If your New Year's resolution for 2026 involves spending more time in the kitchen, some of the UK's leading culinary experts have just made your goal much tastier and more achievable. They have shared their ultimate 'cheat code' ingredients with Metro – simple, affordable store-cupboard staples that can instantly add depth and savoury richness to a wide range of dishes.
The Secret Pantry Staples Revealed
Jack Stein, chef director of Rick Stein Restaurants, champions Marmite as his go-to flavour booster. He describes it as a versatile staple that finds its way into gravies, pasta sauces, and even as a pairing for fish and meat. "It gives vegetarian food a more savoury edge," he explains.
Stein also offered two lesser-known tips for everyday cooking. He recommends stirring a knob of butter and a splash of malt vinegar into mushy peas. The butter adds a silky richness, while the vinegar cuts through the starch and balances the peas' sweetness. For a condiment upgrade, he suggests mixing a spoonful of miso paste into mayonnaise to create a deeply savoury twist on tartare sauce, perfect for a fish finger sandwich.
Worcestershire Sauce and Cornmeal Magic
For Matt Fletcher, executive chef at the Great Central Pub in The Landmark London, the non-negotiable ingredient is Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce. He incorporates it into marinades, dressings, gravy, and jus, stating it "opens the flavours and adds a full-bodied punch." He notes it's excellent for adding umami to soups, grilled vegetables, and seafood dishes.
Kerth Gumbs, chef de cuisine at Fenchurch, turns to cornmeal and corned beef for easy meal upgrades. He uses cornmeal to make a luxurious breakfast porridge cooked with milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and sweetened with condensed milk. His 'cheat meal' uses corned beef as a base for a quick Caribbean-style 'bully beef', cooked down with peppers, garlic, thyme, and chillies, served with eggs, toast, or rice.
Affordable Flavour for Everyday Cooking
The unifying theme from all the chefs is that enhancing your cooking doesn't require expensive or obscure ingredients. These cheap, kitchen cupboard essentials are powerful tools for transforming simple meals. Whether it's the umami hit of Marmite and Worcestershire sauce or the hearty comfort of cornmeal and corned beef, these professional secrets are designed to be accessible for home cooks looking to make their everyday ingredients taste far more exciting without straining their budget.
