"Jazzy but Chic": Bon Appetit

I have a large close-knit family who loves to cook cajun and creole dishes. As a tradition my family typically gathers for holidays and for weekend family cookouts. We all have a tendency to gather in the kitchen while meals are being prepared and cooked by my grandmother and aunts. The men are normally in charge of cooking the meats while the side dishes and main courses are cooked by the women. Some of the dishes would include gumbo, shrimp etouffee, red beans and rice, jambalaya, deep fried fish, and boiled seafood. It didn't seem small back then, but compared with today's standard our kitchen was extremely small. But, we made it work. Although the space may have been small we were fortunate enough to have very high ceilings with great architectural features. There were great advantages of having an older kitchen. Most homes in Louisiana had very high ceilings to allow natural ventilation during hot and humid days. The windows were from floor to ceiling height which also allowed natural light and ventilation as well. Today, some of those same concepts are used to design kitchens. Whether it's traditional, transitional, or modern there are a multitude of choices when it comes to kitchen design. Most home owners today want a kitchen island, high-end appliances, spacious cabinetry, and luxurious finishes. They also want the kitchen layout to be open and unrestricted by many walls so they can be connected to the rest of the home. It is my opinion that the kitchen is the heart of the home. Families can start and end their day with meals in the kitchen. Families can discuss and plan their day at the dinner table. Sharing meals can also present great opportunities to bring families together and create memories and traditions.