Every chef and cook needs the right equipment, hell, anyone, in any profession needs the right equipment. Here are some cookware products that we rate, top quality equipment that might make your kitchen life that little bit easier.
From Tagines to Chicken Bricks and Bamboo Steamers to Cupcake Moulds; we’re reviewing them all. We’ll also be looking at brands like Alessi, Le Cruset and Kenwood to see how their products measure up in the kitchen.
Tierra Negra Tagine
A product from Scot Columbus. We love this tagine that is handmade by the locals in the Andes of Colombia. These tagines are great for slow cooking meat and vegetables - wonderful for tasty tender stews and will look amazing for dinner parties!
Terracotta Chicken Brick
For succulent, perfectly browned roast chicken you must try this iconic chicken brick! It acts like a traditional clay cooking device and so easy to use - rub with garlic, bung in the chicken and herbs, close and pop into oven. Job done! Available from Habitat.
Bamboo Steamers
Want to try out making your own dim sum, well you won't go very far without these steamers. Also great for steaming vegetables and fish, it preserves all the goody nutrients and costs only a couple of bob.
Tyhoon Non-Stick Wok
We have one of these at home and they are tough! It's made of carbon steel and no matter how much drama you create with those metal utensils, it doesn't scratch. Another thing we like about it is that it can be used on all hob types so no need for silly wok burners. Available from Typhoon.
Le Creuset Casserole
Not being a brand snob but Le Creuset casseroles are brilliant. We've had ours for years and have created many lovely meals out of it. My first one was a 'hand-me-down' from mum so you can imagine how long lasting it is.
Le Creuset Tri-Ply Pans
I don't intend to keep raving on about Le Creuset but these triple layered stainless steel pans are the best we've ever had! Definitely worth the money and keeps food piping hot for ages.
French Cuisine Baking Dish
These cutsey baking dishes produce a pretty frill on your pastry. They also distribute heat evenly so no more burnt pie bottoms.
Camembert Baker
Bake gooey cheese and hot dips in this porcelain baker which features distinctive vintage Camembert label.
Copper Pan
Not only because they are beautiful to look at but they are extremely durable, offers supreme heat distribution and utmost control. We tried to 'restore' an old one from a car boot sale, but I think from the effort it might just be worth forking out for one.
Sarpaneva Casserole Pot
This was inspired by the original design by Timo Sarpaneva in 1960. Enamelled cast iron ware is perfect for simmering stews over long periods and, because the enamel prevents flavours from sticking, it can be used for both meat and fish without residues of one tainting the other. Read more on Timo Sarpaneva.
La Cloche Baking Dome
This little baker mimics a wood-fired oven in your conventional oven. The bell shaped lid traps the steam and maintains an even baking temperature to give you moist bread with a golden, even and crackly crust.
Stainless Steel Frying Pan
Part of the Jamie Oliver range. It has a Prometal Pro non-stick Interior gives extra durability and has high resistance to scratches and abrasion. Feels wrong but you can use metal utensils on it.
