Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
Heinz Organic Tomato Ketchup
Indistinguishable from the original classic, but it's exciting to think how many tomatoes must be under cultivation to satisfy demand for this.
578g, pounds 1.78, widely available
Tracklements strong English mustard
The hottest and best.
145g, pounds 1.75
tracklements.co.uk
The Seed Company cold-pressed rapeseed oil
A brilliant all-round culinary oil, mellow and tasty enough to dip bread in, but also great for shallow-frying and roast potatoes.
500ml, pounds 8 (+p&p)
theseedcompany.co.uk
Fish 4 Ever sustainable tinned fish
I'm a big fan of tinned fish, from sardines to mackerel, and it's great to be able to buy it with a clean conscience.
Tuna fish in brine, 120g, pounds 2.25
abelandcole.co.uk
Clipper organic and fairtrade teas
A local Dorset company with impeccable ethical credentials and a fantastic range of teas from builder's to unusual herbals.
40 bags, pounds 1.19, widely available
Clare Smyth, Chef, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay
Heinz Tomato Ketchup
Completely vital.
700g, £1.79, widely available
Waitrose Modena balsamic vinegar
Adds a kick to dishes at home.
500ml, £9.99, Waitrose
Jamie Oliver
Maldon sea salt
It's the best and it's from Essex.
250g, £1.99, widely available
Belazu balsamic vinegar
It's the stickiest and the sweetest in the business.
250ml, £12.99
belazu.com
Sainsbury's Fattoria Selvapiana extra virgin olive oil
Powerful, peppery, very special.
50cl, £15.95
libertywine.co.uk
De Cecco dried pasta
It has a brilliant bite.
500g, £1.25, widely available
Ortiz anchovy fillets in olive oil
I can eat a whole tin with just good bread and butter.
£3.85, 47g
brindisa.com
(Jamie's new range of pasta sauces is available now at Tesco)
Gordon Ramsay
Napolina tinned tomatoes
I always keep some tins of Napolina tomatoes in the cupboard for making quick tomato and basil soup, a spicy salsa or some penne arrabiata.
200g, 68p, widely available
Goats' cheese
I always make sure I have a crotin de chèvre in the fridge.
140g, £4.50
finecheese.co.uk
Angela Hartnett, Chef
Rosebud Preserves onion marmalade
A best-seller, this goes out of the door when it's still warm. It's delicously sweet and piquant and great with cheese and meat.
227g, £2.30 (plus p&p) 01765 689174
elsbeth@rosebud.fsworld.co.uk
Maldon sea salt
The best salt. 250g, £1.99, widely available
Tracklements strong horseradish and cream
I cut this horseradish with crème fraîche to serve with fish.
145g, £2.25
tracklements.co.uk
Bovril
Always in the cupboard.
250g, £2.07, widely available
Hellmann's mayonnaise
I use this in so many dishes.
200g, 82p, widely available
Green & Black's Dark 70% chocolate
Absolutely delicious.
100g, £1.69, widely available
De Cecco pasta
From this brand, choose any of the shapes, they are all good.
500g, £1.25, widely available
Napolina tinned tomatoes
These are great, not watery at all, and cook down really well.
200g, 68p, widely available
Parmesan
I don't mind where it comes from, as long as it's aged for two years.
Parmesan Reggiano, 300g, £7.30
finecheese.co.uk
Thomasina Miers, TV chef and co-owner, Wahaca, London
Karimix tamarind chutney
I am at the moment addicted to this, which is incredible with roast pork or bangers. 175g, £2.50
thegoodfoodnetwork.co.uk
South Devon Chilli Farm's hot apple chilli jelly
Also completely addictive.
227g jar, £3
southdevonchillifarm.co.uk
Aspall's organic Cyder vinegar
I am using masses of this in my Mexican cooking , as it has a much softer flavour than other brands.
500ml, £1.49, widely available
Sabores Aztecas' Mole Rojo sauce
For when I get a craving and don't have time to make my own along with some chipotles from the Cool Chile Company.
Mole Rojo Sauce, 340g, £2.29
naturallygoodfood.co.uk
Diced chipotle, 50g, £2.80
coolchile.co.uk
Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco and Colman's mustard
My cupboard is never without these vital ingredients.
Worcestershire sauce, 150ml, 92p; Tabasco, 57ml, £1.49; Colman's English mustard, 100g, 50p, all widely available
Adam Byatt, Chef, Trinity, London
Forum chardonnay vinegar
This is softer than cabernet sauvignon vinegar (which is the red version). It's great with oysters, for simple light vinaigrettes and not as passé as the cab-sauv version.
25cl, £7.99
hardtofindfoods.co.uk
Hanayuki Panko breadcrumbs
These honey-toasted bread flakes crisp up really well, both in a fryer and in a pan, and nobody wants to make breadcrumbs!
340g, £1.98
japanesekitchen.co.uk
Pommery moutarde de Meaux
Pommery mustard is cooked for less time and aged for longer, so has less acidity and more texture. It's expensive but works brilliantly when recipes actually call for grain mustard, rather than as a dash on the side of one's bangers.
500g, £4.29, Waitrose
McVitie's digestive biscuits
Crumble as toppings, cheesecake, into ice cream or simply dipped in tea!
500g, 69p widely available
Raymond Blanc, Chef, Le Manoir Quat' Saisons, Oxfordshire
Laverstoke Park Hebridean lamb
I love this lamb. It looks the part. Excellent animal husbandry is basically at the heart of Jody Scheckter's practices and shows great respect for the animals they are rearing. I believe this contributes enormously to the fantastic quality meat that results.
Rack of Hebridean lamb, £21.30/kg
laverstokeparkbutchersshop.co.uk
Valley Smoke House smoked salmon
This is a traditional smoking house. They really understand the different qualities and characteristics of fish and meat produce and have developed their techniques to bring out the best flavours while maintaining superb texture.
£12.20/kg
valleysmokehouse.com
Hill Farm extra-virgin cold-pressed rapeseed oil
This contains higher amounts of vitamin C and Omega-3 and-6 than olive oil. It can be heated up to as high a temperature as groundnut oil, so it's great for stir-fries but also has a very delicate flavour, so it is good in mayonnaise, where sometimes olive oil can be overpowering.
1 case (6x500ml) £36
hillfarmoils.com
Waitrose, £5.95, 500ml
Waterperry Gardens apple juices
This is apple juice that comes from fantastic apples. It's all produced without pesticides and using expert practices which have been developed over many years of apple-growing.
Box of 12 x 75cl bottles (mixed), £32.50
waterperrygardens.co.uk
Rhug Organic Farm whole chicken
Quite simply, this is the best-tasting organic chicken I have ever eaten!
£7.90/kg
rhug.co.uk
Giorgio Locatelli, Chef-owner, Locanda Locatelli, London
Manni olive oil
I stopped buying supermarket oil. It sits on the shelf too long. Now I buy mine on the internet from a producer called Armando Manni in Seggiano, Tuscany. I use Manni Per Me for meaty things or Manni Per Mio (my child) for lighter dishes. It's quite important to grow olives in a microclimate such as that of Siena and Liguria. Like these.
Around £175 (depending on the euro) for one carton (containing five gift boxes)
buymanni.com
Cheeses from Gastronomica
Along with Marco Vineis, director and buyer of Gastronomica, I go to Italy and select hams and cheeses. It is a sort of collaboration that started many years ago. They have an excellent burrata - which is a creamy version of mozzarella (£15/kilo); I also like the castelmagno, a semi-hard cows' cheese from Piedmont (£32/kilo). I always use the pecorino. It's a lovely, hard sheep's cheese that's almost as good as parmigiano (£22/kilo).
Gastronomica, 2 Bedale Street, London, SE1 9AL, 020 7407 4488
Rose Gray, Chef-owner, the River Café, London
Natoora smoked pancetta
This is an absolute essential in the fridge. It's basically a bacon substitute, but a superb one.
200g, £2.26
natoora.co.uk
Olive oil
I always have two kinds of our own olive oil in my kitchen at home; one from last year, one from this year. At the moment I have Cappezzana extra virgin 2006, and the lovely Canonici 2007, from Liberty Wines. Both are exceptional oils and absolutely necessary in the kitchen. Dressings, fresh fish - they depend on these.
Cappezzana extra virgin 2006, £17.95, 75cl, Canonici 2007 £15.95, 75cl
libertywine.co.uk
Gentleman's Relish
A slightly wacky favourite of mine is Patum Peperium (Gentleman's Relish). I spread it on some fantastic toasted rye bread, with sweet Italian butter made by a parmesan producer, which I buy from La Fromagerie.
Patum Peperium, £1.59, 40g; rye bread £1.65 a loaf
planetorganic.com orartisan.co.uk
Butter £2.85, 250g
2-4 Moxon Street, London W1U 4EW, 020 7935 0341
lafromagerie.co.uk
Tom Aikens, Chef, Tom's Kitchen, Tom's Place, London
Duchy Originals wholegrain mustard with honey
Duchy is a good brand - not just because it's organic and was one of the first organic companies but because they make very good food. In the wholegrain mustard, they use a good-quality grain. Most wholegrains are mushy and therefore harder to use. They sort of dissolve into a slice of bread. This one is nice and bitty and works well spread on a pork fillet and popped under the grill. Or with some chunky sausages and mash.
£2.49, 170g, widely available
Waitrose balsamic vinegar of Modena
Everyone needs balsamic vinegar as a base and there is such a wide price range depending on sweetness and age. I actually prefer younger vinegars as they're not as sweet and gloopy. This one works well in a dressing or marinade. We use it in our shallot and balsamic vinegar dressing poured over scallops and in numerous dressings.
250ml, £2.19, Waitrose
Green & Black's cocoa powder
This is a great label, primarily because it's organic and supports fairtrade, but also because it's not too expensive and it's nice and rich. There are a lot of cocoa powders on the market but you must always go for a good cocoa. You can always taste the difference between sugar and cocoa. It's worth spending a bit more on this.
93p, 125g, widely available
Doves Farm Malthouse bread flour
Flour is important in the restaurant. We use a lot of it. Doves Farm are pretty well known but I just happened to pick this one up in the supermarket and haven't looked back. When I make bread at home, maybe once a month, I like their mixed grain fl our. It's very fresh and light.
Doves Farm, £1.45/kg, Waitrose
Sam and Eddie Hart, Owners, Fino and Barafina, London
Joselito jamón
This is such a distinctive product. It's so southern Spain. The pigs are fed on acorns and you can taste it. It's completely different to every other ham.
100g, £19.50, Brindisa
brindisa.com
Hildalgo La Gitana Manzanilla
Again, sherry is a very Spanish thing and if it's Manzanilla then there's only one place it could have come from. This happens to be our favourite. It's cool and fresh, it has a decent bite and goes terribly well with the ham. This must be served ice cold.
£7.49
majestic.co.uk
Urbina Crianza Rioja
This comes from our favourite region in Spain. It's the best red, it's so clean. We tried this one at a tasting and haven't looked back since. We both love a Rioja and you won't get much a better one than this.
£8.80, Les Caves de Pyrene
lescaves.co.uk
Chorizo Picante
This particular chorizo is so much nicer than its European equivalents. It comes in many forms, but we like the spicy raw stuff. And we slice it up, grill it and serve it with some fresh watercress and potatoes or a nice tomato salad.
£11.50/kg
brindisa.com
Allegra McEvedy, Head chef, Leon, London
Vinaigre de Jerez, AR Valdespino sherry vinegar
So helpful for everything from dressings to stews to sharpening up sauces; genius with pulses.
25cl, £6.25, Brindisa
brindisa.com
Mrs Elswood Haimisha pickles
These are good and Polish shops are fun to trawl around. That said, you can also get them from Waitrose. A daily necessity.
840g, £1.89, widely available
El Rey de la Vera smoked paprika
This ground capsicum pepper from La Vera, in south-west Spain, is made using a traditional drying process using oak smoke. This method was originated by monks in the 15th century, and to this day, the region of La Vera is renowned for the quality of this product. It comes in several versions: bittersweet, hot and sweet smoked. This is my great get-out-of-jail-free for marinades, barbecues, casseroles and anywhere that flavour is not forthcoming.
75g, £1.95
delicioso.co.uk
Tesco prunes in juice
Truly a 24-hour snack, from breakfast to late-night nibble. They give all of themselves in slow dishes, and not a bad instant pud, warmed up in booze with a posh biscuit and some crème fraîche.
410g, 75p, Waitrose
Suree Tom Yum paste
My personal Readybrek... this keeps me going and glowing when the fridge is bare.
454g, £1.60
wingyipstore.co.uk
Michael Caines, Chef, Gidleigh Park, Devon
Tracklements beer mustard
This mustard is equally fantastic spread on a burger or put into a casserole. It's not too beer-y, it just has a very distinctive taste. And a great base for a vinaigrette.
140g, £1.75
tracklements.co.uk
Merchant Gourmet Sunblush tomatoes
Add these to pasta or salads. I think I prefer these to sundried, they're not dried out rather they have been 'kissed' by the sun and sit in oil which keeps them nice and succulent.
240g, £2.59, widely available
Waitrose Fairtrade Swiss dark chocolate
This has to be fairtrade for obvious reasons and 70% or more because it's just a better amount of cocoa. This isn't the sort you nibble on. It's great for making mousses or sponges and if you mix it in with some cream it becomes a lot lighter.
100g, £1.39, Waitrose
Antony Worrall Thompson, TV chef
Geo Watkins anchovy sauce
Invaluable for adding to sauces, roasts, pasta or risotto.
170ml, £1.39, Waitrose
Anila's chilli pickle
A range of excellent authentic Indian chutneys and pickles that bring a little je ne sais quoi to your foodie life.
270g, £3.25
anilassauces.com
Belazu rose harissa
A wonderful, spicy paste from Tunisia with a hot kick that works for all cooking, not just north African. Spread on a fillet of fish or over a pork chop before grilling.
90g, £3.59
belazu.com
Rowley Leigh, Chef owner, Le Café Anglais, London
Maldon sea salt
This tastes completely different to all other salts. It has a far superior flavour. I love the way it looks and feels and how it explodes on your tongue. I cannot imagine life without it.
250g, £1.99, widely available
Cook's Ingredients anchovy paste
I just love anchovies and this is so easy to eat. I add it to butter and olive oil and broccoli and pour it over pasta. Or mix it with breadcrumbs and toast them and sprinkle over pasta. I love its saltiness.
90g, £2.79, Waitrose
Bread
I get all my dough-based things from Maison Blanc and I particularly like their pain maison, a huge slipper of a loaf. It's unbleached and keeps for a week. It's very Parisian. I serve it in the restaurant and at home.
£4.50 a loaf, £2.50 for half a loaf
maisonblanc.co.uk
Tom Conran, Restaurateur
Bragg organic raw apple cider vinegar
Has a tangy sweet'n'sourness that goes so well with many things: in soups and stews, on homemade chips and roast potatoes or chunky salads, vegetables and seeds.
500ml, £2.59
planetorganic.com
Wilkin & Sons Tiptree brown sauce
Fruity and spicy, soft and sweet. To use as a relish on almost anything savoury.
310g, £2.10
tiptree.com
L'Himal salt
Pink salt from the Himalayas. Apparently this comes from the oldest salt source in the world. It's also very pretty and very tasty - use sparingly though.
500g, £4.35
planetorganic.com
225g, £2.25
thehimalayansaltcompany.com
Claude Bosi, Chef, Hibiscus, London
Organic Smokehouse smoked olive oil I use this on meats and in marinades with a touch of seasoning although I can get away with just the oil. The smoked element injects a cooked, hearty flavour into the marinade. It also works well on a truffle salad - just drizzle a tiny bit on top. It's the best.
375ml, £12.50
organicsmokehouse.com
Bacheldre Watermill flours
I use the Baldechre strong unbleached white organic flour - I am very fussy about my puff pastry and this flour is perfect. for making it. It's made in the old-fashioned way and tastes so light in the pastry. When it's sent to us it's so fresh, the paper bag is still warm.
1.5kg, £2.50
bacheldremill.co.uk or Waitrose
Stuart Gillies, Chef, Boxwood Cafe, London
Oysters
I buy wild West Mersea oysters from Wright Bros in Borough Market. Wright Bros are the largest wholesalers of oysters in London and they sell 12 varieties through their store. I particularly like the wild West Mersea oyster as it's very robust and can be served natural or cooked. It's also a British variety, which is veryimportant and sourced traditionally by a seventh-generation oyster fisherman, Richard Howard.
A dozen West Mersea Native Oysters No. 2, £21.20
shopwrightbros.com
Burford Brown eggs, Clarence Court
These come from Horizon farm, which is in Cornwall. They are always very fresh and cheap.
£1.85 for six, widely available
Giancarlo and Kate Caldesi, Chefs/owners, Caldesi, London
De Cecco pasta
It retains its shape and wheat taste throughout cooking.
500g, £1.25, widely available
Nutella hazelnut spread
We love this, we spread it on pancakes or make Nutella pizzas for the children.
200g, £1.05, widely available
John Torode, Owner, Smiths of Smithfield, London
Vegemite
Essential for the Aussie, on toast but also good to add a boost to a pot of soup.
235g, £1.99, widely available
Guinness
Essential to drink but also works wonders with batter and helps sweeten a big beef stew.
4x440ml cans, £3.54
Squid Brand fish sauce
My life would not be complete should I not be able to use my favourite Squid Brand sauce for Thai salads and soups. It's also great with chilli and a little coriander over hot rice. I use it a lot instead of salt.
725ml, 75p
wingyipstore.co.uk
Mrs Elswood sweet and sour pickles
I love gherkins, in burgers a must, alone with beer very good, at the barbecue, great and on a sandwich with smoked salmon - delicious.
670g, £1.09, widely available
Pierre Koffman, Guest chef, Mark's Club, London
Maille walnut vinegar
I use this to make dressing as it gives vinaigrette a subtle nutty flavour.
0.5l, Euro 2.55
nouvelle-epicerie.fr
Poilâne bread
This has a great flavour and I love it toasted with a good egg.
£4.39/kg, Waitrose
Papillon Roquefort
Delicious flavour - not too strong.
£24.99.kg
waitrosedeliver.co.uk
Sally Clarke, Chef-owner, Clarke's, London
Grey Poupon mustard
This is excellent and so readily available - even in my corner shop. I found this when I was living and studying in France. They'd serve it in huge round-sided jars with a wedge of terrine and pickles. It's consistently good. I use it as a base for vinaigrettes or spread generously over a spicy sausage.
215g, 79p, Tesco
Maldon sea salt
This is a magical product. Anyone who's anyone uses this. It is the only salt worth buying. I toss it over ripped buffalo mozzarella or with burrata. It doesn't taste like salt. It has the most wondrous texture. I love the way it crunches between your fingers. We have little wooden pots of it in our restaurant, without spoons of course.
250g, £1.99, widely available
Alziari olive oil
Beautiful - it just sits perfectly on the shelf. It smacks of the south of France and summer. We buy it from a flower market in Nice, and we sell it in the shop but almost always sell out within a week of stocking up. We should start a standing order really.
Clarke's, £21.80 per litre
sallyclarke.com
Fortnum & Mason, £23.50 per litre
fortnumandmason.com
Agree? Disagree?
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