Knife Kit Essentials: Tools Every Chef Should Have
Going to your first trial shift or starting a new job? Here are the things you need in your knife kit and where to get them.
1. Chef’s Knife
Arguably the most important piece of equipment in a chef’s knife kit. Get one that will last. It is worth spending a bit of money.
There are so many different kinds of chef’s knives out there, carbon vs stainless steel, French vs Japanese. I highly recommend the Japanese Knife Company - they will let you test all different kinds of knives until you find one that suits you best.
Here are two options that I have in my own knife kit: Japanese with Carbon Blade, French Stainless Steel
2. Paring Knife
One of your best friends in the kitchen and are important for any Chef’s Knife Kit.
I like to have an inexpensive one for work, like the Victorinox classic pairing knife, as they tend to get passed around. For home, I keep a more expensive knife where I know I am the only one who will use and abuse it - Zwilling are a great choice for a long-lasting good quality pairing knife.
3. Honing Steel
NOT for sharpening your knives, they are only for honing them.
Sharpening knives in your knife kit should be done with a wet stone, which takes practice and skill, if you can’t do this yourself then go to knife shop. It normally costs around £1 per inch of knife, I personally go to the Japanese Knife company on Baker street.
This steel won best honing steel 2024 and is a great inexpensive option: Shan Zu Honing Steel
4. Peeler
Good to have a backup of these as they always go missing.
Japanese peelers are your best bet here. You don’t want a peeler that digs too much into the fruit/veg you are peeling.
This is a good option: Stainless Steel Peeler
5. Pastry Scraper
Always keep one of these in your back pocket.
used for cleaning down, picking stuff up off your board, scraping down vac pac bags and countless other things.
These scrapers are a good thickness and avoid bending/cracking: Surdoca Pastry Scraper
6. Scissors
Also great to have in your pocket.
I like to have a small pair in my pocket at all times - perfect for snipping herbs, trimming vac pac bags and opening piping bags. It is also good to have another larger pair for actual prep.
Small Sharp Pair: Silky Nevanon Scissors
Large Kitchen Scissors: Chef’s Scissors
7. Plating Tweesers
Ideally, you want a few options. Different tweesers for different jobs.
You will need some for cooking with, these tend to be longer and thicker, and then others for plating.
The best way to do this is to get a tweeser set like this one: Chef Tweeser Set
8. Small Offset Spatula
Useful for plating and so many other jobs.
Many restaurants will require to use these when plating on the pass - just grabbing something with your fingers can seem a little grubby. Try to get one of these with the thinnest metal you can find.
My own personal favourite brand for these is: Ateco Offset Spatula
9. Microplane
You will need this less often than other things, but they’re an essential part of a knife kit for a chef.
Whilst these are sometimes quite pricey, getting a real microplane branded one is worth the money - they are the sharpest and longest-lasting.
You can order one here: Microplane
10. Pastry/Bread Knife
Even if you don’t work in pastry or slice much bread…
They are still a priceless thing to have at hand.
My pastry knife is simple yet fantastic and extremely sharp: Zwilling Pastry Knife
So those are the essentials for your knife kit.
Of course, there are so many other things that you will need during your time in the kitchen, so i’ve listed a few optional extras for you here…
Oyster knife
Filleting, Boning and Carving Knives
Large Offset Spatula
Serrated pairing knife and turning knife