Worst mistakes people make in designing a kitchen

Celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian and developer James Ramos were trying to find a place upstairs for an espresso machine.

As far as Zakarian was concerned, you roll out of bed, take a spin through the bathroom, and then are ready for the morning’s first cup of Joe. No need to traipse all the way down to the kitchen.

Scrutinizing the specs for a 12,000-square-foot home on Davis Islands, Fla., the two colleagues pored over the drawings: no formal living room, lots of outdoor living space and a drop-dead gorgeous kitchen.

But its allures aren’t only skin-deep. Restaurateur, victor on Food Network’s “Iron Chef” and a judge on the network’s “Chopped” since 2006, Zakarian has been engaged to design the kitchens in five houses in the Tampa Bay area.

We caught up with Zakarian and longtime friend Ramos recently to discuss the dos and don’ts of kitchen design.

“The party starts in the kitchen, family life starts in the kitchen. People pay all this money for a kitchen,” says Zakarian, “but they may only listen to an architect and not to someone who knows about kitchens.”

Here’s what he says are the worst kitchen mistakes:

ŸToo much space

“Seventy-five percent of your needs should be within your wingspan,” says Zakarian. You grab a pan, turn to get ingredients from the fridge, chop something on a cutting board and get something cranking on the stove — all with a minimum of walking, just like in a professional kitchen. Zakarian complains that “competing on ‘Iron Chef,’ they put the … fridge down the hall so you have to run.” He suggests giving serious thought to minimizing the distance, at home, between elements of the “kitchen work triangle:” the stove, refrigerator and sink.

ŸInadequate appliances

“Buy the best equipment you can afford. I recommend getting the biggest refrigerator and freezer possible.” Sub-Zero, Viking — Zakarian ticks off all the major brands, which tend to maintain their value for resale. Unlike even a high-end GE, says Zakarian, “You never have to update a Viking.”

ŸInadequate storage

Keep pots and pans in deep drawers, not overhead on hanging pot racks. Keep pans separated by function (saute pans here, saucepans there), with a separate area for lids.

ŸOne size doesn’t fit all with equipment

“You have to consider the size and scope of how a homeowner wants to use a kitchen. If you’re Italian, buy Dutch ovens and casseroles; if you’re a Californian and do a lot of sauteing, consider buying All-Clad.”

ŸLack of imagination

More clients are requesting outdoor pizza ovens. “It’s a nice way to cook in the colder months. Man-and-fire never gets tired.”

ŸPoorly stocked pantry

“Build a pantry from scratch; don’t always cart your spices with you. You should replace spices every six months. So buy them in smaller quantities. And no bulk olive oil,” says Zakarian. “I buy a small bottle and keep it in the fridge. People think they are saving money by buying in bulk, but they’re really throwing money in the garbage.”

ŸPet peeves

Glass-fronted refrigerators (who wants to keep it tidy in there all the time?); warming drawers (“what are you warming?”); built-in espresso makers; built-in ovens on walls far away from the work triangle; garbage bin that’s nowhere near where you’re chopping. Also, cautions Zakarian: “The bigger the kitchen, the more superfluous stuff you’ll find in it.”

Ÿ Editor’s note: Food Network is part of Scripps Networks Interactive, which shares common ownership with The E.W. Scripps Co., the parent company of Scripps Howard News Service.

Scripps Howard News Service