Is your Kitchen Ready for the Holidays?

Is your kitchen ready for all of the food preparation and entertaining that will be happening during the Holiday season? Planning grocery lists and menus are at the top of our mind, but how can you prep your kitchen ahead of time to meet all of the demands that will be asked of it? Here are some easy, important steps to be ready.

Clear the counters. Put away any papers and random clutter. If you have decorations on your counters in your kitchen, now may be a good time to move those on top of cabinets or into other rooms. A completely clear workspace offers a fresh start to work.

Spot clean your oven. Running the self-clean cycle before a big party seems logical, but it’s actually quite stressful on the appliance. Instead, opt for a quick cleaning with a baking soda and water paste. Spread it on any dirty areas and let sit for 15 minutes. Then scrub with warm water and rinse clean.  

Spruce up your refrigerator. Your refrigerator will inevitably get a lot of action -- filled to the brim with heavy dishes, large amounts of food, and constant opening. Start by cleaning removable shelving in the sink with dish soap. Next, check that the door handle and gaskets are tight, replace burned-out lights and clean cold air vents to ensure your fridge is in top working condition.

Prep your serveware. Clean any nice serving dishes. Polish silver, wash plates and iron cloth napkins. Get your knives sharpened so they are prepared for slicing, dicing and carving hams and turkeys

Stock the Pantry. Take inventory of any basic supplies that you're missing - check the spice cabinet, cooking oils, canned goods and other pantry necessities. Purchase them ahead of time so that you won’t be making extra last-minute trips to the store.

Check out your dishwasher. Make sure your dishwasher will run efficiently with a large number of dishes in it. Check the drain and clean off any residue, and make sure there's no lost utensils in the bottom. Wipe off the rim of the door and the door gasket, using white vinegar and a sponge to remove any gunk.