Designing a Gourmet Kitchen for Your Maryland or Washington, DC, Home

Cooking is an activity that many people enjoy. Whether you have a large family, you love to bake, or you throw dinner parties every weekend, a gourmet kitchen elevates the experience to a whole new level.

Today, there are many appliances and accessories available to make your kitchen legendary – and it might even make you a better cook too!

Some of the features of a gourmet kitchen might include:

1.     Efficient kitchen work triangle. The kitchen triangle – the positioning of the stove, sink, and refrigerator – is critical in any kitchen. To maximize efficiency, be sure your gourmet kitchen is designed for good traffic flow.
2.     Commercial-quality range. Commercial ranges are larger and more versatile than standard models. They are also made to last, so the premium you pay is well worth it.
3.     Six-burner cooktop. If you entertain a lot, having a couple of extra burners will serve you well.
4.     Industrial hood fan. A larger cooktop requires a good-quality hood fan. Ventilation is critical in the gourmet kitchen as it improves the air quality and keeps oil and cooking residue from building up on surfaces.
5.     Stainless steel appliances. There’s nothing more high-tech looking than a kitchen with gleaming stainless-steel appliances.
6.     Refrigerator/freezer drawers. Gain a little extra cool space with built-in refrigerator and freezer drawers. The front panels can be made to look like your cabinetry, so they’ll blend seamlessly with your décor. Sub-Zero is an excellent brand if it’s in the budget.
7.     Separate pantry for storage. In a gourmet kitchen, you want to maximize the available counter space for prep and plating. A pantry gives you a place to store everything you need, still handy, but organized and neatly out of the way.
8.     Large kitchen island or double island. A gourmet kitchen island means you’ve probably got a lot of cooks in the kitchen. A large island or double island allows for multiple work stations, so if you entertain a lot or cook with your partner or your friends, an island is a perfect way to accommodate.
9.     Double-walled stainless steel sinks. If you do a lot of cooking and prepping, it means you’ll be doing a lot of cleaning and washing up. Multiple sinks support everything you need to do. Think about a large double sink on the main counter, a prep sink in the island, and another, smaller sink by the beverage station. That way, if the kids come in for a drink or someone needs to make a pot of coffee, they’re not going to get in your way.
10. Non-porous countertops. Quartz countertops are among the best choices for gourmet kitchens. As a high-performance, non-porous material, it can really take a beating. Quartz does not absorb liquid; it won’t stain, chip, or crack, and it can withstand heat up to 500˚F.
11. Work zones. If you have a large kitchen, having different work zones is the perfect way to maximize efficiency, improve traffic flow, and reduce clutter. Depending on how you work, you could have a breakfast/beverage zone for coffee, tea, toast, and smoothies. You might want a baking zone next to the oven, with an extra-wide counter for rolling out dough. Your island can be your prep zone, and the counter space beside the fridge might be your landing zone – where you unpack your groceries and portion your meals.
12. Plenty of light. A professional kitchen must have excellent lighting. You’ll need lights over each zone, over the cooktops, in the ceiling, and underneath your cabinets. Today’s LED lighting offers a wide range of options that are both decorative and highly functional. If you can, maximize the natural light and light up any dark corners.
13. Hands-free faucets. When you cook often, you tend to wash your hands quite a lot, but touching your faucets when you’ve been handling food isn’t always sanitary. Touchless faucets are motion-controlled, so you can keep these areas clean and ensure your family’s safety.
14. Built-in wine fridge. Wine is a big part of the gourmet experience, and having a built-in wine fridge ensures your favorite bottles are at the right temperature and close at hand. Many wine fridges feature separate zones for red and white wines so you can give your guests the ultimate food and wine experience, every time.

These are just a few ideas to help you get started on planning your gourmet kitchen. When you’re ready to talk about it, give us a call to set up a consultation. We’re passionate about kitchens, and we would love to help! Reach out today, and let’s get started.