Château du Plessis

Description: Kitchen

The spacious Kitchen is located in the 19th century south wing of the Château. It was gutted and completely remodeled in the winter of 2005.  The prior kitchen occupied about half the current space.  A narrow hallway led from the backdoor to the spiral staircase, hiding it almost entirely behind a storage closet.  On the East side, a full bath and a closet hiding the water heaters and the washing machine, had been added in the 1950s.

The 2005 project opened up the entire floor, back to the original 19th century floor plan.  The new design is spacious and functional. The country kitchen with the most efficient modern appliances, stimulates serious chefs. The multiple work areas enable numerous cooks to work simultaneously without interfering with one another.

French doors with screens open onto the terrace on the western side where tables await guests for an alfresco breakfast, lunch, aperitif, or dinner. 

The elmwood cabinets provide ample storage for glassware, cookware and china.  The restaurant style gas stove with oversized electric oven and its étuvée (steam warming oven), enables the chef to prepare even the most elaborate and demanding meals.  An additional electric wall oven and  a hidden microwave oven add convenience for the preparation of less elaborate meals.  A large hidden refrigerator–freezer with an automatic ice maker stores fresh and frozen foods.  An ultra quiet dishwasher, a trash compactor, a water filtering system and an under sink garbage disposal complete the list of major appliances. 

On the counters, a variety of portable appliances include a coffee maker, an espresso machine, a toaster, a fruit juicer, and a blender (some are stored in convenient pull-out drawers).  The central island is surmounted by an elevated pewter counter with bar stools seating four.  A small bistro table sitting two or three is set by the French doors for rainy day convenience.  A twenty inch flat screen TV keeps the cook up to date with local or world news. 

In a corner a charming wrought iron 19th century spiral staircase leads to the office upstairs. Two glass pocket doors connect the kitchen to the Salon d'Ete. Groceries are easily brought in through the kitchen door, via the adjoining "Sas".