Ways To Organize Your Kitchen Like a Professional Chef

Professional chefs aren’t just experts at cooking but also in managing the kitchen.

There are a few tricks that chefs do to keep up their sleeves, stay organized, and maximize their kitchen space.

Learn these tricks and you’ll be cooking like a professional chef in your very own kitchen!

Invest in high-quality cabinets and storage units.

It doesn’t matter if your kitchen is small. As long as you keep things organized, it will be fit for a cooking pro.

That said, the first step to organizing your kitchen like a real chef is to ensure you have enough storage.

It’s always best to invest in a high-quality storage system with plenty of space to keep your essentials, everything from cooking pans and cauldrons to your most precious kitchen knives, cooking utensils, and other tools.

Modern cabinets are designed in such ways that they maximize every bit of space. You can even find multifunctional cabinets and furniture that can make your kitchen more efficient.

Once you have enough cabinetry, the next step is to declutter and freshen everything up.

Start from ground zero and dedicate one whole day to clean everything up. Empty everything from your cabinets, including the pantries and drawers. Next, wipe down the shelves and countertops with a good surface disinfecting spray. Look for cleaning products that are free from harmful chemicals like bleach since you are storing items that you’ll need for preparing food.

Re-think storage.

With most of us having easy access to the internet, creating a functional, neat, and effective kitchen is easier these days.

Apart from Google and Pinterest, all you need is a little creativity and proper planning to create the perfect layout for your kitchen.

For example, consider installing hidden compartments in unusual areas. If those sponges are an “eyesore” to you, you can make sneaky compartments out of the faux drawer or trim in front of your sink. This pull-down panel can be equipped with plastic tubs ideal for stashing cleaning supplies.

If you have a kitchen island, consider tucking a removable cabinet inside that serves as an extension of your workstation.

Lastly, utilize spaces like the side of your fridge or below the cabinets as an extra storage area.

Sort all your tools.

While cleaning, you should be able to sort out items you no longer need because no matter how much storage you have, if your kitchen is full of unnecessary items, you’re not going to have “enough.”

Check what goes into the junk and which stays. Also, if you’ve got more than enough of an item, consider giving it away to someone who might need it more.

If you’ve got ingredients like spices, seasonings, and sauces that have been sitting in your pantry for a while, check if they are still worth keeping. Ground spices lose their freshness quickest and don’t usually last for more than six months.

Don’t forget your fridge. If you have items (especially in the freezer) that have been there for six months or more, check if they are still good or if you still need them.

Store your kitchen tools in the right place.

When putting things back into the cabinets, make sure to use a good organizing system. You’ll greatly benefit from cheap dividers and drawer inserts!

Moreover, designate a space or storage unit for each type of kitchen tool. When you’re trying to do a thirty-minute meal for your guests, the last thing you want to happen is to spend lots of time fumbling around your pantry, searching for items.

Categorize and separate.

Unless you have a photographic memory, always keep things under the same category or group in one place.

Follow these guidelines when organizing your kitchen cabinets:

• Spice, condiments, and other storage containers are best stored in the cabinets above your workstation.
• Glasses, mixing bowls, cutting boards, and other dishes go into the cabinet near your dishwasher or drying rack. Saves you time and energy!
• Large cooking items like pots, mixers, pans, and baking sheets in the lower cabinets. Consider keeping the pots nested together to save space.
• Cleaning supplies should be stored under the sink. Keep harmful supplies in the bathroom.
• Utensils require a separate drawer which should be near your workspace countertop.

Reserve your countertop for frequently used items.

Reserve the countertop for items you use “all the time”, such as the coffee machine, salt-and-pepper shakers, cooking oil, and your cutting board.

If you have enough space, you can place your dish rack, paper towels, cooking utensils (contained in a crock), and a veggie or fruit basket.

Remember that the items you store on your kitchen countertops all depend on your unique cooking habits, so plan carefully.

Be neat and label things.

For food items, it’s best to store them in glass jars or transparent containers for easy access to what you need.

For similar-looking ingredients or condiments (such as bread flour and all-purpose flour, or salt and sugar), label the containers.

Although not necessary, you can make your labels creative to add a personality and style to your kitchen.

Keep your kitchen clean.

Organizing your kitchen like a professional chef doesn’t end with enhancing your storage units or organizing your stuff. It’s a continuous process!

You know how quickly a clean and organized kitchen can turn into a complete mess after a home party or a special family dinner. That said, you have to prioritize keeping your kitchen clean at all times.

Also, don’t forget to do a complete overhaul once or twice a year wherein you inspect your cabinets once more, sort items, re-organize, throw away unnecessary stuff, and so on.

Conclusion

Staying organized is the key to a mess-free and stress-free day in the kitchen.

Do note, however, the recommendations on the kitchen layout and cabinetry outlined above are just the standards, and your kitchen doesn’t have to be exactly like it.

We all have different approaches to cooking and food preparation. What works for some may not work for you. Consider doing a reality check and apply the suggestions that are most applicable for you. The key is to find a logical progression in your kitchen so you don’t keep running in circles all day.

After dealing with the major stuff, you can start thinking about a few stylish kitchen upgrades. Invest in small luxuries, like plusher kitchen towels, sturdier kitchen mitts, some cookbooks to display, well-made tongs, and other cooking utensils.

After all, the kitchen is your kingdom, so why not make it as comfortable as possible?

About The Author: Mariam is a Hygiene Specialist working with SONO Healthcare. She has been interested in health and cleaning issues since she was young and wants to share her knowledge and experience with others who are not indifferent to cleanup. Mariam is deeply convinced that house cleaning is a critical part of hygiene. On a regular basis, she delivers new cleaning expert advice on how to treat products, tools, different items, which sometimes include medical instruments and equipment as well.

Photo by Jason Briscoe on Unsplash