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Fish Spatula – The ultimate kitchen multi tool because its thin flexible edge slides perfectly under everything from delicate fillets to crispy fried eggs without breaking them.
Microplane – Your secret weapon for adding professional flavor because it turns tough ingredients like parmesan and citrus peel into light clouds that melt instantly into your dishes.
Stainless Bench Scraper – A total game changer for prep work because it helps you cleanly portion dough for breads or pastries while making it easy to scoop up huge piles of chopped veggies in one quick motion.
Plastic Bench Scraper – A baker’s best friend because its flexible edge curves to perfectly clear every last bit of dough from your mixing bowl without scratching the surface.
Meat Thermometer – A total lifesaver for the home cook because it takes all the guesswork out of dinner by ensuring your proteins reach the perfect internal temperature every single time.
Wooden Cutting Board – A foundational kitchen piece because the natural surface is much gentler on your knife blades while providing a sturdy and beautiful workspace for everything from heavy chopping to serving appetizers. Just don’t forget the oil and board cream to ensure proper care. You can find those here.
The MK Free Board – A total weeknight savior because it offers a durable nonporous surface for messy prep work like raw poultry and can be tossed straight into the machine for a high heat sanitize. Please note that I do not earn anything from this specific link but I believe so strongly in this board that it is absolutely worth sharing here.
Stand Mixer – The ultimate investment for your countertop because its powerful motor and versatile attachments handle everything from kneading heavy bread doughs to whipping perfect meringues with total ease.
Kitchen Scale – The only way to guarantee perfect results every time because it replaces the inconsistency of measuring cups with pinpoint accuracy for everything from consistent bake times to perfectly portioned burgers.
High End Blender – A Vitamix is the ultimate kitchen splurge because its commercial-grade motor pulverizes everything from fibrous greens to frozen fruit into a silky professional texture that cheaper models simply can’t replicate. I’ve had mine for 10 years and it’s never failed me.
Stainless Steel Cookware – A high quality stainless steel set is the foundation of a serious kitchen because it provides incredible heat control and the perfect sear for building deep flavors, and while the upfront cost is an investment, these pans will truly last you a lifetime with proper care. There are dozens of different styles out there so I can’t just recommend one single pan, but I’ve listed this set from All Clad because they are the gold standard for the restaurant industry and for good reason. If you can’t justify the price then you can absolutely piece together your collection by purchasing them one at a time.
Cast Iron Cookware – A Lodge cast iron skillet is an essential workhorse for any home cook because its incredible heat retention and natural nonstick surface make it perfect for everything from searing steaks to baking cornbread. While it is one of the most affordable pieces of cookware you will ever buy, it is also one of the most durable and will easily last for generations if you keep it seasoned. Lodge is the American standard for cast iron because they’ve been doing it right for over a century, and it’s the exact brand I trust for a pan that only gets better the more you use it.
Knives – A high quality knife set is the single most important investment for your kitchen safety and efficiency because a sharp professional blade makes prep work effortless and much more enjoyable. There are endless styles and specialties to choose from so you definitely don’t need to buy a massive block all at once, which is why I recommend starting with a small set that includes a solid chef knife and growing your collection one piece at a time. I’ve included a starter set here that I really like because it focuses on the essential shapes you’ll actually use every single day, but if you can only get one right now, start with the chef knife. It is the true workhorse of the kitchen and will handle 90% of your cutting tasks while you save up to build the rest of your kit.
Meals with Mills 