Other People's Pantries #131
From Dawn (Waiter! There's a Fly in My Tiara!), in The Woodlands, Texas:
The Other People's Pantries feature has become sort of a Saturday tradition among a group of us FB foodies, and one of them suggested that I submit my pantry to you. I am a perfectionist when it comes to my kitchen and cooking. Not only is it a passion and a hobby that I hope to make my career, but I also work part time for a major knife manufacturer as a retail selling specialist. So my kitchen is really my office.
I use my cupboards as food space, with my "pantry" holding plates, random cookware, and small electrics.
My lower cabinets house my stainless steel cookware -- I'm brave and only have a couple pieces of non-stick these days.
I used to have everything in the pantry labeled -- from beans to tomatoes to spices -- today I just have the spice rack on my door labeled.
And the small stacking drawers in my oil/vinegar cabinet. Those salts and spices are in small baggies and have no home -- mostly random things I buy by the scoop at the market.
People laugh that I have everything so organized, but it's not so just I can find it... if I'm traveling and my husband needs to cook, or if I'm entertaining and someone wants to help, I want them to know where everything is without asking. OCD I know.
On Saturdays, for more than two years, we've been peeking into
Other
People's Pantries all around the world.
*There are seven more pantries to share. If you'd like this feature to continue -- if you've been meaning to send your photos but haven't gotten around to it -- please send in your pantry photos. Here's how.
And, please put your
camera to work on Market to Pantry, alternating with
Other People's Pantries. There are two more markets to share.
Come on -- show us your favorite supermarket, farmer's market, ethnic market, big box store or roadside stand. We'd love to see where you shop for food! Here's how.








Posted by: The Cookbook Apprentice | August 21, 2010 at 12:29 AM
This is my first time here and I am absolutely inspired. Pantry organization is a constant struggle for me. So glad I came here tonight!
Posted by: milton | August 21, 2010 at 06:04 AM
I'll say nice things about your post if you send me a nice knife! HAHA Seriously, you have a very nice setup. Many thanks for sharing and causing envy so early in the day
Posted by: Louise Brescia | August 21, 2010 at 07:20 AM
My pantry is nothing more than a closet and I have to be very careful what I store in it because some college graduate decided it would be wise to build a pantry closet NEXT TO A HEAT VENT. Not being an architect, I'm guessing it's the vent that funnels heat from the basement to our second floor. It's not wise to keep canned items in a warm place and until I can remedy the heat problem, I'm stuck using my kitchen cabinets to store heat sensitive items. If anyone knows what I can do to make the pantry less warm, please share!
Posted by: Ellen @ I Am Gluten Free | August 21, 2010 at 08:46 AM
I love how organized you are - speaks right to my OCD self! Since being diagnosed with Celiac and going gluten free, I've really acquired more cooking toys and ingredients and thus need to be more organized in my kitchen/pantry. And I'm loving my new cooking self!
Posted by: Melynda | August 21, 2010 at 09:32 AM
WOW, nice, very nice. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Susan Ritchie | August 21, 2010 at 10:24 AM
So, when are you coming to my house? :-)
Posted by: Sandra Simmons | August 21, 2010 at 10:29 AM
I love it! You are so organized, Dawn! And as a transplanted Texan - my favorite was seeing the Ranch Style Beans!!! :-)
Posted by: Mary | August 21, 2010 at 10:44 AM
What a great idea using the cupboards for your food items and your pantry for dishes. That is causing me to rethink a few things for my kitchen. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Sandra Smith | August 21, 2010 at 11:31 AM
I'm new here but love this. Had a big walk in pantry in my house in the San Fernando valley; we moved to the high desert 2 yrs ago in November & NO WALK IN Pantry here! I have converted all of the laundry room cupboards into pantry shelves & even put one rack of shelves for spices on a wall between the kitchen & liv rm. Do a lot of cake/cupcake/cookie decorating w/grandkids so I have a huge supply of sprinkles, etc, that I stock up on after each holiday.We went from 3000 sq feet to 1500 & making space for everything is still a challenge.
also converted a broom cupboard into a cabinet for wineglasses & dessert dishes.
Posted by: mvn | August 21, 2010 at 11:54 AM
Yay, Ranch Style Beans! Very organized. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Dawn | August 21, 2010 at 12:23 PM
Thanks all! There's a lot of hard work and love in this kitchen/pantry, and sadly we're moving so we won't get to enjoy it much longer!
Posted by: betty in munich | August 21, 2010 at 02:24 PM
Ooooh love your Tagine pan and all your enameled cookware. Very nice organization.
Posted by: rebecca | August 22, 2010 at 11:41 AM
Don't worry, your next kitchen and pantry will be even better. Nice job. Your pantry is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: carol, boston | August 23, 2010 at 08:47 AM
I think it is ingenious to have the food stuffs in the kitchen and the pots, pans etc in the pantry - truly you are more apt to use multiple food items and only one pot or small electric at a time. I think it is efficient and makes me rethink my set up!
Posted by: Kerry K | August 24, 2010 at 01:10 PM
I love that you use your pantry as a cabinet and vice-versa. Great organization too!
Posted by: Lana | August 27, 2010 at 11:22 PM
I can only applaud you on your organizational skills. Your pantry looks wonderful, aligned, just the way I'd do it. Thanks for sharing it with us!
Posted by: MyKitchenInHalfCups | August 29, 2010 at 02:17 PM
Oh my I love this one.
Posted by: Angela | September 5, 2010 at 02:59 PM
My pantry continues to evolve. This one looks
nice!