Studio SALA+D Architecture + Design News: a chef's life

Sunday, January 18, 2015

a chef's life - architectural delights

Chef & The Farmer Restaurant, Kinston, North Carolina

For some strange reason, there is a mysterious connection between the architect and the chef. Most architects I know, including myself, are crazy for exquisite foods. As I have written many articles for Restaurant Design + Development magazine, my interest in A Chef's Life was partly peaked by the excellent architectural design of their restaurants and their new home for that matter.

Attention to detail such as different types of woods used for the chairs at the family table, to the juxtaposition of differing textures and materials is on par for excellence. While watching so many of these episodes, I cannot help but love the architecture that backdrops their business and life. Even in terms of restaurant design, they have some great spatial designs. For example, in the Boiler Room, the majority of the table design is one, continuous table that encourages the casual, community atmosphere they intended for this oyster bar. Vivian makes a comment during an episode of season 2 about how Ben complains that she does not give him enough credit for the work he does.

Upon doing a bit of research, it has come to my attention that indeed Ben Knight is actually an artist, painter. He was hoping to have more time to work on his artwork in Kinston, North Carolina. He was planning to help set up the restaurant and then focus his attention on his artwork. His mom moves to Kinston from Chicago and the show highlights her home. She purchased an old warehouse in the rundown downtown area and renovated it as her home. The home has an interior courtyard. Gorgeous! (Sorry, cannot find a photo.)

Due to Knight's artistic background, I venture to believe he is largely responsible for the brilliant architectural design. Both he and his mom have great taste. The architectural design is as much a success and shock to this small, deep southern town as Vivian Howard's New York City caliber cuisine. It is truly amazing to me how food and shelter go hand-in-hand, both influence our lives at the core, and both can revolutionize a population. So, I will give Ben some credit here... Kudos to him for creating the gorgeous architectural designs that are such a critical part of Vivian's success. Mmmmm, I cannot wait to take a road trip to Kinston.