A kitchen witch - as well as being the kind of real-life witch who likes to brew up magic in the heart of her home - is the name given to a doll that looks like an old crone flying on a broomstick. These magical charms, or poppets, are supposed to bring good luck and ward off evil.
The tradition comes from Northern Europe, although one intriguing hint that they may have at one time been an English folk custom too appears in the will of a John Crudgington, of Newton, Worfield, Shropshire, dated 1599. In it, he included among his household possessions "one witche in the kytchyn".
Nowadays, you can find kitchen witches all over the world - including Englandand Australia, it seems. I am delighted with my little witch and have called her Sheila. She is guarding my spice rack and will hopefully help me improve my culinary skills - which could certainly do with a little magical help.
Links and previous related posts
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitchen witch
Ethel Blue Sitting Kitchen Witch Doll Witches of Pendle
Maud Green Standing Kitchen Witch Doll Witches of Pendle
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/05/review-grimoire-of-kitchen-witch.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/02/review-pagan-portals-kitchen-witchcraft.html