As my husband would say, “it was a long run for a short slide.” Even still, I’m so glad that I went to the House Beautiful’s Kitchen of the Year media lunch yesterday. It was neat to see the kitchen in person and make some new connections.
The event was held at Rockefeller Plaza and featured an all-new design by Jeff Lewis, star of Bravo’s Flipping Out. The Kitchen of the Year basically brings the pages of House Beautiful to life and gives visitors the opportunity to experience an “ideal” American kitchen. It was a really cool event, especially for culinary enthusiasts, design lovers, and anyone who just loves pretty kitchens, like me! Plus, if you’re a fan of Jeff Lewis, you’d have the chance to meet him. (I didn’t know who he was before the event, but he’s quite the handsome devil! 😉 )
If you’re interested in seeing the Kitchen of the Year for yourself, it’s open daily from now through Friday, July 23. Each day, cooking demonstrations and tastings, tours and presentations on everything kitchen design-related will be offered. A complete schedule of events can be found by visiting the Kitchen of the Year online at www.housebeautiful.com/KOTY.
Jeff Lewis’s design is a 1,000 square-foot, fully-functioning kitchen, which includes an additional 1,000 square feet of outdoor living space. The fully furnished decks outside were perfect for entertaining– the media folks mingled and enjoyed lunch there.
Both spaces were open, clutter-free, clean, and minimal.
The style of the kitchen leans more toward modern with a mix of natural elements. It was sophisticated, functional, and great for entertaining. I want a kitchen like this!!
For some reason, both the kitchen and outdoor decks reminded me of something you’d see in California. Maybe because it was bright and fresh-looking?
The Kitchen of the Year features a number of innovative components from companies like Kohler, Kraftmaid, Restoration Hardware, The Container Store, Kate Spade (tabletop accessories) as well as many others. It was very upscale stuff.
Ok, now I really want my own house with a fancy-schmancy kitchen! I loooovvvvee it!!
Ok, now onto the food! 
The event provided a delicious spread of “light bites” with sandwiches from Natures Pride, flatbread pizzas from Bertolli, lots of big fresh salads, and a few desserts from Magnolia Bakery.
The sandwiches included a Chicken Salad with Green Apples, Golden Raisins, and Slivered Almonds on Whole Wheat Bread as well as Brie, Apple, and Watercress on Multi-Grain Bread.
Salad and dessert selections.
Sliced tomatoes with mozzarella and pesto.
Pizza!!!
I grabbed a little bit of everything from the spread, including the Brie, Apple, and Watercress sandwich, which I am now determined to recreate at home. The crouton + feta salad was also excellent. I wish I had a recipe for it!
All in all, a great event! I’m happy that I spent 9 hours on a bus for it! 😉
Question of the Day
What would your “ideal” kitchen include?
P.S. Two charity organizations are beneficiaries of this year’s Kitchen of the Year. Money raised from the project will support The Alpha Workshops and select products will be donated to Habitat for Humanity at the conclusion of the event.
