What’s your cooking style?

For some, cooking is one of life’s true joys. They savor learning multiple, sometimes complex, techniques, combining exotic ingredients, becoming adept at creating their own recipes—these are the Gourmets.

Others enjoy cooking but are more at home using cookbooks, somewhat simpler preparations and less time seeking out ingredients. These are the Enthusiasts-Who-Prefer-to-Follow-a-Recipe.

And last, but certainly not least, are those who realize cooking at home is healthier but don’t have the hours or inclination to spend big amounts of time in the kitchen. These are the Just-the-Basics, Ma’ams.

So, what are the absolute must-haves in cookware and accessories for these groups? We checked in with experts at Williams Sonoma and Sur La Table to get the inside scoop on the answer.

Williams Sonoma’s culinary director, Belle English, emphasized the need for “a good, sharp knife” for all levels of cooks. “A sharp chef’s knife is the foundation of every good kitchen. It makes prep faster, cleaner and safer,” she said.

Her other recommendations include:

Gourmet

A mandoline. “Gives you paper-thin, perfectly even slices in seconds, from potatoes and fennel to cucumbers and citrus. Not only does it cut down on prep time, it makes simple ingredients look restaurant-level and helps everything cook evenly.”
Large stainless steel or cast-iron skillet. “This is the pan you reach for when you want serious heat, deep browning and real flavor development. A larger size, like a 14-inch, gives you more surface area for bigger-batch cooking and better browning without crowding the pan.”
Dutch oven or large rondeau pan. “Ultimate low-and-slow workhorse, and makes one-pot cooking feel elevated.”
Sheet pans of all sizes. “Gourmet cooks use sheet pans for way more than just baking… They’re basically kitchen command centers.”
Mixing bowls of all sizes. “My advice: Get one bowl that seems too large. You’ll use it more than you think.”
Blender or immersion blender. “It takes the ordinary to the extraordinary, as texture is a big part of gourmet cooking.”
Microplane or raspgrater. “Ideal for grating citrus zest, garlic, ginger, Parmesan, nutmeg and chocolate with a light, fluffy texture.”
Cooking tweezers. “Cooking tweezers, rather than tongs, give you more control when turning delicate foods, plating garnishes or arranging ingredients with precision.”
Kitchen torch. “Gives gourmet cooks controlled heat for finishing, texture and a little tableside drama.”

Enthusiast

Electric knife sharpener. “An electric knife sharpener makes it easy to maintain a consistent edge at home, so your knives perform the way they’re supposed to every time you cook.”
Smaller synthetic cutting boards. “Perfect for keeping stronger or messier ingredients separate, like fish, spicy peppers, garlic, onions or deeply colored vegetables like beets, as they help prevent flavor transfer, reduce cross-contamination and make busy prep feel more controlled.”
Instant-read thermometer. “The tool that helps enthusiastic cooks really master properly cooked protein. It helps you hit the perfect doneness without cutting into the meat or relying on timing alone.”
Kitchen scale. “Especially helpful for flour, doughs, coffee, spices and anything where a ‘cup’ can vary. Precision leads to more consistent results, especially as you start cooking and baking more seriously.”
Fine-mesh strainer. “One of those behind-the-scenes tools you end up using constantly, for rinsing grains, draining small pasta, straining sauces, sifting dry ingredients or dusting powdered sugar… Helps create cleaner textures, smoother sauces and more polished final dishes.”
Saute pan. “With its wide base and higher sides, a saute pan is great for saucy pastas, shallow frying, searing and quick braises. It gives enthusiastic cooks more room and flexibility than a standard skillet.”
Bench scraper. “Great for portioning dough, transferring chopped ingredients, cleaning down a board and keeping prep organized… A tiny tool that makes you cook cleaner, faster and more like someone who has their station together.”

Basics

Big wooden cutting board. “Gives you room to actually work, whether you’re chopping vegetables, portioning meat or setting up a beautiful prep station. More space means better organization, cleaner prep and less kitchen chaos.”
Nonstick skillet. “Perfect for eggs, pancakes, grilled cheese, quesadillas, delicate fish, even a steak and other quick weeknight meals. It’s forgiving, easy to clean and helps beginners build confidence at the stove.”
Good pepper grinder. “A simple upgrade that makes everyday cooking taste fresher and more flavorful. Freshly ground pepper has more aroma and texture than pre-ground pepper… It’s easy to add right at the stove or table… helping beginner cooks learn that even basic seasoning can make a big difference.”
Measuring cups and spoons. “These help basic-level cooks follow recipes more confidently, especially when baking, making dressings, mixing marinades or learning how different ingredients work together. A good set builds confidence and consistency, which is exactly what beginner cooks need.”

The experts at Sur La Table had these recommendations:

Gourmet

Hestan Nanobond skillet, Miyabi Bunka knife, Staub 5-qt. Cocotte, Taylor Dual-weight scale (amazing for weighing grams and ounces simultaneously, for the advanced baker)

Enthusiast

Sur La Table Enameled Cast-Iron Dutch Oven, Sur La Table Signature Half Sheet Pan, OXO angled measuring cups, Made In SS skillet

Basics

Everyday Nonstick Skillet, Sur La Table Classic 5-ply Saucepan, Ratchet Mill

Visit Williams Sonoma in Walnut Creek, 1470 Mt. Diablo Rd. Visit Sur La Table in Berkeley, 1806 Fourth St. Sur La Table is also opening a store in Walnut Creek’s Broadway Plaza in late fall, 1205 Broadway Plaza.

**KITCHEN TOOL** A handheld ratchet mill grinds salt, pepper and dry spices. (Photo courtesy of Sur La Table)

Holiday Gift Ideas

Whether the recipient is Gourmet, Enthusiast or Just the Basics, Ma’am, Williams Sonoma’s Belle English has some suggestions for cookware gifts. These are things that can be used and treasured for many years:

Gourmet