Kitchen Music

As I was jamming to Bill Withers and Stevie Wonder on the piano, matching my burger formation and plating patterns to the rhythm of the music, I realized just how much music plays a roll in a kitchen – especially my kitchen. From the second I turn the light on in the kitchen to the minute the last dessert is served, I have a master play list that gets me through the meal.

During our last day of serving burgers on Cincinnati’s Fountain Square, we were surrounded with sweet music. (Typically the melody of “Don’t cry for me Argentina” plays on the loud speakers in the background in various languages.) But, on that last day, we got to be serenaded by pianos all over Fountain Square. We are lucky in that Cincinnati is a part of an artist tour called “Play Me, I’m Yours” by Luke Jerram, (see details here about the tour).

As I was jamming to Bill Withers and Stevie Wonder on the piano, matching my burger formation and plating patterns to the rhythm of the music, I realized just how much music plays a roll in a kitchen – especially my kitchen. From the second I turn the light on in the kitchen to the minute the last dessert is served, I have a master play list that gets me through the meal.

My Kitchen Music

—To start the day off I need something easy on the ears. I usually need something light and that I know all the words to. Not only does that allow for me to sing along

(remember, I am the only one in my kitchen), this usually gets my brain pumping again. The perfect CD for me is John Mayer’s No Room For Squares CD. Not only do I know every single word to the album, but it also takes me back to my freshman year of high school when it first came out.

—After the first 2 hours I have gained momentum, I need some music that can follow the speed of my heartbeat. It’s time to pick it up for the rest of the day.

The whole notion of listening to music in the kitchen is certainly a long-held tradition for many people. A while back, we got to talk with The Blue Wisp’s Jackie Walsh during our Sunday afternoon radio show, What’s Hot with Molly, Kelly and Caitlin.  After the show, we asked her for her top ten list of songs/artists she loves to listen to while cooking and/or eating.

From Jackie:
Here is a list of both songs or artists to listen to while cooking or eating…Some jazz, some not

1. Romantic Mood- Sade

2. Cooking- Duke Ellington- Take the a Train

3. Steely Dan – Do It Again

4. Elissa – Ayami Beek

5. Elissa – Bastannak—-LOVE this song!!!

6. Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah

7. Louis Armstrong

8. Sarah Vaughan- Whatever Lola Wants OR Somewhere Over the Rainbow

9. Andrea Bocelli – Time to Say Goodbye (love love this one)

10. Aisha Duo
And of course, we then had to take it one step further and ask our Twitter and Facebook friends for some additional ideas. Here are some of the responses:

Twitter Recommendations

@Sparks_Austin: Reggae!

@CookingOutLoud crazy, I know, but I always listen to crazy techno/dance music when I cook… haha, gets me all energetic! #food

Facebook Recommendations

- Erin Swing Romanos: LCD Soundsystem And any “NovaTunes” music from the Parisian radio station Novaplanet.com

- Karen Nichols Dorn: Madeleine Peyroux

- Lindsey Kanis: I don’t know if I have a favorite, but I know someone who listens to “put the lime in the coconut” and anything bob marley.

- Anita Rudy: i don’t usually listen to music because then i started dancing and nothing gets done!!!!

What music do you listen to while you work in the kitchen?