The best knife you can afford knife and sharpener. But that can be a silly amount of money so start with something on sale. Normally I'd suggest an 8 inch chef knife. These are OK to start.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.ca/produ...10224&RN=4963&

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.ca/produ...10259&RN=5038&

Look for a good paring knife while you're at it.

A good maple cutting board.

A quality, thick bottom stainless skillet.

A small cast iron pan for toasting spices and frying eggs (learn how to season it.)

Mortar and pestle

Microrasp for zesting lemons and grating Parmesan cheese

An inexpensive digital scale

stainless measuring spoons/cups

Spice jars. More spices equals more flavour profiles.

Most useful tool? A simple metal scraper for cleaning up and moving cut food to the stove. I use it every time I cook.


+1 to fender1's cast iron pot.