FauxPas

Don't raw potatoes sometimes turn black when frozen? But there's also a textural thing, I think. They can become mushy after thawing. I only freeze cooked ones, but not even sure why that is. I think I was just told not to freeze raw sometime in the past.

I know people here and in other parts of the world who rarely use the fan. I think it's partly because most floor plans are quite open these days and encourage socializing near the kitchen and some fans can be loud enough to affect conversation.

I know what you are saying, and i don't entirely disagree. But if I had kids, I'd be a bit worried about those numbers on asthma, etc.

Another story on this. They quote the Stanford study discussed previously but also add some other research. https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/gas-stoves-air-pollution-1.6394514

I always use tap water here in BC because we have soft water. In our Arizona house, due to the hard water, I used filtered water (we had a under-counter filtration system). I definitely don't empty the water tank after each use! I do empty and rinse it out if it's been sitting for a bit, but it's almost always got some water in it.

Some real progress already! This is the main kitchen, the other two floor to ceiling pantries are to the left and they are still looking pretty rough, but the main boxes there are in place. I'll have room for a 36" wide fridge and taller than my last one (thankfully). A couple of people are trying to sell me on a counter-depth fridge. I like the idea, but the reality is that they just don't seem to have much capacity. I've only started looking for a replacement fridge (and we don't have to rush). @weinoo had a nice solution in his kitchen to accommodate a deeper fridge and make it look good, but I don't feel I can do the same thing here. In our last house, the fridge was situated in a corner next to a partial wall and I was able to get a 33" wide but extra-deep fridge (with 26 cu ft capacity, I think!) that looked good there, but here it's different. I am going to shop counter-depth for a bit, but not sure I want to go that way. I can't afford super-expensive, so I need something solid and with decent capacity. I don't know that I want a 36" wide fridge that only has 20 cu ft space in it. Is that the best I can expect? Or maybe it works better, because fewer items are hidden behind other ones? Maybe a 20 cu ft counter depth FEELS larger? Looking for experience and suggestions!

We watched the first episode last night and it was pretty good. I have no problems with Sarah L at all, I thought she did a great job. What did anyone else think?

Here we go... 🙂

@gfweb, do you watch Last Chance Kitchen? Can you give @Shelbyany advice on how to watch it in the US?

Yes, many of them are. What alumni will be involved in Top Chef season 19? According to Bravo, the rotating guest judges for Top Chef 19 include: —Nyesha Arrington (season 9) —Dawn Burrell (season 18 runner-up) —Kelsey Barnard Clark (season 16 winner) —Adrienne Cheatham (season 15 runner-up) —Tiffany Derry (season 7, season 8 finalist) —Joe Flamm (season 15 winner) —Gregory Gourdet (season 12 runner-up, season 17 finalist) —Hung Huynh (season 3 winner) —Stephanie Izard (season 4 winner) —Melissa King (season 12 finalist, season 17 winner) —Kristen Kish (season 10 winner) —Edward Lee (season 9) —Maria Mazon (season 18) —Shota Nakajima (season 18 runner-up) —Nini Nguyen (seasons 15 and 16) —Kwame Onwuachi (season 13, season 15 Last Chance Kitchen competitor) —Sheldon Simeon (season 10 finalist, season 14 finalist) —Brooke Williamson (season 10 runner-up, season 14 winner) —Claudette Zepeda (season 15) What famous chefs will make appearances in Top Chef season 19? In addition to the alumni panel, Top Chef: Houston will feature a variety of pop-in appearances from famous chefs. That includes Daniel Boulud, Wylie Dufresne, Carlotta Flores, Bricia Lopez, Eric Ripert, Marcus Samuelsson and Alexander Smalls. Hunter Lewis, Editor-in-Chief of Food and Wine Magazine, joins the judges for the final challenge.

Not on here yet, but looking forward to it in an hour or so! Sounds interesting. 🙂

Mostly previous contestants but also joined by some other chefs from time to time, it seems. https://parade.com/1326230/mikebloom/top-chef-season-19/ or here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Chef:_Houston

I don't think I have to log in or anything, but maybe it knows that Bravo is part of my cable package? Not sure. Try clicking on an episode and see if you can watch it. 🙂 Since I'm in Canada, things are a bit different for me. Maybe someone else in the US can add to the info.

I watch it online. https://www.bravotv.com/last-chance-kitchen

I was a bit surprised by that also! Though I don't think Sam ever admitted to the judges that he forgot his boiled potatoes and left them behind, did he? Do you watch Last Chance Kitchen as well, @Shelby? I enjoy it as much (sometimes more) than the regular show.

I looked after a cat once (for a few months) and he was MAD for nori. Just adored the stuff. 🙂

I'm going to take another look at the fabrication layout and see how much leftover quartz we have to play with. I'm still thinking about how best to do the space behind the range and we don't finalize this detail until the final measure, so I have a bit of time and leeway. Thanks! And thanks to @weinoo, also! 🙂

I really like seeing how your space has evolved over time! That pantry and extra counter space looks like a smart addition. 🙂

Was this the pantry area shown in these photos, @lindag? I remember admiring your storage! 🙂

OK, I have another back-up on the way from Costco now. 🙂 I bought my last one with Costco Canada also, but they didn't seem to have any availability for awhile. Thanks @Kerry Beal! I use this little oven so much, can't stand the idea of being without one. But I hope @weinooeither can fix his or find a new one. 😞

Damn, maybe I should get another one. I only have one backup unit left. 🙀

Good point, but I don't own one of those mixers and probably won't acquire one, though I won't say "definitely won't". 🙂 I think I'll have enough space to spread things out a bit, if necessary. I admire @weinoo's kitchen a lot, but I'm not really at at his level of cooking and I don't have nearly as many toys. It's always great to have stronger shelves, but I don't know if I need more than what I'm considering. Maybe I'll regret that statement, though. Hahahahaha From the US IKEA site:

I love your kitchen! And you made such great choices. I've been told these drawers/shelves will support at least 25 kg so that's 55 lbs.

So I have a solution to those awkward closets with the bifold doors by the kitchen. We're going to treat them as a continuation of the kitchen cabinets. I got a couple of opinions on removing the centre wall and although it may be possible, it would create a lot of work. Instead, the cabinet guy drew up a plan to treat them as pantry space, just like the existing space beside the fridge. So, I'll end up with a mix of drawers and adjustable shelves and the doors will match exactly with the kitchen cabinets. It's not inexpensive but it's a clean and fairly easy solution and avoids the mess and uncertainty of removing that dividing wall. And I'm pretty sure I'll be happy with the results. The installers can do the work at the same time as the rest of the kitchen. They'll also add some storage and a countertop area in the laundry room. Here's the diagram. The pantries are on the left, the right side shows the little storage area that will be added to the laundry room. The bottom of that area has to be left free as that's the only place in the house that works for our kitty's litter box. 🙂

I do envy it in many ways though - it's so warm and inviting and so well organized for the way you live. And I really love that you have those custom touches from your husband. I think it's a lovely space and thank you so much for sharing! 🙂