Chef Calvin Harris
The new year always brings determined ideas of better organization, improved well-being, and healthier habits. Yet one simple reset is often overlooked: the kitchen pantry. Not in 2026!
As we move towards a more intentional, simplified way of living, home cooks are finally paying attention to the small details inside their cabinets– the ones that shape flavor and fill the home with warmth and comfort. At the center of it all? The spice drawer.
How many times have you started a recipe only to rummage endlessly through dozens of spice jars, still unable to find what you need? For many of us, spices are bought with good intentions, used once, and forgotten. Then, when we rediscover them– months or even years later, we’re left wondering why the meal doesn’t deliver the rich aroma or bold flavor we expected. The reason is simple– spices don’t last forever.
Over time, spices lose their potency. Colors fade, aromas dissipate, and flavors flatten— leaving meals that feel unsatisfying despite our best efforts. According to Chef Calvin Harris, a Culinary Institute of America graduate and founder of Spiced Up Seasonings, this is one of the most common reasons home cooks over-season without even realizing it.
“When spices have lost their life, no amount of extra shaking fixes it,” says Harris. “That’s when meals start feeling disappointing, and food should never be that. Cooking is about restoring energy, bringing people together, and creating moments that feel good.”
A pantry reset — starting with your spices — minimizes kitchen chaos, saves time, and makes cooking feel easier and more enjoyable again.
Clearing out what’s holding you back
Spices naturally degrade over time, especially when exposed to heat, light, air, and moisture. As they age, taste becomes muted, color dulls, and aroma fades — often prompting home cooks to add more seasoning than necessary, which can throw off balance rather than improve taste.
Chef Harris recommends a simple test: smell the spice. “If you don’t immediately recognize the aroma, it’s time to let it go,” he says. Color is another giveaway– vibrant hues signal freshness, while dull or grayish tones indicate age.
Clearing out expired and forgotten spices creates space — both physically and mentally — for a more intentional, streamlined approach to cooking. Maintaining a well-organized pantry boosts confidence and leads to consistently better meals.
Personalize Your Approach
A successful pantry reset isn’t about owning every spice — it’s about owning the right ones for your cooking style.
Start by identifying your dominant flavor profiles:
- Smokey
- Savory
- Spicy
- Herb Forward
- Global or regionally inspired
From there, simplify:
- Try selecting versatile blends instead of single note spices
- Limit your collection to 5-10 core blends
- Be sure to store your spices properly
- Air tight containers
- Keep away from heat
- Limit direct light exposure
This approach removes decision fatigue and makes flavor effortless. “When you simplify your spice collection, cooking becomes less intimidating. You can focus on flavor, experiment freely, and feel confident in every dish you make” explains Chef Harris.
Chef Calvin’s Pantry Staple Must-Haves
At the heart of Chef Calvin Harris’ pantry are his own Spiced Up Seasoning blends. “I created these blends to simplify cooking without sacrificing bold, balanced flavor,” says Harris. “Home cooks shouldn’t need dozens of single spices or long ingredient lists to make great meals.” Clean-label, versatile, and easy to use, the blends can replace multiple spices and work across proteins, vegetables, grains, or even cocktails.
Spices, The Foundation
Beyond spice blends, Chef Harris recommends keeping a small collection of reliable pantry staples on hand, such as:
Oils and Fats
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Unsalted Butter
Acids
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Lemon Juice
Base
- Vegetable or chicken broth
Aromatics and Finishers
- Garlic
- Onion
- Ginger
A pantry reset isn’t about perfection– it’s about intention. By clearing out what no longer serves you, simplifying your spice selection, and stocking your kitchen with versatile, high-impact essentials, 2026 becomes the year cooking feels easier, more flavorful, and far more enjoyable.
Chef Calvin Harris, founder of Spiced Up Seasonings, has over 30 years of culinary R&D expertise. A classically French-trained CIA graduate, he has developed healthy kitchen lines with NBCUniversal and SELF Magazine, appeared on ABC’s Emmy-nominated Recipe Rehab, and was named one of Nation’s Restaurant News’ Top 50 R&D Culinarians. A cancer survivor living with chronic kidney disease, Chef Harris’ mission is to help people cook bold, flavorful meals quickly. His Spiced Up Seasonings line features clean-label, non-GMO, kosher, vegan, and gluten-free blends that make restaurant-quality flavor accessible at home. Rooted in his Texas BBQ heritage and inspired by his grandmother’s kitchen, he blends classical technique, nutritional awareness, and culinary creativity under the mantra: “Flavor forward. Health first.”
