Safety tips

• Always have a small fire extinguisher in the kitchen, and know how to use it.

• Invest in a good instant-read meat thermometer; it's safer than using the pop-up indicators which can be unreliable.

• Have a stack of kitchen towels handy to use as hot pads, and wash them frequently. Hot pads can be a breeding ground for bacteria.

• Clean your kitchen surfaces continuously.

• Wash your hands frequently when handling food, especially raw meat and poultry.

Essential kitchen equipment
Try to invest in high-quality equipment; you get what you pay for!

• Good-quality, heavy duty sheet trays
• Stand mixer
• Stick blender
• Good, sharp knives. Dull knives can be a safety hazard.
• Multiple cutting boards
• Good rolling pin
• Solid cookware that transfers heat well
• Cast iron skillet

Biggest cooking mistakes people make

• Not allowing their cookware or oven to heat up. It's best to start with a hot surface, and then add food.

• Not using enough salt and pepper. Always use it! Seasoning is important!

• Not having fun. Don't be nervous. It's only cooking!

• Serving a dish knowing it's not good. Never serve something that you have made a mistake creating.

Essential herbs, spices and other ingredients:
Start with good ingredients. They are the foundation for a great tasting dish.

• Sea salt
• Freshly ground pepper. Always use a pepper grinder so that you get both heat and flavor.
• Garlic
• Whole nutmeg, grated
• Cinnamon
• Cayenne pepper
• Cumin
• Thyme
• Fresh ginger
• Fresh rosemary
• Fresh basil
• Zest - lemon, orange, lime
• Preserved lemons
• Soy sauce
• Old Bay seasoning
• Creole seasoning
• Rubs. Dry rubs are great in a pinch when you don't have time to let a wet marinade soak in.
• Cider vinegar
• Buy local. Locally-grown fruits and veggies tend to be the best tasting and the freshest. Plus, you are helping out local farmers.