How to elevate your kitchen game

TO nail the art of cooking, you need a kitchen that not only looks the part, but does the job too.

From home cook to master chef, elevate your cooking with top equipment, says real estate giant Ray White.

Our appetite for culinary television shows just keeps on growing, creating a generation of home chefs who take their cuisine very seriously.

Combining a thoughtful layout with easy-on-the-eye fixtures and high quality appliances is key to designing a space that’s both fun and functional.

Back to basics

Inspired in part by the utilitarian-style kitchens seen on television shows like Masterchef, Minimalist and Scandinavian influenced design has seen a huge surge in popularity.

Stainless steel benchtops and splashbacks are practical and contemporary, while strip or pendant lighting can be used to highlight prep areas.

Fun and function

Kitchens need to be practical – if you’re renovating, plan carefully to make the most of the space.

A chef’s kitchen does away with clunky cabinets, so opt for open shelves and hard working storage walls that keep your cooking implements conveniently in reach.

Invest in clever appliances that look sleek and maximising space, such as coffee machines integrated into the wall or products that has many functions and does away with multiple machines.

Tools of the trade

Top of every chef’s must-have list should be a good quality oven.

Steam combi-ovens can transform even the most basic cooks into professional chefs, while there are rangehoods on the market that are powerful, but quiet.

The motor on the hoods has been removed from inside the unit and placed on the outside roof, reducing noise levels to next to nothing.

Induction cooktops that feature gas on glass are also worth considering.

Not only are they highly efficient, they’re also much easier to keep clean than stainless steel styles.

Look for models with boosted capability, child-safe locks, simmer control, rapid-boil and safety shut-off features.

Go, go gadget

Fun, time-saving gadgets will up your home cooking game.

A great all-in-one solution that doesn’t have to be dismantled after every use is a worth considering.

Another cooking show favourite is the sous vide technique — food is prepared in vacuum-sealed pouches placed in precisely heated water.

A precision cooker, which attaches to any saucepan can achieve perfect results every time.