Professional Chefs Reveal 3 Must Haves for a Kitchen Remodel

What better way to find out the kitchen remodeling essential items than to ask the experts!

I asked 9 Professional Chefs and Local Cooking Experts a simple question:

I wanted to know what items should be considered in a kitchen remodel, and what they could probably live without. What better way to find out the kitchen remodeling essential items than to ask the experts!

Favorite Kitchen Remodel Options (as voted on by the experts: Chefs)

•  A large deep sink
• Plenty of counter space
• Gas oven, preferably with more than 4 burners

Responses listed in the order they were received in:

My three must haves are a hood that vents to the outside, lots of large cabinet space, and it's a toss up between at least a six burner stove or 2 ovens or commercial full size oven.

Definitively a huge kitchen island with chairs for entertaining, a pot filler and all Viking appliances.

Kitchen layout is the most important. I love a big deep sink with a high faucet, and I do like to have more than the standard 4 burners on a stove.

Viking is overrated.  They are name brand that people know, but their customer service sucks.  Personally one of the top brands I much prefer Dacor, followed probably by Thermador or Wolf.

Sub Zero fridge if you can afford it and have the space knowing that it is a custom deal.

At least 2 sinks.  Mine are Blanco and deep.  One dual sink for heavy duty and one slightly smaller single for light.  Always go deep, shallow basins are a frustration.  Insinkerator garbage disposals and a grease trap.

The kitchen is a wet room, so stone floors, preferably slightly rough.   Sealed granite counter tops, none of the fake crap.

Also, standard counter height is 36 inches which is an old standard that will break your back if you have average height or better and spend time in the kitchen.  Bump the height of the counter tops to at least 38 inches.

Raise the height of the cabinets while you’re at it, with no cabinets over the sinks.

Full lights over the sinks, under cabinet lighting, and full lighting over the stove with a proper  hood.  Vent-a-hood is nice.

Well lit walk in pantry.

Pull out drawer shelves in all lower cabinets.  Soft closing.

Gas stove.  At least two ovens, one in the wall, and one full stove oven combo.

A pot filler at the stove is nice but nice essential.

Overhead hanging pot racks.

Lots of cabinet space for sometimes appliances.

Lots of counter space, for prep and plating.

If there is an island it shouldn't impede the triangle of sink, stove, fridge.  And you should be able to reach all the way across if from either side.

Home kitchens should be open and spacious because they are a social focal point.

#1 HIGH countertops, I am 5'9 and do not like to hunch over

#2 BIG sink (farm sink), makes everything easier (i.e. to fill large containers or pots of water, to wash large items)

#3 GAS burners (at least 6 preferably) -and- a double oven

* bonus - a great dishwasher ;)

.. I could go on and on ;)

If have to say tons of counter space/island, a gas range (5 burner min) and a very large fridge. Thanks!

As a professional chef, we take our home kitchens seriously.  One thing we all agree on is lots of light and windows.  Most professional kitchens are dark and it doesn't matter if you're home cook or a professional one.  Bright lighting, large windows, and lots of natural sunlight makes working in your kitchen a very relaxing experience.

Another must-have for our chefs in a large, deep sink with a great water pressure and a spray attachment.  Don't underestimate the amount of dishes you'll be washing when you're entertaining.  Why not make short work of it and contain the mess?  A large, deep sink keeps the water where it belongs: in the sink.  And a spray attachment with great water pressure will save your arm from scrubbing more than is necessary.

Finally, a large spacious island.  The kitchen is truly the heart of the home, and plenty of island space means more work space, but also a larger gather space for friends and family.  A large island means plenty of space for all of your kitchen helpers, cookie decorating party, and so much more.  Trust us, there's no such thing as too much counter space.

Just remember, however you choose to design your kitchen.  Be sure it works for your family and your lifestyle.

Large pantry to store all of my dry goods and countertop appliances.

Kitchen island to maximize countertop space. Added storage drawers is a bonus!

Deep double sink is essential for everyday cooking. It's great for washing produce, cleaning large pots and pans, and can serve as an ice tub when entertaining.

The most important thing in my dream kitchen would be a well structured spice rack or cabinet.  Being able to see all the flavors you have at your fingertips is important to the creative process of culinary arts.  It helps me get the bold flavors I like to create in a healthy way.

My second choice would be a large island for guest to sit around.  No matter how big the house I always find that people congregate in a kitchen, especially when good smells are coming out of it.  As someone who's favorite hours are spent cooking up a storm, I want to have enough space to share that with my guest.

My third dream design choice is a very practical but necessary one- the double ovens.  The first thing that comes to mind when I think of double oven is how easy cooking Thanksgiving meals will be.  It really is useful in so many other instances.  By having two you don't have to compromise of cooking temperatures in order to have your bird and vegetables roast at the same time.  You also don't have to worry about the heat that escapes when you open and close an oven multiple times.  It might sound totally unnecessary, if you're remodeling your kitchen just get one and surprise yourself with how many times you use it.

I could go on and on about my dream kitchen it would have windows that opened to a view of the ocean, 2 large basin sinks, soft close cabinets, slide out drawers in the cabinets (for those disasters I call the tupperware area), flat top grill, built in ice maker, sink on the island and of course a built in espresso maker.  I have all the patients in the world for this dream kitchen to come true.  Since every kitchen I enter these days is like a dream- it's that magical place where I get to do what I do best and have the opportunity to bring families around Orange County more quality thyme together around the dinner table.