Hit series The Bear is back for season two, much to the delight of Disney+ subscribers where UK viewers can find it available for binge watching.
The comedy drama follows a Michelin-standard chef who comes home to take over his family sandwich shop after the tragic death of his brother.
Set in a frenetic Chicago kitchen, razor-sharp dialogue is dished out as speedily as the plates of food whizzing down the counter.
It’s a great (if a fairly stressful) watch - think Stephen Graham in Boiling Point - and was among the top shows of 2022 when the first season launched last year.
Much of the action takes place as the kitchen staff, headed by highly-strung chef Carmen Berzatto (aka Carmy), prepare ingredients and whip up dishes during frenzied lunch and dinner shifts.
The camera zooms in on metal pans flashing against naked flames, the glint of knives dicing onions on a board and spoons being dipped into broths, bowls and pans for tasting.
It’s hard not to admire the tools, as well as the way they’re being wielded. That’s why we’ve put together this checklist of the kitchen equipment used in The Bear’s kitchens to help take your own set-up to the next level.
From pro chef’s knives and cast iron cookware, to a can opener given the hard-won Carmy seal of approval, we’ve found the best pieces of cooking kit from season one and two - and also thrown in a few real-life chef approved tools that every kitchen needs.
Because when it comes to cooking equipment at least, you can never have too many cooks…
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MAC Professional Series Chef’s Knife with Dimples 8" (MTH-80)
If there’s one thing chefs are particular about, it’s their knives. There are different blades for chopping, trimming, slicing and dicing, not to mention the various ingredients, from meat and fish to fruit and veg. Choosing the right one can elevate your meal, no matter how humble, to unseen heights.
The Bear’s kitchen favours this MAC Pro Series Chef’s knife, a Japanese high-performance all-rounder made with a Pakkawood handle and stainless steel blade. It’s got a pleasant weight and fits comfortably in the hand, despite being on the (slightly) smaller side compared to other chef’s knives.
Buy now £217.38, Amazon
JB Prince U715 S/S Chef Kunz Sauce Spoon Grey
Seasoning = life. A simple spoon made from stainless steel is the perfect thing to check your recipe as it cooks along, adding salt, pepper or herbs and spices where necessary. It’s comfortable to hold and small enough to stash into your chef’s whites as you’re stalking around the kitchen.
Buy now £30.59, Amazon
Microplane Stainless Steel Zester/Grater, Black/Silver
It’s universally agreed that Microplane make the best graters around, allowing you to get mounds of shavings from a small and unassuming block of Parmesan, citrus, chocolate or whatever you’re grating.
It’s a great tool for dusting dishes with strongly flavoured ingredients, making it stretch further like culinary magic.
Buy now £24.95, John Lewis
KitchenAid 5K45SSBWH Classic Stand Mixer - White
The ultimate baking companion, KitchenAid’s stand mixer comes in a range of colours, but The Bear likes to keep things simple with a plain white.
The timeless, chic design is durable and it comes with different attachments for all your cooking and baking needs - including a patented ‘planetary’ mixing action that will save your arms from whisk-ache.
There are 10 speeds to use and it comes with two sizes of stainless steel bowl, good for small bakes as well as large. Comes with a five year manufacturer’s guarantee.
Buy now £499.00, Argos
OXO Good Grips Soft Handled Can Opener
A good can opener is never idle for long in a professional kitchen, and Carmy’s device of choice comes from OXO. The stainless steel cutter is covered in soft grip handles to make it easy to hold and comes with a lifetime manufacturer’s guarantee for added piece of mind. There’s also a built-in bottle opener to kick back with a bottle of suds once the rush is over.
Buy now £17.49, Lakeland
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HexClad 20 cm Hybrid Stainless Steel Frying Pan with Stay-Cool Handle
It's the cult US brand gaining serious traction on UK soil: HexClad, dubbed ‘the Rolls Royce of pans’ by none other than Gordon Ramsay and used by every food blogger worth their hand-picked Himalayan salt, is making ripples in the cookware world.
The coveted hybrid pans function like a non-stick thanks to the hexagonal grid in the pan, yet performs like stainless steel with the robustness of cast iron. We’ve not stopped using ours, from heating refried beans for taco night, whipping up a weeknight stir fry and searing steak before finishing it off in the oven.
For the home chef with Masterchef ambitions, this is the ultimate piece of cookware to add to the kitchen - and it’s completely non-toxic and PFOA-free too.
So confident is HexClad in its hybrid pan that it comes with a lifetime guarantee. Available in 20cm, 25cm and 30cm, they start at £94.99.
Buy now £94.99, Amazon
VonShef Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet Pan
Food has been cooked on and in cast iron for decades: the metal is famous for retaining and evenly releasing heat, giving superb results each time.
This cast iron pan is non-stick thanks to a round of pre-seasoning, but take care to wipe it down each time to add flavour and keep it in working order by buffing with fresh cooking oil.
It’s incredibly versatile: use it for everything from flash-frying sirloin before slinging it into the oven, make a Sunday morning fry-up and crisp pan-sized brownies before finishing off your bake in the oven.
If you’re happy to spend a bit more, VonShef also offers a trio of nesting cast iron skillets for £24.99.
Buy now £19.99, VonHaus
Lantana Smart Sharp Knife Sharpener
This ergonomic manual sharpener uses three stages to get your knives back to fighting fit, whether they just need some care or a total overhaul. Prepare, sharpen and hone your serrated, straight steel and carbon steel blades in a flash.
Buy now £10.95, Amazon
Smart Garden 3
Grow your own fresh herbs year-round with this smart tech device that features built-in sensors, Smart Soil and an adjustable LED grow lamp. Add basil, peppermint, lavender or coriander refills and have fresh flavour on hand no matter the season.
Buy now £67.46, Amazon
Stainless Steel Pasta Pot Spaghetti Pot
Let’s face it, pasta is one of the most simple dishes to make but for some the admin involved with the draining can add unnecessary mess to the process. Enter the straining pot that locks on to allow a safe and easy pour.
Buy now £21.99, Amazon
KitchenCraft Herb Scissors, Multi-Bladed
Finely chop like a professional chef without the fear of taking out a finger. These stainless steel scissors with non-slip handles quickly chop any herbs in a fraction of the time.
Buy now £6.00, Amazon
THEE Multi-Function Over The Sink Cutting Board Strainer
Not only will this device help you free up extra counter space but it will stop any extra mess, too. With a convenient over the sink design and a basket to hold your vegetables as they are dry, this is a straightforward product that makes a common task more efficient.
Buy now £22.57, Amazon
