For some, January is a grey month, but for produce and cooking it’s exciting and colourful. The seville oranges come in for marmalade, the blushing pink forced rhubarb comes out of its cloches ready to be gently poached and eaten with buttery porridge. Bitter leaves get brighter and even more robust, and you become more inventive by roasting or wilting them into stews and hearty soups.
At this time of year, I find myself spending hours trawling through markets for the best seasonal produce but also for the perfect plate for it to sit on. It's a wonderful time to take pride in cooking slowly–ribollitas, jams and endless roast chickens are all on the menu. Below, you'll find a round up of my favourite kitchen accessories, some everyday, others a very much dreamland but I think that’s important to have balance, otherwise where’s the fun?
Posie's wishlist
A kitchen essential for me. They hold a bit of kitchen nostalgia for me as well being the perfect oven to table dish thanks to the stylish two tone enamel finish.
A good set of pans is one of the best investments you can make as they will last you a lifetime and become a solid, reliable friend. All-clad make some of the best stainless steel cookware, they conduct heat beautifully and leave you with a perfect even cook.
I like to have a smelly candle lit while I cook (but not eat, too confusing!). This delicious earthy tomato scent from Loewe is the perfect co-smell whilst preparing dinner.
I think about my dream kitchen a lot and every time I come back to Plain English. The colours,
joinery and finish are second to none. They are a perfect combination of classic Georgian
design with a contemporary finish. A girl can dream …
In a dream world I would have a full copper set of Mauviel pans hanging like jewels above my kitchen island. An old school firm favourite of mine.
Cherry Flips make fun table linen featuring hand drawn illustrations inspired by traditional styles. They believe in ethical sourcing, printing and small scale production.
My go-to knife supplier of choice. Japanese Knife Company's knives are made of soft Japanese steel that stays razor sharp (provided you care for them properly.) I have 3 of the same handle style and nothing brings me greater joy than seeing them all lined up together in my canvas knife roll.
Another Japanese brand I often gravitate towards. This bucket bag is made for gardening tools but it works perfectly as a ‘throw everything in’ when I go to my local green grocer. Bonus points that it never seems to tumble over due its flat bottom.
One of the best and, most importantly, easy to use, espresso machines on the market. The first coffee of the day has to be the best one in my humble opinion.
Two Fields is made by two brothers who produce the finest extra virgin olive oil from their olive groves on Crete. They focus on regenerative farming and providing fair, secure livelihoods for local farming families.
Alexander Kirkeby is a Danish glassblower and designer who creates the finest hand blown glassware. Think distorted Champagne coupes and crystal wonky cake stands–just heavenly.
A big purchase but the 'Sub Zero Wolf Cooker' is without a doubt the best oven on the market. The temperature is so accurate, every bake comes out close to perfect, and the capacity of the oven is quite something. I once filled it full to bursting and amazingly everything cooked.
My chosen cast iron pot because of the clever spiked lid which creates a self basting mechanism. A heavy cast iron pot is a winter essential for slow cooking, braising and a good stew.
Lighting in a kitchen is hugely important and this buttery Anglepoise lamp is perfect to have on in the background during an intimate candlelit dinner.
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Dorset based artist Jess Wheeler creates metal work inspired by nature, from bronze Aster Flower candelabras to little ivy wall sconces. Her work is the enticing combination of hand craftsmanship and bringing the outside in.
Andie is a Los Angeles based artist focusing on paintings of convivial food scenes in warm and inviting colours.
The best Swiss mayonnaise on the market, a store cupboard essential. Fill your (ski) boots
Made to order in their factory in Woolwich, Ventura Foreman make bespoke service clothing, from made-to-measure aprons to an embossed chore jacket from English Cotton canvas in their core colours.
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