TigerChef

There are certain culinary tools that a true professional chef cannot live without. Although many people like to believe that once you’ve reached the professional status you can kiss your tools good-bye, that is certainly not the case. Cooking without professional chef tools will end up in a disaster, no matter which rung of the ladder you are holding at. The top 10 professional tools that no chef can be without are:

1. Measuring tools: Whether you’re the kind of person that needs to know the exact measurements for cooking or you shake a little bit of this and a little bit of that, there will always be a time when you will have no option but to turn to your measuring tools. A good recipe can turn disastrous by what seems to you to be a minor mis-measurement.
2. Wooden Spoon: A wooden spoon has no cons attached to it when it comes to cooking. It feels better in the hand, it won’t damage your food or your pots and pans, it will never react with acidic foods, it won’t melt, and it does not conduct heat.In addition, a wooden spoon can be used for stirring, dipping, serving etc.
3. Thermometers: So important yet many times, overlooked. The last thing you want is for your customers to get sick over your food. When cooking meat or poultry, you want to make sure to play it safe and use a thermometer to check that the food has reached the full temperature and that it is cooked through. There are many different types of thermometers available, all which are there to help you improve your food preparation.
4. Peeler: Although there are many peelers out on the market, most chefs swear by the “Y” peeler. The reason? Let’s just say that another name for the "Y" peeler is the speed peeler. And when it comes to cooking, time is of essence. However, just like any other tool in the kitchen, you have to feel comfortable with whichever tool you decide to go with.
5. Tongs: It is practically impossible to work in the kitchen without a pair (or two) of kitchen tongs. They are great for transferring foods from one pan to another, setting it on the dish, sautéing, mixing etc. If you want to avoid burning those fingers, you’ll put those tongs to good use!
6. Spatula: Silicone spatulas are the way to go! The fact that they are flexible works to your benefit since you can use them to get to places that nothing else can reach. In addition, they are heat resistant making them the perfect utensil to use when working with heat. They are great for both cooking and baking.
7. Mixing bowls: Every recipe calls for combining ingredients and that is where mixing bowls come in. The good news is, mixing bowls provide for more than just bowls for mixing. They can be used as serving bowls for side dishes or as salad bowls as well.
8. Knives: Pretty much anything that’s cooked has to be cut up one way or another. Cooking without a knife is like living without air. You simply cannot do without it. The top three knives to invest in are a chef’s knife, a paring knife and a boning knife.
9. Cutting board:That being said, what’s a knife without a cutting board? Aside for protecting the counter tops, cutting boards have a number of other functions, including preventing and reducing knife injuries, reducing clutter, catching spill-overs, etc.
10. Cookware: A must in every kitchen! No cookware, no cook. Most professional chefs opt for the cast-iron ones. Yes, they are the ones that that tend to stick, but professionals believe it’s worth your while to learn how to use cast-iron pots and pans for better cooking results. Go for pots that are heavier so that the heat is distributed evenly and all your hard work will result in tastier food.

Filed under: Top Picks • General

Tags: chef tools, professional