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A caterer's 'must have' list of tools for the kitchen

Essential tools

• Dough scraper (also called a pastry or bench scraper)

• Knife sharpener (or sharpening stone) and steel or ceramic knife honer

• Measuring cups and spoons

• Set of bowls

• Wooden and stirring spoons

• Ladle

• Tongs

• Timers (at least two)

• Rubber spatulas (two sizes)

• Vegetable peeler

• Oven mitts

• Can and jar openers

• Heavy baking pans (cookie sheets)

• Box grater

• Colander

• Thin-stemmed thermometer, meat and candy thermometers, oven thermometer

• Wire whisks (small and large)

• Funnel

• Juicer

• Sifter

• Bread pans

• Wire racks

• Pepper grinder

Nice-to-have tools

• Spice grinder or mortar and pestle

• Nutmeg grinder or grater

• Pastry brush, vegetable brush

• Lemon reamer

• Lemon zester

• Pastry cutter

• Strainers (one coarse, one fine)

• Ski or swimming goggles for chopping onions

• Plastic bowl scraper

• Ice cream scoop

• Two- to four-portion scoops (like ice cream scoops), in sizes from 0.5 to 3 oz.

• Melon baller

• Garlic press

• Potato masher

• Salad spinner

• Kitchen scale

• Quiche pan

• Spatter shields for cookbooks

• Pizza stone and baker's peel

• Pizza cutter

• Meat mallet

• Egg slicer

• Bulb baster

• Cheese slicer

• Squeeze plastic bottles to dispense dessert sauces

• Bamboo or stainless steel skewers

• Cheese cloth, parchment paper

• Dripless oil dispensers

• Scissors

• Kitchen twine

• Gravy separator or stock decanter

Nice-to-have baking tools

• Cake pans

• Pie pans

• Muffin pans

• Rolling pin

• Biscuit cutter

• Bundt pans

• Baguette trough

• Spreading spatulas (large and small)

• Icing sugar shaker

• Pastry tube

• Pie weights

• Bread dough slasher