Is Your Kitchen Ready for the Holidays?

Fall has arrived and we're deep into the delight of Pumpkin Spice everything at Berndes Cookware USA. With the holidays just around the corner, now is a perfect time to prepare your kitchen for the upcoming hustle and bustle this joyous time brings. Haven't prepped your kitchen for the holidays? No worries, we've got you covered with our favorite tips and tricks.  

Check your spices and ditch anything that's old. Over time, spices lose their potency, so while they do not spoil, it's important to keep fresh spices on hand, especially for holiday cooking, when spices are used religiously. There are a few great tips on spice storage and potency here. Spices commonly used during the holiday season may include: 

• Allspice
• Anise stars
• Cardamom
• Cinnamon
• Cloves
• Ginger
• Nutmeg
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Poultry seasoning 
• Vanilla beans 

As you check your spices, this is also a great time to take a mental note of baking supplies such as flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, confectioners sugar, baking powder and baking soda. Begin stocking up on these baking essentials on your next visit to the store. 

To keep your holidays on point, sharpen your knives. A sharper knife typically means it will cut more easily and quickly, requiring less effort. Adhere to manufacturers instructions on sharpening knives yourself, or check out local establishments for professional sharpening services. 

Check your serving ware for chips and cracks, and consider storing any serving ware that won't be used during the upcoming holiday season. Follow by making your cookware easy to access.  If you stack your cookware, you might consider investing in a set of Berndes Silicone Pan Protectors, to prevent unsightly scratches and abrasions to your cookware.