9 Chef-Approved Kitchen Tools You Need Now

Buzz Feed

10-07-2025

The world of kitchen tools is a minefield. There's nothing worse than buying a product that you thought would be amazing, only for it to end up collecting dust in a cabinet — or worse, taking up valuable counter space. Other tools may look inconspicuous but could end up being the most life-changing ones.
No one knows more about the best kitchen tools than a professional. We spoke to three professional chefs to learn about the tools they absolutely love and constantly use in their own homes. Here are the products they couldn't live without:
Jovana Urriola, Executive Chef of Colada Shop
Chef Urriola started her career in Panama, winning second place in Top Chef Panama and opening the restaurant Soo Artisan Kitchen. She has over a decade of culinary experience and is currently the Executive Chef of Colada Shop, a Cuban-inspired café and bar in Washington, DC. The former private chef to actor Owen Wilson, Chef Urriola has also cooked for ambassadors, former presidents of Panama, ambassadors, and other public figures.
Here are the products she recommends:
1. Ninja DualZone Air Fryer
'This air fryer has been a total game-changer for quick and healthy meals. I use it for everything from crispy Brussels sprouts to salmon fillets and even reheating leftovers,' Chef Urriola says. The fryer's dual baskets are especially useful on busy weeknights, allowing her to cook two foods at two different temperatures.
2. Lodge 12' Cast Iron Skillet
A good cast-iron skillet isn't just for searing steaks or roasting vegetables. Chef Urriola also uses hers to make cornbread and caramelized pineapple. 'Once the skillet is properly seasoned, the surface becomes naturally non-stick, and it gives food that beautiful, even heat you just can't get from other pans. Just make sure you have a nice hood, open windows, and good ventilation.'
3. Breville All In One Processing Station and Immersion Blender
'This hand blender is a workhorse in my kitchen. It's perfect for blending soups directly in the pot, making silky smooth purées, or whipping up quick sauces and dressings,' she says. Breville's version is a powerhouse, easily breaking down even tougher ingredients like nuts. According to Chef Urriola, it's 'small but mighty.'
David "Chef Fig" Figueroa, President, CCO, and Co-Founder of Melinda's Foods
Chef Fig has over 30 years of experience in the specialty food industry. Getting his start working at his father's restaurants, he eventually started Up in Smoke in New Orleans, a barbecue concept that expertly blended southern-style BBQ with Latin flavor. He is currently the co-founder and president of the hot sauce brand Melinda's Foods.
Here are the products he recommends:
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1. OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Fish Turner
"This is the most underrated tool in the kitchen," Chef Fig says. The spatula isn't just useful for fish. Chef Fig also says it's great for flipping eggs, searing steaks, and getting crispy wings off the grill. "It's thin, flexible, and has just enough spring to make you feel in control. If I only had one spatula, this would be it."
2. Misono Petty Knife, No. 532/13cm
This razor-sharp Misono petty knife never leaves Chef Fig's cutting board. "I use it for all the in-between jobs. Mincing herbs, slicing citrus, trimming proteins. Japanese precision with everyday versatility." For larger jobs, Chef Fig recommends the Misono Chef's Knife or No. 5 Gyuto 210mm.
3. Microplane Premium Zester Grater
While zesting can be a strenuous job, you won't break a sweat using this microplane zester. Chef Fig reaches for this tool constantly, whether it's to zest citrus, garlic, ginger, or nutmeg. 'It's one of those tools you don't realize you need until you use it once, and then it never leaves the drawer,' he says.
Mary Nguyen, President, Founder & Chef of Olive & Finch
Chef Mary Nguyen is a leading figure in Denver's culinary scene and is the first woman in North America to become an executive sushi chef. She is the founder and president of the Olive & Finch Collective, which includes restaurants (Olive & Finch), cafés (Little Finch), a production company (Finch, On The Fly), and a food and beverage management consulting company (Collective Management Partners).
Here are the products she recommends:
1. DASH Hot Air Popcorn Popper Maker
This popcorn maker is the unlikely hero of Chef Nguyen's kitchen. 'It pops kernels fast, without oil, and makes a super healthy, high-fiber snack that my kids and I can both get behind.' She calls clean-up 'basically non-existent' and says the machine is 'surprisingly durable.'
2. Vitamix Propel Series 750 Blender
'The Vitamix is definitely an investment, but one I absolutely stand by. We use ours almost every day,' Chef Nguyen says. The powerful motor can break down anything to a silky smooth texture, and the machine is self-cleaning. 'Vitamix blenders are built to last, and mine has kept up with all the wear and tear of a busy kitchen,' she says.
3. Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker 3.0
Reliable and easy to use, Anova's precision cooker is Chef Nguyen's favorite sous vide machine. 'Sous vide cooking makes everything incredibly tender and flavorful, and the best part is that it's almost impossible to overcook anything,' she says. 'I started using sous vide just for steaks, but now I use it for everything — salmon, chicken breasts, pork tenderloin, even vegetables like carrots and asparagus.'
If a tool is good enough for a professional chef, it's good enough for us. We're ready to take our cooking to the next level by adding all these items to our carts ASAP.
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