10 Beyond-Basic Kitchen Upgrades For the Serious Home Cook

If you want to cook like a professional, you're going to need a food processor. It chops, slices, purées, and mixes — and at some point, every serious home cook relies on one. Cuisinart is the brand that introduced food processors in the US, and it remains among the most popular. This Cuisinart Elemental Food Processor ($150) is a mighty machine that comes with two nesting work bowls, so you can whip up projects large or small.

Available in three colors, the slim-profile Epicurean Natural Cutting Board ($32) is used in top restaurants around the world. And why is that, you ask? Well, for one thing, the surface is strong, yet won't cause knives to dull. Plus, it's heat resistant up to 350ºF; those plastic-based boards can't claim that. It's attractive enough to double as a serving board, and it's made to last for years and years. If those aren't good reasons to have one in your kitchen, what are?

A good chef doesn't need a zillion knives to work their magic, but they sure do need a set of sharp ones. At first glance, the Zwilling Four Star II 7-Piece Cutlery Set ($370, originally $420) may seem like a splurge, but these knives will serve you well for many years. (This author's Zwilling set dates to 2006 and is just as good as ever.) The German craftsmanship of these knives is remarkably solid; once you feel the satisfying weight of the chef's knife, you'll understand why many people won't use any other brand.

The average home chef does not need the BergHOFF Essentials 8-Piece Garnishing Tool Set with Case ($39). Ah, but you are not the average home chef! This set includes all of the tools needed to do fancy little things — the cocktail garnish, the pretty fruit salad — that create an Instagram-worthy presentation for your meals. And instead of jingle-jangling around in your drawers, they can be stored nicely in this tidy little case.

Serious bakers know that sifting flour is one of the secrets of fluffy cakes and just-right cookies. This Our Table 3-Cup Stainless Steel Flour Sifter ($8) is well priced, easy to use, and about to make your baked goods rival those found at a proper bakery.

Pasta-wise, is there anything quite as satisfying as twirling homemade linguine around your fork? Fresh pasta just hits different, and the super-sturdy PL8 Professional Pasta Machine ($60) makes it easy to create your own lasagna, linguine, and fettuccine at home. It has seven thickness settings, so you can make your pasta as hearty or light as you wish.

Frying up some homemade dumplings? Save some for us — and don't forget to use an OXO Splatter Screen ($21). It fits pans up to 13" wide, preventing oil from splattering all over your stovetop.

Another worthwhile investment item, the Le Creuset Signature 5.5 qt. Round Dutch Oven ($400) is a cast-iron pot that you can someday hand down to your grandchildren. Cook with it on the stovetop, bake and broil with it in the oven, and use it to serve food at the table. It's attractive enough to keep on display for a IYKYK kitchen flex, and it will complement a lifetime's worth of cooking — and then some.

Another smart buy for bakers: this OXO Good Grips 8-Piece Baking Essentials POP Container Set ($63). Not only do these clear, airtight containers make for an organized pantry, but they also keep your baking supplies fresher. (Check out the brown-sugar keeper, which prevents brown sugar from turning into a rock.) Whether you favor making breads, cookies, pies, or *all* of the things, this set makes the process smoother and easier.

Great chefs clean up as they go along, and doing so is more enjoyable when you have Simply Essential Mixed Swedish Dish Cloths ($8) on hand. These ultra-absorbent towels don't just look cute — they soak up spills incredibly well. And unlike paper towels, they're reusable and washable, so they're good for your kitchen and better for the planet.