Designing a Gourmet Kitchen

For some, the kitchen is where we simply prepare a meal, but for others, it is a place of creativity where new things are not just cooked or baked; they are born. New flavors are combined to form amazing dishes that delight and wow others. For a budding chef or a seasoned one, having a kitchen at home that is equipped with everything you need is essential, but what goes into designing a gourmet kitchen? Which elements should be included to provide the perfect space to cook or bake those new food items? How can you maximize your kitchen layout to gain the most usable space? Let’s discuss what it takes to design the gourmet kitchen of your dreams.

Walker woodworking custom cabinets, pot filler, pull out drawer, slab doors, undercabinet lighting, white kitchen cabinets

Kitchen work stations

Divide and conquer. This has been a winning strategy for centuries, and the kitchen is no different. Workstations in the kitchen allow you to divide your space into different sections focused on various tasks. Whether baking or cooking, you can create a space customized to your specific needs. A baking workstation in the kitchen gives you everything necessary to bake your delicious recipes, whether tried and true or brand new. Some of the things to include would be:

A pull-out for spices
Mixing bowls
Storage
Baking sheets
Small appliances
Access to the sink

We know that nothing can be baked without ingredients, but running back and forth between your pantry and the kitchen is tiring and can create more mess. Having your spices and dry ingredients like flour and sugar within reach saves time and makes it much easier to get things done. Storage is another critical part of any space in the home, especially in the kitchen. Deep drawers allow you to store small appliances such as blenders and hand mixers, keeping them within arm’s reach but neatly tucked away when not needed. Don’t forget about the sink and fridge. Baking can mean extra hand washing to rinse off sticky dough or dirty bowls and utensils, so be sure to position your baking workstation near the sink. A cooking station is another critical part of a gourmet kitchen as it provides a designated space to prepare and cook not just dinner but entirely new dishes. This is the area where you make it easy to have access to items such as:

Knives
Pots and pans
Cutting boards
Towels
Dishes
Spices and oil

Workflow is important, and nothing hinders that more than having to walk all over the kitchen to find what you need while trying to cook. Keeping these items within reach speeds up the process and gives you more time to focus on the task at hand. Things like pots, pans, and other dishes such as platters mean you can transfer food to them and place them where they are needed at the correct time instead of trying to keep an eye on the steak while finding a bowl to put the green beans in. Supplies like towels, both fabric and paper, help you keep your cooking station clean plus leave you with less mess to deal with later. When designing a gourmet kitchen, workstations are a must on the list, so talk to your designer about creating the perfect one for you.

Walker Woodworking custom cabinets, undercabinet lighting, glass front cabinet, louvered cabinet doors, countertop, brass hardware, backsplash, brass sink, paneled doors, range hood, white kitchen

Appliances that will last

Without a refrigerator to store perishable wet ingredients like milk, eggs, and butter or a stove to cook it all on, your creative ability would be greatly minimized. Thinking about which appliances you need and the ones that will be the most durable is an important part of designing a gourmet kitchen. Many different sizes and styles can be chosen to match your particular design wishes and integrated into numerous layouts, though square footage does play a key factor in the final selection. A smaller amount of usable space means you need to be specific about the appliances you choose, and think about which ones will bring the most value to your kitchen and cooking needs. Some of the appliances to consider would be:

A refrigerator
Double oven
Freezer
Warming drawer
Stove

Each of these provides a different service and performs varying functions. While several are essential, such as a stove and refrigerator, the size you choose may be flexible. If you have a small kitchen, a stovetop can be all you need, especially if you lean more toward cooking than baking. A refrigerator can be made smaller, meaning that you can store less inside, but that can be compensated by visiting the grocer a couple of times a week instead of twice a month. Sometimes, this helps reduce spoiled food since it isn’t buried in a drawer. A larger kitchen, however, can offer you the ability to enjoy all the appliances, but placement still matters. A double oven should be close enough to the counter so you can place the cookie sheet down to cool. A warming drawer lets you prepare the meal when family members run a little late. A freezer means you can cook ahead and then freeze to serve later, which is a great time saver, especially during busy times of the year like holidays. While not an appliance, the kitchen sink is also worth mentioning as it serves a multi-functional role. Having a sink is as essential as a stove or fridge for those who love to cook. It is where dirty dishes can be dropped, veggies are washed, and hands sanitized. Talk to your designer about the essentials needed in your gourmet kitchen space.

Walker Woodworking custom cabinets, La Cornue Chateau Series oven, Grand Palais 180 oven, custom inset kitchen cabinets

Some final suggestions

Storage and counterspace are two things that should also be considered when designing for a gourmet kitchen. Sufficient storage means you can store all those extras you need such as pots and pans, small appliances, dishes, serving trays, mixing bowls, utensils, silverware, and supplies. Tools matter and when they are organized your tasks get easier to do and maintain. Counterspace is another critical part of the design as they are the true workspace in the kitchen. They provide you the room needed to spread out and knead your dough or prep for dinner. It is always easier when you can have everything you need in front of you instead of shifting things from side to side or running back and forth to make it work. Be sure to discuss these areas with your designer so that they can come up with good solutions.