The Personal Chef’s Kitchen: Tools, Ingredients & Brands I Love

A guide for curious cooks, clients, and creative food lovers

By: Chef Joanna

Introduction

Over the years, as a personal chef, many people have asked me what kinds of ingredients and tools I like to use. So, I decided to finally sit down and write it out so it could be a helpful guide for all those looking to jump into the kitchen. These are the tools, ingredients, and brands that I love to use and make my life easier. I hope it helps you, too.

For ingredients, I try to focus on sustainable, organic, and a minimal list of ingredients. I am also looking for minimal to zero use of refined oils like canola or sunflower oils, little to no added sugars, and little to no use of gums like xanthan gum or carrageen. Things are always changing in the ingredients world, so my suggestion is when in doubt, grab the one with the most pronounceable and recognizable ingredients, and the shorter list of ingredients.

My style of cooking is very Cal-Italian and Mediterranean with Mexican flair. So, many of the ingredients and tools will reflect this. I don’t cook a ton of Asian foods but you’ll see some ingredients there. An Asian chef could better prepare you in this department.

Before diving in, a warning that this is an exhaustive list. Don’t get overwhelmed and don’t go out and buy all these gadgets. The kitchen can fill up quickly- believe me. It’s best to try to use your hands and tools you have for as much as you can. And always make sure you actually have a place for the new gadget to live before you bring it home. I’ve learned the hard way and have gotten way too excited about buying new things only for no place to store them.

Hope this list inspires you to cook more and have fun while doing it. Remember that it’s ALWAYS better to cook something simple than to go out to eat. And it’s always better to eat with someone than alone. Don’t get overwhelmed by the products and ingredients list.

I’m just glad you’re here, trying to learn more about cooking. Take the time to cook and be patient with yourself when you make mistakes. It’s all part of the process. Happy cooking! 👩🏻‍🍳

Kitchen Essentials for the Home Cook

Pantry staples

I choose ingredients that are organic, fair-trade when possible.

Diamond kosher salt
Fleur de sel (finishing salt)
Braag olive oil
California olive oil ranch olive oil
Bread- Sourdough bread (3 ingredients only flour, water, salt)
Spices- Mortan & Bassett brand
Vinegar- Aged Balsamic (no sugar added)
Rice- Jasmine Organic Lundberg Rice

Canned goods

Eden brand
San Marzano tomatoes

Dried beans

Rancho Gordo

Flours

Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur – Organic and Unbleached

Extras-

Purely Elizabeth granola (it’s lower sugar)

Dairy

Clover brand milks

Produce

Try to shop at the farmers market to get what’s in season

Year around- get cherry tomatoes, In-season tomatoes are summer time
Year around-blueberries
Spring/summer- sugar snap peas, strawberries, raspberries
Fall- squashes, pomegranates, apples, pears
Winter- citrus
Summer- stone fruits like apricots, nectarines, plums, cherries

My Splurges vs. Saves

Olive Oil – Braag olive oil vs. splurge Frantoia
Salt Morton Kosher vs. Jacobsen Flake Salt

Kitchen Tools I can’t live without

Knives

8” Chef’s Knife | Wustof Classic or Henckels
Chopping Knife – Kiwi Brand
Serrated Bread Knife – Wusthof
Kitchen shears
Honing Steel
Hand Sharpener
Microplane Zester – perfect for garlic, ginger, citrus, nutmeg, parmesan
Kitchen Tongs – a longer set of hands to protect you when frying or grilling

Electric Appliances

KitchenAid Mixer
Mini food processor
Immersion blender
Vitamix Professsional Blender
Tea Kettle- glass
Toaster oven – Breville
Plates/bowls- Whites/neutral colors- blank canvases so you can plate with different colors

Pots & Pans (all-clad, calphalon, or made in)

2 qt sauce pot
12 inch large skillet stainless steel
Le cresuset pot
8 “Cast Iron Skillet – best for thick steaks and salmon, even heat, great for searing | Lodge
Caraway non-stick pan
Staub grill pan with lid
Roasting Pan- Caraway
13 X 9 glass baking dish
8 X 8 glass baking dish
Bread Loaf pan
Muffin Pan
8-inch Cake Pan
9-inch Cake Pan (Wilton)
Baking Sheet Pans

Hand Tools (I generally like Cuisinart, Oxo, and Kitchenaid)

Olive Wood Spoon
Rubber Spatula
Whisk
Ladle
Metal and Silicone turner, flipping spatula
Ice cream scoop (can be used for meatballs, biscuits, cookies, etc)
Measuring cups – wet Pyrex or Anchor Hocking
Measuring Cups – dry
Measuring spoons
Thermometer
Rolling Pin
Stand mixer
Rolling Pin

Pastry Brush
Box grater
Slotted Spoon
Potato Masher
Citrus Juicer
Plastic scraper
Cutting Board – 1 large wood, 1 small
Fish Spatula

Extras

Sponge-scrub daddy
Hand Soap-Meyers
Unbleached Parchment Paper
Avocado Oil Cooking Spray- Primal or Chosen Brand

Speciality Tools – Optional

Books/Resources

My online classes

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