Best Culinary Schools Guide

It’s that time of year when Americans around the country are either wincing as they write checks to the IRS or waiting expectantly to spend their tax refund. If you’re lucky enough to be getting a little money back this year, why not spend it on some high-quality kitchen gadgets that will make your cooking practice more enjoyable and help you feel like a professional chef? 

The following list is made up of kitchen essentials. If you’re serious about a career in culinary arts, spend the extra money on tools of the highest quality so you can use them for years.

• The Knife – If you haven’t already invested in a chef’s knife for yourself, now’s the time. While the best knives run over $100 apiece, this is not an item to scrimp on. Five years from now, when you’re still slicing and dicing with ease, you’ll be glad you spent the extra $60.
• Cookware – If you still have some cash left after the knife purchase, invest in some pots and pans. Don’t have enough for that Le Creuset set you’ve been drooling over? Check out last month’s posting on cast iron cookware, a economical and practical alternative.
• Wooden Spoon – You’ll be stirring many a soup, chowder, batter and dough over the next thirty years. Find yourself a wooden spoon that feels good when it’s in your hand. If you’re partial to beautiful tools, look for a hand-crafted spoon which could become a family heirloom if you care for it correctly.
• Cutting Boards – Still got some cash to burn? You won’t regret investing in a good cutting board. Measure your counter space before you go shopping to ensure that you pick a board that fits. A good wooden cutting board will be a functional and attractive addition to your kitchen for years to come.