Five Tips For Cooking Up A Fresh Kitchen

It’s one ingredient never listed in any recipe, but every chef knows what an organized kitchen means to a great dish. “If everything is organized and efficient, you’re going to have a much more pleasant experience,” says Maria Isabella, food writer and author of Chefs & Company. “You’re going to have a better result.” Follow these tips to make your next dinner prep a little more pleasurable while keeping your space beautiful between meals. 

Keep it simple.  Isabella recently interviewed Hyde Park Restaurant Group’s Jonathan Bennett, who remodeled his kitchen to strategically place the fridge, sink and stove all within arm’s length. “I noticed that any fancy stemware, bread machines or juicers were out of the way,” Isabella adds. If an item is taking up space and you aren’t going to use it, put it in storage or get rid of it completely. 

Toss out the extra stuff.  Evaluate your kitchen. Michael Ruhlman, food writer and author of The Soul of a Chef: The Journey Toward Perfection, recommends having the essentials and storing them properly. “You don’t need a million kitchen knives and pots and pans,” Ruhlman says. You need five or 10 basic things such as a cast-iron skillet, flat wooden spoon and a big cutting board. Installing magnetic strips on your backsplash can add a decorative touch (those chef’s knives were expensive — show them off), Isabella says, or decrease clutter and create a better-arranged kitchen with a wooden, in-drawer knife organizer.

Storage is key.  Buy inexpensive clear containers for bulk goods such as grains, flours and rice. Then clearly label the containers and spices with purchase dates to ensure freshness. “Chefs’ pantries are extremely organized,” Isabella says. 

Learn the tricks.  Isabella keeps a dry-erase board on her fridge to list ingredients that are running low. “The next time I run out to the store, I pick it up,” she says. Or avoid those extra trips to the grocery altogether by adding an herb garden to your window sill for fresh mint, basil, rosemary, parsley and more at your fingertips. This tasteful touch adds a rich presence to your kitchen. 

Make it comfortable.  Don’t be afraid to invest in things that create a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing home kitchen. Isabella recommends stylishly functional GelPro floor mats, which come in a variety of colors and patterns. With a nonslip bottom, beveled edges and stain-resistant surface, the gel and foam mats help you stand for extended periods without discomfort. Then sprinkle in a few plush, absorbent towels in accenting colors to complete the look. “Just make a few basic investments and it’ll just be more comfortable and easier for you,” Isabella says.