In the run up to Christmas you will start to see customer numbers increase, Christmas party bookings will start to roll in and eager shoppers will be in need of some re-fueling. The winter season is always one of the busiest times of the year in the culinary world and it provides you with a great chance to boost sales and maximise profits.

Pans are one of the most essential items in your kitchen and often they get over looked and misused. With such a large variety of pans out there and all serving different purposes it is imperative you buy the right pan for your task. The material can often determine what they are suitable to cook, for example cast iron is best for ingredients that need high heat, while non-stick pans are ideal for cooking delicate ingredients and stainless steel is great for searing caramelised crusts on meat.

Knives are possibly one of the most indispensable tools in any kitchen and most chefs will devote a large amount of their budget to purchasing the finest products to suit their individual needs. Premium quality knives indisputably end up paying for themselves, but the aftercare of your knives is imperative. You need to make sure they are looked after properly in order to secure their endurance and maximise their cutting Performance. Here are a few ways in which you can help to prolong and protect your chefs knives...