If you have the budget for it, a chef's kitchen is the ultimate dream for foodies who love to experiment with new dishes and relish in entertaining/feeding others. 

Here's how to transform your kitchen into a space that allows for efficiency, experimentation, and food that's worthy of a professional standard.

What Does a Chef's Kitchen Look Like?

While a regular home kitchen has all the essentials you might need, most are not designed with the smart functionality and efficiency of a chef's kitchen. The bottom line is that the average kitchen meets the needs of a simple home cook, and that's perfectly fine. But if your passion lies in cooking and baking or entertaining large groups of friends, your kitchen needs a few key pieces. 

Some of the most important features needed to create a chef's kitchen include: 

  • Multiple cook-tops powered by gas 
  • Open and expansive countertop space 
  • An open-concept kitchen, i.e. a double galley layout
  • Warming drawers 
  • Multiple sinks
  • A large fridge and freezer 
  • A walk-in pantry 

Bear in mind that the average home's stove top tends to reach 7,000 BTU (British Thermal Units). Whereas a chef's kitchen stove would reach as much as 23,000 BTU. You'd need to invest in an 8-burner gas stove for this type of power. 

Here are a few kitchen remodel ideas to inspire your chef's kitchen design: 

1. The Right Kitchen Layout 

When it comes to efficiency in any professional chef's kitchen, taking as few steps as possible between appliances and work-spaces is key. Your kitchen needs a simple and practical design to it. 

One of the best layouts is a double galley kitchen. This means there is a kitchen island running down the middle, flanked on either side by cupboards, and your cook-top area. The kitchen island might include a sink as part of your prep area, while a double-sink type of scullery sits at the far end of the kitchen. 

This type of design allows you to move quickly from the prep station to the cook station and back again for maximum efficiency.  

2. Expansive Worktop Space

In essence, your worktop space is your preparation space. In a professional kitchen, preparation space is a major commodity, so this is something you need to prioritize to achieve the same efficiency. 

The best way to do this is with a large, expansive kitchen island that stretches almost the length or width of your kitchen. Or increasing the amount of countertop space you already have. 

An island of this size also allows for additional storage space, a warmer drawer, a wine fridge, and a seating area. You can even hang professional warmer lights over your island for an added professional touch!

3. Large, High-End Appliances 

In a chef's kitchen, there are two key appliances that take a real beating -- the fridge and the stove-top. Many professional chef's would say these are your two most important appliances in the kitchen. 

Along with having enough gas-burner cook-tops, any professional-grade kitchen should include multiple ovens, too. Opt for a double oven that offers different cook features, such as steaming, convection, baking, roasting, etc. 

In short, your ovens should allow you to cook different items of food in different ways, at the same time. 

When it comes to your kitchen renovation, invest in top-quality, high-end appliances that offer a good amount of storage space. If possible, go for a separate fridge and freezer, or an appliance that offers large amounts of space so you can keep your ingredients fresh and organized. 

If you really want to take things up a notch, you could choose a glass-door refrigerator that reminds you to keep your fresh products in order.

4. A Walk-In Pantry

Another essential part of any professional-grade kitchen is the size and stock of the pantry. Essentially, the pantry is a space that allows you to view and access your ingredients without having to waste time looking for them. 

It needs to be a convenient space that's easy to keep organized. Make sure it offers enough shelving space so that you can find your ingredients at a glance.  

5. Expansive Cabinet Space and Shelving 

If you like entertaining there's no doubt you'll have quite the collection of crockery and glassware. This is where cabinet space and shelving make all the difference in your kitchen renovation. 

It's important to take a long, hard look at your kitchen and assess where you could add cabinet space and open shelving for easy access to your favorite, and most-used dishes/utensils. A simple example is a blind corner pullout cabinet that maximizes space. 

It's also worth considering an upgrade of your cabinet doors and drawers to tie the aesthetic of your chef's kitchen together.

6. A Multiple Sink Scullery 

It goes without saying that plenty of cooking creates plenty of dirty dishes. All of these dishes need somewhere to go when you're preparing a feast for a group of friends. 

A large, double-sink scullery makes all the difference between an average kitchen and one that's fit for real entertaining. Make sure you choose deep sinks that allow you to fill large pots, too. Of course, it doesn't hurt to install a top-of-the-range dishwasher in your scullery, as well. 

It's also a good idea to have a smaller sink set on your kitchen island, which is ideal for washing vegetables, fruit, and smaller utensils during your preparation and cooking. 

Remodel Your Kitchen With Cabinet Wholesalers

If you're interested in taking on a chef's kitchen remodeling project, Cabinet Wholesalers is your go-to for complete turnkey remodeling. We offer a full spectrum of services to help you achieve the layout, efficiency, and accessibility of a chef's kitchen. Ranging from personalized design to cabinet refacing, countertop replacement -- the list goes on. 

Get in touch with our team and start designing your dream kitchen today.