pans
The importance of a good sheet pan can’t be overstated. These are not the cookie sheets you are thinking of. These have a lip about an inch high and are sometimes called “jelly roll pans”. They are made from aluminum and last forever. The best size for home use is what’s called a “half sheet pan,” 18 by 13 inches. They are perfect for roasting all the vegetables you could ever want and great for resting meat or finishing your proteins in the oven.
Bonus Use: They are also great for loading up your prepped vegetables or meats, like a portable prep table that you can also cook with.
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Food Processor
For chopping, slicing, or pureeing large quantities, a food processor is essential. From making almond flour to creating a batch of pesto or cauliflower rice, this tool saves time and delivers consistent results.
Why it matters: Real food cooking often involves a lot of prep work, and a food processor helps speed up the process while ensuring uniformity.
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Mandoline
When you need thin, even slices of vegetables or fruits, a mandoline is your best friend. It’s particularly useful for making salads, gratins, or even homemade chips. A mandoline allows for precise cutting, which can be difficult to achieve with a knife, especially for beginners.
Pro tip: Always use the safety guard that comes with the mandoline to protect your fingers.
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Tongs
A sturdy pair of tongs is an extension of your hand in the kitchen. Whether flipping meat, tossing salads, or transferring hot items from pan to plate, tongs are invaluable.
Pro Tip: Look for a stainless-steel pair with silicone tips to ensure they can handle high heat without damaging your cookware.
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Digital Meat Thermometer
Overcooked or undercooked meats can ruin an otherwise perfect meal. A reliable digital meat thermometer ensures that your meats reach the ideal internal temperature, taking the guesswork out of cooking. Whether you’re roasting a whole chicken or searing steaks, this tool guarantees perfection every time.
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Air Fryer
The air fryer has been a game-changer for anyone trying to enjoy crispy, delicious foods with less oil. Whether you’re making crispy chicken wings, roasted veggies, or root vegetable fries, an air fryer uses hot air to create a crispy outer layer without deep frying. The result is healthier, faster, and less messy.
Pro tip: It’s not just for "frying"—use it to roast veggies, make kale chips, or even bake small batches of real food ingredients-based cookies.
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Sous Vide Precision Cooker
Sous vide cooking might sound like a high-end restaurant technique, but it’s incredibly easy to use at home. With a precision cooker, you can achieve perfectly cooked meats, eggs, or vegetables by sealing them in a bag and cooking them in a water bath at a precise temperature. This technique ensures that your food is cooked evenly, with the right amount of moisture, and with restaurant-level results.
Game changer: When you’re cooking steaks, sous vide ensures that they’re perfectly tender and cooked to your preferred doneness—no guesswork required.
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Coffee Grinder (For Spices)
Yes, it’s technically for coffee, but using a dedicated coffee grinder for spices can make all the difference to your meal. Freshly ground spices have so much more flavor and aroma than pre-ground ones, and this gadget makes it easy to grind them on demand. Whether you’re making a spice rub for meats or adding freshly ground cinnamon to a dessert, it’s a small investment that adds big flavor.
Pro tip: Use it to grind flax seeds or chia seeds for smoothies or baking, too.
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There are other items, of course. A nice blender like a Vitamix is great, and who doesn’t want a good utility knife? But you’ll never run out of things to cook with the above items. Need a meat mallet? Use the cast iron pan. Lids for pots? Use the sheet pans. Almost nothing in a kitchen is used for just one purpose. A single-purpose item in a kitchen is essentially useless.
Conclusion
Having the right kitchen tools not only makes cooking more enjoyable but also ensures that you can prepare delicious, nutrient-dense meals with efficiency and precision. Each one of these go-to essentials has earned its place in Chef Pete’s kitchen, helping him bring the best out of real, whole foods every day. As you stock your kitchen, remember that quality matters—invest in tools that will last, and they’ll reward you with years of culinary joy.