Jessica pointed out that anyone who wants to improve in the kitchen should start by taking some time to think about and picture in their mind all the steps before diving in and starting to bake or cook. That way, you can avoid slip ups, blunders, and setting your entire kitchen aflame.

"Make sure you have all the ingredients you need before you start baking. Work 'mis-en-place' and have all the bowls, spoons, tools, etc. cleaned and out on the counter ready for you. Measure out dry ingredients in advance, and (if called for) portion out wet ingredients and chill in the fridge. Clean up pots and pans while your mixture bakes," Jessica shared.

According to the pie expert, it's hard to make mistakes if you follow these steps. Or, at the very least, following them will mean that you'll catch any mistakes before they become really big issues. "Taking the few extra minutes to prep will give you a lovely stress-free baking experience!"

Jessica also shared that everyone in her family cooks, but they all have different dietary preferences. So tasting food can be a challenge. "We have family members who are vegetarian, vegan, celiac (and just plain fussy) and it’s not always possible for the cook to taste what they are making for everyone else. But you can always bring in a pinch-taster and get a second opinion!"

Other professionals echo Jessica's advice, too. Katie Workman from the Associated Press writes that we should all read through recipes all the way through ahead of time so that we can get all the ingredients that we need. What’s more, we’ll be well prepared for any time-consuming surprises in advance.

You should also get all of your ingredients ready before you start cooking. After all, if you’re supposed to be sauteing your veggies but you’re still chopping your bell peppers while your mushrooms are already frying, you might end up with a weird mix of under and over-cooked food.

Finally, keep in mind that seasoning makes all the difference to the taste of the dish. So add a pinch of salt and pepper here and there from time to time. During prep. In the middle of cooking. Right before serving. Try to find the balance between overseasoning and utter blandness. Oh, and remember to sharpen your knives!