If I Had to Build the Perfect Kitchen From Scratch...

As a private chef, I love a good kitchen gadget (I get that from my mom!).

For years, I thought I needed all of it — every tool, every specialty pan, every “this will change your life” appliance.

Then we moved across the country from California to Texas.

And for about six months, we didn’t have most of our stuff.

No overflowing drawers.
No random appliances.
No backup of backups.

Just the basics.

And you know what?

I was completely fine.

Actually… I was better than fine.

That stretch forced me to realize something important:

You can cook incredibly well with far less than you think.

So I created a list of what you actually need in a kitchen — the real essentials. I’ve linked the exact versions I use and love in my Amazon storefront so you can build your own foundation without overthinking it.

Let’s build the kitchen.

The Core Cookware (The Real Workhorses)

If you get these right, you can cook almost anything.

• Small Stainless Steel Pot

For rice, reheating soup, boiling eggs, sauces.
This gets used constantly. Don’t skip it.

• Large Stainless Steel Pot

Pasta. Stocks. Big batches of soup. Braising meat.
If you ever cook for more than two people, this matters.

• Large Stainless Steel Sauté Pan

This is your everyday pan.
Chicken. Shrimp. Veg. Pan sauces.
Stainless steel gives you proper browning — and browning equals flavor.

• Cast Iron Pan

Eggs. Steak. Cornbread. Crispy anything.
Once seasoned, it’s basically indestructible.
This is the “forever” pan.

• Stainless Steel Baking Sheet

Roasted vegetables. Salmon. Cookies. Sheet pan dinners.
If you cook nothing else, learn how to roast well.

The Knives (You Do NOT Need a 15-Piece Set)

Marketing convinced people they need knife blocks.

You don’t.

• Chef’s Knife

This is 90% of your cutting. I personally love the light ceramic knives. But get what feels best for you.

• Paring Knife

For peeling, trimming, small detail work.

That’s it.

• Cutting Board

Large enough that you’re not chasing onions off the counter.

The Tools That Actually Matter

They don’t look sexy. They’re everything.

• Stainless steel whisk

• Wooden spoon

• Stainless steel tongs

• Stainless steel spatula

• Peeler

• Manual can opener

The Prep & Flavor Builders

This is where home cooks quietly level up.

• Set of Glass Bowls

Prep like a chef. Mise en place isn’t fancy — it’s efficient.

• Mandolin

Uniform slicing changes everything. Salads. Potatoes. Citrus.
(Be careful. Respect it.)

• Zester

Fresh citrus zest or finely grated garlic = immediate flavor upgrade.

• Cheese Grater

Love grating my own cheese. No pre-shredded cheese for me.

• Hand Juicer

Fresh lemon juice is non-negotiable in my kitchen.

The Only Appliance I’d Add

• Blender

Smoothies. Sauces. Soups. Dressings. Nut butters.
You don’t need five appliances. You need one strong one.

You’ll Notice What’s Missing

When I made this list, I didn’t ask,
“What’s trendy?”
I asked,
“What do I actually reach for every single day?”

There’s no giant knife block.
No drawer of one-use gadgets.
No appliances that live on the counter but rarely get used.

That doesn’t mean those things are bad.

It just means they’re not essential.

And when I went six months cooking without most of my “extras,” something shifted.

Cooking felt simpler.
Cleaner.
More intuitive.

I wasn’t digging through clutter.
I wasn’t distracted by options.
I was focused on ingredients and technique.

And that’s where the magic actually lives.

If you’re building your kitchen from scratch — or resetting what you already have — this is the foundation I’d start with.

I’ve linked the exact tools I use and love in my Amazon storefront here:

CLICK HERE

Think of it as your “chef-approved starter pack.”

From there, you can add personality.
But first? Build strength.

Now I’m curious —

If you opened your drawers right now, what’s one tool you could let go of… and what’s one you’d never give up?

Reply and tell me.