Chef Ottolenghi says, 'I like to keep things accessible' when it comes to kitchen storage – his techniques free up space and make cooking easier
We interviewed the world-famous chef on how he optimizes his kitchen storage and his vertical answers are easy to replicate
London-based chef Yotam Ottolenghi is known around the world for his vegetable-forward dishes and award-winning cookbooks. Clearly, an impeccable kitchen organization method is one of the best tools in the arsenal of a great chef. So, when we got the chance to interview him, we couldn't help but wonder: how does he keep his kitchen neat?
We know that the chef needs high-quality methods for organizing a kitchen based on how many beautiful dishes he has from his collection with Serax. He tells Homes & Gardens: 'Stacking is key, especially with large platters and bowls. I like to keep things accessible by grouping them according to how often I use them.' This is easiest if you buy a set of bowls or platters that are all the same size as one another, so they can be easily fit together.
The hacks a pro chef uses to organize a kitchen are varied based on the item. For pots and pans, Ottolenghi relies on a tried and true vertical storage method. 'For pans, I’m a big fan of hanging them—it frees up space and makes them easy to grab when you need them,' he states. To replicate this look, consider where and how you might want to hang your pans for maximum impact. For instance, in a smaller kitchen, a rail near the stove is design led without looking too cluttered. In a larger space, you might hang pans above the island. Copper pots are always a wonderful choice for creating this look.
Stainless Steel
Hang your pots in style with these bright S shaped hooks. I think they would look fabulous hung over a modern industrial rail
Antique Copper
Hang your pots in vintage style with this antique copper style hanging rail. It would look so stylish contrasted with modern stainless steel pots.
Bamboo
These expandable drawer dividers are perfect for keeping your space organized and separate. It makes it easy to avoid overlap.
The chef doesn't fall down on the smaller items. He explains: 'For plates and dishes, I use simple dividers in drawers, so everything has its place.' Organizing drawers can feel like an uphill battle, so buying these small tools make the task easier is an investment in your home's long-term tidiness. Again, purchasing collections of plates and dishes that coordinate with one another will make the drawers appear infinitely more cohesive.
Yotam Ottolenghi's Favorite Dishes
High Contrast
Blue and pink collide in this gorgeously abstract bowl.
Whimsical
The Feast face plate is equal parts fun and sophisticated.
Yellow
This bright bowl evokes the world's happiest color.
If you are going to look for inspiration, why not look for inspiration from the best? Looking to fabulous chefs for advice on how to organize your kitchen is a wonderful way to make it as perfect as possible.
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Sophie is a London-based News Editor at Homes & Gardens, where she works on the Celebrity Style team. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly excited when researching trends or interior history. Sophie is an avid pop culture fan. As an H&G editor, she has interviewed the likes of Martha Stewart, Hilary Duff, and the casts of Queer Eye and Selling Sunset. Before joining Future Publishing, Sophie worked as the Head of Content and Communications at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens and furniture brand. She has also written features on exciting developments in the design world for Westport Magazine. Sophie has an MSc from the Oxford University Department of Anthropology and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.
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