If Kitchens Could Talk...

First off, I know there was no blog post last week.  It was Thanksgiving, and like many of you, we spent it with family.  However, it did give me a great idea for this week's theme!

Not for the faint of heart!

We were all at my sister-in-law Yamin's house, and she had decided to prepare her famous (some would say infamous) "Chipotle Goat & Herb Stew" for Thanksgiving.  This was a compromise, because Cousin Harry wanted traditional turkey and cranberry sauce from a can (the sauce, not the turkey) and Cousin Randy wanted quiche and truffles.  The debate became quite heated in Yamin's tiny kitchen, and soon both cousins were in the doghouse.  Literally; Yamin has a huge Doberman in the backyard.

Which brings me to my point.  Yamin has a terribly tiny kitchen, totally unsuitable for any type of family gathering.  Either she is in the kitchen by herself cut off from the family, or we are all in there creating confusion.  Is there a way to have the best of both worlds?

Ah, the good old days...

Of course there is, or I wouldn't be writing this blog.  Just like when we discussed bathrooms a few weeks ago, the kitchen has evolved through the ages.  Long ago, the kitchen was the hub of activity in the home.  Meals were prepared, meals were eaten, and lives were shared as families gathered together.  Kitchens were large, where the cooking fireplace often dominated one end of the space and a huge table served as both preparation and eating space.

But as with bathrooms, over time the kitchens transformed into tiny, cramped spaces near the rear, "throw-your-garbage-out-here" end of the house.  Some blame the abundance of McDonald's and Burger Kings.  Some blame the advances in "TV Dinners."  Still others blame George Bush.  Whatever the reason, kitchens were no longer the center of activity, the family structure began to break down, and the end of civilized society loomed ever near.

Come on, you know
your parents owned these.

But now, the pendulum has begun to swing back the other way.  More and more people are discovering the joy of staying home and preparing food.  They are finding out that time in the kitchen with family and friends beats out old reruns of "Mister Ed."  As a result, these spaces are being redesigned into the increasingly-popular "gourmet kitchen."  If you are looking into a major kitchen renovation, here are a few basic ideas to keep in mind...

1)  Public vs. Work Areas:  Don't mix the two if you can help it.  You may want to talk to your dinner guests while the food is being prepared, but you don't necessarily want them in your colander (so to speak.)  Careful space planning and arrangement of cabinets, seating, and surfaces can allow for interaction without interference.

2)  Respect The Triangle:  Draw a triangle between the stove, sink, and refrigerator.  For best results, each leg should be between 4 and 9 feet long, and the total length of all three legs should be between 13 and 26 feet.  Science, ergonomics, and Martha Stewart all agree that this will make for a work area that is not too cramped and not too spread out.

You'll never want to eat at
In 'N Out again...

3)  Don't travel through the work area to get anywhere else:  This is probably the most broken rule in bad kitchen design.  If kids are running in the back door after playing in the yard, or guests are constantly walking between the refrigerator and stove on their way to the powder room, someone is going to end up with a face full of Chicken Piccata one night. Keep all travel out of the "Sacred Triangle," and you will see both safety and kitchen efficiency soar.

Of course, there are innumerable modern-day kitchen appliances and gadgets that can make your kitchen fun, exciting, and productive.  Have fun shopping!  But keep in mind the basic principles discussed above, and you'll be well on your way to a great culinary experience.  Without resorting to the Doberman.  Have a great week!