When we think of the kitchen we think of food—the two are inextricably linked. Food is, after all, a necessity of life. Even the most rudimentary chef becomes an alchemist within the walls of the kitchen. Through intention and preparation, food is transformed into something entirely new, and, through being both the creator and consumer of the meal, so are we. With the help of various tools and techniques, a handful of seemingly disparate ingredients evolve into mouth-watering meals. It is a deeply creative and transformative environment.
Much like the bathroom, it is a fixed environment. Appliances and counters are challenging to move so we learn to adapt ourselves to the space itself. In this way, the kitchen rewards resourcefulness. Its tactile, multi-sensory nature is deeply engaging. From the feel of the knife in your hand as you mise en place to the aroma of sautéing garlic and onions to the sizzle of each ingredient added to the pan to the taste test to ensure the flavor is just so to the visual delight of a colorful meal, the kitchen engages us on every level.
In the kitchen, we enter the realm of fire. The water of the kitchen sink weaves the emotional themes of the bathroom into the conversation, but heat is the star here.It is the only place where we directly engage with heat and the element of fire. Once thought of as hearth of the home and presently considered the heart of the home, it is a true hub.
We go to the kitchen to feed ourselves, to nourish our bodies, to fuel up for the day ahead. There is a deeply emotional streak to eating and, in turn, the kitchen itself. We indulge in food to celebrate—a festive drink, a holiday roast, a birthday cake—and we turn to it for comfort—a post-break-up ice cream, a stiff drink after a long day, or a bowl of chicken noodle soup when we are sick. In the kitchen, we learn to express ourselves through the medium of food. Consider the love that goes into making a home-cooked meal.
We gather together to share meals and break bread. The kitchen is public, often central, and always a shared space. Cooking is frequently a team sport. We work together to assemble meals and supply sides, desserts, or drinks for potlucks. You cooked so I will clean is a common kitchen “swap.”
Through the constant trading, sharing, gifting, and receiving that occur within its walls, it mimics the marketplace. In the kitchen, we are confronted with consumption. There is a deep tie to consumerism that is imbued with everything we do in the kitchen. More than any other room in the home the kitchen, and the activities associated with it, pushes us out of home and into the world to find food. Most of us have replaced the woods and wilderness with grocery aisles, butcher shops, and farmers markets, but in a way, we still hunt and gather for our sustenance.
An abundant kitchen spills into other facets of our lives, affecting all other resources available to us. A robust pantry brims with ingredients, appliances, and tools, enabling us to easily refuel and reenergize, while a poorly resourced one pushes us into the marketplace, and therefore our wallets, more frequently. When the kitchen isn’t running well we often find ourselves feeling hungry, tired, and scrambling for our next meal. To put it bluntly, when we are unprepared we suffer.
The kitchen rewards the planner in us all. Not the person who bulk shops and has a set and rigid meal plan, but the person who is looking ahead, thinking about that next step, and anticipating what might be needed next. Perhaps more so than any other room in the home, it asks for our active participation. From cooking to eating to cleaning to shopping, it is a space that thrives on systems, processes, routines, and rituals. When the kitchen runs well we are nourished, resourced, and capable, prepared to handle whatever life throws at us.
TO CONTEMPLATE:
How well does your kitchen run? Are there any glaring gaps in your pantry or tools missing from your arsenal?
How would it feel to invite another over to share a meal at yours? Would you feel prepared to host them? What would you serve?
What are you hungry for? How can you feed your cravings?
-MRD
