Cook Like A Pro
When talking about the size and intricacy of chef’s kitchens in the home, misconceptions are common. Denis McKee, the owner of Joyce Kitchens, speaks with Bhria Vellnagel about how you can design and construct an authentic chef’s kitchen in your own home.
The most admired thing about a chef’s kitchen is the potential for cooking up amazing food. Installing a fully fitted chef’s kitchen in your home may sound a bit extravagant, but the name can be misleading. People often believe that a chef’s kitchen must be large, lavish and extravagant, but that’s not entirely accurate. In fact, chef’s kitchens can be built on a smaller scale, without sacrificing the functionality of a large kitchen. If your household loves to cook and entertain, investing in a chef’s kitchen will be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. Read on as Denis McKee explains the essentials of a great chef’s kitchen, with the knowledge that comes with years of installing them in the homes of his clients.
Efficiency
Chef’s kitchens don’t need to be expansive, but they should be highly organised. McKee says balanced work zones are essential in every chef’s kitchen. Dividing your kitchen into separate zones – namely cooking, cleaning and food storage – will always make meal preparation more efficient. The ability to streamline the cooking process will make a world of difference when you have hungry mouths to feed or when you’re tackling complicated recipes that take time. Each zone should comprise appliances and utensils that are relevant to its purpose. In the cooking section, for example, you’ll have your oven/s, cooktop and cookware. By storing
cookware close to the relevant appliances, you’ll spend less time searching and walking to other sections of the kitchen, which will cut down on stress. “Functionality is essential in a chef’s kitchen [for it] to operate at maximum efficiency,” McKee says. While the positioning of zones is important, it is equally important to organise your storage space. A chef’s kitchen requires all important items to be at your fingertips, with everything positioned in areas that are strategically coordinated. Removing nonessential items from your immediate space will de-clutter often-used drawers and cabinets, which is vital in creating an unhindered cooking process. Spacious cupboards, a butler’s pantry and open, eye-level shelving are highly recommended for a chef’s kitchen. McKee suggests including drawers in the pantry to increase storage space. Corner shelves that rotate or pull out are also great, space-saving additions.
The Essentials
Certain appliances are more important in a chef’s kitchen than a regular kitchen. “[The vital elements of a chef’s kitchen include] ample cooking facilities, a [cooker] with a minimum width of 900mm, and a large food preparation area, [as well as] a pantry and a fridge that are within easy reach,” says McKee. Investing in high-quality appliances will save you money and make your food taste better. With many energy- and
water-saving appliances available, you can significantly reduce your energy bills. From installing countless chef’s kitchens, McKee has found a Thermomix to be a popular appliance. While cooking for the whole family can be enjoyable, it’s often time-consuming. A Thermomix is a great addition as it will take care of complicated meals without requiring your constant attention. The compact machine can come with a hefty price tag, but will save you a significant amount of time during food preparation. The Thermomix combines 12 appliances into one, which means it can cook, steam and heat, as well as being able to weigh, chop, whip, grind, blend and knead. While the Thermomix can make cooking more efficient, it can’t brown or grill food, which is why installing a large or double oven is essential. For the avid entertainer, having the ability to cook multiple dishes at once is a must. A double oven allows for two different heat levels, which means you can cook the main course and dessert simultaneously, and spend more time socialising. McKee recommends installing LED downlights beneath overhead cabinetry to illuminate cooking areas while ensuring the rest of the space retains its ambiance. Downlights are a great addition if you have an open-plan kitchen that flows into your entertaining area, as they will guarantee the perfect environment for your guests by limiting bright light to task areas, such as your stovetop.
Clean With Ease
Chefs observe sanitation standards with the utmost diligence and their kitchens need to withstand wear and tear over continuous use. Therefore, hard-wearing surfaces that are easy to clean are essential. With multiple dishes being completed at once, a chef’s kitchen must always feature surfaces and appliances that promote a stress-free clean-up.
Surface Value
According to McKee, stone surfaces are found in many chef’s kitchens due to their luxurious appeal and superior durability. Natural-stone surfaces such as granite, quartz and marble are beautiful and can last a lifetime. However, their porous surface can be difficult to clean, and light-coloured stone can easily become stained. Reconstituted stone offers the same aesthetic as natural stone, while being non-porous and resistant to scratches, chips, and stains. Reconstituted stone combines highly durable polyester resin with natural-stone granulates, and is generally cost-effective. Other popular hard-wearing surfaces include porcelain and stainless steel, with the latter being popular among professional chefs.
Stainless steel may be difficult to integrate into your home’s styling, but it is by far the most hygienic and easy-to-clean option available.
Sink Big
Sinks can quickly become congested with cooking utensils, and cleaning while trying to follow a recipe can be stressful. By installing a sink that’s large enough to hold the bulk of the dirty dishes, ample bench space is maintained and clean-up can be left for a more suitable time. An extra sink within a butler’s pantry will hide the mess of cooking and ensure your kitchen is always presentable to guests. According to McKee, a flick mixer is the best tap available as it can be easily operated while your hands are full or dirty. With a vast range of design, shape and function options on offer, there’s a style of tap to suit any space. Retractable flexihose mixers are the go-to for most chefs, as they prevent splashing with a pull-down mechanism.
Make A Splash
Splashbacks are a necessity for cleanliness and style in any chef’s kitchen.
Oils and fats are especially prone to getting stuck on splashbacks and the last thing you’ll want to do after cooking is worry about scrubbing every surface of your kitchen! Splashbacks are required to protect your walls from the mess of cooking, but they are also fantastic as statement pieces. It’s best to steer away from installing tiles, stone or anything porous, as food matter will cling to these materials. McKee says that glass splashbacks – with their versatile styles and smooth, easy-to-clean surfaces – are a great addition to any chef’s kitchen. Customising your space can be as simple as adding a splashback with a pop of colour or an artistic design. A personalised and streamlined cooking experience is an enjoyable one. By incorporating the design ideas and appliances recommended by McKee, you can join the league of happy modern-day home chefs who have their own professional kitchen. You’ll be able to entertain with ease, while creating the ambitious recipes you’ve always dreamed of perfecting.
