Kitchen disasters can be quite entertaining as they make for memorable stories. Whether it's a failed attempt at cooking a gourmet meal or that time the smoke alarm went off because of burnt brownies, such mishaps add humor to our culinary adventures.

But behind every spoilt dish lies a lesson waiting to be learned. Perhaps it's understanding the importance of reading a recipe or knowing the right temperature to bake delicate pastries. In order to become better cooks, we must keep practicing and expanding our knowledge about the ingredients and the techniques used.

Back in the day, grandmas passed down handwritten notes filled with family recipes, detailing every ingredient and step needed to recreate their special dishes. They did this because without exact instructions, it would be incredibly difficult for moms and dads to make those heavenly delicacies.

Not knowing the exact steps can sometimes spoil the dish as you might mess up the proportions, leading to a bland or overly seasoned dish. Or you might forget crucial steps, such as allowing the meat to rest before slicing, resulting in weird texture and flavor. That is why keeping the recipe handy before entering the kitchen is a good practice.

Different types of cookware conduct heat differently. Using the wrong utensils can have negative effects on the food. For instance, if you use the wrong pan, it can result in uneven heat distribution, causing certain veggies to cook too quickly or slowly compared to others.

Certain recipes even require nonstick utensils to prevent ingredients from sticking to the bottom. Using regular cookware can result in ingredients adhering to the surface, burning them or making them difficult to remove without damage. So, you might have to serve guests amoeba-shaped pancakes.

Another pro tip to remember is that some cookware materials, such as cast iron or copper, give the food a unique flavor. Never cook acidic foods in reactive cookware like aluminum, as it may alter the taste of the dish and cause discoloration.

For instance, if you cook marinara sauce in aluminum cookware, the acidic tomatoes will react, resulting in a metallic taste. Similarly, marinating meats in citrusy lemon juice will tenderize the meat, but during cooking, it can turn grayish in color.

Apart from all these, it’s important to follow food safety guidelines. Improper handling, storage and cooking of food can lead to illnesses caused by bacteria or viruses. Some of the common culprits include undercooked meat, keeping perishable items at room temperature and cross-contamination of raw and cooked foods.

Consuming spoiled food can lead to food poisoning, causing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Also, inhaling smoke and fumes from burned food or overheated oils can irritate the respiratory system. It can even worsen existing conditions like asthma or allergies.

Dealing with a kitchen disaster requires quick thinking and creative problem-solving skills. Whether it's salvaging a burnt dish or finding a last-minute substitute for a missing ingredient, we must think on our feet to overcome the obstacle. Just keep trying, and if you fail, remember even the most seasoned chefs make mistakes. So, pandas, tell us about your most recent cooking adventure in the comments below! Was it a hit or a miss?