PrintIs the kitchen the easiest place to...
...talk with friends and family? In the kitchen all the chopping, stirring, tasting and aromas set a relaxing stage for good warm "bonding" in my home. Some how magic happens when food is part of the focus...conversation can be serious or light-hearted. Do you communicate more openly while cooking or baking? Even if you are alone...maybe you talk or discuss out-loud with yourself! Or does your kitchen have a real or invisible sign..."do not enter or disturb the cook during cooking process"?
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13 Comments:
The kitchen is the hub of living, entertaining, fun, conversation, and !ove of food, friends and family! No matter how much or how little room you have, that's where everybody wants to congregate.
When I bought the house I'm now trying to sell, the breakfast bar adjoining the family room is what did it for me. I can keep in touch with everyone, and go about my business. They can help if they want without getting in my way. I'm included in the gathering, even if I'm busy cooking. My last house had a U shaped working kitchen with a separate breakfast room on one side and dining room on the other. People still wanted to hang out in the kitchen. I had to physically move them from in front of the fridge or stove so I could cook. If they weren't in there, I was isolated, but that was rare. Even though it was not a space meant for conversation and visiting, people LOVE being IN the kitchen. Me too!!!
PerkyMac at 7:09PM on 03/07/08
Yes - the kitchen is the conversational center, and not just the home kitchen. I have met some really wonderful people by volunteering to help with coffee hour at my church.
SSMom at 7:12PM on 03/07/08
My cooking area is a bit tight, so all are welcome as long as they keep to the counter bar side. Anyone who comes to my home knows that. I have one friend who forgets and hovers to learn a new cooking technique. Since she does not actually EVER cook anything, I kick her out of my little area. Give her a glass of wine and she is good to go! We can chat about life, food or whatever and we all have a great time.
crazyspice at 7:27PM on 03/07/08
Um, no. I'm a total kitchen nazi and I like to cook alone. I don't like people trying to help me cook, I don't like people talking to me while I cook, I don't like people milling about the kitchen when I cook. I'm a total control freak about it. I'm horrible, I know.
PumpkinBear at 7:44PM on 03/07/08
I don't want anyone in the kitchen while I cook, kids excepted, but when I visit anywhere I rarely get past the kitchen, whether it's in use or not. I'll sit on the counter, by myself if necessary, rather than venture further.
SB (hates crowds)
srhcb at 7:59PM on 03/07/08
my current kitchen is too small for spouse, cat, or dog (don't have kids). however, since the dining area and livingroom directly adjoin, we can still have conversation.
beth1 at 8:39PM on 03/07/08
I find it's the easiest place to get to know someone. Every once in a while I'll have friends over, and often someone brings someone new to the group (new girlfriend/boyfriend, etc.) If I see them at odds and nervous in all this new company, knowing they're being judged (which, quite frankly, they are), I ask them if they'd like to help out in the kitchen. I'll give them something easy to do but that will take a little while, like doing a half inch dice on jicama for the salad or something, and we chat. They start to relax and feel like part of the group. It's kind of cool.
chisai at 8:40PM on 03/07/08
chisai: you sound like a kind and generous person...I bet everyone loves your parties and you will definitely be "the cool Mom" (if you choose..)
Cary at 8:59PM on 03/07/08
Was it easier to talk with your parents or grandparents during kitchen activities? Have any really significant or heart to heart talks ...like about "the birds & the bees...."
JEP at 5:58AM on 03/08/08
My roommate had a graduation party at our house and I bonded with all his female cousins because we were all in the kitchen preparing all the food while the men sat outside and drank. I always find an activity allows for great conversation because you have something to occupy your hands and eyes while you chat away. And I always put those hovering around my kitchen to work. I hate grating cheese and all the other tedious jobs go to those who hang out in my kitchen. It makes them feel they've contributed to the final meal, and if something goes wrong and tastes yucky, I blame it on their inferior chopping technique! :)
thegirliscrafty at 7:23PM on 03/08/08
I made my husband cut a hole in the wall so I would be able to see into the living area from the kitchen. When we moved into the house it had a table height bar between the kitchen and living. The opening that the previous owners created was something like you see in a diner, where your order is pushed out for the waiter to pick up. You had to actually lean over to look through the opening. So, old Hub got out the Saws-All and he and a friend expanded the opening up to the ceiling. Now I can see and talk to everyone who is in the living area. Which is a good thing because there's really only room for two people to actually be cooking in our kitchen.
MargieinDallas at 5:38PM on 03/09/08
PerkyMac, "no matter how little room"? I have fairly big kitchen by NYC standards (that is, miniscule by the rest of the country's standards). No breakfast room, no breakfast nook (huh?), no counter. There is no place to sit, and three people--including the cook--standing around would make it impossible to negotiate. And I certainly don't want anyone helping with the prep. Go sit down in the living room and have a drink. I'll be in shortly.
BaHa at 11:08AM on 03/14/08
In our house, we eat our meals in the kitchen but it's not typically a gathering place to just talk. Our basement usually vouches for that role (or at least provides the most entertainment for the family members).
Hillary
Chew on That
Chew on That at 11:27AM on 03/14/08