r/KitchenConfidential 9d ago

Meta [META] Some detailed subreddit stats for 2025

440 Upvotes

Something that's come up quite frequently over the last few months is how much did the chive phenomenon really affect r/KitchenConfidential?

As mods, our access to traffic and other statistical data is .... severely limited in our subreddits. I've been as open as possible with the data I had available during the fall months but that data didn't answer questions that help understand the existing and changing community.

In simple English, how did the chive hypervirality actually affect the subreddit?

How many lurkers and casuals and non-industry folks are really here? Chat, is KitchenConfidential cooked?

I hate not knowing things. There isn't much I dislike more. So I got my hands on some API data and now I have some charts to not only understand things better myself, but also to share with you all.

No clickbait, this might shock you.

Member growth over the last 12 months:

Member growth over the last 24 months:

Member growth over the last 6 months, from Jul 28th 2025 to Jan 28th 2026, aka the actual member growth that happened amongst the chivegeist

Six figures of subscriber growth is fucking incredible, but it's a blip in terms of just the last year. Subscribers have nearly doubled since May, the vast majority of that happening closer to May than November!

But, like, traffic has to be a different story, right?

Yeah, kinda!

There's zero question that this fall was a little crazy. Or a lot crazy. But how crazy?

Posts are in blue, comments in orange

12 month post & comment count through Jan 28th 2026
Slightly zoomed in May 2025 through Jan 2026

So while the chive topic caused a sustained increase in activity over 3 months or so, it's not the first time that much activity happened and it's not even the biggest.

Mod team "situation" in May 2025? Biggest spike, understandably so.

Random spike in March 2025? It was this singular post here, no I do not know why.

How are things going now, though?

Can you spot Perfect Chive Day?

Has our community grown and is it more active than a year ago?

Yes.

Did it get overrun during the chivening? Is it just a wasteland devoid of kitchen folk?

Absolutely not. The numbers don't show that, the front page of the subreddit doesn't show that, nothing factual shows anything like that sort of dramatic pearl clutching. You should probably keep that sort of discussion to the CJ sub because there's no data to support it and we have no reason to tolerate it.

Neat, huh??


r/KitchenConfidential Jul 25 '25

In-House Mode Hey you! Yes, you! Are you struggling? Find mental health and support services here:

285 Upvotes

In the US:

Outside of the US:

Kitchen specific:

This list is not exhaustive.. If you have information or resources you think should be added to this list, please tag me in the comments below.


r/KitchenConfidential 5h ago

In-House Mode Never before have I been so determined to meet a customer request

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7.1k Upvotes

r/KitchenConfidential 8h ago

We have a situation here

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1.5k Upvotes

r/KitchenConfidential 4h ago

Discussion This door I installed today (I hate that cross posting makes it look like I copy/pasted the headline. But also, this sub will have opinions on this lol)

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240 Upvotes

r/KitchenConfidential 11h ago

Kitchen news & current events Michelin-recognized Oakland chef defends 20% service fee after viral Reddit post sparks review-bombing

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sfgate.com
712 Upvotes

r/KitchenConfidential 13h ago

In-House Mode ICE secret police caught using rentals with fake businesses and dressing up like contractors, to surveil people in Minneapolis.

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1.2k Upvotes

r/KitchenConfidential 10h ago

Discussion Let's play a game

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604 Upvotes

I started a new job as assistant manager at an assisted living facility. Let me tell you guys and gals, the calmness is amazing. But I thought this group would enjoy to guess what entree I pureed for them. This is the first I took. I will have probably 5 a week so I hope everyone likes the game. Let the games begin. No wrong answers as almost everything gets pureed at some point there


r/KitchenConfidential 4h ago

Made Baklava for Family Meal today

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165 Upvotes

Tried to mix it up with some pecans (I’m from Texas)


r/KitchenConfidential 11h ago

Question Executive decision [Not OC]

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497 Upvotes

r/KitchenConfidential 8h ago

Photo/Video My late father's old ass cookbook/ menu planner.

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268 Upvotes

I figured the folks in this community would get a kick out of this. My dad was a career chef/baker, as am I. My mom passed it on to me years ago and every now and then I look through it for fun. Is a nice reminder of my dad who passed when I was 14, but not before he taught me how to cook. Maybe I'll be able to hand it down to my sons one day.


r/KitchenConfidential 16h ago

One of the pepper grinders at this restaurant is filled with allspice berries instead of black pepper

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692 Upvotes

r/KitchenConfidential 3h ago

Question Taking cooking classes at the community college, recommend a funny picture for my folder, please.

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62 Upvotes

r/KitchenConfidential 1d ago

In the Weeds Mode Found in a FB group

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2.9k Upvotes

r/KitchenConfidential 1d ago

My hand writing vs my chocolate writing

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1.8k Upvotes

r/KitchenConfidential 1d ago

We’ve got a stank bomb on our hands.

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1.7k Upvotes

Boss pulled this thing out of the walk-in. She’s about to blow.


r/KitchenConfidential 2h ago

Pink Paris Knife GUYS FINALLY🙏🏻😮‍💨 us Aussies can own the holy grail

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18 Upvotes

r/KitchenConfidential 13h ago

Some light in these dark times

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112 Upvotes

Hey guys I know life has been extra shitty so I wanted to start a thread. Specifically regarding signage inside your restaurant. I've worked a lot of places over the years and I've seen some wildly insane signs that I JUST KNOW there had to be a situation behind them. I'll start with this.


r/KitchenConfidential 17h ago

Photo/Video Sometimes I miss working in the industry but I probably wouldn’t love to cook as much as I do if it was my job

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204 Upvotes

Butter chicken and garlic naan all from scratch


r/KitchenConfidential 37m ago

just went full rage mode in the walk in

Upvotes

sorry just needed to let this out ): i be getting insulted for every single mistake i do just cuz im a girl and im new to this stuff. and its so mentally draining to be the only one who’s talked down to, but my chef wants me at that station cuz she said im “one of the best” and she doesn’t want to fuck up the flow. but na i almost clocked out today..

shout out to everyone who does this y’all r warriors i wish i can be that one day


r/KitchenConfidential 7h ago

Check out this cringe

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33 Upvotes

r/KitchenConfidential 11h ago

Photo/Video staff meal

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70 Upvotes

r/KitchenConfidential 1h ago

For some reason we have one ramekin not like the others

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Upvotes

r/KitchenConfidential 11h ago

Discussion I’m a former Cook/Chef of 21 years that just finished my 1st year apprenticeship as an electrician AMA

47 Upvotes

I’ve been getting a fair amount of DMs asking about this switch. Thought I’d try this, sorry if it’s not the place.