Just to get a little break from all of the political threads here…
What kind of cook are you?
Type A: My kitchen is full of love. I welcome friends, family, and even complete strangers in my kitchen. The more the merrier. I love company!
Type B: Get the fuck out of my kitchen. You’re in my way, and if you so much as dare stand near me when I move this rocket-hot pan to the counter, you will get burned. And it may not be an accident.
I know that most of you will want to answer “Type C, somewhere in the middle.” But which one do you tend towards more? Share your amusing anecdotes.
I am most definitely Type B. This was seriously driven home to me a few weeks ago when I was cooking in my GF’s kitchen. I was cooking some dishes that were seriously labor-intensive, and required me to move from stove to counter to sink to fridge in what should have been a well-choreographed culinary ballet. GF trying to smooch me, daughter seeking opinions on her doll’s latest fashion design, son wanting to show off his latest guitar riff, cat up on the counter putting his nose in the chicken and tail in the biscuit mix, and dog underfoot the whole time.
I’m not that great a cook, but I’m type B for sure. Even if all you are doing is helping me prep some vegetables or something, your body is taking up valuable real estate in my kitchen that impedes my efficient work flow. You’re lucky you are sexy, Flanderchick.
Closer to type B. I grew up with my grandma hollering at us to get out of her kitchen, and sometimes I catch myself sounding just like her. Plus, my husband always helps cook and the dog always stands around in there, so we’re crowded enough already.
Type A
Come on in, have a drink, hand me mine. This may take a while so let’s socialize while it’s getting done. Maybe I can teach you something, maybe you can teach me something.
I think a lot of it is not having children running around.
Envious of my Mom’s kitchen that’s set up almost like Emeril’s studio…
B. My wife thinks I’m a good cook, but it’s only because I find good recipes and follow them closely. Plus, I get very tense trying to cook multiple things at once, and have them all done simultaneously. If you’re in the kitchen, you might me make a mistake.
Above doesn’t apply to cooking pasta however. That I can do in my sleep. Except the damnkids have learned by now they must stay ON THE COUCH when the pot is being transferred from the stove to the sink.
Type A. If there are any quadrupeds in the house, I darned well expect them to be underfoot at every opportunity, and would probably lose my balance if I weren’t stepping over them. And I’ll never turn down anyone offering to lend a hand. I learned to cook by watching everything my Gramma did and helping her where I could; why shouldn’t others learn from me the same way?
Type A (ironically, the opposite of a Type A personality). Even in my less than ideal kitchen, I welcome assistance or just company while I cook. I might be a little particular about where you stand, since it’s a galley style and there’s not much room to get around people in the wrong spot. The kid might get the boot, because she’s too young to stay out from under foot for long, and that can just be dangerous sometimes if I’m making multiple dishes for a party. But when it’s just me making a regular weeknight dinner, my daughter’s welcome to bring her stool in to stand on and “help” me make dinner.
My dad has this fantastic kitchen with the stove actually facing out into the Great Room with a bartop and stools facing the stove so that he can cook and socialize with everyone while they’re not getting in his way. And the rest of the kitchen is so well planned out that you really can have three cooks working on three projects with a bare minimum of “excuse me” or “on your right!”. It works perfectly, because spectators have a view, but it’s more comfy to sit and watch than stand in the way and watch.
Definitely B. I have a tendency to have too many things going on at once; so I’m charging around the kitchen like a wild thing. If you get in my way you’ll likely get body-slammed.
Mostly A. But as much as I love to talk to people while I’m cooking, if someone’s going to be helping me, I’d much rather that they a) be as experienced as I am in the kitchen and therefore able to keep up or b) washing dishes because I get resentful if I have to do both cooking and cleaning unless I’m entertaining - I’d never expect a guest to help with dish duty.
I’m working on my issues with a because if I don’t take the time to let my husband get better and faster at cooking, I’ll be saddled with it unless we get food from somewhere else.
I don’t mind if anyone is in the kitchen as long as they are the one’s doing the cooking for everyone. I don’t cook for anyone but myself because the only thing I know how to do in the kitchen is use the microwave and boil eggs.
Years ago, I was cooking for 16 people (all family). There were enough of us that we had to eat in shifts, as we could only seat 8 at the dinner table.
On the night I was cooking, half of the family decided to go out to see a movie. My uncle was curious about my culinary skills and did the hover thing to learn, but he kept well out of my way. My niece wanted to help, and she was something of a godsend. It was all good.
But right about when I was at the stage when hot trays and boiling pots were reaching frenzy level, the movie contingent came home. Every single one of them gathered in the kitchen, complained of being famished, and demanded to eat RIGHT NOW.
They had the numbers, but I had the kitchen knife.
It doesn’t matter to me. I’m more relaxed without an audience, or a critical eye hovering, and people mulling about- and it does seem that I cook faster and better alone. But I’m also used to cramped galleys, prep stations, and server stations with people flying about in a near frenzy and controlled chaos. I got no problem with people in the kitchen at home, I prefer laid back, though.
I got a plan and sometimes interference slows it down or effects the flow, so no, I don’t like too many chefs in the kitchen, but that’s a different story.
Back when I had a teensy little galley kitchen, I was most definitely a Type B… mostly because there wasn’t enough room in there for one person, let alone two.
Now I have a nice big kitchen that’s completely open to the rest of the living/dining areas and that has a lovely L-shaped counter with breakfast bar for people to sit and watch, so I’m a little bit more accepting of company in the kitchen. It’s an ideal setup because I can do my own thing in the kitchen, and guests are still able to chat and enjoy a glass of wine on their side of the bar.
When I’m cooking, it’s a carefully orchestrated ballet of flying cutlery, crashing dishes and the occasional swear word. If I get frustrated or lose my rhythm, I’ll start screwing things up and dinner could very well end up burnt/broken/curdled/on the floor… which means it’s in everyone’s best interests that I not get interrupted.
So I guess that makes me still a B, but with a little sprinkling of A.
