All the Tools I Received in Culinary School and Still Use Every Day Are Less Than $15

I graduated from culinary school about 15 years ago, and since then, many things in my life have changed. As a food writer, I’m often sent new products to test in my own kitchen. Throughout this review process, I’m constantly reminded that when it comes to kitchen equipment, nothing beats a classic. Many things in my life have changed in the last decade and a half, but not the kitchen tools I find myself reaching for every day.

At my culinary school’s orientation, I received several items that I would use throughout the term, including a large knife bag filled with kitchen gear. But for the most part, all these years later, the tools I most often use are the very ones I received that day at orientation. These are the tried and true tools that every cook needs.

Best Kitchen Tools Under $15

• Mmmat Silicone Baking Mats, $13 with coupon, originally $16
• Jxwing Stainless Steel Fish Spatula, $9, originally $13
• Zulay Spider Skimmer, $10, originally $15
• Rubbermaid Heavy-Duty Spatula, $14, originally $22
• Rena Chris Heavy-Duty Measuring Spoons, $10, originally $14
• D DrNeeko Stainless Steel Balloon Whisk, $13
• Lurch Ultra Sharp Y Peeler, $10, originally $15
• Winco Heavy-Duty Slotted Spoon, $8
• Cgbe Kitchen Shears, $12, originally $14
• Black Sharpie Markers, $10, originally $22

Mmmat Silicone Baking Mats

A silicone baking mat is one of those tools you figure you can go without until you actually bake with one. Until culinary school, I’d only ever used foil or parchment paper for my baking needs, but once I used this handy tool, I never looked back. A great baking mat like this one provides a nonstick surface that eliminates the need for greasing or buttering a pan. I especially love mine for working with sticky sugar dishes like caramel or taffy. 

Jxwing Stainless Steel Fish Spatula

I sing the praises of my fish spatula to the point of annoyance, I’m sure. It’s probably because this was the tool in my culinary school bag that I looked at and thought, “Well, I probably won’t use that very much.” I didn’t often cook fish at the time and figured that’s all a fish spatula was good for. Boy, was I wrong. While I make fish several times a week now and love this spatula for its intended use, I also love it for flipping pancakes, frying eggs, and serving chocolate chip cookies.

Zulay Spider Skimmer

I have a weakness for fried foods. French fries, onion rings, artichoke hearts, pickles — I love them all. It’s a love I’ve now passed on to my children, so this spider skimmer — the very one I received in school — is one I reach for. Perfect for frying, blanching, skimming stock, and separating braises, this skimmer is a surprisingly versatile tool I couldn’t live without. 

Rubbermaid Heavy-Duty Spatula

Every kitchen drawer needs a high-quality, heavy-duty, ready-to-tackle-anything rubber spatula, and this is that spatula. Apart from my chef’s knife, this is the tool I relied on most in culinary school and continue to use today. Its flexible but strong blade, heat resistance, and quality craftsmanship have made this piece a staple in my kitchen for years.

Rena Chris Heavy-Duty Measuring Spoons

I confess that measuring spoons aren’t something I use often when cooking a savory dish. Many people who love to cook tend to measure with their heart instead of sticking to a strict recipe. But sometimes I’ve had to test another chef’s recipe or put one of my own to paper, and these spoons have been tremendously helpful. They’re also wonderful for baking, which is when I use them the most. I love their solid, sturdy construction and easy-to-read measurements.

D DrNeeko Stainless Steel Balloon Whisk

I’ll admit, I’ve collected more than my fair share of whisks over the years. It seems that every few years, a new and improved model is released and claims to do one specialty task or another. The truth is, nothing compares to a really high-quality and heavy-duty stainless steel balloon whisk like this one. Constructed with eight thick wires and a sturdy, 1-inch handle, this whisk is the go-to for everything from whipping cream to making velvety béarnaise. 

Lurch Ultra Sharp Y Peeler

While people think of a peeler as a tool just for carrots and potatoes, it’s so much more versatile. In culinary school, I learned just how useful a good Y-shaped peeler can be, from peeling citrus for a cocktail garnish to shaving chocolate curls onto a silky mousse. One of my favorite uses for this peeler is to sneak a few perfectly thin cheese slices for a quick snack. Of course, this peeler’s extra sharp blade and comfortable grip make it ideal for peeling potatoes, too.

Winco Heavy-Duty Slotted Spoon

This is the same slotted spoon I received, and it’s still the one I reach for. I love the extra-long handle, making it ideal for reaching into large stock pots or keeping my distance from hot oil when frying calamari or onion rings. This commercial-grade, heavy-duty spoon has stuck with me for over 15 years now, with no sign of slowing down, and it is easily one of my favorite cooking tools.

Cgbe Kitchen Shears

Kitchen shears like these are one of the most useful, versatile kitchen tools. I use mine to break down chicken, devein shrimp, trim pie dough, chop herbs, and perform a thousand other culinary tasks. I love these shears because of their heavy-duty construction, making easy work out of tasks like cutting through large pieces of meat or root vegetables. Their sharp blades are made from stainless steel, and the large, ergonomic handle is extremely comfortable. 

Black Sharpie Markers

While Sharpies aren’t typically considered kitchen tools, I certainly can’t live without them. In school, every student had one in the arm pocket of their chef coat to mark ingredients, dishes, baked goods, and the next day’s mise en place. Today, I use a Sharpie to label Costco-sized packages of meat and frozen leftovers to condiments with their opened date.