Planning a show kitchen and a working kitchen in a UAE villa

Many villas in the Emirates have two kitchens. The show kitchen sits near the family living areas or the majlis and is rarely used for heavy cooking. The working kitchen, sometimes called the dirty kitchen, is where meals for a large household are prepared every day. Each needs a different brief.

The show kitchen

Here the materials lead: stone, veneer, lacquer and metal, detailed with care. Appliances are integrated, extraction is quiet, and storage is hidden behind handleless fronts. It is a room for coffee, for serving and for guests.

The working kitchen

The working kitchen has to cope with large pots, strong spices, frying and long hours. We plan powerful extraction with your MEP consultant, heavy-duty drawer runners, robust worktops such as stainless steel or ceramic, and storage for bulk supplies.

How they connect

The route between the two kitchens matters: a short, discreet path for staff, a serving counter or pass, and doors that keep noise and smells in the working kitchen.

Climate

Air-conditioned rooms and humid outdoor air create large swings in moisture. We use moisture-resistant boards, sealed edges and fittings that resist corrosion, in both kitchens.