From a community in Istria here are ten agreements (don't call them rules) to better share the spaces in the kitchen
On the border between Slovenian and Croatian Istria there is a sunny hill. IS Sunny Hill, a community of young people from various parts of the world who since 2014 have decided to live here, in the most sustainable way possible. I'm Bartul, Margherita, Manja, Nara, Max, Cjntia, but actually many others too, because this place welcomes everyone, whether at the table or sleeping in their bed and breakfast. Anyone, but as long as you respect the agreements of community cuisine, those who wrote also on the basis of the guests they had, valid here but also elsewhere.
The advantages of community cuisine
In a community kitchen, everything is shared. If someone wants a food all to themselves, perhaps once for a special occasion, it must be specified by writing your name on the product, he explains Manja. Otherwise, here everything is within everyone's reach, it's unlikely that something is missing! Much of the raw materials are produced directly from them, such as fruit is vegetables with which they are 100% self-sustainable (even with the production of tomato sauces for the winter); o eggs, yoghurt and goat cheeses; or, again, barter with neighbors, such as oil in exchange for help during the olive harvest. They buy the rest in large packs of 10-20 kilos, so there is also a great economic and ecological saving (ie less use of plastic). Another great advantage of sharing community life is wealth and diversity of tastes: by cooking in shifts, everyone brings and brings something of themselves, of their way of preparing dishes, of their origin. «In fact, modestly, you eat very well here, says Manja, «because it's a creative cuisine, always different. But the kitchen is also a place where tensions can arise. This is why they decided to create the manifesto of the agreements of community cuisine, which can also be valid in a family or in a couple; in short, wherever there is a sharing of spaces, albeit smaller. But it is important to reiterate that it is not a question of rules or commandments, but of agreements: "We agree that we will do this".
Cleaning
It is essential that everyone, after eating, cleans plates, cutlery and glass, and puts them in the appropriate space, without leaving them lying around.
Saving water and electricity
Always be aware of using the right amount of water, for example when washing dishes, especially here where they only use rain water. The same goes for electricity: when you turn on the oven it is good to organize yourself in order to use the heat to cook several things together.
Hygiene
It is very important to maintain general hygiene, for example it is absolutely forbidden to spit in the washroom (as it happened) or to leave hair or handkerchiefs in the same spaces where you then cook.
The spirit of the kitchen
Draws the spirit of the kitchen: it is a French mask, inspired by a story told by one of their guests. You will need it whenever you lack inspiration, when you don't know what to cook and just ask her for advice.
Do not overdo it
In general it is always good to use the ingredients conscientiously, without exaggerating, even more so in a community kitchen, where everything is shared and therefore accessible. For this everyone must have responsibility without exploiting something just because it is available.
Take care
Remember to put things in the right place; for example, if you have knives, they go on the special magnet, so that they remain sharp and in good shape over time.
Beware of glass and ceramics
Everything that is in glass or cups is more subject and break; for this you must be careful not to forget them in the sink or elsewhere, but always keep them safe.
Do not steal
In a shared kitchen there is almost always a jar for collecting money, both for them and for the offers of those who stop to eat. Better to reiterate, even if it should be obvious, not to take the money because it is everyone's economy. And then because the spirit of the kitchen is watching you!
Do not leave your personal belongings
Never leave your personal things in the kitchen, because if there are more people and each does this, scattering jackets, bags and phones becomes a place of chaos, when instead it must be as tidy as possible.
Respect and tone of voice
In general it takes respect for others, for example by keeping a tone of voice that is not too high, silent phones … So much does not take!
Many greetings from this hill where there is always the sun, as Manja wrote in the first emails, hence the name of the Sunny Hill community.
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