When the weather turns warm and the days get longer, there are few meals more pleasant than those you can enjoy in your own backyard. An outdoor kitchen that is designed to function like your indoor kitchen just might be the ticket.
Pull up a stool and stay a while. Watching the chef at work is half the fun. Bring the party to the cook by including a stainless steel or stone bar top, or bar-height table and stools near the grill. This will allow guests to sit, mingle and watch all the action while staying out of the main kitchen space.
Include a prep zone. A strategically placed prep area will make it easy to do all of the work outside. Include an easy-clean work surface to chop veggies and meat, or to mix the drinks. The addition of a mini-fridge is perfect for keeping the food at hand yet out of the sun—and for storing cold beverages for the chef. This zone can double as a serving station when it is time to eat.
Keep it cool. A covered deck or pergola can transform a portable grill into a true outdoor kitchen. It’s also nice to keep the chef in the shade. If that addition is not an option, consider an extra-large freestanding umbrella. It can be used to shade the prep area, then moved to cover the eating area for guests.
Lounge around. Oversized, comfortable furnishings will encourage relaxation and make your guests feel right at home. Mix and match the furniture just like you would inside. Matchy—matchy outdoor sets are not necessary, but choose seating that is flexible and can be moved around easily. A small rounded table with two to four chairs in one corner, and settees and armchairs with outdoor pillows throughout the rest of the space will create mingling areas for your guests.
Accessorize. Use a pretty serving tray to display ingredients for the meal (bonus: it’s a great way to cart them from the house). Plant a few containers of fresh herbs to keep handy by the prep area—Rosemary for the chicken, Thyme for the veggies, and maybe even fresh mint for the mojitos! Finish off the space with a few potted plants and an outdoor rug to add color and warmth.
Set the mood. Nothing creates ambiance in the evening like the right lighting. A combination of landscape lighting and direct light over the grilling area will offer a balance of function and ambiance. Include a fireplace or stone fire pit to further enhance the outdoor experience; you can even do the cooking campfire-style when you add a few grilling grates. Finally, speakers installed around the entertaining space will allow you to create the perfect mood for all of the outdoor fun.
Entertaining family and friends always feels more relaxed and fun when you can do it outside. A great cooking space will transform your summer cooking into prime party entertainment!