Camp cooking goes wrong when people pack too much fragile gear or too little of the basics, so build your kit around a few tough, multi-use items.

A cast iron skillet or heavy pot, a sharp knife, a cutting board, tongs and a heat-proof glove cover almost every camp meal from eggs to stews.

Add a fire starter kit with a lighter, ferro rod and dry tinder, plus a grill grate or tripod so you can cook over coals rather than flames.

Plan one-pot meals, prep ingredients at home, and always check local fire bans: in dry conditions a camp stove is the safer and often the only legal choice.