Two Franke stainless-steel sinks, custom cabinets by Keener Kitchen with a curly maple veneer, and soft gray countertops with flecks of mirror lend high style to the contemporary decor. Caulfield's client, who was preparing for Passover, said she is pleased with the result.
Lisa Schabes also loves her kosher kitchen. "It's a luxury," she says. "The family congregates here, and we enjoy it."
5 elements of a kosher kitchen
Dual appliances: Meat and dairy must be separated as per kosher dietary traditions. That often requires double refrigerators, stoves, sinks, dishwashers. But experts say you can have, say, one microwave, if it's used for just one purpose, such as reheating meat, but is not used for dairy.
Ample storage: Ideally, cookware, utensils, bowls, etc. should be stored separately. Some families color-code or label items used for meat and dairy.
Nonporous countertops: Consider using an engineered material such as Silestone or Caesarstone, which is made of quartz and other materials and does not allow transference of food residue.
Sabbath-friendly: Consider appliances that fit the "Sabbath/holiday" mode. For instance, refrigerators with doors that can be opened or closed without directly turning any lights on or off. Many companies have such models; look for the Star-K Kosher certification. http://www.star-k.org
Blessing: While design experts say a kosher kitchen does not have to be blessed, many families do consult with an Orthodox rabbi to advise on requirements and traditions.
