Cooks need a variety of tools to prepare meals. A STOVE is an essential piece of equipment, as it provides the heat necessary to cook food. A TIMER is also important, as it helps cooks keep track of how long food has been cooking. Pans and pots are also necessary, as they provide the containers in which food is cooked. LARD is a type of fat used in some recipes, while a saucepan is a type of POT specifically designed for making sauces. All of these items are essential for a cook to have in order to create delicious meals.