What utensils should you buy for the kitchen?

Your first day at work as an apprentice chef is approaching and the excitement is building. Now you may be wondering what utensils you need to get off to a good start in your new career. After all, the right cooking equipment is essential if you want to work safely and professionally right from the start.

Although many companies provide a basic set of knives , you will soon realize that you need them: With your own set, you will feel safer and be able to work more precisely because you know how to use them and always know where to find them.

You will need the following knives:

• Chef's knife: Also known as a paring knife, this is the most important knife in your future career as a chef. We therefore recommend that you seek advice from a specialist store. There you can try out which one fits your hand best.
• Bread knife: You may only use it for bread at home, but it has many other uses in the professional kitchen.
• Boning knife: As the name suggests, this knife is primarily used for cutting meat. You can use it to easily separate meat from the bone and remove silver skins.
• Filleting knife: Although it looks similar to the boning knife, it is used for fine work on fish fillets.
• Office knife: The short blade of the small all-purpose knife is particularly suitable for peeling vegetables.
• Sharpening steel: Use this to keep your knives sharp. You will learn how to use it during your training.

Whether you choose a complete knife set or prefer to buy individual knives from different brands: The important thing is that they feel good in your hand and that you can cut with them for several hours. It's best to ask your colleagues what they like about their favorite knives.

HOGASTJOB tip: With a knife bag, you always have all your knives to hand and don't have to dig them out of a drawer. 

Whether it's trousers, shirts or shoes, chefs' clothing has one thing in common: it is comfortable to wear and protects you in your everyday work. Textiles can also be washed at high temperatures.

With a chef's jacket or chef's shirt, you'll be instantly recognized as a chef! Alongside the chef's hat, it is the ultimate distinguishing feature. In addition to the classic white jacket, there are also elegant black models or colored versions.

But your chef's jacket doesn't just look smart, it also protects you from oil, splashes of fat, hot vapors and liquids at work.

HOGASTJOB tip: Do you want to express your personality in the kitchen? Change the buttons on your chef's jacket - there are no limits to what you can do!

Just like your chef's shirt, your pants should be comfortable to wear and not chafe or constrict you even after a long day. In simple terms, they should give your jogging bottoms a serious run for their money. But unlike them, your chef pants shield you from hot liquids. 

HOGASTJOB tip: White pants are not your style? There are also chef's pants in many different colors - or with unusual patterns.

Thought you only needed steel toe caps on a building site? Then luckily you've never dropped a heavy pot on your feet. But when things get hot in the kitchen, a mishap like this can happen quickly - especially if you're still inexperienced. That's why we definitely recommend closed shoes with steel toe caps. But don't worry, you don't have to buy heavy boots! There are special kitchen shoes that offer protection and remain comfortable all day long.

HOGASTJOB tip: Make sure your shoes are non-slip!

• Headgear prevents hair from falling into your food and also absorbs sweat from your forehead. Whether you prefer to wear a chef's hat, a bandana or a cap is up to you.
• Scarves are not only a stylish detail, but also an important hygiene factor in the kitchen. Just like the cap, they absorb your sweat so that it doesn't drip into the food.
• Aprons have a similar function to your jacket and trousers. The only difference is that they can be changed more quickly if something really does go wrong.

HOGASTJOB tip: Match the colors of your headgear, scarf and apron to create a professional and harmonious look.

In addition to the basics, there are a few small tools that will make your life in the kitchen easier:

• Cooking tweezers: in love with detail? With tweezers, you can work with millimeter precision when arranging food.
• Digital thermometer: Always cook your meat to the point!
• Peeler and peeler: Irreplaceable for vegetables, fruit and quick peeling work.

Especially at the beginning of your apprenticeship, you will learn an incredible amount of new things. You can make a note of the most important professional tips and life hacks from your colleagues and trainers in a notebook or app. There is also space for recipes.

HOGASTJOB tip: Make a note of your personal thoughts and experiences - in a few years you can look back on your time as an apprentice with a smile on your face and pass on your valuable learnings.

You don't have to buy everything straight away. Find out from your employer which items you will be provided with and which you will have to buy yourself to get started. With the right equipment, you can concentrate fully on what really matters: Your passion for cooking!

Would you like to work in the kitchen and are still looking for an apprenticeship? At HOGASTJOB you will find many top training companies that will welcome you with open arms. 

Check out our application tips and vacancies now!