An Inside Look at This Test Cook's Home Kitchen

So with little-to-no budget and a few extension cords to get the job done, I got to work and organized my dream rental kitchen. Keeping sensibility and efficiency in mind, I created a space that worked for my style of cooking. As the sole cook in my house, I wanted to both organize my favorite pieces of equipment to cook swiftly but also put them on display without crowding the room. My solution? Create stations.

Years of line cooking at a much-loved French bistro in Boston meant learning how to utilize my 2 square feet of cooking space. To make my cooking area useful, I opted to keep the most important tools and ingredients—such as tongs, spoons, small bowls, salt, and my favorite olive oil—close by. 

To top it off, my cutting board and knives are located within the same area. Everything I could possibly need to prepare a quick meal is easily within reach.

Below you'll find some of my favorite kitchen equipment and ingredients I keep in the quick cooking station.

Mornings for me are all about coffee, because without it, I'd likely wear the wrong shoes to work. I feel just as strongly about my intake of coffee as I do my guests': Whether you regularly reside at my place or are just visiting, you'll find an organized coffee station right by the fridge. It has everything you need to make a good cup of joe.

Here are some of the equipment and ingredients you should keep in the caffeine corner of your kitchen.

There’s no better view than a shelf full of beautifully written and well-designed cookbooks. I love off-the-cuff cooking, but when it comes to baking, the more references nearby, the better. If you go into the pantry area of my kitchen, you'll find some of my favorite cookbooks to flip through for inspiration. I encourage home cooks to keep their top cookbooks in a convenient location, with their favorite recipes bookmarked.

Check out some of the cookbooks from Cook's Country, America's Test Kitchen, and Cook's Illustrated on my shelf.

Simple pieces with a bit of color are what I like most when looking for serving ware. They should not only bring some added design to the food but also be functional. I love the simplicity of Dansk serving ware, and having it on display in one place keeps my creative mind working. A quick shopping spree for all your favorite pieces will help take your food to the next level.

See the serving ware we recommend you keep in your kitchen.  

If you're looking for more equipment inspiration, check out the stories below from my team members.

• The Encouragement (and Equipment) You Need to Start Baking Bread at Home (by Tucker Shaw)
• Everything You Need to Start Stir-Frying at Home (by Matthew Fairman)
• The Tools You Need to Vacation Like a True Home Cook (by Bryan Roof)
• 10 Home-Cooking Tools That Restaurant Chefs Use, Too (by Cecelia Jenkins)