Projects & Case Studies

Interview with Clodagh Mckenna

We spoke to chef and TV presenter Clodagh McKenna to learn more about her kitchen renovation and why she chose Smeg appliances to bring her dream kitchen to life.

ABOUT

Clodagh McKenna is a chef, TV presenter, cookbook author and the proud owner of her own sustainable farm, Broadspear. You have most likely spotted her on ITV’s This Morning show, where she is a resident chef! Not to mention her very own TV series – ‘Fresh From the Farmers Market’ and ‘Fresh From The Sea’. Over the past four years, she has embarked on a journey to restore an eighteenth-century walled vegetable and fruit garden along with beehives, an orchard, a pickling and fermenting shed, a cutting garden and a stunning wildflower meadow! Clodagh has taken this passion and brought it straight to her home where she has brought her dream kitchen to life.

THE INTERVIEW

Tell us a little bit about your kitchen renovation journey. What sort of space were you working with before or was it a blank canvas?

When we first bought the house, the kitchen felt very small and uninspiring. It was all white, with black worktops, a lot of cupboards and no island, it was not the dream kitchen! So I immediately got the space gutted and I started from scratch.

Were there any parts of the kitchen that you wanted to change first? What was the most important to you?

It can be, and was, overwhelming starting the plans for the kitchen. The one thing that I knew I wanted was an island where friends and family could sit while I cooked, so that was the starting point. I imagined the island in situ and I would stand there as if I was going to cook and work out what was the most efficient for me. Having a fabulous double-door fridge right beside the island so I could reach for ingredients without moving, pull-out rubbish bins underneath the island, a double butler sink behind me and the cooker close so I could keep an eye on what was cooking while I prepped at the island.

Smeg appliances have slotted in perfectly to your dream space, What made you choose Smeg products for this renovation project?

Smeg is famous for its amazing design. I wanted the kitchen to be both practical and beautiful and Smeg products are exactly that. When I went into the store to see the Portofino cooker it was love at first sight and the different functions of the cooker are so fun for me as a chef! The fridge is the dream, with lots of storage space and cleverly designed shelving. The wine cooler is amazing, it not only looks great in the kitchen, but it means that we can bulk-order wine and store it perfectly.

The style and design of your kitchen is unique and perfectly balanced, how did you decide how to layout your kitchen space?

I designed the layout around the cooker, island, fridge, and sink. Once I had all the practical things in place, I could have fun with everything around it. I knew that I wanted warm colours that would transport me to Italy / France in the midst of London, the caramel tiles and mustard paint do exactly that. Open shelving is something I have done in every kitchen that I ever had, with beautiful lighting to show bowls, plates and pickles that I have on display.

Where did you get your inspiration from?

From lots of experiences – living in Italy, France, travelling and visiting lots of beautiful homes. I am a sponge, when I see something beautiful, I can remember every detail. And of course, I am a chef so I know what is practical for a kitchen space.

What Smeg appliance do you find yourself using the most?

Oh all of them! The cooker, fridge and wine cooler.

Image credits: Jason Ingram

KPF12WH

Hood, Chimney Cooker Hoods , Portofino, White, 120 cm, A+

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CPF120IGMPWH

Cooker, 120x60 cm, Portofino, White, Hob type: Mixed, Type of main oven: Thermo-ventilated, Type of second oven: Thermo-ventilated, Direct steam, A+, A

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