The outdoor kitchens of St. Louis are not yet up to par with the elaborate setup Bobby Flay enjoys on his hit show Hot Off the Grill, but they're getting there. Savvy entertainers, eager to make the most of their outdoor spaces, are transitioning to the next step of lavish outdoor living.
For the Fergusons, an outdoor kitchen was simply the next step in perfecting the outdoor living space of their home in Ladue. They already had a large patio, pond and swimming pool. "I was doing the cooking and found myself inside while everyone else was outside," Ann Ferguson says.
Rick Barcheck, an interior designer at ACI/Boland, was the brains behind the operation. The station created was approximately 9 feet wide and 2 feet 6 inches deep, and came with a state-of-the-art grill, custom-built into stone to match the rest of the patio area, task lighting, a kegerator and a custom sound system. The biggest challenge was constructing the most efficient setup and finding appliances durable enough for outdoor use, Barcheck explains. The Fergusons have an informal entertaining style, so they opted out of an outdoor sink, and instead have simple warming and serving areas attached to the grill.
Mark Miller, executive chef at Roth Concept Center of Roth Distributing Co., stresses that workflow, not bells and whistles, is the most important thing to consider. His must-haves include a canopy, refrigerator, running water, fryer and grill with at least one good burner for dual use. "You want everything right at your fingertips," he says.
Function customized to the client's needs is what Karen Tonella of Dynasty Interiors says is most crucial when planning an outdoor space. That's why she's installing a custom wood-burning pizza oven for a client in Town & Country. The culinary courtyard encased by a stone archway also comes equipped with a wok, Big Green Egg barbecue pit, stainless steel cabinetry and outdoor fireplace—all set in the same stone as this Old World estate. "It's almost like you're moving your kitchen outdoors," Tonella says. "They're using the outdoors as another room—it's not just a deck or patio anymore."
"Masonry gives continuity and cohesiveness, and it's the Cadillac in terms of its quality and durability," says Mike Doorack, president of Masonry Forte. One client requested a half-circle masonry outdoor bar featuring a keg tap, sink, two refrigerators, ice maker and granite countertop.
"When they're finished, outdoor kitchens look awesome," says Tonella. "I don't care to cook, but this might tempt me."
fantasy grilling
Justin Breckle of Roth Distributing Co., exclusive provider of Wolf and Sub-Zero outdoor products, and Joe Forshaw, a leading supplier of top-quality BBQ grills such as Weber, Peterson, Broil King and PGS, offer up their must-haves for the ultimate backyard grill.
• Extra-large grilling surface
• Multi-zoned burners, which allow foods to cook simultaneously at different temperatures
• Rotisserie
• Cast iron or porcelain-coated grill grates with adjustable heights
• Side burners for sautéing and broiling
• Steamer/smoker
• Fryer
• Infrared burners
• Warming drawers
• Stainless steel storage cabinets
