Marks & Spencer has joined forces with Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge to launch an extensive new cookware collection, promising professional performance for the home cook. The Independent put key pieces from the range through a rigorous two-week test to see if they live up to the hype.
Putting the Pans Through Their Paces
Journalist Kate Ng, who has extensive experience reviewing kitchenware, cooked every meal for a week using the new collection. She assessed each item for versatility, practicality, and ease of cleaning, tackling everything from simple fried eggs to a one-pot apple crumble that moved from hob to oven.
While some of the larger items, like the substantial butcher's block and a wide saucepan, demand considerable storage space—a consideration for smaller kitchens—their performance largely won her over. So much so, she has replaced some of her own long-standing kitchen staples with pieces from this range.
Standout Pieces from the Collection
The 3-piece cast iron stacking set (£100) emerged as a favourite for its clever, space-saving design. The set nests a griddle pan inside a shallow casserole, inside a deeper 5-litre pot, all under one lid. The middle casserole dish proved to be a "real powerhouse", perfect for braising, roasting, and seamless one-pan dishes like the tested apple crumble. It cleaned easily despite sticky residues.
The cast iron shallow casserole dish (£45) was hailed as a serious rival to premium brands like Le Creuset. With its durable Belgian frit enamel finish in midnight blue or black matte, it's built for long, slow cooking and makes a stylish statement on any hob or dinner table.
In the stainless steel category, the all-purpose saucepan (£60) impressed with its fully oven-safe construction, including the handle and lid. Its extra-thick copper disc base ensured even heating, though mastering its non-stick qualities requires a slight learning curve. The 20cm frying pan (£25) defied expectations by heating quickly and evenly, producing a perfectly fried egg without the dreaded sticking often associated with stainless steel.
Practicality Meets Chef-Like Design
The large stainless steel 20cm saucepan (£40) is ideal for batch-cooking soups and stews, with a long handle that stays cool and an additional short handle for easier lifting. Meanwhile, the 2-in-1 wooden butcher's block (£50), though sizeable, offers ingenious compartments for prepped ingredients and a "juice flute" to catch meat drippings, keeping work surfaces organised and clean.
A notable in-store exclusive is a five-piece knife set, with the chef's knife receiving particular praise for its comfortable grip and ideal weight for a smooth rocking chop.
Verdict: Is the M&S x Tom Kerridge Range Worth It?
For enthusiastic home cooks, this collection represents impressive quality at accessible price points. The cast iron stacking set offers exceptional value and space efficiency, while the stainless steel pieces provide versatile, durable alternatives to non-stick options. The overall conclusion is that Tom Kerridge's influence has resulted in a thoughtful, high-performing range that brings a touch of chef-grade kit to the everyday kitchen, making it a compelling choice for those looking to upgrade their cookware.
