How to Feel More Confident in the Kitchen: A Fresh Start for Women Who Want to Enjoy Cooking Again By Suzie Battishill, Culinary Coach

For many women, cooking is something we have to do, not something we want to do. Between busy careers, caring for others, and balancing wellness goals, the idea of cooking a meal from scratch can feel like just another stressor on an already full plate.

I hear this often in my work as a culinary coach: “I wish I felt more comfortable in the kitchen.” The truth is, cooking confidence isn’t something you’re born with, it’s something you build, little by little, with the right support and mindset.

So if cooking has ever felt like a chore, a stressor, or something you're just not “naturally good at,” this guide is for you.

1. Reconnect With Why You Want to Cook

Cooking is more than just food prep, it’s an act of care for yourself and the people you love. But to enjoy it, you need to find your why.

Do you want to:

• Nourish yourself with better meals after a busy day?
• Spend less on takeout and eat more mindfully?
• Cook for your children, partner, or friends with ease?
• Stop feeling rushed and panicked at dinnertime?

Knowing your personal reasons helps transform cooking from a task into a choice, and that shift in mindset is powerful.

2. Focus on Small, Achievable Skills

You don’t need to be a trained chef to feel at home in the kitchen. But knowing a few core techniques makes everything easier.

Start with the basics:

• How to chop safely and confidently
• Cooking a pot of rice or quinoa that’s light and fluffy
• Understanding the difference between boiling, roasting, and pan-frying
• Getting to know what makes food taste good, like seasoning with salt, lemon, or herbs

These are simple things, but they make all the difference.

3. Give Yourself Permission to Learn Imperfectly

So many women tell me they’re afraid of getting it wrong in the kitchen. But cooking isn’t about perfection, it's about progress.

Try this:

• Choose one new recipe or technique to practise each week
• Keep it simple (5–6 ingredients max)
• Celebrate your effort, even if it doesn’t look like the picture

Confidence doesn’t come all at once. It comes from showing up again and again.

4. Set Up a Kitchen That Works for You

You can’t feel calm if your space is chaotic. And you don’t need a Pinterest-perfect kitchen to feel good cooking in it, you just need a few systems that help you feel in control.

Tips to create ease:

• Keep your most-used tools accessible (like your chopping board, knife, and saucepan)
• Clear your counter so you have room to prep
• Store staples like grains, spices, and oils where you can see them
• Invest in one or two quality tools that make your life easier

A calm space makes for a calmer cook.

5. Find Your “Go-To” Meals

Confidence often comes from knowing you can pull something together, even on a tired Tuesday night.

Choose a few recipes that are:

• Flexible with ingredients
• Fast to make
• Familiar enough to remember off by heart

Having these in your back pocket saves time and decision fatigue.

6. Be Kind to Yourself

So many of us carry the belief that we’re “bad at cooking” because no one ever showed us how. That inner voice that says, “I’m just not good at this”, you can change it.

Learning to cook is like learning any life skill: it takes time, patience, and a little help along the way. It doesn’t have to be lonely, overwhelming, or perfect.

Want to Feel Better in the Kitchen? You’re Not Alone.

I work with women in Toronto (and beyond) who want to feel more capable, calm, and confident when it comes to everyday meals. Whether you're starting from scratch, cooking for one, or trying to feed a busy household, I can help you develop the skills you need to make cooking feel more enjoyable and less stressful.

👩🍳 1:1 Culinary Coaching
📍 In-person in Toronto or online
🗓️ Flexible scheduling to fit your life
❤️ No judgment, just encouragement

Let’s make cooking feel good again.
Visit suziebattishill.com to learn more or book a free intro chat.

Suzie Battishill empowers home cooks to break free from rigid recipes through bespoke cookery courses that build confidence, creativity, and control in the kitchen. Her approach focuses on mastering essential skills and techniques, exploring global cuisines, and working with fresh, whole foods. By learning to cook instinctively, her students gain the ability to create meals that suit their tastes, lifestyles, and dietary needs with ease. With a wealth of experience as a private chef and cookery teacher, Suzie’s tailored lessons help individuals develop a deeper understanding of food, enabling them to cook with skill, intuition, and enjoyment.

Visit Suzie's Website

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