Ina Garten Insists These Centuries-Old German Knives Are a Forever Investment – They Have a Permanent Spot on Her Hamptons Countertop
The Barefoot Contessa reveals the only essential blades you actually need to prep any meal (and the tool she relies on to care for them)
As we head into the peak of summer entertaining and backyard barbecues in 2026, having the right kitchen tools is essential. 'People ask me all the time what kind of knives they should get,' Ina Garten announces – and it is easy to see why she is our first port of call.
The Barefoot Contessa has spent decades refining our culinary habits from her Hamptons kitchen, where she crafts beautiful recipes perfect for warm-weather gatherings. Garten knows better than anyone that the basis for perfectly cooked food begins with the right equipment – specifically, the best chef's knives. So, which ones earn a permanent spot on her countertop?
According to her Instagram, Garten opts for Wüsthof Classic knives (available at Amazon), which she considers a true investment. Even though they are not currently part of the Amazon Prime Day sale, they remain a worthwhile upgrade for your summer kitchen setup, alongside her go-to professional sharpener. Garten emphasizes that with proper care – including keeping the blades sharp – a quality knife is a once-in-a-lifetime purchase.
'The most important tool every home cook should have is a great set of knives. Mine are Wüsthof Classic knives. They’re an investment, but if you take care of them, they’ll last a lifetime,' she says.
Approved by Ina Garten, this 10-piece knife set pairs precision laser-cut blades with triple-riveted polypropylene handles that are resistant to fading, discoloration, heat, and impact. It's a high-quality, hard-working set that delivers impressive performance for the price.
Approved by Ina Garten, this stainless steel knife sharpener delivers professional-level precision at home, allowing you to create either a traditional 20-degree edge or a finer 15-degree edge depending on the task at hand.
If any knives are engineered to stand the test of time, it is these. The German-based brand crafts all its cutlery to resist corrosion and dulling, meaning they come backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
Based in Solingen, Germany, the family-owned business has been manufacturing knives for over 200 years. They proudly carry the Solingen name – a prestigious designation reserved exclusively for products that meet the strictest quality standards. It is no surprise, then, that they deserve a prime spot in the Barefoot Contessa's kitchen.
However, her guidance does not end there. While her own knife block is fully stocked, she assures home cooks that they only need a handful of essential blades to prep everything from seasonal heirloom tomatoes to crusty bread.
'There are four really important knives: there's a chef's knife, there's a slicing knife, a bread knife, which is serrated, and a paring knife,' she explains in the footage. 'If you have those four, you can do almost anything,' she says.
Maintaining these tools is the real secret to guaranteeing they last a lifetime, which is where her trusted sharpener comes into play.
'We've all seen chefs take a knife to sharpen it,' Garten notes. 'I'm always worried I'm going to get the wrong angle, and it will ruin the knife, so I'm going to show you how to sharpen a knife,' she comments in the Instagram video before demonstrating her Chef’sChoice sharpener.
She explains that the device features two distinct stages – a rough side and a fine side. Simply glide the knife through each side twice to achieve optimal sharpness. As Garten concludes, 'All I do is wash the knife to get any filaments off, and you've got perfectly sharp knives every time.'
Shop More of Ina Garten's Favorites
If you want to be even more like the Barefoot Contessa in the kitchen, here are a few more of her famous essentials.
These fluffy, compressible sponges are among the most absorbent on the market. They're all-natural, easy to store, and expand when needed, making everyday clean-ups that little bit easier. With Ina Garten's seal of approval, they're hard to beat.
Handwoven in Vietnam by skilled artisans using 100% natural water hyacinth, this basket strikes a beautiful balance between durability and elegance. Crafted to stand the test of time, it's a chic styling piece that Ina uses in her own Hamptons home.
Sometimes, the best products are the simplest. This thermometer delivers exactly what it's designed to do, pairing reliable performance with a colorful 2.5-inch dial that's exceptionally easy to read.
Alongside its powerful 50-watt motor, this juicer features a built-in stainless steel strainer that catches pits and pulp, ensuring every glass is perfectly smooth. It's a thoughtful detail that makes fresh juice feel effortlessly achievable.
Beloved by Ina Garten, this charming gratin dish is as suited to bubbling peach cobblers as it is to golden, crisp-topped mac and cheese. Offered in a variety of sizes, it's a timeless kitchen essential that effortlessly adapts to any recipe or occasion.
Another of Ina Garten's kitchen essentials, this chef-approved salad spinner features a one-handed pump that makes drying greens effortless. We especially love the patented brake, which brings the basket to an immediate stop with a simple press.
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