IF you want an insight into what Glaswegians are eating at home and how they are preparing it, pop into Papyrus Cookshop on Byres Road.

Who knew that spiral cutters, championed by blogger and health eating pioneer Ella Woodward, would be flying off the shelves?

The basement, downstairs from the gift shop, is a well-stocked treasure trove with everything you need for your kitchen, and a whole lot of things you didn't realise you had to have until you laid eyes on them.

A landmark on the corner of Byres Road and Vinicombe Street for 25 years, Papyrus Cookshop has long been the go-to place for everything from basic kitchen staples of saucepans and knives to tools and gadgets.

Bestselling ranges include Steller saucepans, Le Creuset cookware and Bodum cafetieres.

"We always go for quality brands, we don't go for price," says Fiona Fabien who runs Papyrus with her sister Felicity Pollock.

"We stock a lot of cookware and kitchen accessories you can't find anywhere else in Glasgow.

"The 70th anniversary collection from Bodum, for example, is only sold by independent retailers so you won't find it in John Lewis or Debenhams.

"I knew it would be good but I was quite overwhelmed with how well it has sold."

A new collection of the range of brightly coloured cordless kettles, cafetieres, tea glasses and Chambord teapots will be arriving next month.

While in the lifestyle homeware selection the range of Kilner glass is a big hit.

A set for two with drinking jugs, chalk tags, decorative lids and a straw almost sells out as quickly as stock comes in, and the coloured jugs look great for weddings and parties.

Sales of the jam-making accessories prove some traditions never die.

" I think it's great that doing everything at home has really come into its own again," says Fiona. "I don't know if it's because of the recession or maybe it's because people want to know what's going into their food and that's why they prefer to make it themselves.

"There is definitely a trend for healthy, natural food cooked at home."

To set the table, Papyrus Cookshop is the only store in Glasgow selling bone china Wedgewood seconds. A display table at the bottom of the stairs is always packed with a selection of plates and bowls of all shapes and sizes.

"I always say to customers that because it is Wedgewood and bone china, I still use my dishes 25 years on and they just look like they've come out of the shop," says Fiona.

"You can make up a full dinner service and then add to it over the years. So if you break a piece or if you suddenly have two extra people coming for dinner you can come in and pick up plates and they will always fit in.

"Now and again we get unusual things, like big platter style serving dishes."

Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood cookery books aside, some of the must-have buys are in the Le Creuset range. Heart-shaped casserole dishes and ramekins are bought for wedding gifts, while the ever-changing range of colours, including a selection in matt as well as pale blue, are must-haves.

"We have the Denby range of cast iron cookware in too, which is a fabulous alternative but more affordable if you are on a budget," points out Fiona.

"Le Creuset is obviously the brand leader and will last a lifetime but these are fantastic too."

If you don't know where to star when you're setting up a kitchen in a new home, Fiona says to start with the basics.

"A good quality basic starting set of pots with a non-stick frying pan and you're made," she says. "Along with a decent set of knives."

Just remember to leave space in your basket for that spiral cutter.

Papyrus Cookshop, 374 Byres Road, Glasgow. Visit www.papyrusgifts.co.uk