Clare Smyth’s new knife brand, Michelin logo chef jackets and iron cookware that improves with use: the best new chef’s kit

As a chef, it helps when the tools of the trade meet your high standards in the kitchen.

From knives to cookware and tableware, all kit faces heavy usage and must be durable as well as meeting the day-to-day needs of the kitchen.

Form is just as important as function, so ensuring chef’s gadgets and the canvas for their food artistry are both stylish and modern is essential. Therefore, this round-up of new chef’s products showcases the most innovative additions to keep both back and front of house at the cutting edge of hospitality.

Find new options to refresh your chef’s kit below.

Chef’s jackets customisable with the Michelin logo

Chef jackets and uniform manufacturer Lafont has partnered with Continental Chef Supplies, part of Lockhart Catering Equipment, to make its premium attire more accessible to the hospitality industry. Lafont’s complete front and back of house collection is available through Lockhart.co.uk and includes bestsellers such as the ‘Basil’ chef jacket, which is designed for comfort and durability. The Lafont range is fully customisable with a bespoke embroidery service, which includes the ability to add the Michelin logo – exclusively applicable to Lafont in line with Michelin brand guidelines.

Price From £17.50

Clare Smyth’s personally designed knives

Chef Clare Smyth has launched Cutler & Smyth, a range of knives manufactured in the UK by kitchenknives.co.uk. Each of the nine knives in the range has been personally designed by Smyth and is crafted using Sheffield stainless steel and Richlite, a paper-based composite material. The full set comprises an 18cm chef’s knife, 21cm chef’s knife, 20cm bread knife, 16cm filleting knife, 14cm boning knife, 9cm paring knife, 11cm utility knife, 14cm santoku knife and 17cm nakiri knife, covering every job from filleting and boning to dicing and mincing.

Price 9cm paring knife and 11cm utility knife, from £169

Bringing nature to the table

Lockhart Catering Equipment has expanded its Artisan tableware portfolio to include its new collection, Heligan. The new pieces are made from vitrified stoneware and combine the look of handcrafted pottery with the durability and strength required for foodservice use. The nature-inspired collection features a meadow green glaze with reactive highlights of lilac and turquoise and is available as traditional bowls or as wider, shallower tableware, as well as cups, saucers, jugs and teapots.

Trade price Four 12oz mugs, from £25.52

Bespoke steak knives

Savernake Knives is offering steak knives that can be designed, personalised and handmade to the exact specification of a restaurant, hotel or members’ club. The steel blades are honed to the required thinness and can be engraved with a hotel or restaurant’s own brand, and the handle shape and colour can also be personalised.

Trade price From £80 per custom knife

Iron cookware that improves with use

Skeppshult is offering is cast iron cookware via Lockhart Catering Equipment. Skeppshult’s hand-forged products are made from iron, are 100% recyclable and designed to improve with each use. Lockhart customers can access Skeppshult’s original, professional, gratin, casserole and jarn ranges, all of which are compatible with any cooking medium and heat level – from hobs and induction to ovens and open fires. The professional range is available in sizes of 20cm-28cm with various depths and feature a self-ventilating, punctured stainless-steel handle for optimal heat dispersion.

Trade price From £34.65