The iPad: Your New Secret Weapon in the Kitchen

Most kitchens have a reliable set of tools: a favorite pan, a sharp knife, a coffee mug that’s been through more mornings than we care to admit. But in 2025, there’s another tool earning a permanent spot on the counter — your iPad.

As someone who helps people 55 and better get more joy out of their Apple gear, I’ll just say it: the iPad might be the most underrated kitchen companion you own. Not because it can sauté or simmer (give Apple a couple years…), but because it brings organization, inspiration, and simplicity right where you need it most.

A Hands-Free Setup With the TwelveSouth HoverBar Duo

Let’s be honest — the kitchen isn’t always the most iPad-friendly place. There’s heat, water, and more opportunities for splatters than a Gallagher show (yea I know, we are getting old)

That’s why I recommend the TwelveSouth HoverBar Duo to every client.

This little stand transforms your iPad into a floating recipe board, FaceTime screen, cooking class viewer, or music control center. Clip it to a cabinet or set it on the counter, and suddenly your iPad is up and away from the chaos but still perfectly visible.

It’s sturdy. It looks good. And it stops your iPad from taking a marinara facial.

Recipes Are Now Already Built In

One of the most overlooked features on the iPad today is hiding in plain sight: the Apple News app.

Yep — the same News app you use to skim headlines now includes an impressive collection of recipes, cooking tips, meal ideas, and kitchen inspiration. Apple has partnered with major publishers and specialty cooking sites, and these recipes are beautifully formatted for the iPad’s large screen. You get:

• Step-by-step instructions

• Clean layouts

• High-quality photos

• Easy-to-follow ingredient lists

• And a ton of variety — quick meals, healthy meals, comfort meals, and everything in between

For clients who tell me they don’t want to download yet another cooking app, this has become my go-to recommendation.

The Perfect Kitchen Workflow

Here’s how I set things up for clients:

1. Mount the iPad on the HoverBar Duo.

Get it at eye level so you’re not bending down with raw chicken on your hands.

2. Open the News app → Life & Culture → Food.

Browse new recipes like flipping through a magazine, but without the clutter.

3. Save recipes to Notes or Reminders.

With a tap, you can build your grocery list, meal plan, or weekly prep.

4. Use Siri for hands-free cooking.

“Set a pasta timer for eight minutes.” Boom.

5. Enjoy your kitchen again.

The iPad keeps things simple, fun, and surprisingly elegant.

A Kitchen Upgrade You’ll Actually Use

No subscriptions. No complicated apps. No clutter. Just an iPad, a stand, and a News app full of great recipes waiting for you.

If you’d like help setting this up or want to fine-tune your own ideal kitchen workflow, I’m always here to help you make your Apple gear feel effortless — right down to the last simmer.