Mike
The kitchen, often hailed as the heart of a home, is a space that speaks volumes about the person who wields the spatula. It’s a place where culinary dreams take shape, where flavors are crafted, and where the magic of nourishing meals comes to life.
But, step into someone’s kitchen, and you’ll quickly discover that it’s not just the dishes served that reveal their prowess; it’s the subtle, sometimes overlooked, elements that betray the mark of a good cook.
These 30 people answer the question posed by u/ArchegosRiskManager: “When you visit someone, what’s something in their kitchen that immediately tells you they’re a good cook?”
1.
If they know where all their spices are, even if it’s disorganized.
2.
They have a pan on the stove because they use it too much to bother to put it away.
3.
For home cooks, if it’s clean and organized but cluttered and seemingly chaotic at the same time. It’s a sure sign that it gets used a lot.
I feel the same way about auto mechanics, research labs, and woodworking shops.
4.
Their kitchen is otherwise very clean and orderly, but their baking pans look like they’ve been to hell and back with polymerized oils.
5.
Speaking on huge cutting boards, someone was giving away a s*****y painted 7 foot dual pedestal wood table so I rescued it, stripped the finish, applied beeswax, and now the entire table is in play for a cutting board, prep area, pastry board, etc.
6.
You don’t find knives in their dishwasher.
7.
Spices being in an intuitive or very easy access place.
8.
The best cook I’ve known had the smallest, messiest kitchen I’d ever seen. Before I knew her, I wouldn’t have guessed a kitchen like that could produce such amazing food.
9.
They growl whenever I try to touch something in the kitchen.
10.
If I see fresh herbs growing, I know.
11.
You open their freezer and see their homemade stock game is on point.
12.
The absence of a blunt set of s****y knives in a knife block.
13.
A jar of bacon grease.
14.
Blocks of cheese instead of pre-shredded cheese.
15.
Properly seasoned cast iron skillets. – Eogh21
16.
Cutting boards that aren’t glass. Mostly available counter space for prep/no useless items on prep space. Bonus if their default pan is stainless steel rather than nonstick.
Edit: cast iron or carbon steel also are good. I should have said just anything but nonstick.
17.
Food service-size can-jug of olive oil.
18.
Can’t tell by the kitchen appliances strewn about.
It’s all just anecdotal at that point.
I’m sure it’s not the intent but sounds almost elitist like you cant be a good cook unless you have this accessory.
You just can’t tell, lots of people have great gear but can’t cook for s**t.
19.
Quart containers labeled with masking tape and pen. They’re giving professional experience vibes.
Bonus points if they have some random projects around (drying morrels, fermenting kimchi, etc)
20.
Like 5+ pairs of tongs.
21.
The smell.
22.
A Dutch oven.
23.
Messy kitchen. Means that actually cook, vs staging.
Mortar and pestle, tortilla press, salt cellar, large (at least 18×24) wooden chopping board with scars from use. Grease on hood over the stove.
24.
I had a chef over once and he saw a shallot on my counter. He said thats how I know you know.
25.
A good sharp chefs knife that gets used a lot. I feel like I’ve been in a lot of boomer and gen x kitchens that have like 12 knives in a block and none of them are sharp, let alone a decent chefs knife. Often they’re all serrated for some reason.
26.
Quality of Pans or Knives and a stove top that has seen some use (grates have some color and/or the glass top has some real use)
27.
Herbs growing in the garden. Nice knives. Microplane handy. Quality cookware, not some cheap s**t you get at Wally World. Nice cutting board that seems like it’s permanently on the counter. Slightly condescending attitude when the topic of food comes up.
28.
A well stocked pantry with seven different vinegars.
29.
Those towels with the blue stripe on the side.
30.
If the fridge looks like a walk-in ie date labeled deli containers.