Kitchen gear for a newbie cook

[damned_colonial]

This is a hypothetical question -- not for me, but for some theoretical newbie cook. Imagine said person asks you, "What kitchen equipment should I buy to learn to cook?" What would you suggest?

Comments

[zarhooie]

1- 3 pans: one small-ish one and one 4-6 quart one, both with lids and preferably non-stick, one frying pan (10 inches is good)
2- two cookie sheets
3- 1 9x12 pan, glass or metal
4- 1 9x9 pan, glass or metal
5- wooden spoons of assorted types: slotted, flat, curved
6- one plastic spatula flipper thing
7- can opener
8- measuring cups and spoons (1/4-1 cup, 1tsp-1tbl)
9- cutting board
10- good, sharp paring knife (3 inch blade or so)
11- How to Cook Everything: The Basics

ETA: A box grater, kind of like this one.