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Iceni Magazine | March 28, 2024

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Christmas In The Kitchen

Many who consider their kitchen a second living space often comment on how there’s never enough room to do what they truly want to get done.

Often, the case is the opposite – where the space is available, but poorly managed. With Christmas in the kitchen just around the corner, now is a wonderful time to take a solid look at your current space utilization and how you can effectively complete the tasks at hand, while enjoying the warm company of guests and family as everyone pitches in to put together the holiday meal.

Utilizing Kitchen Space Efficiently

As cabinet space is to storage, counter space is to preparation – and having a mindful use of counter space is critical for finding enjoyment in your holiday meal preparations. Wide, clutter-free areas that are close to food storage, utensils, and cooking appliances make for a stress free season. Plan you areas wisely, with preparation areas close to the sink to remove dirty mixing bowls and rinsed cutting boards from your way. Use space near the refrigerator as a preparation station, and for moving prepped foods to other areas for further recipe filling.

Bakers should plan on a clutter free area near where they have their mixers plugged in, while basting stations should be near the oven. All the while, be mindful of traffic- Christmas in the kitchen draws in wandering guests who wish to spend quality time with their host and do what the can to assist. For these folks, have smaller work prep areas available, where they can prepare cheese platters, refill nibble plates, and have a place to keep their wine glasses at hand.

Appliances and Counter Space

Your appliances are the final destinations for your prepared meal elements, so be sure to have a clear path between them and where you put the recipes together. Toaster ovens for smaller dishes, the oven itself for larger dishes, and perhaps even a rotisserie for the roast of bird you are serving as you main course. With many people coming in and out of the kitchen, keep your pathways clear to alleviate congestion. Be mindful of cleaning up as you go, as an abandoned pile of utensils and mixing bowls takes up precious space where you can further your meal plans. One great idea is to put guests to work, with someone responsible purely for condensing dirty dishes in the sink, and moving them to the dishwasher so you don’t have to worry a out them later on in the evening. A little work now will make for a better time as the night moves forward.

Traffic Flow Around Surfaces

Christmas in the kitchen is a wonderful way to keep close with those you love, and letting them come in and out from the rest of the party allows them to connect with you on a much more personal level. Also, having many hands involved in the meal preparation can be a way to draw close friends even closer, with everyone having some element of the meal to place their personal stamp upon. To this end, try and assign specific areas of the counter space for folks to be responsible for- this works as mentioned before as a way to keep the work flow moving in a lively and organized manner, while at the same time keeping folks out of the flow of traffic.

Durable Worktops

Your kitchen worktops can be a boon to your meal preparation, especially of you invested wisely in stone and granite surfacing. This reduces bacteria and unusual tastes in your food through clean preparations, and there are professional such as Mister Marble available to assist you in upgrading if the opportunity arises. Natural stone can make Christmas in the kitchen a hassle-free experience, with durable worktops and clean areas for food preparation taking the stress of clean up away as a consideration. With an eye for existing design elements as a place to start, counter top experts can replace old and worn surfaces with a fresh touch, bring a warmth and functionality to your kitchen that is has never known before. The added bonus of increasing your home’s value is a definite benefit, and will last for years.

Article by Lauren Williamson

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