erudition in the kitchen
kelly herold
enhancing knowledge, skill, and confidence in the kitchen
"Everything is easier with the right tool."
~my dad
While he may have been talking about construction, the same concept applies to cooking: with the right tools, preparing a meal becomes exponentially easier - and far more enjoyable.
Whether you are creating a wedding registry, outfitting a new-to-you kitchen, or stocking the essentials for a rental property, I can help. As your personal consultant, I'll guide you in selecting what best suits your lifestyle - saving you time, helping you avoid costly mistakes and ensuring you feel confident in your choices.
benefits of registry consultation
Save time (and your sanity). No need to spend hours researching every pot, pan, and paring knife. I’ll guide you through the best brands and styles for your lifestyle, so you can make confident decisions without the overwhelm.
Get the full picture. Retailers offering free registry consultations are limited to the products they sell — and their advice reflects that. I have no affiliations or brand partnerships, which means my recommendations are 100% unbiased and based solely on what’s best for you.
Avoid costly regrets. Since my newlywed days, I’ve replaced many items I once believed were essentials. My goal is to help you avoid those regrets by identifying what will truly serve you — and what likely won’t (no, you probably don’t need that avocado dicer).
Boost confidence in the kitchen. You won’t just pick items — you’ll understand how and when to use them. Every tool you choose will have a purpose, and you’ll feel prepared and empowered each time you step into your kitchen.
Learn how to maintain your beautiful gifts.Quality kitchen tools are an investment — I’ll show you how to protect them. From why sharp knives and wooden spoons should never go in the dishwasher, to how to avoid warping your cookware or damaging nonstick finishes, you’ll learn how to keep everything in top shape for years to come.
photo courtesy of Pattengale Photography
how it works
You’re embarking on a new adventure — let’s make it fun, not stressful!
Do you want to know why copper is considered the gold standard in cookware, and what the trade-offs are with aluminum? Or do you just want something that works beautifully for your needs? Curious about the difference between Western (like Wüsthof and Zwilling) and Japanese (like Shun, Global, or Tojiro) knives? Or do you simply want to know which style is the right fit for how you cook? Wondering whether to invest in a Le Creuset or Staub Dutch oven, a Vitamix blender, or a Breville compression ice cream maker? Or if something simpler — or nothing at all — might be the better choice? Whatever your level of interest, I meet you there. I’ll provide as much or as little detail as you’d like, helping you choose wisely and confidently — no pressure, no upsell, just guidance tailored to you.
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three easy steps:
consultation and questionnaire: In an initial consultation, I’ll learn a little about you. We will go over a questionnaire that will help me understand your goals for your kitchen.
review of potential registry items: After our initial consultation, I will provide you with a detailed list of kitchenware, from pots and pans, to knives, electrics, tools, and gadgets. You will determine if you “definitely want”, “don’t need” or are “uncertain” about each item.
recommendations: For those items you want, I will provide you with information about the choices along with recommendations based on in-depth research and personal experience. If you are uncertain, we will go over the pros and cons, taking into consideration budgets (whether yours or your guest’s) and space constraints. I will also make recommendations relating to your registry in general to help you make the most of it.
kelly herold
For many years I worked as a manager at Williams Sonoma. While there, I led product training for employees, served as a registry advisor, and taught cooking classes. I also offered private cooking instruction. These opportunities to educate others — to help them understand what to look for and how to use their kitchen tools — were always the highlight of my day. Whether it was helping someone understand the difference between two brands of cookware or showing them how to properly use a chef’s knife, I loved demystifying the tools of the kitchen.
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People often asked, “What’s the best one?” — the best blender, the best pan, the best knife. The answer was rarely simple, because it depends so much on who you are and how you cook. That’s where I found my niche: helping people figure out what actually works best for them.
When my daughter and her friends started getting engaged, they turned to me for help navigating the overwhelming world of kitchen registries. They wanted to make smart decisions but didn’t know where to start. I offered guidance based on their needs and lifestyle, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.
Their feedback was so heartfelt and enthusiastic, I realized: this kind of support doesn’t really exist anywhere else. And yet, it’s so needed. That’s how Erudition in the Kitchen came to be — born out of a love for teaching, a lifetime of experience, and a belief that with the right tools and a little guidance, anyone can feel at home in the kitchen.
photo courtesy of Pattengale Photography
what people are saying
"Kelly made one of the most daunting tasks in wedding planning feel easy, accessible, and even exciting. Most importantly, Kelly met us where we were, catering her advice to our specific situation. We live in a tiny NYC apartment, and she helped us prioritize what we needed in our kitchen based on 1) how we cook/eat and 2) the space we have. She helped us be practical based on the chefs we are and aspirational based on the chefs we hope to be :) Now that we are almost a year married, we can say that we use the knowledge Kelly shared with us every day, we feel more confident in the kitchen, and we eat MUCH better than we did pre-Kelly :) We could not recommend this service enough! It was one of the best decisions we made during wedding planning! Thank you, Kelly!!"
~Christie and Marco Z.
"Despite the fact that I am already a proficient cook, I learned so much! I thought Kelly’s detailed knowledge and instruction was great"
~Ashley R.
"Thank you. Kelly, you know your stuff. I appreciate not getting just the Williams Sonoma point of view also"
~Emma L.
"I loved the attention to detail and that we were able to ask questions. It was a comfortable environment."
~Morgan M.
