So, you're looking forward to preparing and serving delicious gourmet meals to your family and friends. Since the meal begins in the kitchen, any gourmet chef will tell you that proper kitchen equipment and tools are essential. Items that will be found in the well-stocked kitchen are listed below:

BAKEWARE and ACCESSORIES
13x9-inch baking pan
8x8-inch baking pan
Bundt pan
2 round cake pans
2 cooling racks
Flat baking (cookie) sheet
Flour sifter
Glass pie plate
2 loaf pans
2 sets of muffin tins
Pastry brush
Pastry bag with tips
Pastry cutter
12-inch round pizza pan
Rolling pin
9-inch springform pan

COOKWARE
Broiler pan with rack
Double boiler
4- to 5-quart Dutch oven
Deep covered roasting pan
Shallow roasting pan
1-quart saucepan
2-quart saucepan
3-quart saucepan
Sauté pan
8-inch skillet
10-inch skillet
8-quart stockpot

CUTLERY
Carving knife
Chef's knife
Kitchen shears
Paring knife
Serrated bread knife
Serrated tomato knife
Sharpening steel (same brand as your knives)
Note: Choose high-carbon steel knives with handles that fit comfortably in your hand.

DISHWARE
Assortment of small multipurpose glass and metal bowls
Containers with lids for airtight storage
1½- to 2-quart gelatin mold
2 microwave-safe casserole dishes with lids
Set of nesting mixing bowls
Various sized baking dishes and casseroles

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
Blender or food processor
Deep fryer
Coffee maker
Electric skillet
Hand mixer
Kitchen scale
Microwave oven
Slow cooker
Small food chopper
Toaster or toaster over

KITCHEN UTENSILS & GADGETS
Can opener
Candy thermometer
Cheese grater
Coffee maker
Colander
Collapsible vegetable steamer
Corkscrew
Cutting board
Funnel
Garlic press
4-sided grater
Ice cream scoop
Jar opener
Kitchen tongs
Lemon juicer
Lemon zester
Ladle
Long handled fork
Measuring spoons
Meat mallet
Meat thermometer
Metal or wooden skewers
Melon scoop
Nut cracker and picks
Oven mitts
Oven thermometer
Pepper mill
Pot holders
Potato masher
Set of dry measuring cups
Set of liquid measuring cups
Slotted spoon
Spatulas
Spoon rest
Strainers
Tea kettle
Timer
Turkey baster
Vegetable brush
Vegetable peeler
Wooden spoons
Wire whisk

Keep in mind that you will want to invest in good quality items. Most of the must-have kitchen equipment and tools listed above may be found at your local discount stores and department stores. For a broader selection, shop at stores that specialize in kitchen equipment or online retailers such as:
Tabletools.com at http://www.tabletools.com/?AID=543629&PID=1518509 and
The Home Marketplace at http://www.qksrv.net/click-1518509-8234081