Your first kitchen - Three essential items.

A good vegetable knife, a heavy casserole dish (Le Cruset or similar) and a good frying pan.
If allowed more than 3, then: a set of non stick saucepans,
A breadboard/knife and chopping board.

A chef
A cleaner

Knives, pans and a stainless steel slotted spoon.

That's only two, Christinefrance

Don't hold back.

Well when we were married in the early eighties Pyrex wasn't obviously what every kitchen required.
Had several sets as wedding presents.
When we had a new kitchen last year I discovered several stray pyrex lids lurking at the back of the cupboards

I wonder if they would fit my dishes Cherrytree - I seem to have bottoms and no tops iyswim.

I have got a heavy French casserole pot but I can scarcely lift it when it's empty, let alone when it is full of boeuf bourguignon.

There was nothing in my first kitchen except a sink. So I needed a stove, Burco boiler for the nappies and a table and chairs. ( we had been living with my parents for 2 years to save up )
Now I would say , knives, good cooking utensils and a microwave.

Should have read 'pyrex was' not wasn't!!
Jalima sorry lids have now gone to the great recycler in the sky

Slight diversion here but brought it to mind - I really want a casserole or frying pan that can be used on the stove and in the oven - and that I can lift! Is Le Creuset the best source for this?

Cherrytree59 still hanging on to the Pyrex bottoms! One was part of a wedding present and survived falling out of the car and landing in the gutter when we arrived at our first flat (over 50 years ago).

A bottle opener,ice cube tray and swizzle stick

Microwave, fork and rubbish bin.

Ok merlotgran I'll have Lord M to serve me as well

I guess it depends some might say a good tin-opener a bowl and a microwave. LOL

Speaking of pyrex we had 17 pyrex casseroles for wedding presents but no pans. I shot off to the indoor market when we got back from our week's honeymoon and bought a pan for £3. Needless to say this was in the days before wedding present lists - you got what you got and tried to be grateful! (We also got 5 cut glass posy vases!).

Husband who can cook
Something to cook on
Something to cook

DH bought me a set of enamel saucepans for our first Christmas together. Those 1970s ones with bright orange lids and a brown pattern around the bottom. My friends thought I should have been outraged but I couldn't have been more delighted and couldn't wait to try them out on Christmas Day.

We got loads of pyrex for wedding presents as well. I still have one dish left even though the lid is long gone. It's a perfect size for Shepherd's Pie for two.

Surely a sommelier Christine?

I like your thinking Menopaws can I cheat and have 4 things ?

I'm not sure I'd be able to concentrate on the food if Lord M was serving it.

Oven to table casserole dish with lid which can be used as a pie dish.
Set of good knives
Good thick chopping block.

Good knives
Good heavy ss pans with lids, oven proof handles (hob and oven)
Set of glass bowls with lids (mix, cook, refrigerate leftovers)