Food is pretty fuck'n important right? Yet most people really don't know much about cooking anymore. Pre-packaged convienience food is fine but if you really have to impress a chick or something it wont do the job.

Firstly, The Gear

There are a few things you really need if you intend to do any quantity of cooking. Once you get them sorted you will wonder how you managed to get by without them. Quality is important, buy cheap shitty gear and you will regret it. Most of this stuff will last you a lifetime if it's looked after. Buying cheap stuff is a real false economy.

First up, you are going to need a decent knife. There's no way around it, if you want to cook you gotta chop shit up. If you can only afford one knife I'd suggest an 8" (20 cm) Chef knife like the one above. There are many good brands, the Germans used to have a stranglehold on the market but things have changed. The trusty 8" will do pretty much everything, chop vegetables, cut up meat, fine slice, carve etc etc. The sexy little number is a Global, a Japanese knife brand that has taken a huge market share lately, and for good reason. Superbly sharp, balanced knives which are very reasonably priced. If you can afford a few knives I'd also suggest a 6" utility and a paring knife. You also will need a steel to keep them sharp. Don't stress out about how you are going to take a finger off or something, you are far less likely to cut yourself with a sharp knife because they don't slip.

You will find that you become extremely protective of your knives, you will cringe when anyone touches them. NEVER touch a chef's knife, you are liable to get a rolling pin in the back of the head.

A couple of "don'ts". Don't keep them in a draw, either get a magnetic storer or preferably a block. Also don't put them in the sink when you are washing up...

The second thing you are gonna need is a good chopping block. I use a nice thick wooden one I picked up from a yard sale for like a dollar or something. Make sure you scrub it well after you use it, lots of nasties live in chopping boards and it can also taint your food.

Pots and Pans are next on the list. Once again, if you can only afford one pan I'd suggest a chunky cast iron one. They last forever and after a while if you don't scrub it it will build up a non stick surface. If you want to spash out pick up a non-stick for all those little jobs. The thing to look for when buying pots and pans is a nice thick base, preferably copper. Cheap pots and pans stick and are a real pain in the ass.

Other things to make you life easier are...a variety of bowls, preferably glass or metal, a good peppermill (powdered pepper sux ass), a rolling pin, a decent whisk, pizza trays, a strainer, tongs, fishflip, you know the stuff...all the things you grandmother has.

Next time we will give you a list of all our essential ingredients. With this shit you will be able to pretty much cook anything.