Aren’t we all just dying to get the barbecue out and the party started? In view of the great upheaval required to create an outdoor kitchen, especially a temporary one, Interior designer Kenneth Tanti provides some much needed advise about how to do it smoothly in these typical FAQs. Extending your kitchen out of doors can be easier than it seems. 

Drawing from your own experienced with clients can you indicate three valid reasons why one would decide to bring a kitchen outdoors?



Valid reason One: Cooking on a grill makes for ideal summer foods whilst the barbecue treatment gives more flavour to food.
Valid reason Two: It is an easy cooking method that keeps the house clean and odour free.
Valid reason Three: Enjoying the fabulous weather as you cook and eat, is everybody’s dream.
What would be the key necessary elements that such an outdoors kitchen would need to include?

I would say, a good quality branded grill. A food preparation area on either side of the grill is also called for, because the cook will need space to place herbs and spices, raw meats, veggies and stuff. Then again, it would be imperative to have a spacious area where to clean up afterwards, thus making it that much more practical. Nobody wants to have to troop with dirty dishes into a clean indoor kitchen.



This is outdoor cooking - are there any precautions to be taken where the area’s design is involved?

A grill gets hot… so caution should be taken as to what is placed around it. The cook and helpers and guests need space to move around freely, without aprons getting hooked up and dishes dragged away. More attention should be taken if children or pets are going to be around.

Apart from that, keep in mind that at times, the smoke can get intense. Make sure you are in a well ventilated area. Keep away from flowers and fruit trees, bird cages and children’s play areas.

In general and from your experience how big a space would be needed for an outdoor kitchen to be viable?

Any space will do as long as it is well ventilated. Remember to consider neighbouring gardens so that barbecue smoke does not create problems to others. You can have a small portable BBQ which could work just as well as a sophisticated four- metre run of outdoor kitchen. Don’t feel limited by small spaces. If a small space is well organised and thought out, it can be a great outdoor extension to your house. It all boils down to clever styling, pretty much as any other space in or around your home.





About Tanti Interiors
At Tanti Interiors, we offer professional interior design in Malta and overseas and pride ourselves in having worked on some of the most exclusive homes and commercial properties. Backed up by almost twenty years of experience we have built up a name on trust and knowledge on how to get it right.