When I previously boasted of having the worst kitchen in professional food writing, I posted a picture of my new kitchen space under construction.  Many thought this was the “Before”  picture, and in a sense, I suppose it was.  I couldn’t quite bring myself to post the true “Before”  picture, of my old kitchen.  I wasn’t sure people could stomach it.

But now I’m just going to go ahead and do it, because I don’t think it’s possible to appreciate just how happy I am not to be cooking in this place unless you see it.

old kitchen
Over the February break, Husby built face frames, cut and polished soapstone, mounted drawers, primed and painted.  Our friend Mark helped us move the stove into place and install the close-to-300-lb. first slab of soapstone countertop.  I plastered around the windowframes and electric/plumbing holes and oiled the countertop.  By the end of the week, we had an operational range hood, working stove, hooked-up dishwasher and faucet, and the biggest expanse of counter space I have ever had the pleasure of cooking on. Sometimes I just stand next to that lustrous, smooth plane of soapstone and run my hands over it for a while.

kitchen update 02-13

There’s still a long way to go.  We haven’t even reached the halfway point as far as the physical space goes.  But the point is, the new kitchen is now functional.  And as for myself, I can’t imagine how I could possibly be happier.

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