Dedicated cooks know what they want in their kitchens. If they don't have a floor plan sketched on paper, they're sure to have it in their head. If cooking means a lot to them, how they lay out their kitchen means even more.

For a custom builder, each client is different, but designing a kitchen specifically for a person devoted to cooking requires more detail and care. In many cases, a custom builder needs an expert to get involved in the project as well, for example a certified kitchen designer. You have to make sure you design the kitchen according to what that chef is going to need.

Dedicated to cooking

Once a designer is on board, we need to establish the client's needs and what makes them dedicated to cooking in the first place. We’re not talking about just one group; we’re talking about cooks with a lot of different focuses. We might get someone who's a heavy baker or someone who enjoys stove top cooking. It depends on what their needs really are.

We try to find out exactly why they consider themselves dedicated cooks. Most cooks are looking for work centers or work zones so they can be more efficient at what they do. They want all the equipment and accessories available to them in all the right places.

We ask a lot of questions of clients to find out what they want and how dedicated they really are because you can tell by the way they answer these questions.
These clients will know how many steps it takes to get from one place to another. A dedicated cook will say exactly where they want things to be. They'll say, I want this on my left-hand side.

If the client enjoys baking, an oven or multiple ovens will be more important, which can become the focal point. Workspace that allows for rolling dough, such as marble surfaces, may be required. Plenty of countertop space with granite surfaces for cooling the baked goods will also be a must-have.
If the client's forte is creating sauces or sautéing on the stovetop, cooking ranges become the focus. The burners must handle the temperatures required to cook the gamut of items that will be prepared on them. BTU's become very important as do exhaust systems.

 

Designing with Balance

When designing a kitchen for dedicated cooks, it's important to keep a balance. Some cooks envision what they want, but don't realize it may not always work in reality. If adding more counter space is a must, eliminating less appliance space may become a factor. You have to keep everything in balance.

If your refrigerator is too big, then when you open the door others may not be able to get past it. This can be a bigger problem than not having enough counter space. It's the job of the designer and the builder to listen and say “We hear you, we're going to give you more counter space, but what about the refrigerator?"
Because appliance size does matter, it's important that we work with the client to reach a happy medium on what can be used in the kitchen space provided. We need to create a floor plan that incorporates all of the major and minor appliances that are a must to the cook.

Commercial appliances, such as stoves, ovens and refrigerators are common elements for the dedicated cook. The size of commercial appliances can create an obstacle. Designing the kitchen around the major appliances may be the only solution.

Of course, there are also small appliances that are important to certain cooks, such as, mixers, woks, can openers and coffee makers. Most of these items can now be hidden within the cabinets, but must be planned during the floor plan stage.
Counter space is one of the major balances to consider. Plenty of preparation space is important for any type of cooking. The amount that can actually be provided must be communicated among the client, designer and builder to create that balance. Depending on the type of cooking, a variety of different counter surfaces may be used, which is another element to consider.

Cabinetry varies with most clients. Some want to match the overall decor of the house. Some want open cabinetry while others want cabinetry to hide everything. Either way, balancing cabinetry can become tricky when it comes to working around major appliances as well as small appliances. We like to incorporate the cabinetry accordingly, within the floor plan, to create a balance between cabinetry, appliances and counter space.

Lighting up the Room

When it comes to lighting, there are few details more important. Creating the right type of lighting throughout the kitchen is extremely important.

• Ambient lighting - This is the general lighting for the entire room. The size of the room will determine how much ambient lighting is required. Larger kitchens may require brighter bulbs or additional fixtures. Remember, the brightness of ambient lighting will be affected by the color of the walls, cabinetry and countertops, so plan accordingly.

• Task lighting - This is usually lighting found under cabinets to highlight specific areas. Countertops, sinks and stovetops should be lit with task lighting for easier usage.

• Decorative lighting - Both functional and beautiful, decorative lighting adds detail to the kitchen. Some examples include chandeliers, colorful glass shades, wrought iron fixtures, and scones.

• Color of lighting - Color always makes a difference. Whether ambient, task or decorative, the color of lighting used can affect the overall feel of the kitchen. Warm and neutral lighting works best for ambient and task lighting. If possible, avoid using warm and cool lighting, which could create an unsettling visual effect.

Other options

A list of other options for kitchens of dedicated cooks could go on and on. Custom builders and designers must be prepared to offer specific options that matter to these cooks. Knowing what those options are makes a difference.

• Convection vs. conventional - Having the right type of stove to perform the functions they need will be debated. The client may even want one of each.

• Different countertop surfaces. When it comes to surfaces, there are two major decisions to make: porous vs. non-porous countertop; butcher block, granite, marble, or concrete?

• Gas vs. electric. Most cooks prefer gas stoves and ovens, and very few prefer electric. On occasion, some cooks want gas stoves and electric ovens or vice versa.

• Warming drawers. This is the newest craze in kitchens, but dedicated cooks want everything to be ready and served at the proper temperature. The warming drawer is the perfect way to accomplish that.

• Clean up options. Cleaning up is a major project for dedicated cooks, so clean up options become very important. Garbage disposals top the list. Many cooks also want a section of their countertop cut out, which allows for sweeping garbage right into the garbage can found below.

• Multiple dishwashers. Going hand-in-hand with clean up, dishwashers serve as a major function too. Some cooks prefer multiple dishwashers for quicker clean up time.

• Specialty cabinetry. Some cooks want everything out in the open, while others want everything hidden. Special cabinetry to hold and organize spices is an option. Creating specialized vertical cabinetry for cookie sheets is another option.

Remember, dedicated cooks know what they want in their kitchen, which may be easier to design for in the long run.