It is extremely important to learn the basics of how to run a kitchen and cook meals, as the skills stay with you for life.That is the opinion of Sophie Conran, a cook and writer, who noted that the kitchen can be a great meeting place for family and friends.In addition, she suggested that getting children involved in the kitchen can be great fun as well as educational.She told the Northern Echo Its not showy, its all about generosity and flavours and getting round a table and having a good time. For me, its about preparing it, enjoying it, using great ingredients, the smells when youre cooking.I spent most of my time in the kitchen, chopping up mushrooms with a plastic knife. Its a really important life skill. If you cant feed yourself, youre pretty stuffed, arent you?Ms Conran learnt about kitchen design and cooking from her family - her father Sir Terence Conran opened Habitat, while her brother runs a restaurant.