6 Kitchen Tools Everyone Should Have in Their Kitchen by 30

There are as many names for the tool alternately called a bench knife, a board scraper or a dough cutter as there are uses. Traditionally, they're used to cut cookie, bread or pizza dough; or, to remove stuck-on flour from a counter. But Calvert, who isn't a pastry chef by trade, says that even if you never bake, it's a helpful (and cheap) tool to have around. The thin scraper can scoop up diced herbs, or any other chopped ingredients, making it easy to transfer them to bowls or pots. Or, lay it flat and slip an unpeeled garlic clove or knob of ginger underneath, then give it a whack with the heel of your hand to smash the food. It can also smash potatoes.