Chefs Reveal The Secrets To Preserving Sanity In The Kitchen While You Cook

Brilliant tips for keeping things organized when you're cooking for a crowd (or frankly, just for yourself).

Planning a meal for a crowd can be fun, but the joy can quickly turn to chaos and dread when your kitchen counters become covered in vegetable scraps, discarded packaging and sticky bottles as you’re trying to prep the recipes.

To avoid the dreaded post-cooking kitchen clean-up, you don’t need to resort to buying ready-to-eat dishes. Some of the top chefs from around the country shared their best tips and tricks for keeping things tidy in the kitchen, even when preparing for a crowd.

Don’t invite every cooking tool you have to the party.

There’s no need to create a sink full of dishes when you can reuse what you already have out. “Try to reuse the same utensils and bowls as you go. Instead of grabbing a new spoon from the drawer, wash the used one that’s in the sink,” said Ann Ziata, a chef at the Institute of Culinary Education.

She also recommends prioritizing the tools you are using over dirtying more dishes. “Instead of taking out the garlic press, just mince the garlic with the same knife and cutting board that you used for the herbs. The fewer culinary tools invited to the party, the easier the party will be to clean up when it’s over,” she said.