My pro chef and former chemist friend gave me an earful for putting my tomatoes in the fridge.
He explained how the cold temp. changes the chemical composition and makes them taste s@#tier.
I no longer put my tomatoes in the fridge and they are tastier.
I'm happy you got that passive/aggressive thought off your mind.. Cook on, big fella.
#6 Grocery store chills some vegetables but not others, I do what they do.
#9 Mix sauces similar to mixing paint; alternate top to bottom and outside edge inward.
#12 An accurate meat thermometer is a crucial tool. Learned my lesson after I overcooked a good piece of meat.