5. Knives: Paring, Chef, and Serrated Bread Knife

Invest in good-quality knives, along with a steel and a sharpener to maintain them. A paring knife, 3 to 4 inches long, is best for peeling and slicing fruits and other ingredients. A chef’s knife that is 6 to 8 inches in length is a utility knife, best for chopping nuts and dried fruit, among other tasks. A serrated bread knife, 8 to 9 inches long, is great for chopping blocks of chocolate, cutting cakes into layers, and, of course, slicing bread.