For home chefs who think more about how you cook than the room you cook in, you’ll find all the latest gadgets for getting the job done—from slow, traditional ways to fast-food shortcuts.

Traditional, quality implements for the from-scratch home chef.

1 Eva Solo bread box
This stainless steel box with flexible plastic cover keeps your homemade loaves longer without drying out. Enflux, $229
2 Ovation mortar and pestle A hefty version of the classic implement handmade at Wade's Milton Brook pottery in the U.K. Cookworks, $69
3 Nenox S1 Gyoto knife This 210-mm Japanese-made chef's knife has a Corian handle that is virtually indestructibe. Enflux, $420
4 Little Deer's Better Spreader This Canadian maple "knife" is good for kids' use, slicing avocados, frosting cakes and more. Cookshop, $6.95
5 The Food Loop mini A reusable twist on yesterday's twine, to truss a roast chicken or some chops. Cookworks, 6 for $15
6 Heath ceramic tableware A reissue of a classic mid-century modern design. Provide, $19-$35/piece
7 We've Always Had Paris...and Provence: A Scrapbook of Our Life in France by Patricia Wells and Walter Wells (Harper Collins) New recipes and memoirs from one of the foremost modern authorities on French cooking. HarperCollins Canada, $31.95 (available May 6)
8 Eva Solo table grill Use it as a portable barbecue and as a dishwasher-safe porcelain serving bowl. Enflux, $450
9 Salter electronic kitchen scale When baking from scratch a little precision goes a long weigh. The Gourmet Warehouse, $79.95

Everyday essentials for the efficient home cook.

1 Alessi colander Straining has never been so easy... on the eyes. Inform Interiors, $268
2 Chef'n SleekStor and Chef'n Rev'n Chef Part of the silicone kitchen revolution, these collapsible measuring cups won't crowd the cupboard. The Gourmet Warehouse, $24.99. Rev this rotary chopper like an old-fashioned lawnmower to peel garlic and mince herbs. Chef'nRev, $29
3 JosephJoseph Big Block This thick and sturdy version of the butcher's block is made from dishwasher-safe plastic. JosephJoseph, $37.99
5 Riedel pinot noir glass Drinking exquisite pinot from a run-of-the-mill burgundy glass just won’t do. Puddifoot, $38
6 Jamie at Home: Cook Your Way to the Good Life by Jamie Oliver (Penguin) Even without Oliver’s tricked-out pizza oven, you’ll enjoy these fuss-free everyday recipes. HarperCollins Canada, $41.95
7 Sapadilla all-purpose cleaner A biodegradeable Western Canadian product with eco-friendly rosemary and peppermint. Cookworks,$8.95
8 Le Creuset Cool Tool Use it as a trivet, a potholder or jar opener. Le Creuset, $8.49
9 Iittala bowls and KitchenAid hand mixer Measurements are printed on the inside of these vessels that double as chic serving bowls. Inform Interiors, $34-$51. With nine speeds and a whisk attachment, this classic mixer (in a fresh new colour) works for everything from meringues to cookie doughs. $99.95

Time-saving gadgets for the
gourmet on the go.

1 Waring Pro double wine chiller Chill (or warm) two different wines to their ideal temperatures in just a few minutes: use the machine’s varietal-name index to set the perfect time. Williams Sonoma, $149.99
2 Alessi pasta pot This all-in-one set cooks pasta and sauce together, then strains and serves (with spoon, not shown). Comes with Alain Ducasse recipes. Inform Interiors, $315
3 Digital Triple Timer This Williams Sonoma invention let’s you triple-task without keeping an eye on the oven. $29.95
4 Tastebook.com Create a personal cookbook that caters to your palate and skill level. 100-recipe book, US$34.95
5 Sigg water bottle Designed by Douglas Coupland, this limited edition version of the virtually incorruptible stainless steel water bottle comes with two original short stories. Inform Interiors, $60
6 Jamie Oliver Flavour Shaker Crush spice blends, mix salad dressings, grind toppings or make marinades in a flash. The Gourmet Warehouse, $29.95
7 Nespresso Le Cube Coffee cartridges and push-button peration make perfect espresso for barista school dropouts. Nespresso, $399
8 Revol espresso cup A This-Is-Not-a-Plastic-Cup equivalent available in a rainbow of colours, including this pearly silver. Puddifoot, $19

Butcher Block
Designed in collaboration with famed wood-crafting company John Boos. $995


Aga Range
This cast-iron radiant heat oven (available in gas or electric versions) has kept on slow-cooking for more than 80 years. $15,359-$23,879

Wood Stone Bistro Home
Cozy up your kitchen with this stone hearth burner complete with a ceramic interior. From $15,000

Miele’s Decor Island Hood (DA250)
A powerful range hood that doubles as a shelving unit for oils, cooking tools or any other counter-hogging stuff. $3,599

Electrolux's UltraQuiet Plus Dishwasher The core is wrapped in a dense insulation and then encased in a steel shroud to reduce sound to a whisper—and dishes come out sparkling, of course. $1,199-1,399

TurboChef Oven
Cooks and crisps up to 15 times faster than conventional ovens— versions are already being used by Starbucks and Subway throughout North America. From $5,995

Siemens avantGarde
Built-in Coffee Maker
Add ground coffee or beans, choose from six strengths of espresso, and even program it to have your espresso waiting for you in the morning Pumps multi-shots per minute. $2,419