Every chef has his or her own set of utensils, although in the case of chefs we could adapt this phrase with "every chef has his or her own set of utensils". Among them, knives, kitchen scissors, cutting boards, etc. are certainly not missing.....

Being a successful chef means having the right equipment to prepare the best dishes. 

In order to work properly, it is necessary to have a series of essential tools and equipment. In this post, we will talk about the main tools that a chef must have in order to carry out his work in the kitchen efficiently and effectively.

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These tools include knives, frying pans, pots and pans, cooking utensils and much more. In addition, we will also discuss the importance of each of these tools and how to use them properly. Let's get started!

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The essential utensils for a chef

Kitchens can be fixed or mobile, they can be the heart of an establishment or be stored in the precious luggage of itinerant cooks, but all kitchens have in common certain details or, rather, certain utensils that are indispensable for any self-respecting chef or cook.

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Let's see together what you can never miss.

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Kitchen scissors

Kitchen scissors are an essential tool and must have specific characteristics: they must be sturdy, but at the same time sharp and thin .

They are especially useful for cutting meat, vegetables and other foods. They are used to cut food into pieces of the desired size, which facilitates food preparation. They can also be used to separate food parts, such as chicken wings or French fries. In addition, they can also be used to open packages and bags, cut adhesive tapes and perform other food preparation tasks. 

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The kitchen scissors have a sharp blade and a sturdy handle that makes them safe and easy to use. This tool is a must-have for the kitchen chef.

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Cake baking tester

A cake cooking tester is a device designed to determine if a cake is sufficiently cooked. These devices are used to ensure that the cake is fully cooked before serving .

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These devices can be used to ensure that the cake is cooked on the inside, something a chef cannot verify by simply looking at the cake. If the cake is undercooked, it runs the risk of not being fully done and may result in an unpleasant taste or damage the quality of the dessert.

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Cake baking testers are designed to detect the temperature and humidity inside the cake. These devices are inserted into the cake to measure the internal heat and humidity. This allows the chef to determine if the cake is fully baked and to ensure that it has a uniform, perfect texture.

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For a cook who also bakes cakes, this tool is essential: it is not only for baking cakes, but also for checking the cooking of all dishes.

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Immersion blender

The immersion blender is an indispensable kitchen tool for any self-respecting chef. These hand blenders are ideal for mixing, blending and emulsifying foods .

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Because immersion blenders are lightweight and portable, they are very practical for use in a professional environment as they allow chefs to work quickly and accurately, creating perfect and consistent results. 

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They are also ideal for mixing ingredients at low temperatures, allowing chefs to preserve food flavors and textures.

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Undoubtedly, the most widely used in terms of structure and handling compared to closed blenders. 

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Stainless steel tongs

Stainless steel tongs are a useful way to handle food while it is being prepared, as they are safer and easier to use than traditional kitchen utensils. 

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They have a smooth surface that will not scratch cookware, allowing chefs to handle and transport food safely . These tongs are also corrosion resistant, making them ideal for the kitchen where there is high humidity and extreme temperatures. 

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In addition, because they are made of stainless steel, they are easy to clean and disinfect, ensuring a safe and sanitized kitchen.

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Cast iron cocotte

The cast iron cocotte is a sturdy and durable cooking pot made from a mixture of iron, carbon and steel. 

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This pan features a thick bottom and smooth surface, making it ideal for a wide variety of recipes. The thick bottom provides excellent heat distribution and makes it ideal for slow cooking.

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Cast iron is also very durable and resistant to temperature changes, making it perfect for a chef who wants to cook on low heat and high heat. 

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This pan is also great for preparing stews, sauces, casseroles and other flavorful dishes. Cast iron is also excellent for browning and caramelizing foods. These qualities make the cast iron cocotte an indispensable tool for every cook's set.

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Set of steel bowls

Steel bowls are metal dishes, usually made of stainless steel, used for mixing and preparing food .

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These bowls have a slightly conical shape, with a wide mouth to facilitate mixing and a flat bottom to prevent ingredients from spilling out. 

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They are also used for serving and storing food, as they can withstand high temperatures. This means that chefs can easily prepare hot sauces and soups without worrying about melting or damaging the bowls. They are useful in many preparations and mixtures. They should be wide and shallow and, above all, made of metal.

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Cutting board

A cutting board is an essential tool for any chef. It is used to cut and prepare foods, such as meat, fruits, vegetables, bread ...

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It has a large, flat surface that is usually made of materials such as wood, plastic or cork. This helps prevent knives from being damaged when cutting food. 

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Cutting boards also help contain food while cutting and prevent food from sliding off the surface . In addition, they often have a non-slip coating to help keep the board in place, making cutting safe and easy. 

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Measuring scales

Measuring scales are tools used to measure the quantity of a product, such as ingredients in a recipe .

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This is essential for chefs, as it allows them to ensure that they are serving the correct amount of each ingredient in their dishes. 

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It also allows chefs to control ingredient costs by accurately measuring the amount of each ingredient they are using. 

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Do you already know that with haddock you can dynamically control the scandals of each plate?

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The ultimate chef's tools: knives

Knives are essential tools for professional chefs, allowing them to prepare meals quickly and efficiently.

With the proper use of knives, chefs can optimize their work and improve the quality of their creations.

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Every kitchen professional has his or her own personal selection of knives, the result of years of research and calibrated for the type of cooking he or she chooses to do.

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But in a restaurant, who should supply the knives - the restaurateur? Should the cook bring them?

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There are actually 3 different possibilities.

1. Each cook carries his or her own knives, usually in starred or haute cuisine restaurants.
2. The restaurant provides the knives for use in the kitchen, but then the team is responsible for their maintenance and sharpening.
3. The restaurant uses companies that provide knives for rent and once every 2/3 of the time someone from the company comes to sharpen the knives.

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The knives a chef chooses to use define him as much as the raw materials he chooses to process, so there will never be one knife set like another, but in any knife set worth its salt there are certain types of knives that should not be missing.

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Chef's knife

The first of the series, the most professional and the most used for its versatility. The blade is preferably made of stainless steel and, in fact, it slices, minces and dices vegetables and can even be used to break the shells of crustaceans and to pit olives. However, you cannot cut through the thick skin of vegetables or fruits, or debone chickens, for example. 

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Peeling knife

Good for peeling fruit and vegetables on the cutting board, it can measure between 8 and 11 cm and the long blade can be straight, curved and serrated depending on the type of fruit or vegetable. The blade must be made of stainless steel, but there are also ceramic blades. The handle can be made of plastic, wood or stainless steel. 

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Serrated blade knife

The classic bread knife, very sharp. It can be medium or serrated blade. It is usually between 15 and 25 cm long. Not suitable for cutting meat or fish. 

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Fish filleting knife

It has a flexible blade for filleting fish and is usually made of stainless steel with a plastic handle, which is easier to handle and lighter. But in themselves have a shape that does not strain the wrist. 

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Meat boning knife

It has a thin and very sharp blade, suitable for separating bones from meat. It must be flexible, easy to handle and with a curvature designed not to waste meat or tire the wrists.

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Cheese cutting knife

Cheese also needs a specific knife and there are several types: 

• Grana: characteristic knife with a short, pointed, almond-shaped blade.
• Hard paste: designed to cut cleanly and easily, so the blades are very sharp. Sometimes it has a kind of fork at the tip for serving cheese.
• Soft paste: this knife has holes in the blade to prevent the cheese from sticking.

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Pastry knife

It has a long, thin blade, useful for cutting biscuits and making cake slices. 

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Knife sets: how to choose the best ones

There are several characteristics that make you choose one knife over another. Here are some factors to consider:

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Price: on average, you can find a good kitchen knife for as little as 20 euros. 

• Many cooks have 2 sets of knives, the working set and the one they keep at home and use for special occasions. Battle knives are usually left at the restaurant when you go home or on a day off, and may be used by others. 
• In general, knives left in restaurants are treated quite poorly, so if you decide to invest in a valuable set of knives, it would be best to take them home and not leave them in the restaurant.

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Type of sheet: from here you can define what it is used for, but we have already discussed this extensively in the previous section.

• The most commonly used material is stainless steel because it is corrosion resistant, requires no special maintenance. In addition, you can re-sharpen the blade and it is easy to clean. 
• Knives with ceramic blades are certainly lighter and easier to handle, but obviously care must be taken with maintenance and cleaning and, above all, with the place where they are stored, because contact with other tools can pose a risk of breakage. 

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Useful tips for your knife set

In order to keep your knives looking as good as new, it is necessary to take some precautions:

• Always wash knives by hand and with cold water.
• Do not use the same knife for cooked and raw foods.
• Clean the kitchen knife after purchase and before use.
• Never store the knife together with other knives.
• Sharpen your knives once a week to reduce sharpening time.