re: Must have kitchen tools

Disposable latex gloves and plastic cutting mats. When it's time to cut up some meat, I don't have to worry about washing my hands or cross-contamination on the wooden cutting board...really speeds up prep time.

A decent sized crock to store your most frequently used cooking utensils. I like to keep mine right by the stove for easy access.

Mise en place dishes/containers. I like to use the bulk deli containers you can get cheap on Amazon...helpful for measuring, too.

A salt box filled with Domino fine kosher salt. The salt box allows you to consistently use your fingers for controlled salting, and the Domino isn't a super salty salt so, to me, it offers more margin for error.

A good vacuum sealer is worth its weight in gold.