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October 2015 | KitchenBathDesign.com | 43 about function as well as aesthetics, while making the most of the space. Runa Novak, of In Your Space, in Chicago, IL, admits that for some of her clients, 'gourmet' has grown to be as much about a look as it is about function. "In my opinion, [the phrase] 'gourmet' was started by a desire to accommodate serious home chefs who wanted to cook at home," Novak states. She notes that it was about commercial-style appliances and easy-to-clean surfaces, which often resulted in beautiful spaces that oth- ers began to take notice of. "It was about people who loved to cook and who needed a practical cooking area. "Now," she continues, "it has kind of evolved into people wanting to emulate professional chefs and who realize that the gourmet kitchen is beautiful and practical. Now, they have become standard for my cli- ents, even for those who may not cook much. When my clients say they want a gourmet kitchen, that usually means top-of-the line products and something unusual, with custom cabinets, extra crown moulding and special fnishes." FOCUS ON APPLIANCES Even with numerous defnitions and interpretations, there are certain com- monalities that run through kitchens labeled as gourmet. As expected, for many designers KBDN spoke with, one universal theme is a focus on those appliances directly related to cooking: everything from cooktops and ranges to microwaves and warming drawers, the latter of which are becoming a must-have for many of Novak's clients. "One challenge becomes designing a space to accommodate all of these ap- pliances," she says. Minimally, cooking appliance requirements for Salmon's clients in- clude a range/cooktop surface with burners that can maintain heat at both ends of the temperature spec- trum. "Gourmet cooks do need to have a good cooktop surface," he says. "That means high heat as well as really low heat…and everything in between. My preference is for gas as well as open burners." High-powered cooking appliances also dictate high-powered ventilation systems. "Having a large range with good ventilation is important to those who enjoy cooking," says Palamides. Removing airborne grease, odors, fumes and steam is essential, but so is fnding a hood that is quiet, adds Salmon. Food prep is equally essential to at-home gourmet chefs and, as such, their kitchen spaces also place an emphasis on generous countertop space with materials matched to the task, multiple sinks and refrigeration systems that keep food fresh, which is important to minimize the amount of food that is thrown away due to spoilage. Although not directly related to cooking, many gourmet kitchens these days also feature some sort of wine storage and/or refrigeration, such as this kitchen designed by Barbara Geller. This kitchen also has a large island for food prep, a generously sized farmhouse-style sink and built-in pantry, as well as plenty of seating for guests. While this kitchen's main footprint isn't particularly large, its functionality is enhanced by the bar area that wraps around to a desk space and into the family room. Barbara Geller also added several gourmet products, including high-end appliances and a paneled dishwasher.