People ask me constantly what I actually use in my own kitchen — not what’s trendy, not what a brand sent me, but what earns its place after 40 years of professional cooking. This page is that answer, kept current as my picks change. Everything here is something I own, use, and would buy again. Read more about my background in professional kitchens on the About page.
Knives
The one tool worth spending real money on. Full breakdown in the complete chef’s knife guide.
- Everyday chef’s knife: Wusthof Classic 8″ — check price →
- Best value: Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8″ — check price →
- Splurge: Shun Classic 8″ — check price →
- Japanese-style: MAC MTH-80 — check price →
- Santoku: Global G-48 7″ — check price → — more on when I reach for this instead of a chef’s knife in this comparison
On a tighter budget? See the full best budget chef’s knife guide for five solid picks under $100.
For precision slicing beyond what a knife alone can do — even cuts, julienne, spirals — see my guide to mandolines and vegetable slicers.
Keeping Knives Sharp
A dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp one. Full detail in the sharpening systems guide and knife care guide.
- Whetstone: King KDS 1000/6000 — check price →
- Quick touch-ups: KitchenIQ 50009 Edge Grip — check price →
- Electric sharpener: Chef’sChoice 15 Trizor XV — check price →
- Honing rod: Wusthof 10″ Sharpening Steel — check price →
Cookware
My full head-to-head is in the Le Creuset vs Staub guide — short version: I own and use both.
- The pot I reach for most: Staub 7-Quart Round Cocotte — check price → — see it in action in my baeckeoffe recipe
- The one I hand to guests who want to help: Le Creuset 5.5-Quart Round Dutch Oven — check price →
- For a lighter, budget-friendly alternative: a traditional Spanish terra cotta cazuela — see my full guide to cooking with clay
Sauté Pans
Carbon steel, tri-ply stainless, or a refined hybrid — the choice depends on how much maintenance you’re willing to do. Full breakdown in the De Buyer vs All-Clad vs Hestan ProBond comparison.
- Best sear, close to my heart: De Buyer Mineral B — check price →
- No-maintenance workhorse: All-Clad D3 — check price →
- Refined alternative: Hestan ProBond — check price →
For individual soup crocks and ramekins — the kind that turn a weeknight soup into pumpkin soup en croûte — four oven-safe 10–12 oz crocks earn their shelf space more often than you’d expect.
This page will grow as I add more clusters to the site — cutting boards, bakeware, and a few other categories are coming.
Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Everything listed here is something I personally own and use — nothing is included because a brand sent it to me.
