London: MasterChef UK’s Hope Batchelor highlights her favourite affordable kitchen products from IKEA in a viral TikTok. Praising essentials like cast iron pots and chopping boards, she offers budget-friendly alternatives to high-end brands, appealing to both novice and experienced cooks seeking quality tools without breaking the bank.
Hope Batchelor, a finalist from last year’s series of MasterChef UK, has shared her recommended kitchen products from IKEA, highlighting budget-friendly options for aspiring cooks. In a recent viral TikTok video posted to her account @toastwithhope, the 31-year-old chef showcased a variety of essentials she believes are just as effective as more expensive alternatives.
In the video, Batchelor emphasised that one does not need to overspend for quality kitchen tools, stating, “I’m a firm believer that for the very basics in your kitchen, you don’t need to spend lots of money.” Among her top recommendations was the IKEA cast iron pot, priced at £59, which she noted offers a significant cost advantage compared to the well-known Le Creuset, generally priced around £400. According to her, “The cast irons here are a very good alternative, plus £59 versus about £400, you’re quids in.”
Batchelor also highlighted other noteworthy IKEA products, such as solid wood chopping boards that can double as serving boards, cooling racks, and dough cutters for baking. For food storage, she praised the utility of IKEA’s sandwich bags, describing them as “just perfect” for leftovers. She recommended collapsible food storage boxes, ideal for lunch packing, and glass jugs for serving juice or cocktails, available for £9 each. Furthermore, she encouraged adopting the use of small wooden tongs for safely retrieving toast from toasters.
Her TikTok post garnered significant attention, amassing over 66,000 views and 3,900 likes, with many viewers expressing their gratitude in the comments. One user remarked, “Yay Hope’s doing an IKEA top buys! Brilliant and so helpful! Love this thank you so much!”
Additionally, insights into kitchen trends for 2025 were provided by Josie Medved, Design Manager for Symphony Group. Medved predicted that matte finishes will become popular, offering a sophisticated but low-maintenance option conducive to busy lifestyles. Textured cabinet finishes are also expected to rise in popularity, serving both aesthetic and practical purposes such as sound absorption.
Other trends include the use of pocket doors to conceal kitchen clutter in open-plan spaces, caramel cabinetry as a warm alternative to yellow kitchens, and a mix-and-match colour scheme for a visually striking design that pairs bold colours with neutral tones.
The expected kitchen trends reflect evolving tastes in design and functionality, while Batchelor’s IKEA recommendations align with a growing interest in affordable yet high-quality cooking tools, catering to both novices and experienced chefs alike.
Source: Noah Wire Services
