The Kitchen Accessory That Helps Ina Garten Beat Cooking Fatigue
Cooking can be fatiguing, and if you are standing on hard surfaces all day long, that can definitely contribute to exhaustion. Whether you are slicing chicken cutlets, whipping up a honey whipped cream, sautéing vegetables, or searing a steak, chances are you are standing while you perform these tasks. Aprons & Smocks estimates that professional chefs, and pretty much anyone who works in a kitchen for a living, spend close to 60 hours a week on their feet or just standing, which can mean 120,000 hours throughout their career.
That's why Ina Garten turns to a favorite kitchen accessory to combat this problem. The Barefoot Contessa told the Kitchn she is a fan of GelPro mats. To avoid the dreaded "Chef's feet," Garten stated, "We use GelPro mats. I couldn't live without them. I have them in every kitchen. Because we are literally on our feet for four to six hours a day, they really are incredibly useful. It's a really important pro tip!"
Water and stain resistant
What's so great about these GelPro mats? Dubbed the ultimate anti-fatigue mat, GelPro was born after prepping and cooking for a Thanksgiving Day dinner resulted in "sore feet, legs and back" (via GelPro). The founders set out to find a solution for this all too common problem which resulted in the creation of these decorative floor mats that contain ¾ inch dual comfort core made from gel and foam. Also, GelPro mats are water- and stain-resistant, so if you spill a little red wine or a kid squirts a juicy box all over this kitchen gear, don't sweat it.
While Ina Garten says these mats definitely make a difference, they can also be pricey, depending on the size you need. In fact, a GelPro can run you in excess of $100, but the good news is there are plenty of similar options with cheaper price tags. So, don't be timid about doing some comparison shopping. You are bound to find an anti-fatigue mat in your price range.