Masterchef, Hell’s Kitchen, The Chopping Block and The Great Australian Bake Off are just a handful of the TV shows fuelling Australian foodies’ culinary ambition. And along with encouraging us to step outside of our comfort zones when it comes to feeding our families and entertaining guests, these shows are increasingly influencing our home improvement plans too. If money was no object, would you install Masterchef-inspired kitchen islands or put your dollars into building the best ever walk-in pantry? Let’s take a look at some fantasy home updates for the foodies among us.
Walk-In Pantry
You could argue that the pantry has never really gone out of style, though they’re rarely included in new builds. However, one industry insider recently told news.com.au that large walk-in pantries are increasingly in demand. Do you dream of organizing a pretty and practical pantry?
Then, you can opt for a traditional nook with shelves for dried goods, along with the foods you’re preserving or pickling, or go for a modern walk-in pantry complete with a second sink. While the traditional option may have more eco-friendly appeal, some people simply enjoy having the space to organize rows of open shelving; it’s a luxury in itself. Also, check out some blogs or videos for great pantry organization ideas to make sure your pantry looks clean and ready, just the way you love it.
A Kitchen Island
Extra prep space, helping to zone open plan kitchens or a spot to stash all of those extra pots and pans – do you dream of your own kitchen island? Some chefs love the convenience of creating a workspace in the centre of the room but the needn’t be placed bang in the middle.
Others enjoy the showmanship element that can come with prepping on an island while entertaining guests. In a kitchen diner setup, your diners can see your culinary skills close up and islands are often fitted with breakfast stools too. The kitchen island trend owes a lot to the likes of Masterchef, where contestants make the most of their own individual work stations in strict time limitations. But could a kitchen island bring you more freedom in the kitchen?
Outdoor Kitchen
Be honest, how many cooking gadgets do you have in your backyard? If you’re a keen cook and avid al fresco entertainer, chances are you’ve moved beyond the simple barbecue to add other cooking kit to your outdoor space. Stone pizza ovens, smokers for meat and fish and rotisseries are all popular and often expensive installations that are in demand in homes where food is a strong focus. Along with giving a range of less traditional dinner party hosting options, such gadgets can be seen a part of a consistent movement toward local food sourcing.
It’s not just fired powered kit that’s in demand though. Many homeowners who like to entertain family and friends on home turf are going one step further and installing outdoor kitchens. According to the Houzz Australia 2017 Landscape Study, one in ten homeowners planning outdoor renovations last year intended to invest in equipment such as grills, cabinets, sinks and refrigerators for outdoor use. In this way, hosts are using tech to take the traditional dinner party outdoors to enjoy the best of the weather and their surroundings. Is it time for you to call in an electrician or look for a generators for sale to run your outdoor kitchen?
Kitchen Ventilation
A fan and hood has become a common sight above hobs in busy domestic kitchens. If you live in a new build, you probably had one fitted when you moved in. As kitchen items go, ventilation systems can be a real godsend when it comes to fighting lingering food smells from grease to strong spices. Ventilation can also help you to maintain good hygiene levels in the kitchen and assist in clearing smoke more quickly, allowing you to see what you’re doing for safer cooking.
But how good is the ventilation system that you have installed? And do you keep it as clean as you should? Maybe you like the idea of ventilation but can’t stand its constant hum? The fanciest of kitchens have ventilation with added extras, like the sound minimized kitchen ventilation installed as a feature in the kitchen of UK celebrity chef and TV personality James Martin. His home is currently up for sale if you fancy having a snoop at a professionals ‘at home’ kitchen. After all, nobody really enjoys the whirring sound of the kitchen fan, do they?
What do you think? Which of the updates above would you most like to improve your home’s foodie credentials with?