Summer is here and what better time to cook for family and friends than on balmy evenings and long, lazy weekends. We’ve got the lowdown on how to create a chef-style kitchen at home, both indoors and out, with advice from leading experts in appliances and kitchen design.

OUTDOOR KITCHENS TAKE SUMMER COOKING TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Clive Christian Furniture garden kitchen featuring Sub-Zero & Wolf integrated grill and burner module

‘As cooking and entertaining begin to move outside again, we’re seeing notable changes in how outdoor kitchens are being designed,’ says Craig Davies, Managing Director at Sub-Zero & WolfEurope. ‘The focus has moved far beyond the occasional standalone barbecue, towards fully specified spaces that mirror the functionality of an indoor kitchen – incorporating refrigeration, storage, preparation zones and, increasingly, integrated shelter.’

Matthew Marsden Furniture featuring Sub-Zero & Wolf appliances

‘What feels particularly interesting in the UK,’ adds Craig, ‘is the growing adoption of more structured outdoor kitchen layouts, including pagoda-style designs that offer protection from the elements. As homeowners look to use these spaces more regularly, effective ventilation has become a key consideration. ‘Larger outdoor cooker hoods, long established in the US, are now gaining traction in the UK, helping to manage smoke and heat while making outdoor kitchens genuinely usable across more of the year. This is an area where Sub-Zero & Wolf, working alongside Westin, is seeing increasing interest.’

Open-air kitchen by @lightwave.design with Sub-Zero & Wolf appliances (photo Adam Taylor)

‘Outdoor kitchens need to cope with moisture, temperature changes and UV exposure’ explains Craig, ‘so material choice is critical. We use marine-grade 304 stainless steel across our outdoor products to ensure long-term performance in unpredictable conditions.

‘Outdoor kitchens are no longer centred around a single grill. We’re seeing greater demand for rotisserie cooking, smoking and low-and-slow techniques, alongside high-temperature searing. These requirements directly influence appliance specification, layout, ventilation and the amount of preparation space that is needed. Features such as accurate temperature gauges allow full control while cooking and integrated LED lighting systems make outdoor kitchens practical for year-round use, even after dark.’

Gaze Burvill wooden panelled kitchen featuring Sub Zero & Wolf 76cm grill, outdoor warming drawer and refrigeration drawer

The Botanical Treehouse by Blue Forest at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 with Sub-Zero & Wolf appliances (photo Chris Taylor)

PROFESSIONAL CHEF’S POINT OF VIEW

From adventurous food experimenters and dedicated bakers to busy commuters and aspiring chefs, every home cook has unique needs and ambitions in the kitchen. Symphony, a leading provider of premium kitchen solutions, understands these diverse lifestyles and designs spaces that support confident, capable cooking at every level.

Peter Sidwell, professional chef and Symphony Brand Ambassador, offers his expert insights on how to transform a home kitchen into a professional-grade culinary environment. Drawing on years of experience, he provides practical guidance for creating a space that is both highly functional and inspiring, helping home cooks improve their cooking results

What Defines a Chef’s Kitchen

‘A chef’s kitchen isn’t about looking professional,’ says Peter, ‘it’s about working professionally. It’s a space designed around how you actually cook, not just how it looks in photos. Everything has a purpose, everything is within reach and nothing gets in the way. The biggest difference between a chef’s kitchen and a standard kitchen is intent – a chef’s kitchen is built to be used day in, day out, and to make cooking feel easier, calmer and more enjoyable.’

Symphony Langdale in Sage & Chalk White

Layout, Flow and the Foundations of Great Cooking

‘When it comes to the non-negotiables that every chef’s kitchen should have, regardless of budget or space, it’s good prep space – an uninterrupted worktop where you can properly chop, mix and assemble. Also, a smart layout – you shouldn’t be walking miles between fridge, sink and hob. And lastly, proper lighting – if you can’t see what you’re doing, you’ll never enjoy cooking. You can have the best appliances in the world, but without these three in place, the kitchen won’t work.’

Symphony Linear in Ice White Gloss

‘Layout is everything whether cooking at home or in a professional kitchen. Good flow keeps you relaxed and efficient, which is exactly how chefs work. Prioritise clear zones – prep, cook, wash and store. The classic work triangle still matters, but generous prep space is what really transforms home cooking.’

Symphony Brooklyn in Indigo & White

Storage, Cabinetry and Long-Term Performance

‘Great storage keeps your worktops and your head clear. Deep drawers, internal organisers, pull-outs and larders mean you can see everything at a glance. If you can find what you need instantly, you’ll cook more confidently and with far less stress. I love my pantry, as I can open the doors, see all my ingredients and work out what to cook.”

When your kitchen works properly, you cook more instinctively. You’re not constantly adapting or compromising. That freedom lets you focus on flavour, timing and enjoyment, and that’s when home cooking really levels up.”

Blum’s SPACE TWIN LEGRABOX,  Sink Cabinet and SPACE STEP

Materials, Lighting and Professional Details

‘The materials that feel the most professional in a home kitchen are those which are durable, tactile and age well. Matt finishes, solid cabinetry, proper handles or pulls and worktops that are designed for confident daily use. Professional kitchens are built to last and the best home kitchens borrow that mindset.

‘Lighting is often overlooked, but it’s crucial. You need task lighting over prep areas, good ambient light for the room and softer lighting for when the cooking’s done and you’re sitting down to eat. A well-lit kitchen feels calmer, safer and far more inviting.’

Appliances, Space and Real-Life Living

‘When choosing appliances, invest in things you’ll use every day – a reliable oven, a solid hob and good extraction. I prefer a hob in the island with built-in downdraft extraction, because it keeps the cook connected with the room rather than facing away from it. Overhyped gadgets tend to promise shortcuts but rarely improve your cooking. Simple, well-made equipment always wins.’

Symphony Linear Avant in Cashmere

Chef’s Perspective and Non-Negotiables

‘To make a kitchen feel more chef-inspired without a full renovation, install better lighting, improve internal storage, fit quality handles and clear clutter. Even re-organising drawers so everything has a place can completely change how the kitchen feels.

‘Designing for real life, kitchens should be robust, forgiving and flexible. A family kitchen still needs great flow, storage and prep space – the difference is making sure it’s welcoming, not intimidating.’

Symphony Langdale in Harbour & Hunter Green

SURFACE VALUE ADDS IMPACT

For many homeowners, the ambition is no longer simply to have a beautiful kitchen, but to create one that works with the same confidence and precision as a professional cooking space. The rise of the chef-style kitchen speaks to a wider shift in how we live at home and kitchens are increasingly expected to balance performance with personality, combining hard-working design with a warm, sociable feel.

At Cosentino, that means creating surfaces and solutions which bring family and friends into the heart of the home, while delivering the durability, elegance and longevity that modern living demands.

When hosting drinks or dinner, atmosphere matters just as much as practicality. Today’s kitchens need to move effortlessly from food preparation to entertaining, and the materials within them must be able to cope with heavy footfall, hot dishes and everyday spills without compromising on style. This is where high-performance design comes into its own, allowing homeowners to achieve a space that feels considered, elevated and entirely liveable

Cosentino Eclos Tajnar

In professional kitchens, surfaces are pushed to their limits every day, and it is this same standard of resilience that more people are now looking to introduce into their homes. Dekton, Cosentino’s technical ultra-compact stone, is designed for exactly that kind of demanding environment. With virtually zero porosity and no micro defects, it offers exceptional resistance to stains and impact, making it particularly well suited to busy households where robust performance is essential.

Cosentino Sensa Itara

For those drawn to the character and depth of natural stone, Sensa by Cosentino offers a premium collection of quartzites enhanced with revolutionary Senguard NK protection. This built-in treatment provides a high level of stain resistance without the need for frequent resealing, giving home cooks and hosts the freedom to focus on the experience of cooking and gathering, rather than the upkeep of their surfaces.

In a kitchen inspired by the pace and functionality of a chef-led space, that reassurance is invaluable. Alongside its established brands, Cosentino is also investing in progression with the introduction of Eclos, a new mineral surface concept that reflects the company’s continued focus on material innovation. Developed to bring together advanced design, strong heat performance and a more considered material composition, Eclos points to a new direction for contemporary interiors. Its layered, three-dimensional design approach is intended to deliver greater visual depth and realism, while its formulation incorporates minerals and recycled content with a zero-crystalline silica composition.

Cosentino Eclos Legnd

Sustainability continues to be a key consideration in kitchen design, particularly for consumers seeking to make more responsible choices in the home. Dekton remains a market leader in this area as one of the only surfaces of its kind to offer cradle-to-grave carbon neutrality. Manufactured using 100% renewable energy and 99% recycled water, it provides an option for those who want to bring greater environmental awareness into their renovation plans without compromising on quality or performance.

Dekton Nara