How to Unlock the Pantry in Resident Evil Requiem
In Resident Evil Requiem, some of the most valuable items and upgrades aren’t handed to you—they’re hidden behind doors that beg to be unlocked. One of the earliest and most crucial locked rooms is the pantry, tucked inside the Care Center’s kitchen, fiercely guarded by a relentless zombie chef. Opening this pantry is a pivotal moment, not only for the resources inside but for the competitive edge it provides to anyone aiming to survive longer in the game’s relentless environments.
Why the Pantry Matters
The pantry isn’t just another loot room; it’s an early gateway to game-changing resources. Accessing it provides items essential for survival when ammo is scarce and threats multiply. It represents that classic Resident Evil loop: risk, reward, and resourcefulness.
Prepping for the Challenge: The Hemolytic Injector
You won’t be able to take down the zombie chef without the Hemolytic Injector, a special one-hit kill item. Crafting or finding one is your first order of business. The ingredients—Scrap x1 and Infected Blood x60—aren’t rare, but you’ll need to progress enough to secure a blood collector and start harvesting resources. This adds a brilliant layer of strategy to your exploration, pushing you to scour every nook for materials and upgrade opportunities.
If you want to get ahead quickly, keep an eye out in the Care Center’s East Wing Examination Room, where the earliest available Hemolytic Injector can be snagged. Even though it’s meant for a different encounter, nothing stops you from doubling back to the West Wing, injector in hand, to take down the chef ahead of the pacing curve.
Defeating the Zombie Chef
The zombie chef is a menacing presence, lurking first in the kitchen and later stalking the tight corridors of the West Wing. Taking him down without alerting him is crucial—crouch, stay out of sight, and approach from behind. As soon as you get the action prompt, strike with the Hemolytic Injector. The results are both messy and satisfying: the chef explodes, leaving behind the coveted Pantry Key.
The Loot: What Awaits Beyond the Pantry Door
Once you have the key, return to the pantry door and unlock one of the first true rewards of your playthrough. Inside, you’ll scoop up staple resources: ammo, scrap, and infected blood. These are must-have materials that will keep your arsenal supplied when the odds stack up later in the campaign.
But the gem of the pantry is the Stakeout Takeout Charm. Nestled behind a case at the end of the room, this item is an absolute prize for players controlling Grace. It boosts both the power and durability of your knives—essential perks, given how quickly blades can break under stress and how precious ammo becomes in tougher encounters. The charm turns an everyday survival tool into an indispensable asset, letting you save ammunition and extend your melee combat capabilities.
Expert Tips for Early Mastery
- Resource Management: Prioritize collecting scrap and infected blood early on; these will fast-track your access to Hemolytic Injectors and other key items.
- Pathing: While it may seem efficient to engage the chef immediately, a detour to collect a ready-made Hemolytic Injector can make all the difference.
- Stealth: The confined halls of the Care Center are perfect for experimenting with stealth takedowns—use the environment to your advantage to avoid unnecessary combat.
- Leveraging Charms: Equip the Stakeout Takeout Charm as soon as possible. It dramatically increases your survivability and lets you outlast tougher enemies without wasting rare ammunition.
More Resident Evil Requiem Guides
The pantry is just one of many secrets woven into this chapter of the classic survival horror saga. Players eager for comprehensive puzzle solutions, charm locations, and advanced strategies should look for ongoing guides and updates through official channels and community spaces.
