Some things that worked well for my kitchen, but drove installers crazy...
1. Microwave drawer that can double as a warming drawer with a window. I never liked warming drawers or microwaves but at Thanksgiving with a large group, it gives me a helpful edge if I mis-time something along the way. And it keeps the microwave out of the way.
2. 5 gas burners with one large for a big paella pan or griddle.
3. Commercial kitchen pot filler next to stove for making soups.
4. Warming lights (Viking) over the stove with a flip up shelf so I can stage some things -- again, with a larger # of people eating at once.
5. Two drawer dishwashers so I can clean up as I go and have some flexibility for crystal versus baking dishes...
I never understood the use for a microwave. Takes the control out of cooking. Seems like a great way to under or over cook something. It dries out bacon. Kind of loses the point of bacon...
Ditto for slow cookers. A dutch oven works just fine or set the over itself on a lower setting and a timer. One less thing to clutter up the kitchen.
Again a minimalist, I use a knife instead of a food processor. It may take slightly longer, but with clean-up, it may be about the same. Besides, I like chopping things up
Clean countertops person here, so that I have room for all my prep for the specific meal planned. Plus everything stays clean so the seasoning I add is the only seasoning added.
