Moving Out? Here Are the Kitchen Tools I Swear By as a Professional Caterer

I’m a professional caterer by day, and keen home cook by night, so to say I’ve tried almost every single kitchen item out there is a bit of an understatement! But because I cook almost every hour of the day, I’ve definitely learned which tools I reach for again and again – and which ones are honestly just a waste of space. 

Whether you’re gearing up to move out for the first time or simply want to build a more reliable kitchen setup, this list covers all the essentials I stand by as someone who’s always got one foot in a catering kitchen and the other in their home stovetop!

 

Professional-Grade Knives

A great knife is the foundation of almost everything you do in the kitchen, so they are worth spending a bit of money on.

Not only are professional knives easier to work with, but they’re actually much safer too. It sounds backwards, but cheap blades dull quickly, making them more likely to slip off what you’re chopping and onto your fingers instead. And if you’ve ever nicked yourself with a razor-sharp knife, you’ll know the cut is clean, meaning it heals much faster!

To get started, you only really need one or two knives – a smaller paring blade for detailed prep, and a larger chef’s knife for everyday chopping. As your confidence and collection grow, you can add things like a serrated bread knife or a vegetable cleaver later on.

One of my favourite knife brands is the Japanese Kazoku Knives – I regularly use their Takahiro Chef’s Knife and the Ginsan Nashiji Santoku Knife in my commercial kitchen. Both have a 61 HRC hardness rating, which means the blade of a premium quality that holds a sharp edge for a really long time (which minimises how often you need to sharpen them!), so they are a great choice if you plan on cooking every day. 

 

A Slow Cooker

If you’re moving out to go to uni, or generally don’t have much time on your hands to cook every day, then a slow cooker is your new best friend. Use them to cook soups, stews, curries, chilli con carne, or literally anything else – just pop everything in before you leave for work in the morning, and come home to a delicious slow-cooked dinner!

The great thing about slow cookers is that you really don’t have to go for anything fancy – they all work the same. I still have my trusty £15 Aldi middle aisle slow cooker that I purchased back in 2019 when I first moved out! You don’t need a large one either – mine is only 1.8 litres, but easily does 6-8 portions of whatever I’m cooking inside. 

 

Food Storage Essentials

If you’ve seen my Foolproof Meal Prep Routine blog, you’ll know I rely heavily on make-ahead meals during super busy periods of work. If you also like to keep your freezer full of home-cooked meals, it’s essential you have the right equipment. For me, this includes:

• Reusable silicone pouches
• Glass tupperware 
• Soupercubes + freezer bags
• Glass jars (although most of mine are recycled chutney jars)

Having these on hand makes meal storage tidier, safer, and so much easier when you’re juggling limited time and space in your fridge/freezer.

 

Stainless Steel Bowls

If you’re into baking or salad making like me, then large mixing bowls are your best friend. But, don’t waste your money on plastic bowls – they are much harder to get super clean, and can scratch and wear easily. Opt for a set of stainless steel bowls instead.

Yes, they are a little pricier, but they will genuinely last you a lifetime if you look after them. Some sets even come with matching lids, which is a game-changer when it comes to storing leftovers or prepped ingredients. Mixing bowl and storage in one? Yes please!

 

Stainless Steel Pans & Saucepans 

Whilst non-stick coated pans seem convenient and cheap – they won’t last long before they start scratching and peeling. Stainless steel pans heat better, clean up easier, don’t warp, and transition beautifully across commercial and home cooking – they are without a doubt worth the investment!

My entire stainless steel pan collection is from Le Creuset – expensive, I know – but I’ve collected them slowly but surely over the years, adding one when I could justify it, or keeping an eye out for when they are on sale. Both the 3-ply saucepans and frying pans come with oven-safe lids, meaning they can also double up as a Dutch oven when needed.

 

Kitchen Thermometers

Thermometers are one of those items I never knew I needed, but now I can’t live without – and they’re super cheap to buy too. Instant-read thermometers (the pokey ones) give you quick, accurate readings for meat, fish, or baked goods, so you never have to guess if your chicken is cooked through.

Oven thermometers are also essential in my opinion – they sit inside your oven to check the real temperature, which can vary wildly from the dial. This is particularly important if you like to bake cookies, bread, or cakes. Together, they make sure everything comes out perfectly every time!

 

Good Quality Non-Stick Bakeware 

And last but certainly not least – bakeware. Whether you’re roasting veg, making brownies, or living in your best banana-bread era, good bakeware makes all the difference. A baking tray/sheet or two is essential, and then you can add more specific bakeware as and when you need it.

Le Creuset is my go-to choice (seriously… where’s my sponsorship?!) – they are heavy-duty, non-toxic, scratch-resistant trays that don’t twist, peel, or flake after five uses. They might also be the most non-stick trays I’ve ever used. 

Case in point: the first time I used one of their baking sheets, I turned around holding a fresh batch of scones… and they literally launched themselves off the tray. I hadn’t even shaken it yet – they just flew right off! 

 

Cooking Tips & Kitchen Advice From Savery Grazing

Your first kitchen setup doesn’t need to be huge, expensive or even cute and aesthetic to fit your needs – choose a couple of solid staples, look after them, and the rest can grow over time as you get more into your cooking. 

If you’re on the lookout for more kitchen advice, cooking tips, and delicious recipes, you can stay up to date with me on Savery Grazing’s food blog. Or, keep up to date with me on social media!

 

---