Buying the right utensils for your kitchen can be a daunting prospect. Spending your money wisely is essential, and with that in mind I’ve decided to take a look at the utensils that absolutely no kitchen should be without.

Meat Tenderiser

At first glance, a meat tenderiser may seem like a bit of a frivolous purchase. With budgets tight, chefs have been known to improvise when preparing tough cuts of meat. Hammers, ladles and even fists have been used as makeshift meat tenderisers, and though it may seem that an improvised utensil works just as well, there’s really no substitute for a good quality meat tenderiser. Whether you’re preparing steak, chicken or pork, you’ll notice the difference at once – and so will your clientele.

Board Scrapers

Every chef knows that after a while, even the highest quality chopping boards can become tired, with nicks and scratches making it harder to get a good clean cut. This is where the board scraper comes in.  With minimum effort, a board scraper will refresh the surface of your chopping board, leaving it smooth and most importantly, free from contamination.

Poultry Shears

A good set of poultry shears is absolutely vital for any establishment that serves even one chicken dish. As well as helping you cut the meat more cleanly, poultry shears also help minimise wastage by allowing you to get every last bit of meat off the bone. While it’s worth spending money on a good quality pair of shears, they will pay for themselves in no time.

Thermometer

Although it may seem like rather a dull choice, no option is complete without a high quality thermometer. To ensure your meals are served at the right temperature – and to keep you on the right side of the law – a top quality thermometer is absolutely essential. The Hygiplas Multi Stem Thermometer is the perfect food safety thermometer. With a temperature range of -50 to +200°C and a 1m lead, it is the ideal addition to any kitchen.

Moulin

As the nights draw in and the temperatures begin to fall, more and more people are going to be seeking refuge from the cold in restaurants, hoping for a hearty soup to warm them up. Our selection of moulins will allow you to make soup from meat and vegetables, or to purée a wide variety of fruits. While it may seem an unusual choice, you’ll soon wonder how you ever coped without it.

Tab Grabber

Another option that may seem a tad boring, the tab grabber is arguably the most important utensil in the kitchen. While sharp knives and good quality pots and pans are very important, they won’t be of much use if you don’t know which tables have ordered which meals. Simple, yet hugely effective, tab grabbers are an essential part of a well-organised kitchen, and allow you to keep track of exactly what’s happening in your kitchen.

By Henry Franklin