I realize i review a lot of food products and only about a handful of actual gadgets and tools a year, but i thought i would give you my personal list I find the most essential for the kitchen (and since starting culinary school, this list has been altered!).  Many chefs/homemakers have these essential lists of their own and everyone is different but these are mine, enjoy :)

1- Flexible cutting mat for easy, cheap, chopping! no need for expensive wooden ones, flexy kinds take up less space too!

2-whisk- i review so many dressings, but i love to make my own with some vinegar, good olive oil, salt, and herbs. easy to whip up with a whisk!

3- a steel (to sharpen your knife which is a given kitchen must have): steels are use to sharpen knives, and nothing pisses me off more than working with a dull knife. for one, dull kinves make you apply more force when you slice and dice....which leads to slicing and dicing your fingers, if your clumsy like me. plus, nice cuts on simple stuff shows in your cooking leading to an overall gorgeous presentation.

4) hand held mixer- unless you bake for a living, those pricy kitchen aids are useless. Dont get me wrong, i still want one but your average person won't kind much use for it.  A hand help one will still do a decent job at whipping your egg whites, mixing your batters, etc.