Every homeowner dreams of a kitchen that inspires them to cook. Today’s chefs have mastered designing ideal kitchens that allow for culinary undertakings of all sizes. Some are basic and almost standard in many American kitchens such as a double oven. But others, like an over-sized refrigerator or stove top, are not. Here are experts’ top elements to create the ideal Gourmet Chef’s Kitchen.
Counterspace – Whether you’re an avid cook or not, counterspace is one of the most valuable factors in any kitchen. When designing your own chef’s kitchen, remember that ample prep space will be needed. Sometime there will be multiple chefs in one kitchen space, so allowing for plenty of room to maneuver is key. Durable and easy to clean materials are paramount. Aside from stainless steel (which is too industrial for many home kitchens), quartz is often a favorite because it does not require sealing and is less porous than most other materials. With the notion of sufficient counterspace comes the consideration for things like dedicated work stations. Installing a dedicated prep sink or hot station can grant an easier cooking scenario.
Refrigeration – The motivation behind creating a chef’s kitchen is often to allow for large scale cooking to take place. For that, refrigeration is paramount. Consider an over-sized refrigerator with a large freezer space. Remember, your fridge should be able to fit several large sized platters (both tall and wide). Depending on the scale of projects you plan on working on, designating separate all refrigerators and all freezer options may be the way to go.
Ovens & Cooktops – Along the same lines as lots of refrigeration, a chef’s kitchen must accommodate lots of pots on the burner and things in the oven. We highly recommend (basically we require) a gas range with at least 6-8 burners. Try to get one with a griddle, a wok burner and a fryer or steamer as to not limit your realm of cooking possibilities. And don’t forget the commercial range hood, of course. As for ovens, any kitchen with less than 2 won’t qualify as “chef’s”. Steam ovens are also very popular, along with a dual microwave/convection oven. If you can score one with drawers for individual temperature and humidity adjustments, even better!
Sinks – Just as humans have a hard time living without running water, a chef cannot survive without a great sink. Offset drains, integrated cutting boards and multi-level interiors are a few of today’s most advanced sink features. Faucets are equally important as they should be easy to operate. Because they often have their hands full, chefs tend to prefer hands-free faucets.
Organization – A chef cannot be as efficient as he or she would like without a well-organized kitchen. Pots, cutlery, serveware, along with ingredients, should be easy to spot and reach for. Keep cutlery like knives and spoons readily available on countertops. Frequently used ingredients like butter, sugar, etc. should be kept in the easiest to reach places of the fridge and pantry. And when it comes to a pantry, walk-in is necessary.
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