Autumn is in full swing, and that means the family feasts and dinner party invites will be rolling in. 

For those who plan to whip up fancy creations in their own kitchen (instead of purchasing the mundane casserole dish from the nearest grocery store), using the right cookware will help immensely. 

From roasting the perfect turkey to creating beautiful pie décor, here are eight kitchen gadgets to make mouth-watering fall dishes.

Turkey roaster

As Thanksgiving approaches, most people are likely thinking about mashed potatoes, pies, gravy, and the star of the show: turkey. Hosting a dinner at home but uneasy about making the most important dish for the holiday? Check out All-Clad’s stainless-steel roti combi (on sale for $199.99)—a V-shaped nonstick roaster that’s perfect for making turkeys and other meats. It’s stovetop-safe and easy to clean. Add all the spices and herbs you want, and use it for pan gravies after roasting. This roaster set also comes with two stainless-steel turkey forks that are described as “ergonomically designed for comfort”. So after you flaunt your cooking skills to your guests, you can also show off the gorgeous cookware that made your delicious turkey. Find it at Ming Wo (various locations) or online.

Ceramic pumpkin

’Tis the season for everything pumpkin, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that cookware has come in the shape of gourds. Staub’s ceramic mini 24-ounce pumpkin cocotte ($39.99) in a fun burned-orange hue is the cutest nonedible pumpkin you can have in your kitchen. Its glass porcelain finish gives it a beautiful glossy look while staying scratch- and heat-resistant. Serve your favourite mini casseroles, soups, or stews in this autumn-themed dish to keep your table setting stylish. If you’re going for minimalistic colours, this cocotte also comes in a clean, rustic ivory shade. Find it at the Gourmet Warehouse (1340 East Hastings Street) or online.

Versatile baster

For those who don’t know, there’s a secret to how a turkey comes out of the oven looking perfectly roasted and juicy: simply use a turkey baster. Cuisipro’s three-in-one baster ($29) can keep your holiday-food staples succulent by retaining the juices from the meat. This multi-use kitchen gadget comes with a silicone brush for coating the turkey (or any other meat) for a mouth-watering glaze, and a nylon shower head for quick basting, or you can remove the attachments to use it for larger portions of juice. The body of the baster also comes with measurements to indicate how much fluid you’ll be releasing onto your meat. Forget about clumsily using a spoon to scoop the juice—this baster is what will make or break your gourmet dish. Find it at Cook Culture (various locations) or online.

Pie plate

It isn’t difficult to bake pie, but it’s definitely not easy to bake a flawless pie with the right amount of golden tint on its crust. Emile Henry’s ruffled pie dish ($43.35 to $57.82, depending on colour) can help you create a showstopper pie for the fall season. The vintage-inspired dish is handcrafted in France and made from Burgundian clay and is able to absorb, distribute, and retain heat evenly—allowing your dessert to bake to perfection. In addition to giving a pie a fancy look, its ruffled edges are useful for easy cutting and removing of slices. To keep with harvest colours, this pie plate comes in shades that range from pumpkin to burgundy and navy. Find it online.

French oven

There’s a reason why cast-iron cookware can be found in plenty of households—it’s durable, functional, and great for making tasty culinary creations. Le Creuset’s classic enamelled cast-iron 4.7-litre oval French oven ($380) makes everything from roast turkey to beef-brisket stews. There’s plenty of space to toss in your veggies and herbs, so no need to hold back. The best part is that you can choose from a large selection of colours to fit your obsession with bright cookware. Be it cherry (a flashy red) or soleil (a blend of yellows), your cast-iron item will make your wallet a little (or a lot) lighter, but it’ll be worth it. Find it at the Le Creuset boutique (2997 Granville Street).

Crust cutters

Since the arrival of autumn has got us digging pies, we’re also going to get into the intricate details of what makes pies so photogenic (especially when paired with vanilla-bean ice cream on the side). Williams-Sonoma’s ultimate fall pie-crust cutter set ($33.22) has us swooning over its cute patterns. Designed to cut and stamp with precision, so you won’t have to worry about ruining your dough with DIY cutters (a.k.a. fingers). Line your apple pie with mini apple-shaped cutters, or create a leafy braid on your pumpkin pie. The set of six designs includes an acorn, pumpkin, apple, elm leaf, maple leaf, and oak leaf. Heck, the kids will have a great time being in the kitchen just to make some decorative dough. Because food that looks good, tastes good, right? Find it online.

Carving set

Besides stuffing, basting, and roasting a turkey, an important part of creating the ultimate turkey experience is expertly cutting it before serving. Zwilling’s pro carving set (on sale for $194.99) consists of a carving knife and fork made from a high-performance “no-stain” steel in Germany. You can expect to be able to cut seamlessly into your meat with the strong and semiflexible blade made with a fine cutting edge. Its bolster design with a three-rivet handle will allow for an easy grasp—so the amateurs can also have a go. After you’ve sliced the turkey like a professional, you can give yourself a pat on the back, add the cranberry sauce and gravy to your dish, and enjoy a restaurant-level meal that you were able to make at home. Find this item at the Zwilling Outlet store at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet at Vancouver Airport (1000–7899 Templeton Station Road, Richmond) or online.

Slow cooking

What makes slow cookers useful is that they save both time and money, especially during dinner party season. CROCK POT’s cook-and-carry programmable slow cooker ($94.99) is the key to making your favourite dishes when you’re busy, with the option of taking hot meals with you wherever dinner may be. The handy appliance features heat-saver stoneware, a locking travel lid, temperature settings, and a nonstick coating. Prepare dishes like pot roasts, braised meats, soups, and curries—the countdown timer will tell you when your food is ready. Don’t be surprised if you think your cooking has gotten better after the first bite—slow cookers are known for pushing out all the flavours in your food. But if your friends insist that you’ve become a better cook, who is to argue with them? Find this kitchen gadget online.