When you say "in the kitchen", is this just home kitchen for fun, or in a professional environment or to document professional work?
If in a professional capacity, look for a used dslr from canon (5d mk1/II, 6d, 7d) and get the nifty-50 lens (<$100 new, f/1.8:
https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/ef-50mm-f-18-stm)
The one option you're probably overlooking is the iphone 7plus. Already outperforming most point and shoots, its now rivaling dslr's. use a decent camera app and you have manual control and ability to shoot raw. I got mine 3 weeks ago just as I was leaving for Bali... 550 pics and didnt take my P&S out of the bag once, a few days even left the dslr at home! Cant say enough good things about its camera function. -also, the low light sensitivity is amazing. When compared to my Canon S95 in low light mode, it captures twice as much detail.
https://www.fastcompany.com/3063700/iphone-7-plus-camera
Google its use as a camera and you'll see tons of reviews about it replacing your standard P&S. plus, you've got wifi to upload instantly to social media or your albums on the cloud. Its small enough your most likely to have it with you at most times as well... only real downside is using the touchscreen while cooking (and with dirty hands) can make the interface harder to use.
Best thing you can do for quality pics though is control your lighting. Direct overhead light in a bright room is the easiest and best way for eliminating shadows. If you're seeing shadows, find anything shiney (like a cookie sheet) and reflect some light back to your dish from direction of the shadow, or use something sheer to either filter the light (wax paper, cheesecloth), or block the direct light all together (cookie sheet). might want to buy a cheap led flashlight to use as an off camera light (check ebay or amazon, look for wide angle or adjustable focus, should be able to find in $10-$15 range).
Heres some of my food (really need to put more care into capturing dishes, not just documenting them, lol. Most were captured by older iphone camera):
http://www.instagram.com/ristorantediron
Heres the professional photos (all with dslr):
http://www.instagram.com/ronfoto