Several years ago Ernie and I gave away a home-cooked dinner party for eight to the highest bidder for a fundraiser for our church. Everyone was challenged to come up with creative ways to help raise money and that’s what I came up with.  This was about twelve years ago.  The highest bidder had to pay for the food – but we did all the cooking.  As a result, I had the experience of working in someone else’s kitchen.

I don’t know why I assumed everyone pretty much has the same basic cooking equipment.  In this case I assumed incorrectly.  When I say “the basics” I mean a few decent knives and a way to keep them sharp, measuring cups and spoons, spatulas, wood spoons, a whisk. Mixing bowls in a few sizes. And pots and pans in a few sizes.  The basics.

This kitchen was so poorly equipped it was no wonder the woman who was the highest bidder said, “I hate cooking.”  I would hate cooking too if I was working with knives that have never been sharpened, no way to measure things, etc. Having the right tools makes a world of difference.

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