Summer Kitchens: Recipes and Reminiscences from Every Corner of Ukraine

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The outdoor kitchen is likely to become a focal point in your outdoor area, so perhaps there is a particularly beautiful view you wish to highlight or spend more time in. Choose an area that is open and has lots of space for people to gather around. It’s also important to consider the practical elements of where you will place your outdoor kitchen.' When presented with a smaller space it is essential that the kitchen layout ideas are carefully considered to make sure every inch of the kitchen is utilised,’ says Ben from Kitchen Makers. The key to an outdoor kitchen is durability and low maintenance. This is an entertainment space remember, not meant to be another chore, so your work surfaces and equipment need to be practical, easy to clean and hardy to the elements. Natural stone worktopsare perfect. While brass and stainless steel are still popular choices for hardware, Aluminium will take centre stage for 2023. Changing up your hardware is a great way to make your kitchen look expensive on a budget, and with a low environmental impact, the material is growing in popularity as people become more and concerned with carbon footprints in the interiors and design worlds.

Store items as close to their zone as possible. For example, knives, mixing bowls, cutting boards, and wooden spoons should be in the prep area. Cooking and baking pans should be in the cooking area. Make sure the fridge you buy is a fully outdoor rated appliance. ‘You can’t just put any fridge outdoors,’ says Rebecca from Grillo. 'And you should always use a qualified electrician or gas engineer to test and certify where needed.’ When considering colours for more permanent kitchen items, such as cabinets, worktops and wall paint, opt for neutral shades. Natural colour palettes never date because they are so versatile and timeless. This is also a great option for potential buyers if you ever sell your house in the future.

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Summer is here in the UK and it might not be what we were expecting due to COVID-19 but it doesn’t mean we cannot create a handmade kitchen that is perfect for all year round, especially for those longer days and warmer evenings. The role refrigeration plays in a summer kitchen is comparable to an understudy waiting patiently for its moment under the spotlight - underestimated yet indispensable. The unsightly truth most fail to recognize is how poorly managed refrigeration can lead to culinary catastrophes faster than one could burn a piece of toast! We create our outdoor kitchens in solid premium-grade oak with Belgian bluestone, as these are incredibly robust, weatherproof materials,' explains Charlie from Oxenwood. 'Belgian bluestone is great to use for outdoor kitchen ideass as its low porosity makes it resistant to frost and pollution. Solid premium oak is another fantastic material that is hardwearing and develops its character over time.' Even with the widespread use of AC and modern appliances, the allure of summer kitchens didn’t fade away. Today, they’re popular in Southern Europe, California and parts of Australia, where the pleasant weather allows for outdoor cooking and dining almost year-round. Key Features of a Summer Kitchen

To those who think they can slap down some countertops around a grill and call it an effective workspace--please stop! A poorly planned layout can transform your culinary endeavors into chaotic mess rather than symphony of efficiency! The basis for any effective workspace is functionality; this means considering how you cook, what equipment you'll use frequently, storage requirements--the whole nine yards--and then organizing these elements into efficient work zones. When gathering ideas for your dream summer kitchen, consider incorporating these essential features: Colour wise for 2023, green will remain very popular from dark greens to subtler shades such as sages will be very popular as we take inspiration from nature and being outside. We’re also seeing a really shift towards warm greys, puttys and barley colours too. The creams and beiges are very popular rather than the colder blues and greys,' says Rebecca Nokes, Head of Design & Brand Creative, John Lewis of Hungerford.

You might not think you would be interested in a book celebrating the food and flavours of the Caucasus…but you would be wrong. Olia Hercules is a great storyteller who will take you on a journey through the region without you ever having to leave the sofa” Sunday Time Ireland Creating a bank of cabinetry along one wall is a great way of streamlining and opening up the space. Tall wall units are particularly suited to narrow spaces. This is because using this space ensures the area feels less cramped than if filled with larder style dressers.' Nothing ruins a good barbecue like a lungful of smoke. It's downright disrespectful to your guests, not to mention hazardous to their health. When dinner is finished and you're relaxing with full tummies, what better way to keep the evening going strong than by cosying up under blankets and lighting up your fire pit ideas? Store a selection in baskets that you can bring out in one lot for your guests when the sun goes down. Without proper ventilation, you're merely creating an open-air gas chamber. Do I hear protests on practicality and aesthetics?

And let me tell you this - ignoring or underestimating the need for proper ventilation is nothing short of an affront to culinary arts and basic human decency. I'd even rate such actions as gastronomical blasphemy!

Create a Transitional Space

Considering how crucial water sources and spacious countertops are during food preparation makes them indispensable elements not easily brushed aside. Most importantly, design these spaces with functionality at heart--not merely form--lest you wish your summer soirees be marred by cumbersome workflows due to ill-planned sink & prep areas. Chapter 4: Serving Up Comfort -- Furniture & Lighting Prepare to Lounge: Championing the Cause for Comfy Outdoor Furniture

The cardinal rule here is -- Keep it close but keep it separate! The location should be close enough to allow easy access from inside but still far enough away so smoke doesn't waft into your home on those breezy days. As you cook your way through generous salads, moreish mains and sweet delights, you'll discover a way of cooking that is both traditional and contemporary, because these techniques and flavour combinations have been handed down through generations, yet reworked for every home kitchen. Similarly, if you intend to cook up a storm, plenty of work surface to balance plates of food, ingredients and cooking utensils will be a real boon. Brass taps seem to be all the rage,’ says Natalie Holden, ‘Yet other appliances and fittings haven’t quite caught up with these kitchen trends, so it can be a challenge to source matching fittings throughout a scheme.’Any respectable summer kitchen NEEDS weatherproofing measures in place. Your appliances are not just some throwaway items; they represent sizeable investments meant for long-term enjoyment. From all-singing-all-dancing areas, inclusive of everything you could possibly need (yes, even the kitchen sink!) to more basic, yet still incredibly fun and functional spaces. When considering furniture for your outdoor kitchen, think about what makes your indoor living space comfortable. Cushioned chairs with weather-resistant fabric should be an essential part of any respectable summer kitchen setup!