After just one taste of a high quality olive oil, life will never be the same. Hailing from the region of Geraki-Elis in the Peloponnese, this award-winning extra virgin olive oil from Monakrivo is truly special. The oil is made from the pure juice of the olives, grown in the sun-drenched groves of a semi-mountainous region that lies 160 metres above sea level.

Cool breezes waft off of the Ionian Sea and the groves are surrounded by a pine forest. Besides the pine trees, the area is rich in arbutus and lentisk and myrtle bushes. All in all, it is the perfect setting for the finest olive oil imaginable.

It is a winning combination resulting in a superior olive oil with a golden colour, rich aroma, smooth natural flavour and low acidity.

Monopati – the company behind Monakrivo – consists of 42 oil producers that own 16,000 Koroneiki olive trees.

While only the finest hand-picked olives are used, the quality of the oil goes beyond the ingredients. The process is just as important and the 100% extra virgin olive oil is exclusively produced from the cold pressing method.

Then, packaged in stunning earth-colored glass bottles, the overall design has a contemporary aesthetic whilst retaining a stylish timelessness. In fact add in the beautiful bottle, and the Monakrivo olive oil is the most luxurious gift imaginable for foodies and gourmet chefs alike.

www.monakrivo.com

In this age of gastronomic toys, cast iron cookware still rules.

A time-honoured tradition that many modern chefs swear by, cast iron is considered one of the most versatile and practical materials for cookware. An all-time classic, great cast iron cookware lasts forever. Chefs and foodies often brag about their decades-old or inherited cast iron cookware. In fact with proper maintenance, it improves with age.

Synonymous with design, quality and durability, Denby has been crafting affordable, high quality cast iron pans since 1809. Beautifully crafted, each piece is made from the finest molten cast iron, providing excellent heat retention and even heat distribution. The cast iron range is suitable for all hobs (gas, electric, ceramic, glass, induction and halogen) and any type of oven, including Aga stoves and even open fires.

Bringing beauty and practicality to everyday life, the round casserole model is extremely durable and perfect for making comfort foods such as soups, stews, chillis, slow cooking and many more classic one-pot meals. A timeless classic, the casserole moves seamlessly from cooker, to oven, to table, where it makes a beautiful centrepiece presentation during serving.

Any high quality cookware is an investment, but Denby offers that extra peace of mind by offering a lifetime guarantee on its cast iron range of cookware.

An absolute kitchen essential, there has never been a better time to add some heavy metal to that culinary collection.

www.denby.co.uk

Le Creuset cookware is beloved by professionals and home cooking enthusiasts alike for its superior heat conductivity, balance and durability. Perfect for everyday use, these sauté pans can do it all. Whether searing a steak or browning potatoes for brunch, the versatile sauté pan is just right for any job. This toughened non-stick sauté pan offers outstanding performance time after time. It combines innovative technology – from its reinforced non-stick surface to the induction-compatible base – with outstanding functional and long-lasting design. The pan is crafted from quality hard anodised forged aluminium, and toughened inside and out with a superior PFOA-free, non-stick coating. The sauté pan seems to virtually anticipate every little thing to make cooking just a bit easier. Its wide base and straight sides allow for quick, light frying in relatively little fat. The high sides prevent splattering and spilling. Add the lid to allow food to retain moisture and flavour. A professional-style cast handle with stainless steel rivets and a helper handle provide added control when transferring cookware on the stovetop or between the kitchen and the table. This stylish sauté pan has quickly become our new favourite.

www.lecreuset.fr

Since getting a sous vide machine, I have been testing recipes like a woman possessed. Sous vide takes the guesswork out of cooking and makes entertaining easy. One of the better kept secrets of top chefs for some time, sous vide is a way to cook that uses precise temperature control to achieve tastes and textures impossible otherwise. Essentially, sous vide is an innovative cooking technique in which food is vacuum sealed and slow-cooked in water at constant low temperatures until it is perfectly cooked through. This ensures that all of the flavour is retained, meat remains tender and none of the juices are lost. But perhaps more importantly, it allows precise control of the core temperature of the food without risk of over- or under-cooking. This sophisticated, modern, high-end restaurant technique has now been made simple and convenient for home gastronomes who are passionate about premium quality and perfection.

I just love this smart sous vide package – sous vide machine and vacuum sealer – from Andrew James Worldwide. Food is cooked to perfection by the sous vide machine, which has a 5.5-litre capacity and temperature range between 40°C and 90°C. From delicate fish to perfect medium-rare steak and snappy asparagus, there is no end to what the home chef can achieve by controlling how the food cooks by this exciting method. As an added bonus, the sous vide machine can also be used as a traditional slow cooker, perfect for stews and casseroles. The distinctive, high-gloss finish is guaranteed to create a stylish statement in any kitchen. By adding science to cooking, the home chef will be able to create dazzling sous vide dishes for friends and family.

www.andrewjamesworldwide.com