When deciding how to remodel a kitchen, people have few better resources to turn to than the recommendations of celebrity chefs. These are the people who cook for a living, and their kitchens generally reflect their careers. Several celebrity chefs have some useful advice about how to create a kitchen that gives amateur and professional alike the right space and tools to create wonderful meals and dining experiences.
Work with Available Space
While buying that six-burner gas range might be tempting, those seeking to remodel their kitchen should evaluate the kitchen space they have before committing to that huge range. “Work with what you have,” sums up chef-owner Michelle Bernstein’s position on kitchen remodeling. She says the kitchen should be, “comfortable but aesthetically appealing,” and that “economy of movement” is the most important aspect of the kitchen rather than an amazing stove.
Maximize Counter Space
Many celebrity chefs get more excited about describing their countertops than they do their stoves. Chef-owner Ethan Stowell says that he values “a lot of room” and that his countertops are “all wood, butcher block.” Chef-owner Debra Ponzek, however, prefers marble countertops because they are “a really nice surface to work on.” Kitchen remodelers need to evaluate the things that matter most to them when choosing countertops and countertop layout.
Organize
Disorganization is considered an enemy by many chefs; they often swear by the mantra of, “Everything in its place and a place for everything.” Chef Gabriel Kreuther claims that “large and uncluttered surface areas” are important to successful kitchens. Open shelves, walk-in pantries, and pot racks are other celebrity chef recommendations for kitchen organization. Ponzek, whose kitchen boasts a five-foot pot rack, likes having the things she frequently cooks with accessible all the time.
Carefully Consider Appliances
Celebrity chefs are in accord that their personal appliances are dictated by their personal needs and preferences. Bernstein’s refrigerator has significantly more refrigerator than freezer space because she does not freeze much, while Ponzek has a large refrigerator/freezer plus a smaller refrigerator outside of the kitchen because she has a large family. There is no need to buy a large refrigerator unless there is going to be a lot of food in it, and an extra freezer might be a waste of space if it is often empty.
Plan for Entertainment
The one kitchen entertainment feature that many celebrity chefs swear by is the kitchen island. Ponzek recently increased the size of her kitchen island from 5 feet to 11 feet and loves that she can prep food at one end while her guests can eat and socialize at the other. Kreuther and his wife also have an island and like that they have enough room to work side by side, enhancing their time together. Kitchen remodelers can also plan to have barstools at the island to create a breakfast or snacking nook that allows family and friends to socialize with those cooking and serving.
Remember the Sink
Those who frequently cook with large pots and pans should remember that they do so when they are remodeling their kitchens. Large dishes can be difficult to wash, so having a large, deep sink is ideal for many celebrity chefs. Kreuther recommends having two separate sinks so that the cook can use one for washing dishes and the other for washing vegetables. Stowell and Ponzek value sink placement, each one’s sink location dictated by personal preference.
Get Good Flooring
The right flooring can bring out the best in a newly remodeled kitchen. Even if a person prefers a specific type of flooring, the overall look of the kitchen should influence the flooring choice more than general preference. Parents should get child-friendly floors, and those going for a rustic look, for example, probably will not want concrete flooring.
Remodeling a kitchen using advice from celebrity chefs does not require a lot of money so much as an attention to detail.