Bravo’s hit reality show “Top Chef” has inspired many novice cooks to turn their kitchens into entertaining centers.
But many Windy City fans of the show say it’s hard to create edible masterpieces for friends to enjoy in their tiny kitchens, and tough talk from judge Tom Colicchio won’t be able to change that.
Richa Gupta, 32, finds it difficult to entertain for dinner in her small apartment in a Streeterville high-rise. The one-bedroom unit has a walk-through kitchen and minimal storage.
“People tend to come in and sit on the floor [while I cook] instead of sitting in the living room,” Gupta said. “I appreciate that they want to spend time with me, but [the seating] just doesn’t work.”
Abigail Friedman, 32, a graphic designer for Columbia College, feels hemmed in by the narrow kitchen in her Logan Square condo that also houses an in-unit laundry.
“It’s very closed off, and it’s hard to have more than one person in there,” she said. “My boyfriend and I cook a lot together, and if you open the dishwasher, everything stops. You can’t open the refrigerator, you can’t really move around.”
It may seem that short of taking a sledgehammer to the walls, there isn’t much an aspiring entertainer can do. But wannabe hosts can make the most of their small kitchens. We gave the experts some common complaints about entertaining in small spaces and asked for simple tips to help transform tiny kitchens into entertaining meccas.
We don’t guarantee that you’ll be a “Top Chef,” but you will throw a lively, comfortable party.
ISSUE: My kitchen is too small
“A kitchen is the most important room in the house,” said Peggy Swartchild, the owner of Material Possessions boutiques in the Gold Coast. “It’s always a gathering place, whether it’s a small condo or a large home. Plan the meal ahead of time so you don’t have to spend too much time in the kitchen.”
Plan a menu that requires the use of small pots only, so there aren’t a myriad of pots and dishes taking up space simultaneously.
ISSUE: Limited storage space
“Simplify, pare down and organize a kitchen,” Swartchild said. Use multipurpose items like cake plates that can act as storage when not in use. They also can be used to serve desserts and appetizers during a party. Take advantage of vertical and stackable storage products such as wine and stemware racks, spice racks and pot racks that free up cabinet space.
ISSUE: Guests stay in the kitchen
If the host must cook after guests arrive, ask them to help, said Emmanuel Nony, owner of the West Loop restaurant Sepia.
“Involve the guest in the preparation by giving them easy things to do,” he said.
Prepare the ingredients and proportions and ask guests to mix or chop. “People get very involved, they ask questions, they get excited for the meal,” he said. “You can mingle while preparing the food and it makes the cooking more interactive.”
He also recommends entertaining with another person. Take turns in the kitchen and mingling with guests.
ISSUE: My seating is inadequate
Take seating arrangements into account when planning the menu. If guests have to eat from plates on their laps, then don’t serve spaghetti with meatballs and marinara sauce. Keep your offerings bite-size, Nony said, such as tomato and mozzarella salad with cherry tomatoes, or sliced bread with artichoke dip. Even if the host chooses to serve a larger meal, make sure everything is cut into small portions so guests will not have to cut meat while balancing their plates on their laps.
Consider investing in TV trays or lap trays that store easily when not in use.
ISSUE: I don’t have serving space
Don’t feel pressure to cram everything into the kitchen. Try stations and buffets. For instance, keep appetizers in the living room, beverages in the hallway and a buffet on the kitchen counter. This will keep guests moving rather than inviting them to settle into an small kitchen.
If your apartment has more than one bathroom, Swartchild suggests turning a powder room into the bar. “Fill the sink and have beer and wines in the sink,” she said. “When you have limited space, you have to get creative.”
ISSUE: I have no room to show off
Don’t forget that even the most sparsely decorated apartment can be gussied up for a party. Nony said one of his friends always sends out a menu with wine pairings in advance of a party to heighten anticipation.
Small touches can go a long way, Swartchild said, and she recommends placing a menu card or decoration on the doorway and keeping non-fragrant candles or flowers in the hallway.
“Something should hit the guests as they walk in,” she said.
She also recommends adding small decor items in the bathroom and a centerpiece to the table or buffet. “It can be as simple as three daisies and some greenery,” she said, “but people should feel as though they’re going to be entertained.”
Little things that can make a big difference
Try these must-have kitchen and entertaining items that make small kitchens more functional and add style to a party. [R.L.]
Versatile servers
Oven-to-table casserole servers with rattan serving baskets make entertaining in a small space easier. Only one dish is needed; from $24 to $104 at materialpossessions.com.
Vertical storage
Crate and Barrel’s ceiling pot rack frees cabinet space by adding vertical storage to the kitchen; $49.95 at Crate and Barrel.
Stackable latte mixing bowls
These bowls stack inside one another for easy storage; from $18 to $38 at Anthropologie.
Buffet stand
Sur la Table’s stand maximizes vertical serving space when entertaining and stores easily; $39.95 at Sur la Table.
Expanding shelves
The chrome steel expanding/stacking shelves offer tiered storage and stackable serving surfaces; from $4.99 to $12.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond.
Vino tray tables
These tray tables offer guests their own table. They fold up for quick storage; $149.95 for a set of four at Z Gallerie.
