Review of Kitchen Chaos to Culinary Bliss

[Amanda Collier]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Kitchen Chaos to Culinary Bliss" by Mary Lummerding.]

---

5 out of 5 stars

---

Share This Review

---

Chef Mary Lummerding’s Kitchen Chaos to Culinary Bliss is a fantastic guidebook to learning to love cooking.

Chef Mary approaches the “problem” of cooking at home through a very realistic lens. Her words make it clear that she understands that not every kitchen is lavish and well-stocked with all of the latest gadgets and expensive spices. The approach taken through this book is one of finding your own space and your likes and dislikes. Not every person cooks in the same way, and the only important thing is to learn how to do it, not to do it just like everyone else. The book outlines how to prepare your workspace, what minimal tools are needed to get started, and how to step into the right mindset and attitude to enjoy what you are doing. From creating a grocery shopping list to cleaning up after a meal, this book covers it all.

Cooking can be an intimidating task, especially for those who are new to it. Starting with an empty kitchen and cabinets would make it even more daunting. Chef Mary offers solutions for how to get started. These tips include shopping at thrift stores, buying staple food items on sale and in bulk, and preparing shopping lists ahead of time.

As a person who absolutely loves to cook, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The tips are very helpful. Too often, food advice is taken from big-name bloggers or television shows with expensive ingredients and advanced skill levels. They make it look easy, but it is far too complicated. Chef Mary starts with the basics and suggests how to build skill level. It’s a very practical introduction, and would be a great guidebook for anyone either just starting out on their own in life, or those trying to learn how to cook.

Throughout the book, the author included little tidbits of information called “Dash of Mary”. These offered insights and tips from the author’s personal life, and it really made the whole experience feel more personal. Rather than reading a Chef’s recommendations, it felt like getting advice from a friend. The whole book is very accessible and could easily be followed by anybody who picks it up.

I would give this book 5 out of 5 stars. It is very well-written and well-edited with very few errors. A few bits of information were repeated, but having them in different sections can be quite helpful. There wasn’t anything I could point out as a critique…it is very well-rounded and practical.

******
Kitchen Chaos to Culinary Bliss
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Kibet Hillary]

Indeed, cooking can be a very daunting task, and it is even more difficult given the many choices that one, including the ability to either order food or even eating out. I am glad the author appreciates the subtle and not subtle differences, such as appliances to be found in the readers' kitchens. Thanks for the review, @Amanda Collier.

[Yasmine Zaki Muhieddine]

I am sure I will like this book. People have different reasons to cook. And many cook because they have to feed a family, because they can't afford to eat out or to buy ready-made meals every day. But enjoying to cook, on top of that enjoying the preparation before the cooking and then cleaning up after... that's a whole process.