The last few months have been strange times as the Cayman community and the rest of the world navigated the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. As residents adjusted to new routines, eating at home assumed renewed importance, as did the appliances, gadgets and gizmos that make cooking easier and more fun.
A common thread of the new purchases was a willingness to invest in high-quality products that are built to last. Now more than ever, the kitchen has re-emerged as the heart of the home and many Grand Cayman residents prioritised the home-cooking experience as they nourished and cared for their families.
Below are some of the true workhorses and heroes of the quarantine kitchen:
Home brew
With residents no longer able to visit their favourite barista on their way to work or grab a cup of joe at their communal lunchroom in between meetings, coffee machines of all shapes and sizes became hot commodities. Some craved the hands-on experience of pulling their own espresso, while others lusted for a one-touch, fully automated machine and still others preferred the simplicity of a French press. Regardless of the preferred method for percolating, a means to make quality coffee at home was the most important kitchen necessity to emerge through quarantine.
Blending
Although the coffeemaker was the top dog of lockdown, the home blender was a strong second. With residents unable to shop for fresh produce as frequently, many turned to smoothies, soups and homemade sauces to make the most of their fruits and vegetables. Vitamix is a high-performance blender that powers through ice and fibrous veggies alike, making it the perfect companion from breakfast to happy hour. Vitamix blenders even generate enough power to make hot soup using only the force of the blade’s rotation. As families continue to strive to eat healthily and maintain a strong immune system during the COVID-19 pandemic, these quality countertop appliances are still seeing daily action in kitchens across Cayman.
Green Eggs
As lockdown restrictions eased and residents were once again able to entertain at home, many turned to outdoor cooking and dining to entertain much-missed friends and family. Combining grilling, smoking and convection capabilities, the Big Green Egg was the star of many backyard gatherings in Cayman. These versatile ceramic cookers boast precise temperature control, baking crispy thin-crust pizzas at 700 degrees F or smoking short ribs at 250 degrees F. Whatever the event or food, a Big Green Egg can make staying home feel like a true feast.
This article originally appeared in the September Camana Bay Times print edition with the headline "Heroes of the quarantine kitchen."
About the author
Hilary Van Loon is the retail operations manager at Bon Vivant in Camana Bay.