Kitchens double as social spaces

A gourmet kitchen, experts say, boils down to high-quality appliances, a roomy workspace and areas for entertaining.

A commercial feel

One important item for any true gourmet kitchen is a gas cooktop or range.

“Gas, to me, is so much better,” said Brad Lyons, executive chef at The Tower Club. “It’s quick heat and quickly shuts off. If you’re doing any kind of entertaining, or cooking for 12 or 15 people, there’s only one way to go and that’s gas.”

Lyons said having the right cooking appliances is key for a quality kitchen.

For instance, wall ovens – preferably more than one – and four-, five- or six-burner stoves are important, especially if they include a built-in grill.

Typical restaurant-only brands such as Wolf, Viking and Thermador are making their ways into home kitchens by way of ranges, refrigerators and dishwashers.

A social work space

Kitchen space is becoming more coveted, with a distinct eye on entertainment.

“With the advent of all the cooking shows on television, more people are seeing (the kitchen) as a social gathering place rather than a place just to cook,” said Shannon Todd, a Murney Associates Realtor with two homes listed touting gourmet kitchens. “You can’t have it be gourmet if it’s a compact kitchen.”

Larger kitchens make way for vital counter space on which friends and family congregate.

“Commercial kitchens have different stations to work and prepare food,” Todd added. “We went through a period where kitchens were getting smaller and smaller, and now they’re getting larger.”

Lyons noted that someone who is cooking three courses for 10 guests is going to need space for at least 30 plates.

Some of that dining atmosphere is spilling into living rooms, said home remodeler Russel Caldwell of Caldwell Construction.

“People can gather around the kitchen but not actually be in it,” Caldwell said. “You might have a bar or something that separates the kitchen from the living space, so the cook can interact with the guests and they don’t intrude into the work space.”

Caldwell also said he’s installing more mixed surfaces into countertops, such as using granite for most surfaces and integrating a wooden butcher block into the counter or an island.

Handy gadgets

Chef Lyons said there are several items that, while not at the top of the list of essential appliances, are very handy to have around.

“Having a salamander is great,” he said, referring to the roughly $2,500 small appliance used for toasting and finishing off dishes. “It’s a very easy piece to put in, and it’s great for toasting things and broiling.”

Lyons also touted the benefits of the robot coupe – a multifunction appliance that blends, processes and chops foods. The smallest model costs around $1,000.

Caldwell, who spent 14 years as a chef before going into the construction field, also pointed out several popular items in kitchen design, notably easy-access cabinetry.

“We’re seeing elaborate pantries, standup cabinets 36 inches wide by 7 feet tall and 24 inches deep that have shelves or racks that can pull out,” he said. “Little jars and cans can be stored really efficiently, and then you can view them all at once.”

Multiple faucets also are popular – especially when one is over the stove for filling large pots – as are warming drawers and built-in space for cookbook storage.

Despite all the fancy designs and trendy gadgets, however, one local chef thinks a gourmet kitchen is much simpler.

“As long as you have the spices you need and it’s set up to be comfortable, it can be a gourmet kitchen,” Avanzare Chef Tony Garcia said. “For me, as long as I have a gas cooktop, and a hood that will take the smoke out of the kitchen, it’s easy for me to cook anything.”