Kitted Out Kitchens

HOW TO: ELEVATE YOUR KITCHEN

To nail the art of cooking, you need a kitchen that not only looks the part, but does the job too. From home cook to master chef, elevate your cooking with top equipment.

Our appetite for culinary television shows just keeps on growing, creating a generation of home chefs who take their cuisine very seriously. To nail the art of cooking, you need a kitchen that not only looks the part, but does the job too. Combining a thoughtful layout with easy-on-the-eye fixtures and high quality appliances is key to designing a space that’s both fun and functional.

Back to basics
Inspired in part by the utilitarian-style kitchens seen on television shows like Masterchef, Minimalist and Scandinavian influenced design has seen a huge surge in popularity. Stainless steel benchtops and splashbacks are practical and contemporary, while strip or pendant lighting can be used to highlight prep areas. Ikea is a good starting point for for authentic Scandi kitchen
accessories, as well as inspiration for a kitchen refresh that won’t break the bank.

Fun and function
Kitchens need to be practical – if you’re renovating, plan carefully to make the most of the space. A chef’s kitchen does away with clunky cabinets, so opt for open shelves and hard working storage walls that keep your cooking implements conveniently in reach. Invest in clever appliances that look sleek and maximising space, such as coffee machines integrated into the wall or products like a Thermomix, that has many functions and does away with multiple machines.

Tools of the trade
Top of every chef’s must-have list should be a good quality oven. Steam combi-ovens by brands such as Gaggenau, Electrolux and Miele can transform even the most basic cooks into professional chefs, whilst the Schweigen rangehoods are powerful, but quiet. The motor on the hoods has been removed from inside the unit and placed on the outside roof, reducing noise levels to next to nothing. Induction cooktops that feature gas on glass are also worth considering. Not only are they highly efficient, they’re also much easier to keep clean than stainless steel styles. Look for models with boosted capability, child-safe locks, simmer control, rapid-boil and safety shut-off features.

Go, go gadget
Fun, time-saving gadgets will up your home cooking game. A great all-in-one solution that doesn’t have to be dismantled after every use is the Thermomix. The clever, compact appliance does everything from weighing ingredients to processing and cooking, and is also fitted with a handy set-and-forget timer, putting an end to overcooked food and burnt meals for good. Another cooking show favourite is the sous vide technique – food is prepared in vacuum-sealed pouches placed in precisely heated water. Try it at home with a sous vide water oven such as the new Clifton at Home Sous Vide. Alternatively, invest in a precision cooker, which attaches to any saucepan to achieve perfect results every time.