What is a "Chef's Kitchen"?
Posted by Lacey Hagler on Friday, September 28th, 2018 at 9:30am.
You’ve seen it mentioned in luxury listings, you’ve known friends or family members who can’t live without one, and you may have had one yourself without even knowing it, but what exactly is a “chef’s kitchen”?
While most of us aren’t the next Rachel Ray or Bobby Flay, it’s still nice to prepare dinner in a kitchen fit for a professional chef. Here are examples from some of our luxury listings modeling qualifications for the ever-desirable “chef’s kitchen”. Click on each photograph if you would like to see more on the complete listing!
SPACE
An open floor plan or a large kitchen island will give elbow room for multiple people to prepare food comfortably at the same time. Plus, this gives the whole family an opportunity to participate in cooking and recount the details of their day.
HIGH-END REFRIGERATOR AND FREEZER
High-end brands include features like elite air purification systems, plenty of room for bulk storage, a vacuum seal to keep food fresher longer, and style and functionality.
A GAS RANGE
Gas ranges provide large hot flames that the average cooktop doesn’t, making things like boiling water much faster, and providing a spot for an optional indoor grill to sear your ahi or filet just right.
MULTIPLE OVENS
Having more than one over, whether conventional, convection, or steam, can provide ways for quicker, more efficient cooking. While you’re baking the main course, vegetables can be steaming and the kids can be baking dessert. Who says you can’t do multiple things at once?
WARMING DRAWERS
Another life saver is optional warming drawers to keep rolls ready, or to prevent dinner from getting cold when everyone’s not quite finished with their evening chores.
MULTIPLE SINKS
No one enjoys the thought of washing fruit and vegetables in the same sink for dirty dishes, and multiple faucets can also be placed right over the stove to easily fill large pots with water.
STORAGE, STORAGE, STORAGE
In a large chef’s kitchen, there’s a spot for everything. No one says you have to keep it organized, but it’s certainly a good notion that there are multiple cutlery organizers and pull-out drawers so all gadgets, gizmos, and small appliances have a place off of the counter.
When everything is said and done, the term “chef’s kitchen” can be used loosely to describe your above-average spacious kitchen, so not all of these specifications are in every single grand kitchen you come across.
Thinking of upgrading to a chef’s kitchen? Depending on the design company, materials, and brand names, the cost of upgrading to a chef’s kitchen varies widely, but most experts say you can expect to pay anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000 for a complete overhaul. Appliances alone make up a huge amount of the cost, which unfortunately is the “non-negotiable” element.
This seems like a large chunk of cash, but if the day ever comes to sell your home, a major kitchen remodel could generally reap a return of about 65% on your investment. These days, the kitchen has become the heart of the home, and spectacular ones are on the “it” list!