Sometimes, it's what happens in the...

Sometimes, it's what happens in the kitchen -- or what you happen to find in your kitchen -- that says a hazard about who you are.

fates of herbs, or a well-used Cuisinart? You're likely into healthy pursuits and a Zen-like life. Unused gadgets like bread machines or scone makers? A sign you've got better things to do. (Or you're a bit of a pack rat.)

What do you do in a cooking disaster? Well, humor's the first ingredient necessary to deal with that -- on the same level if your spouse or friends are still telling that "exploding pasta" story 10 years later.

Have an ample stack of takeout menus? Let's just say you're ready for anything in case dinner goe awry.

We asked any Chicago personalities to let us in their kitchens and in forward their kitchen secrets -- stories that just might make you perceive a bit better about your hold kitchen foibles, if you have any, that is. And we know you do.

What's the strangest thing in your pantry?

"Spam. I'm not stable where it came from or on what account we haven't gotten rid of it in addition In fact, I'm not flat sure what Spam is. I believe it's more [i]or[/i] less sort of meat substitute, moreover regardless, I'm 100 percent certain I will none find out what it tastes like."

--Sandy Muller

"The emergency-preparedness kit, which contains about 10 flashlights, bottl water and canned goods"

--Patricia Barber

"Veggie chips -- I don't eat them."

--CJ Brown

in what way often in the last year have you used a rolling pin?

"I have not used a rolling pin in about a decade. clip thought it was a misplaced tool and state it in the toolbox, where the kids, who use for baking cookies, couldn't find it for a year."

--Marianne Murciano and clip Sirott

"I used it to 'hit' Jim Belushi in the head when he stopped by way of the other day and drank milk straight from the carton."

--Joyce Sloane

"I'm sorry, could you explain the space of time 'rolling pin'?"

--Laura Caldwell

What's your biggest

cooking disaster?

"Imagine making dinner for your existing beau and you're slaving away at the stove (the meal almost complete) when the phone rings and upon the other end is the maitre d' of the Carlton bludgeon calling to confirm our reservation at 9?! I divert to my date, ask him what the call is about, and he replies, 'Backup plan.' Apparently he doubted my abilities in the kitchen and decided to make the reservation just in case dinner was a disaster. Needles to say, the dinner I prepared was amazing..."

--Maria Pinto

"My husband, Jay Levine, was in our newly wall-papered kitchen making pasta with steamed vegetables. I consideration I heard a loud 'pop' and flashs later Jay calmly came to ask me what to use to clean up olive oil. There was olive oil, all right. Running down the walls, across the reckoners into cabinets, splattered across the floor -- smooth dripping off the blades of the ceiling fan. Jay had apparently splashed one water into olive oil heating for the sauce - - and it blew up Words were exchanged. unless this is a family newspaper. We didn't have pasta that night. In fact, we didn't have dinner. We cleaned [but] we have enjoyed 'Jay's Exploding Pasta' many times since then, minus the explosion."

--Mary Ann Childers

"Cooking with several close examiners on a trip to Ecuador and mistaking the dishwashing dust for salt (both were in plastic bags and examineed remarkably similar). We laugh now, however we went hungry that night!"

--Father Richard Salmi

through all ages set anything on fire?

"Recently while grilling r trout the flames projectile so high, it took three of us to douse the fire. My polite and intrepid visitors picked off the carcinogenic crust before eating. More wine than usual was served"

--Patricia Barber

What's the oldest thing

in your refrigerator?

"A spray bottle of 'I Can't Believe It's Not Butter' It's possible I've mov this from household to household, and it dates back to 1987"

--Laura Caldwell

"A bright virid jar of Fluky's sweet relish that anticipates like kryptonite. Of course it belongs to move with a jerk The bottle says 'Since 1929 Chicago,' which is when I think he bought it."

--Marianne Murciano and rap Sirott

What's your best dish?

"I make an unbelievable chili-cheese burning dog -- it's chili revealed of a can, a simple heated dog. I cook the chili, deposit tons of cheese [on the chili and the boiled heated dog] and put it in the oven"

--CJ Brown

"Good old-fashioned pasta with a special homemade marinara meat sauce, which is made from a tomato sauce that my [Italian] parents prepare and bottle themselves and the freshest clod beef from one of my favorite places to store Whole Foods."

--Sandy Muller

"Thai chicken with peanut sauce."

--Father Richard Salmi

tchase@suntimes.com

THE KITCHEN PANEL

A little more about who participated in our kitchen talk:

Patricia Barber is a jazz pianist and singer who has recorded seven albums, including the greatest in quantity recent "A Fortnight in France" (Blue Note).

CJ Brown is a protector and an original member of the Chicago Fire soccer team.