About Chef Niko Tests

I'm Niko, a professional chef based in Guildford, England. This site is where I write down what actually works in a kitchen, and which tools are worth the money.

Why this site exists

Most kitchen advice online is written by people who cook occasionally. I cook for a living, under time pressure, with other people's dinners on the line. That changes what you value in a tool.

A pan that looks good in a photograph but loses its heat the moment cold meat touches it is useless to me. A cheap peeler that never goes blunt is worth more than a drawer of gadgets.

How I test things

Everything I recommend is either something I use in a working kitchen, something I've used at home for long enough to know how it holds up, or a type of tool where the difference is a matter of simple physics I can explain to you.

When I haven't tested a specific model myself, I say so, and I tell you what to look for instead of pretending to have an opinion I haven't earned.

What you'll find here

Recipes and techniques are free and always will be. Gear pages and gift guides contain affiliate links, which are explained in full on the affiliate disclosure page.

Where I am

Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom. Written and tested in a UK kitchen, with UK ingredients, UK ovens and UK shops in mind.

You can reach me through the contact page.