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A Kitchen Makeover With Rick Stein Cookery School

Wanting to update the teaching space with a fresh look and contemporary feel, this kitchen makeover with Rick Stein Cookery School has allowed the chefs to improve the culinary experience among their students and guests with products handpicked from Howdens collection. The learning environment was the main focus as it was last refurbished in 2000 when the school opened its doors for the first time. Wanting to continue the coastal theme of their Cornish location in Padstow, learn how Rick, Jill, and the team at Rick Stein's Cookery School adopted seaside shades, top tech, and flexible workstations with this kitchen makeover to bring it right up to date.

The story so far

A passion for fish

Renowned for his expertise in seafood, celebrity chef and restauranteur, Rick Stein and his business partner Jill, opened the cookery school in 2000 to share his knowledge through in-depth training and live demos.

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A passion for fish

Chef and restaurateur, Rick Stein, is a household name for delicious seafood recipes. His expertise has led him to host 12 TV shows and pen more than 25 books, as well as win Best Food Personality at the Observer Food Monthly Awards. Keen to pass on this knowledge, Rick opened his Padstow-based cooking school in 2000 with his business partner, Jill, to offer training when preparing and cooking fish and shellfish. A team of specially-trained chef lecturers run an exciting programme of workshops, tasting sessions, and more, focusing on the diverse world of food Rick has discovered through his many trips overseas.

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About the design

Since opening its doors, the cooking school has had the same design and layout for more than 20 years, which meant it was in need of a contemporary update to improve the experience of its students and guests.

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About the design

The cookery school has proven very popular since its inception, which meant there had been little time to update it since it was last fitted in 2000. The brief outlined one very clear requirement - to continue the coastal theme with a modern refresh - so a navy kitchen was a must. This inky shade will disguise the mess that inevitably happens throughout the school's teaching sessions. It also reflects the seaside location, mirroring the magnificent views of the water seen from the school's windows.

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The design details

Cornish colours

To recreate the seaside theme of their beachfront setting, the cookery school chose natural oak cabinetry to pair with navy fronts. The rich tone warms the palette and adds valuable storage for student essentials.

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Sturdy surfaces

The team also decided on solid stone surfaces. Quartz is non-porous, standing up to scratches, stains, acid, and heat, which would meet the demands of a busy kitchen. Selecting white also ensures the design remains timeless.

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Brass accents

Just like his restaurants, Rick, Jill, and the team wanted to add luxe accents to the design with a mix of brass cup and knob grips. With indulgent golden tones and a heritage look, it elevates the room for a premium aesthetic.

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Favoured flooring

Hard-wearing vinyl was quickly decided upon for the floor because it can withstand heavy footfall. The brown hue enriches the design and ties in neatly with other oak features in the room.

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Discreet cleaning

Messy lesson time is a common problem for the chefs at Rick Stein's Cookery
School, which is why they opted for under-mount sinks. Deep enough to stash pots and pans from view, these bowls also free up counter space.

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Reliable cooking

With constant use, reliable cooking equipment was a must-have feature for the school, which is why they chose Rangemaster. Their range models provide ample room and instant heat for a variety of dishes.

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