hm. . Do you always follow the same routine when you're leaving (like, as you said, picking her up and bringing her to the kitchen)? Try putting her in her crate during the day even when you aren't leaving, feed her in her crate and don't follow the exact same routine when you're leaving. Fill a Kong up with peanut butter, frozen kibble, treats, cheese, or whatever she likes and give it to her when she gets into her crate, so she associates being in the crate with fun and treats! Whenever she goes into the crate, tell her to "kennel up" or "go to your crate", and give her a treat. . . give her the command often, so eventually when you leave you can throw treats and/or a stuffed Kong into her crate and tell her the command and she'll go in on her own, without you having to even pick her up and put her in.

I hope that made sense. . good luck!