01
MAC Knife Co.
Professional MTH-80, 8″
"The only knife I've owned for twelve years. Outperforms blades at three times the price."
£179 Shop →
The Kit.
Every knife, pan, and tool I cook with, at home and on the line. Updated when I change something, never to fill a quota. 12 items.
02
De Buyer
Mineral B Carbon Steel 28cm
"Once you've cooked an egg in carbon steel, the non-stick goes in the bin. Trust me."
£73 Shop →
03
Vitamix
Ascent A2500
"Soup, smoothies, sauces, even crushed ice for cocktails. The motor will outlive me."
£679 Shop →
04
Microplane
Classic Zester
"It's in every restaurant kitchen in the world. There's a reason."
£39 Shop →
05
Staub
Round Cocotte 24cm, Black
"Browns better than Le Creuset. Heavier in the hand. Worth the difference."
£309 Shop →
06
OXO Good Grips
Stainless 5-lb Digital Scale
"Gram-accurate, pulls out for awkward bowls. £42 well spent."
£51 Shop →
07
Wüsthof
Classic Ikon, 20cm
"When the MAC isn't right, squash, ribs, anything that needs a heavier hand. The bruiser of the rack."
£127 Shop →
08
ThermoWorks
Thermapen ONE
"Reads in two seconds. Twice a day, every day. The single tool that turns guesswork into cooking."
£78 Shop →
09
Maldon
Sea Salt Flakes 250g
"If you're going to own one salt, this. Restaurant-grade crunch and clean. The flake every kitchen reaches for."
£2.50 Shop →
10
Shapton
Pro 1000/5000 Sharpening Stones
"Two stones, ten minutes a month, a lifetime of edges. The investment that makes every other knife on this list cheaper."
£99 the pair Shop →
11
Le Creuset
Signature 28cm Skillet
"Heavier than the Staub, holds heat like an oven. The Sunday-roast pan when the cocotte is full."
Discontinued The story →
12
Fergus Henderson
Nose to Tail Eating
"The only cookbook from London I still teach from. Plain, honest, and braver than anything published since."
£17 Shop →
Prices checked 12 August 2026. Confirm the live price at the retailer.