ISAAC CAREW

The Kit.

Every knife, pan, and tool I cook with — at home and on the line. Updated when I change something, never to fill a quota. 12 items.

— 01
MAC Knife Co.

Professional MTH-80, 8″

"The only knife I've owned for twelve years. Outperforms blades at three times the price."

— 02
De Buyer

Mineral B Carbon Steel 28cm

"Once you've cooked an egg in carbon steel, the non-stick goes in the bin. Trust me."

— 03
Vitamix

Ascent A2500

"Soup, smoothies, sauces, even crushed ice for cocktails. The motor will outlive me."

— 04
Microplane

Premier Zester

"£24 and it's in every restaurant kitchen in the world. There's a reason."

— 05
Staub

Round Cocotte 24cm, Black

"Browns better than Le Creuset. Heavier in the hand. Worth the £80 difference."

— 06
OXO Good Grips

Stainless 5-lb Digital Scale

"Gram-accurate, pulls out for awkward bowls. £42 well spent."

— 07
Wüsthof

Classic Ikon, 20cm

"When the MAC isn't right — squash, ribs, anything that needs a heavier hand. The bruiser of the rack."

— 08
ThermoWorks

Thermapen ONE

"Reads in two seconds. Twice a day, every day. The single tool that turns guesswork into cooking."

— 09
Maldon

Sea Salt Flakes 250g

"If you're going to own one salt, this. Restaurant-grade crunch and clean. The flake every kitchen reaches for."

£4.50 Shop →
— 10
Shapton

Pro 1000/6000 Sharpening Stones

"Two stones, ten minutes a month, a lifetime of edges. The investment that makes every other knife on this list cheaper."

— 11
Le Creuset

Signature 28cm Skillet

"Heavier than the Staub, holds heat like an oven. The Sunday-roast pan when the cocotte is full."

— 12
Fergus Henderson

Nose to Tail Eating

"The only cookbook from London I still teach from. Plain, honest, and braver than anything published since."