Love entertaining? Dreaming of a new kitchen that can become the envy of your guests while being incredibly functional? Mint Kitchen Group investigates the top trends that will turn your cooking station into an entertainer’s dream.

As our kitchens have evolved from a basic food prep and cooking zone into the hub of the family home, it’s no surprise that the desire to entertain in this area has increased. Today, kitchens are the focus for many families, couples and singles alike. Gone are the days of entertaining front rooms and sectioned-off kitchens. Now the humble kitchen encompasses the entire area to function not only for the budding chef but also for guests to gather. But what elements make up a true entertainer’s kitchen?

Layout

With all kitchens good layout is paramount. This is particularly true when it comes to entertaining. Having space for guests to sit and mingle while you are busy preparing or cooking is vital, while also understanding the basic concepts of the kitchen layout and triangle. The sink, cooktop, and fridge should always be in easy reach for the home cook and stay – as much as possible – in a triangle configuration. If you are considering adding additional appliances such as two ovens, dishwashers, and additional prep areas, you might want to take advantage of the double work triangle for maximum functionality.

Consider your zones carefully so you can move around your kitchen with ease when preparing, cooking, and serving. The more people you cook for; the more room you will require. Having your zones planned well can ensure you can get the most out of the area. The amount of space you have available will impact how much room you have to play with. Straight kitchen designs work well for smaller areas while open-plan larger kitchens can incorporate generous island benches that are great for extra prep zones, serving, and a place for your guests to gather. 

Think about workflow and how you will move in your kitchen when cooking and divide the kitchen into specific zones – prep, cooking, cleaning. These workstations will need to work in harmony with each other. Also, consider the traffic through these areas and how they will work with your ideas. Calling in the experts is highly recommended to ensure what you are expecting from your kitchen can become a reality and work well for your needs. 

TopTip

Have ample space? Consider a butler’s pantry. These spaces are great for entertainment purposes and allows you to basically have a secret kitchen space in your home. Perfect for storing all those extras such as plates, serving dishes, and glassware. They can contain extra appliances such as fridges or dishwashers and even cleaning zones – keeping all the mess at bay while you entertain away.

Ample Appliances

Many kitchens built for entertaining purposes also will require larger fridges, so you are able to easily access all of the needed ingredients when preparing food for a group of people. You may also opt for a specialty wine fridge. These can also be built into island benches to maximise space while adding a special feature point.

Doubling up is key with an entertainer’s kitchen – consider double ovens, dishwasher draws, and warming drawers. These will streamline your cooking when catering for a crowd and give you maximum cooking capabilities when creating culinary creations for a small or larger group. Dishwasher drawers are perfect for entertaining as they offer the ability to wash one load at a time on different settings, while also catering for larger glasses and plates. 

Consider integrating some of your appliances behind cabinets. This is a great design component that can allow your kitchen to not look overly cluttered with appliances while staying incredibly functional.

Fixtures & Finishes

With a busy kitchen built for entertaining, considering your finish is also important. It’s no surprise to any home chef that cleaning is paramount for success. Choosing easy-to-care-for and clean surfaces can help streamline the cooking, cleaning, and serving process. This is very true for your island bench as it will double as a mingle zone, prep zone, and serving station. Having easy-to-clean surfaces will allow for a streamlined transition when the area changes throughout the entertaining event. Surfaces need to be durable, hardy, and easy to clean. Manufactured stone and sintered surfaces (such as porcelain) work perfectly for island benches and benchtops.

It’s also important to consider your splashback, After all, it will most certainly get a good workout when it comes to pleasing the appetites of ample guests. Ensuring this is easy to clean and wipe over is important and will save you a huge amount of time and energy when it comes to the evening’s kitchen clean-up.

Large sinks with specific pot filling faucets are a wonderful addition. They make for much easier cleaning when it comes to all your ‘non-dishwasher’ items and large pots. Plus, they make beautiful focal points, and with so many impressive designs to choose from you can find the perfect tapware that can add that ‘wow’ factor, while being hugely practical for your entertaining needs. 

Storage Solutions

The love of cooking for others and entertaining brings a whole new level to the storage requirements of your area. There will be extra cooking items and special crockery and serving items that will need to be stored away until in use. Having good quality storage solutions in your kitchen can help ensure that all those extra items are easily located, kept safe, and not cluttering up your ‘everyday’ space. Basic considerations such as having one area especially for these items can help, while also incorporating cleverly designed storage options. Floor-to-ceiling cabinets can offer extra storage above your kitchen line, while carefully-created cabinetry can allow for ample storage that can keep your kitchen looking pristine while also staying in line with the demanding functional elements required for a true entertainer’s kitchen. 

With a little planning, a dash of expert advice you can easily create the kitchen of your dreams while making entertaining a breeze! Contact us today if you need any help or visit our showrooms in Burnley, Burwood, Moonee Ponds or Richmond today!