Guides
What to buy someone who is learning to cook
The short answer: one good chef's knife, a solid wooden board, a 26cm frying pan, a cast iron casserole and a cooking class. Those five cover almost everything a new cook will make in their first year, and each one makes cooking easier rather than more complicated. Skip the gadgets.
Why fewer, better things
People learning to cook are usually let down by their kit before their skill. A blunt knife slides off an onion. A thin pan burns on one side and stays pale on the other. A light board skates across the worktop. Give a beginner a few tools that work properly and they get results early, which is what keeps anyone cooking.
1. One good chef's knife
A single 20-21cm chef's knife does nine jobs in ten: onions, carrots, herbs, chicken, a squash. One sharp knife beats a block of dull ones, and a sharp knife is easier to control because it goes where you send it.
Our pick is the S4 Chef's Knife 21cm, £100: 67-layer Damascus around a 10CR steel core, 61 HRC, a 15 degree edge, full tang, rosewood handle and a lifetime guarantee. For smaller hands, the S1 Chef's Knife (£80-£100) is lighter, at 129g for the 16cm. Knives are sold to over-18s only, with ID checked on delivery. If the folklore worries you, read is it bad luck to give a knife as a gift?
2. A board that stays put
A heavy wooden board is the other half of the knife. It stays still, it is kind to the edge, and it gives room to work. The Teak End Grain Chopping Board (£70-£120) comes in four sizes; the medium, 40 x 30cm and 2.95kg, suits most kitchens. See what size chopping board do I need?
3. A 26cm frying pan
26cm is the size that does the most: eggs for two, a steak, a pan of greens, a quick sauce. A stainless steel pan teaches heat control, browns properly, goes in the oven and lasts for years.
The Tri-Ply Frying Pan (£50-£75 across four sizes) has an aluminium core running up the sides for even heat. The 26cm has an 18cm flat base and weighs 775g. It works on all hobs including induction, goes in the oven to 240°C and the dishwasher, and has a 10 year warranty. Start with how to fry an egg on a stainless steel pan.
4. A cast iron casserole
The forgiving pot. Stews, braises, soups, a pot roast, even bread. Cast iron holds heat steadily, so things simmer gently instead of catching, and most recipes only need one pot.
The Season Cast Iron Casserole: the 26cm is £100, holds 5.4 litres and feeds four to six. Its walls and lid are the same thickness for even heat, and dimples under the lid baste as it cooks. It works on all hobs including induction and in the oven to 230°C, and has a 10 year warranty. Use wooden or silicone tools to look after the enamel. Six colours, from Blue Mussel to Blackberry. See what size casserole dish do I need?
5. A cooking class
Tools help; being shown helps more. A Cooking Class Gift Card (£65-£130) is good for any class in our London shops, for one or two places. It arrives by email with your message and has no expiry, so they can choose the class that suits them.
At a glance
| Gift | Why | Price |
|---|---|---|
| S4 Chef's Knife 21cm | Does most of the work, stays sharp | £100 |
| Teak End Grain Chopping Board | Stays still, kind to the knife | £70-£120 |
| Tri-Ply Frying Pan, 26cm | Eggs, steak, greens, sauces | £50-£75 range |
| Cast Iron Casserole, 26cm | One-pot cooking, forgiving heat | £100 |
| Cooking Class Gift Card | Learning from people who cook | £65-£130 |
For more ideas, see our Christmas gifts for cooks, and pass on mastering basic knife skills with the knife.
Questions people ask
What is the most useful gift for a beginner cook? A good chef's knife. It makes every bit of preparation quicker and easier.
Should I buy a beginner a knife set? One chef's knife is enough to start. Add a bread knife and a paring knife later, or give the S4 3 Piece Knife Set (£200) if you want all three.
What size frying pan is best for a beginner? 26cm. It is big enough for two portions and small enough to heat evenly on a home hob.
What size casserole should a beginner get? 26cm, about 5.4 litres, which feeds four to six and leaves room for leftovers.
Is a cooking class a good gift for someone learning? Yes. An evening of being shown how is often worth more than any tool.
Cook it with
Cook like it matters.
From the cooks at Season, a London cookshop since 2005.