cook up a storm
/kʊk ʌp ə stɔːrm/
Meaning
This idiomatic expression means to cook a large amount of food with great energy, enthusiasm, and skill. It is typically used in casual contexts when someone is preparing a feast for guests or family, often leaving the kitchen quite messy afterwards. The phrase carries a warm, positive, and hardworking connotation.
Examples
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Whenever my grandmother visits, she heads straight to the kitchen and cooks up a storm.
Whenever my grandmother visits, she heads straight to the kitchen and cooks up a storm.
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We decided to cook up a storm for Thanksgiving, making six different side dishes.
We decided to cook up a storm for Thanksgiving, making six different side dishes.
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If you're coming over tonight, be ready to eat because Sarah is cooking up a storm.
If you're coming over tonight, be ready to eat because Sarah is cooking up a storm.
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He was cooking up a storm all afternoon, and the house smelled absolutely incredible.
He was cooking up a storm all afternoon, and the house smelled absolutely incredible.
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Instead of ordering takeout, let's buy some fresh ingredients and cook up a storm tonight.
Instead of ordering takeout, let's buy some fresh ingredients and cook up a storm tonight.
Common Mistakes
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✗ She is cooking a storm in the kitchen.
✓ She is cooking up a storm in the kitchen.
The phrasal verb requires the preposition 'up' to form the complete idiom; omitting it makes the phrase sound unnatural.
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✗ The chef cooked a storm for the restaurant opening.
✓ The chef cooked up a storm for the restaurant opening.
Even in professional contexts, the idiom must be 'cook up a storm'. However, note that this is a casual expression, so it might not fit a highly formal culinary review.
Related Expressions
Practice
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For the anniversary party, my uncle volunteered to ___ in the kitchen.
💡 To prepare a lot of food with energy.
Show answer
cook up a storm
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I love weekends because I can finally take my time and ___.
💡 Prepare a large, enthusiastic meal.
Show answer
cook up a storm