Combining his Southern Italian roots with Napa Valley living, award-winning chef and Emmy-winning Food Network host Michael Chiarello has pioneered his unique style of Italian-influenced wine-country cooking and entertaining. Raised in Central California, Chiarello developed his passion for growing, harvesting and cooking from his Italian immigrant mother. He initially earned praise for his Tra Vigne Restaurant in Napa Valley and later on with the additions of NapaStyle and Chiarello Family Vineyards. His Bottega Napa Valley restaurant earned critical praise from the Wine Spectator. This past summer, Chiarello competed on Bravo's Top Chef Masters, a spin-off of the fan-favorite food show Top Chef. He competed against 23 other renowned chefs, who were vying to win $100,000 for charity.

What is the ideal kitchen layout for cooking and entertaining at home? How should the home kitchen be arranged for efficiency?
I'd love to have a double island to make it easier and more efficient to get around the kitchen. I like an open-shelved island with a bain-marie that holds utensils—it's all about keeping the counter space open. The islands should have power strips as well.

I like to have a knife drawer instead of a wood block, which uses counter space. You can also lock up a drawer if you have kids around. I keep spices and salts in a drawer next to the stove and use a saltcellar instead of a saltshaker. There's more control and I like feeling how much salt I have in my hand. I store cutting boards/cheese boards on vertical shelves. And I'm not into having pots over my head.

How is your kitchen laid out? Do you have separate areas for cleanup, prepping and cooking?
I have separate areas for prep, cleanup and cooking. I use one sink for prep and one sink for cleanup.

Are there any similarities between your kitchen at home and a commercial kitchen?
Not really.

How often do you entertain at home?
Very rarely—and it's just close friends and family.

How many sinks do you have? Refrigerators? Dishwashers?
I have two of everything.

What kind of range/cooktop do you have? Is it something you would recommend to homeowners who love to cook and entertain?
I have a Wolf range with eight gas burners and two ovens. I highly recommend it. I also have a Sub-Zero refrigerator and recommend that.

What do you consider a must-have for any kitchen?
It's really important to have a place to gather with guests, tons of counter space and an open kitchen so I don't have my back to guests when cooking.

What's a pet peeve that you have in terms of home kitchens?
My biggest pet peeves are cluttered counter spaces and non-functioning space in general.

What do you like best about your kitchen at home?
The amount of counter space, the island and an indoor wood-burning cooking fireplace.

Is there anything you would change about your own kitchen at home? If so, what is it?
I would have double islands instead of a single island, which is too big.

Finally, we have to ask you about your experience competing on Top Chef Masters. How was it?
It's a tremendous amount of fun spending time with chefs I respect. And it's great to have that quality time with my peers.


Check out K+BB's Chefs at Home interview with Richard Blais!