Food prep is one of the most important steps in cooking, but it’s also the one that’s easiest to skip corners. That’s a big mistake. The prep work you do in advance can have a major impact on the final product.
With many prep and cooking tools, it’s very helpful to have multiple sizes. Having a large spatula or whisk may seem like enough, but small ones are equally important.
Try to minimize the use of plastic. So, get silicone or metal when possible. If you need plastic, look for BPA-free options.
Some prep tools, like Knives, will have their own guides.
Mixing & Measuring
- Metal Mixing Bowl Set
- Pinch Bowls
- Balloon Whisks
- French Whisks
- Danish Whisks
- Silicone Spatulas
- Offset Spatulas
- Wooden Spoons
- Metal Dry Measuring Cups
- Glass Wet Measuring Cups
- Metal Measuring Spoons
Grating, Slicing, & Smashing
- Box Grater
- Microplane Zester
- Mandoline
- Truffle Shaver
- Swiss Peeler
- Poultry Shears
- Marble Mortar and Pestle
- Molcajete
- Rolling Pizza Cutter
- Metal Meat Tenderizer
- Potato Ricer
- Pepper Mill
Scraping
- Silicone Bowl Scrapers
- Stainless Steel Bench Scraper (wood handle)
- Pizza Dough Scraper (Y-shaped)
Small Appliances
- Coffee/Spice Grinder
- Digital Scale
- Personal Blender (i.e. NutriBullet)
- Hand Mixer
- Immersion Blender
- Vacuum Sealer
Pasta & Pastry
- French Rolling Pins
- Pasta Drying Rack
- Pastry Cutter
- Pasta Roller or Dough Sheeter
- Ravioli Mold
- Drying Screen
- Pastry Brush
- Pastry Bags
Surfaces
- Bamboo Cutting Boards
- Wood Pasta Board
- Non-Stick Silicone Mat (i.e. Silpat)
Storage
- Lidded Glass Containers
- Lidded Glass Jars
- Lidded Metal Containers
- Silicone Lids
- Resealable Silicone Bags
- Silicone Stretch Wrap
- Butcher Paper
Disposables
- Nitrile Gloves
- Parchment Paper
- Aluminum Foil
- BPA-Free Deli Containers
- Paper Towels
General Tools
- Salad Spinner
- Colander
- Can Opener
- Ice Cube Trays
- Ice Packs
- Spray Bottles
- Squeeze Bottles