The Guardian Names Netherton Foundry Chef’s Pan the Best Frying Pan of 2025

The results are in -  and they’re brilliant news for British craftsmanship. After extensive testing by The Guardian’s respected food writer and recipe tester Dale Berning Sawa, the Netherton Foundry Spun Iron Chef’s Pan has been crowned Best Overall Frying Pan for 2025.

Beating big names like Le Creuset and ProCook, Netherton’s handmade pan took the top spot thanks to its performance, versatility, and sustainable design.

Rigorous testing, outstanding results

The Guardian put 12 of the UK’s most popular frying pans through their paces. Each was tested at least five times - cooking pancakes, salted caramel, scrambled eggs, tofu, and bacon or pork - before the list was narrowed to four finalists. In the end, it was Netherton’s Chef’s Pan that came out on top.

As Sawa wrote, “Its heat distribution is beautifully even, it’s more non-stick than the other spun-iron pans I tried, and it’s low maintenance - you can use metal implements without worrying about the coating cracking or scratching.”

Crafted by hand in Shropshire

Family-run Netherton Foundry has been handcrafting cookware in South Shropshire for over 30 years. Their pans are made using locally sourced materials — primarily from Shropshire and neighbouring counties - and finished with natural flax oil for a smooth, chemical-free, non-stick surface.

Each Chef’s Pan is made with 99.1% pure British iron and features a removable British oak handle, making it suitable for use on all heat sources - including induction, gas, and even open flame.

A pan built to last

Durable, sustainable, and naturally non-stick, the Netherton Foundry Chef’s Pan is cookware that improves with time and use. Whether you’re frying the perfect omelette, searing steak, or finishing sauces, this pan delivers exceptional results with every dish.

Discover why The Guardian named it the best frying pan of 2025 - available now at Farmfetch.