Hi Sean,

My kitchen is open plan so I know your problem - not nice to have your guests sit on a coach reeking of fried meat. The first thing to think of is prevention. When you know you will cook potentially smelly food (frying being the worst offender), always ventilate your kitchen as much as possible, even if that means opening your window in the middle of winter, and close any doors you have to seal your kitchen. Also if cooking fish, don't fry it unless it is in its absolutely freshest state. If it isn't, bake it with lemon in your oven instead, poach it in water and milk or cook it in foil en papillote with lots of aromatic herbs and spices. These methods are all better smell-wise. Now, if disaster has stricken and your house still smells like a dodgy fish and chips two hours after your meal, there are ways to help. Boil a few dried cloves with the zest of a lemon for 10 minutes, or try boiling a mix of Provence herbs such as thyme and rosemary. Both have great deodorizing properties. Another good way is to buy an essential oil burner and use it with peppermint or eucalyptus oil. Last, one of my favourite ways is to kill the bad smell with a stronger, good one, and I have never found a more powerful winner than that of cookies baking in the oven. :-) Good luck, keep eating (fresh) fish, and get started on the cookies!.

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