Designing the ultimate chef's kitchen

A chef’s kitchen is a highly stylized and functional space. When planing this room, designers take into account all the features a professional cook would want while incorporating their style. In today’s world, its one of the most sought after kitchen types for its trendy finishes mixed with the amenities one would expect at a posh restaurant.

Celebrity chef Eric Ripert is known for his television presence on the PBS show “Avec Eric,” and his Manhattan eatery Le Bernardin. He recently designed the ultimate kitchen from the professional’s viewpoint, and shared the experience with Epicurious. Here is some inspirational advice from Ripert and other sources to use in your next vintage remodeling project:

Entertaining friendly
When he throws dinner parties, his guest often spend time with him in the kitchen: They want to share the experience, talk and drink. Ripert says it’s hard to have a real conversation with friends if your back is toward them. The solution is to have a few stove ranges on your island. So you can cook and keep up the chatter. Additionally, you can install a couple vintage faucets and a sink on this surface as well.

High-tech cooking
Standard kitchens don’t normally have the same cutting-edge appliances you can find in a commercial space. Ripert suggests bringing in tools like an induction stovetop as an ecofriendly and efficient alternative. These types of units only heat the pan and not the entire room. Another technological advancement in the cooking world is a convection oven. It has a fan that circulates the heat evenly in the unit. Additionally, double ovens are a nifty appliance as they allow you to cook two items at different times and temperatures.

Counter space
Chefs appreciate extra room for chopping, mixing and devising delicious menus. To achieve the counter space one would see in a professional kitchen, you should shop for extra wide and long pieces of granite, stone or whichever material desired.

Targeted lighting
Lastly, Ripert suggests to install different types of lighting in the space. Places you will be completing most of the work, like near a cutting board or over your stove, should be brightly lit. But near seating, the lights should offer a softer dim.

Efficient layout
Not everyone has a large open kitchen or the budget to create one. When space is limited, efficiency must be a top priority. Installing a microwave over the range with a built-in ventilation system frees up lots of counter space.

Deep drawers
Limit bending with deep drawers to house pots and pans. Also, be sure it can withstand the weight of heavy cookware.

Extra-large fridge
The point of designing the ultimate vintage kitchen design is to do lots of cooking in it, right? To store all your perishables, pick up a 36-inch fridge with adjustable shelving. The newer models have the freezer portion at the bottom of the unit to provide easy access.

Finishing touches
Depending on the preference, chef’s kitchens often have added luxuries. A built-in espresso machine can give you the sense that you are relaxing in a cafe from the comfort of your own home. Additionally, you can incorporate a shelf and stand to store and display your cookbooks.