Knowing the cooking basics

I decided to write a brief blog about cooking basics and kitchen utensils/gadgets. You might wonder why. Well, I recently saw a Facebook post by Australian chef Simon Bryant (some of you may recognize him from the show The Cook and the Chef, which I loved!). He mentioned how many of us have too many kitchen gadgets cluttering our kitchens and countertops, many of which are unnecessary.

To some extent, I agree; many gadgets are useless and break after just a few uses. Another point he made is that many of us have forgotten how to cook, which I also agree with. Why? Because if we don't understand the basics of cooking, how can we effectively use gadgets and ensure that what we're doing will work out? I remember a few years ago when my niece asked me to teach her how to bake. I guided her through the basics using manual tools, like beating an egg white by hand. I believe this helps you better understand what a properly beaten egg white looks and feels like and offers more control than using an electric beater. I wasn't so strict as to never let her use electric tools; I told her that once she mastered the traditional methods, using modern utensils would be easier and she'd know when the process is complete.

This also reminded me of an old video I made about cooking utensils, their uses, etc. Not everyone knows what a nutcracker or a slotted spoon looks like, as people have different experiences and exposure to cooking. I thought I'd share this because I found it interesting that I'm not the only one who feels this way.

Understanding the basics of anything is always the foundation for gaining further knowledge and expanding your skill set.

And just to be clear — I’m not against kitchen gadgets at all. Some of them genuinely help people cook more often and eat better. Tools like an air fryer can make healthier cooking quicker and more accessible, and a slow cooker is a lifesaver for anyone who’s time‑poor but still wants nourishing meals ready at the end of the day. These kinds of gadgets support people in building better habits. My point isn’t that we should avoid them — it’s that we don’t need all of them. Without understanding the basics of cooking, even the best gadget can’t make up for missing foundational skills. When you know the fundamentals, you can choose the tools that truly serve you, rather than cluttering your kitchen with things you’ll rarely use.