What equipment and uniform do I need for Cookery Level 4?
You are responsible for purchasing your chef kit, which includes all equipment, your uniform and the standard textbook. Be prepared to budget approximately $1,000, depending on the quality of the equipment you choose.
The following list outlines the essential items and optional extras for the New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4) in 2027.
Essential Items
| Number required | Item |
| 1 | Chef’s knife, wide blade, 20 cm |
| 1 | Vegetable paring knife, 8 cm |
| 1 | Turning knife, 6 cm |
| 1 | Filleting knife |
| 1 | Boning knife |
| 1 | Round sharpening steel, 30 cm |
| 1 | Pastry knife, wavy edge, 26 cm |
| 1 | Straight palette spatula, 20 cm |
| 1 | Stainless steel measuring spoons, 4 pieces |
| 1 | Stainless steel measuring cups, 4 pieces |
| 1 | Nylon dough scraper |
| 2 | Wooden spoons |
| 1 | Vegetable peeler with stainless steel blade |
| 1 | Electronic kitchen scales, 5 kg capacity with 1 g increments |
| 1 | Natural-bristle pastry brush, 25 mm |
| 1 | Digital probe thermometer, -50°C to 200°C |
| 1 | BBQ gas lighter |
| 1 | Rubber-lined canvas piping bag, 40 cm |
| 1 | Star piping nozzles, 7 pieces, 3–15 mm |
| 1 | Plain piping nozzles, 7 pieces, 3–15 mm |
| 1 | Stainless steel piano-wire whisk with sealed handle, 30 cm |
| 1 | Kitchen scissors with stainless steel blades |
| 6 | Stainless steel dessert spoons |
| 1 | Stainless steel table fork |
| 1 | Stainless steel table knife |
| 10 | Large, heavy-duty cotton tea towels |
| 1 | Digital timer with pocket clip, magnet and battery |
| 1 | Heat-resistant silicone spoon-head spatula, 36 cm |
| 1 | Stainless steel food tongs with clip, 24 cm |
| 1 | Cranked spatula, 10 cm blade |
| 1 | Plain round cutters |
| 1 | Knife roll or equipment satchel to transport and secure your equipment |
| 3 | White, long-sleeved polycotton chef’s jackets |
| 2 | Checked polycotton chef’s trousers with drawstring |
| 3 | White polycotton waist aprons |
| 2 | White chef’s skull hats with mesh tops and adjustable closures |
| 1 pair | Black chef’s shoes |
| 3 | White chef’s buttons, 10 buttons per set |
| Many | Pens |
| 2 | Marker Pens |
| 1 | Small pocket notebook |
Optional Extras
| Number required | Item |
| 1 | Heavy-duty melon baller (Parisienne scoop) |
| 1 | Heavy-duty lemon zester |
| 1 | Stainless steel rasp grater/zester with guard, 32 cm |
| 1 | Heavy-duty apple corer, 16 mm diameter |
| 1 | Carving knife, 25 cm |
| 1 | Spare white chef’s buttons, 10 buttons per set |
| 1 | Heavy-duty channel knife |