The clocks drop back on Sunday. The darkness lands an hour sooner. It’s the start of what I call Kitchen Season, when cooking—and baking, braising, boiling, broiling, frying, saucing, and plating—becomes not merely a means to a meal but a way to mark occasions. It’s also when cooking becomes an aim unto itself, a stressful relaxation, a meditative sprint.
During November and December, we get a special itch to cook for others, whether to perpetuate yellowing recipes written in an ancient mother’s hand or to experiment with new cuisines, add dishes to our repertoire. Traditions must start somewhere, after all.
If you’re also planning a busy Kitchen Season, now’s the time to kit up! Make your kitchen ready so you can leap into action when the cooking spirit moves you.
Below is a list of tools I use year-round that become even more essential when festive cooking reaches fever pitch. (None are affiliate links, by the way. They’re just things I use and like.)
