You don't need single-job tools. A few sturdy basics cook almost everything a beginner attempts.

One balanced knife does the work of a whole block of cheap blades. Keep it sharp — a dull knife slips.

A large, heavy chopping board that stays put. One heavy pan with a lid covers eggs, sauces and stir-fries.

A medium saucepan plus a large pot. Add measuring cups and a scale — repeatable cooking starts here.

Buy the largest board that fits your sink, and pots that nest. Every item here earns its drawer space.

Shops love selling gadgets you'll never use. One pan beats a cupboard of pans you never touch.

A heatproof spatula and a wooden spoon stir, flip, scrape and serve almost everything — for very little money.

Knife, board, pan, pots, spatula, spoon, colander, bowls. That's a real beginner kitchen.