How to share a student kitchen

What is a student kitchen? 

A student kitchen is exactly what it sounds like – a communal space where you and your fellow students prepare meals, store food and share cooking equipment. It’s a space you all use, so organisation is key to making sure everyone feels welcome and gets the most out of it!

The best way to manage a shared kitchen is by dividing cupboard and fridge space evenly. Assign shelves in the fridge and cupboards to each person to avoid mix-ups or someone taking over the space. We recommend using a marker or labels to mark your food items with your name, especially things like condiments or leftovers. This can prevent confusion and ensures everyone's food is well organised. At The Social Hub, students have their own space in the cupboards, fridge and freezer to store their food in the shared and community kitchens. Check out The Social Hub's house rules for shared kitchens. 

What equipment to bring to your shared kitchen 

You don’t need to bring a full range of kitchen utensils with you when sharing, but there are a few essentials that will make cooking in a shared space easier. Stick to bringing personal items like a good quality knife, cutting board, a few pots and pans, and utensils. If your kitchen is lacking, it’s often a good idea to collaborate with other students on buying larger shared appliances, such as toasters or blenders, to avoid clutter and unnecessary duplicates. 

Sharing the cost of larger equipment can be a good way to save money while still having everything you need. Make a plan together before buying any major items, and only buy what’s truly necessary to avoid wasting space or money. When students stay at The Social Hub all the key items are provided in the fully equipped kitchen which include dishwashers (depending on location).

Something is missing in the kitchen? Feel free to stop by the nearby supermarket to buy more utensils you might need to make your culinary experience complete. 

How to clean a shared kitchen 

Cleaning is one of the most important aspects of maintaining a shared kitchen. With multiple people using the same space, it can get messy quickly, and keeping on top of cleaning is key to making it a pleasant place for everyone.

Establish a cleaning schedule or rota to ensure that everyone is doing their part. Regularly clean up after cooking, wipe down surfaces and take turns emptying the bins. A clean kitchen is a happy kitchen – and it can prevent conflicts before they happen. At The Social Hub, all the shared and communal kitchens are cleaned at regular intervals.

One handy tip to remember: always clean as you go! Washing dishes and wiping counters immediately after cooking not only makes the job easier but also ensures that the next person using the kitchen has a clean, ready-to-go space. Another good tip is to watch out for your food’s expiry date to minimise the chance of bad odours and sickness. 

The kitchen as a social space 

While a shared kitchen is a functional space, it’s also one of the best places to socialise with others and meet new people. Cooking together, sharing meals, and hanging out while making food can help turn your kitchen into the heart of your shared living space.

It’s always a nice idea to invite your roommates to cook together once in a while – whether it's a themed dinner night or just making a meal from your home country, it’s a great way to get to know each other. So, don’t be afraid to use your kitchen as a place for connecting, not just cooking. 

What really helped was the shared kitchen as I could get along with people from my floor who I was constantly sharing the place with.”

Student at The Social Hub 

Mastering how to share a kitchen as a student is all about communication, respect and a few smart techniques. Follow these best practices, and you’ll create a shared kitchen space that’s organised, clean and fun. 

Shared kitchens at The Social Hub 

 
At The Social Hub, we share the belief that a shared kitchen is more than just a space to cook – it's a place to connect with your fellow students. On each student floor, you'll find a fully equipped shared kitchen for 8 to 16 rooms, stocked with everything you need: utensils, pots, pans and cleaning supplies. Before you even step in, we make sure it’s ready to go, with housekeeping performing inventory checks and cleaning the space twice a week. 

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But it’s not just about functionality; it’s about community. That’s why at our Spanish and Italian locations we have community kitchens where cooking becomes a shared experience. This well-stocked kitchen offers multiple cooking stations, private storage compartments and a chill area. Cleaned up to three times a day, it’s always ready for your next meal or hangout. 

Easy recipes for students to make in a shared kitchen 

In our community kitchen at  The Social Hub Florence Lavagnini students enjoy homemade Italian cooking with local chef, Valentina known as the “kitchen host.” From sharing stories to preparing traditional dishes like Rigatoni Cacio e Pepe, Valentina’s sessions turn mealtime into an unforgettable experience. Want to try it yourself? 

Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe 

This dish’s origins trace back to Roman shepherds who were using durable, non-perishable ingredients like cheese and pasta for their long journeys. Cacio e Pepe is popular for being such a creamy, savory dish just made with three ingredients: pasta, pecorino romano cheese and black pepper.

Ingredients for 5 people

- 450 grams of Spaghetti (type of pasta)
- 15 grams of virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ cups to 2 cups of pecorino romano cheese, grated
- Black pepper
- 1 tsp to 2 Tbsp black pepper
- ⅛ tsp sea salt

Instructions

1.  Combine the cheese and ground pepper, then set aside.
2. Cook the pasta in boiling, salted water, using less water than usual to retain the starch needed for the sauce. Cook until its “al dente”, meaning cooked to be firm to the bite.
3. In a non-stick skillet, add extra virgin olive oil and a small amount of pasta water without turning on the heat. Add the grated cheese and pepper, and start stirring the pasta off the heat. It’s crucial not to use heat during this step to avoid clumping the cheese.
4. Gradually add more water as needed until a sauce forms on the pasta.

Have a sweet tooth? Try Valentina’s delicious recipe for tortine al semolino: 

Name of the dish: Torta di semolino

Torta di semolino is famous for its special texture that combines a creamy semolina based filling with a delicate pastry crust. This cake originates from Tuscany, where semolina was commonly used in rustic cooking, and the dessert became popular for its rich taste and simplicity.

Ingredients for 6 people

For the cake:
-500ml (2 cups) milk
-65g (2 1/3 ounces) semolina
-65g (2 1/3 ounces) granulated sugar
-50g (2 ounces) ground almonds
-10g (1 tablespoon) unsalted butter
-2 eggs
-a small pinch of salt

Instructions  

1. Preheat the oven to 180° C (355° F).
2. Butter and line a 20 cm (8 inch) round cake tin with greaseproof paper.
3. Bring the milk to the boil in a saucepan.
4. Turn down the heat and sprinkle the semolina on top of the milk. Stir with a wooden spoon until combined.
5. Continue stirring until the semolina thickens, about 5 minutes.
6. Add the sugar, almonds, and butter. Stir until the butter has melted and the sugar and almonds combined.
7. Allow to cool for about 10 minutes.
8. Whisk the eggs together until frothy.
9. Pour the eggs over the semolina and combine with a whisk to avoid lumps.
10. Pour into the cake tin and then bake for 45 mins.
11. Remove from the tine and allow to cool completely.
12. Make the salsa di fragola by heating all the ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to the boil and then gently simmer for 10 minutes. Allow to cool and then blend and pass through a sieve. 

Kitchen Host, Floor Hero & Floor Buddy 

The community kitchen in Florence introduced the idea of a Kitchen Host, like Valentina, to help guide students through their culinary journeys. Whether it's cooking advice or just a friendly chat, the kitchen host helps keep the space welcoming and fun.

What’s more, to keep everything running smoothly, each shared kitchen at The Social Hub has a Floor Buddy and Floor Hero. The Floor Buddy is your go-to for organising fun events like social drinks, while the Floor Hero helps maintain the kitchen space and ensures everyone’s wellbeing. Together, they keep things friendly, functional and – most importantly – fun. 

Moments that matter 

Sharing a student kitchen can be so much more than a daily necessity. It’s an opportunity to  turn daily meals into shared moments. At The Social Hub, the blend of shared and community kitchens fosters collaboration and connection, making it an ideal environment for students to create lasting memories and enjoy a buzzing community atmosphere. 

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