Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton reveals the £20 kitchen gadget he can’t live without

Gourmet cuisine doesn't need to cost a fortune

If you are looking to whip up your own gourmet cuisine at home you don't need to shell out a fortune on expensive gadgets. In fact, Jason Atherton, the Head Chef and Social Eating House in London has revealed his cooking must-have will cost you just £20

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When it comes to whipping up incredible gourmet cuisine the Michelin-starred chef told Femail that a Japanese mandolin is a cooking essential. Whether you are slicing a salad or cooking a delectable dish, it is a must-have for nailing those extra thin slices.

'A good knife is your best friend in the kitchen - I prefer my Florentine's cook knife,' he explained. 'But for extra thin-slicing, you need a Japanese mandolin.

jason atherton english chef and restaurateur

(Image credit: Dia Dipasupil / Staff / Getty)

'Get wafer-thin potatoes for dauphinoise or boulangère. It's great for salads and makes light work of slicing.'

Japanese mandoline

A Japanese mandolin is also known as a vegetable slicer and you can pick one up for as little as £20 in most cookware shops. However, they can vary hugely in price depending on the quality of the blade, with some costing as much as £70.

They work just like a cheese grater, except they only have one blade. All you need to do is push the item against the blade in a downward direction.

black coloured japanese mandolin

(Image credit: TBC)

If you are looking to add a mandoline to your cooking kit, we're fans of this little black number from John Lewis & Partners. Priced at £20 the mandoline is a versatile gadget for julienning fruit and vegetables, or slicing cucumber and fennel for salads.

Buy now: Mandoline, £20, John Lewis & Partners

The mandoline has a curved shape and a stainless steel blade to make slicing seamless. You can also alter the size of the slices using the knob at the size.

kitchen with white walls white cabinet and gas stove

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Rachael Smith)

Always using the mandoline on a dry, flat surface and hold the handle securely. And make sure you use the plastic guard to protect your fingers when slicing.

If you are looking for a smaller handheld mandoline, this OXO mandoline slicer is also a great option. Plus it only costs £15.99.

Related: John Lewis & Partners reveal sales of this very British kitchen item are soaring

Will you be getting your cooking up to restaurant standard with a Japanese Mandoline?

Rebecca Knight
Deputy Editor, Digital

Rebecca Knight has been the Deputy Editor on the Ideal Home Website since 2022. She graduated with a Masters degree in magazine journalism from City, University of London in 2018, before starting her journalism career as a staff writer on women's weekly magazines. She fell into the world of homes and interiors after joining the Ideal Home website team in 2019 as a Digital Writer. In 2020 she moved into position of Homes News Editor working across Homes & Gardens, LivingEtc, Real Homes, Gardeningetc and Ideal Home covering everything from the latest viral cleaning hack to the next big interior trend.