We’ve all gone food mad! A recent poll from Kantar Media´s TGI survey revealed that 7.2 million British adults now watch food and cookery TV programmes with the ever popular MasterChef pulling in a record 5.2 million viewers for its series 9 finale earlier this month according to BARB data.

• 7.2 million Britons watch cookery programmes
• Sub-Zero fridge/freezers use NASA technology
• Wolf ovens cut cooking times by 15%

So what is driving this cookery revolution?

Jonathan Cranley, Sales & Marketing Manager at award-winning house builder, Millgate, comments,
“The seemingly endless recession is proving to be a challenge for many with austerity measures trickling from the top down through to everyday life. Eating out has become a luxury with more and more people looking to make their weekly shop go further as well as entertain on a budget at home.
“Preparing food and sitting around the kitchen table has always been at the heart of British family life and just as I grew up watching Fanny Craddock, today’s chefs such as Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsey and Nigella Lawson have become celebrities in their own right, even winning BAFTAs!“
Indeed health-scares such as the use of horsemeat in place of beef has also led to a rise in the home preparation of foods with home ware retailers such as Robert Dyers seeing increased sales of break makers, food processors and even sandwich boxes.
Taking into account the needs and desires of today’s modern families, Millgate places special focus on each and every kitchen in their luxury country homes. Working with expert designers Alexander James Interiors, the Millgate team seamlessly blend practical requirements with attractive design to create the perfect kitchen.
At this end of the market, the fitted appliances are of particular important to buyers and wherever viable Millgate fit Sub-Zero and Wolf machines in their kitchens. Only available via John Lewis and Harrods, they really do stand out from the crowd.
In Sub-Zero fridge-freezers compartments have a separate compressor enabling food to stay fresher for longer and humidity is variable between the fridge/freezer resulting in no frost build-up which can be so tedious to eliminate. It is also worth reassuring to know that there is a NASA patented antimicrobial air purification filter system which scrubs and refreshes the air within the fridge-freezer every 20 minutes removing any bacteria, mould and viruses in the process.
One popular appliance is the Sub-Zero wine preserver which does exactly what it says on the tin – preserves wine to keep it in perfect quaffable condition.  Dual evaporators save labels from getting wet – particularly important on high value wines and UV-resistant, bronze-tinted glass shields wine from harmful rays to help with ageing.
The Wolf ovens in Millgate homes are American and usually only available to caterers with the biggest oven on the market, large enough to hold a 30kg roast. Its temperature goes lower than an Aga and with dual fans and ten cooking modes up to 15% can be cut off all cooking times. Extra features include a natty meat thermometer, a pizza function with dedicated cooking stone and for healthy cooks, a dehydrating mode to produce dried fruit.
With top brand kitchen equipment such as this, buyers may well feel as if they have stepped into Delia Smith’s or Gordon Ramsey’s home. The Miele steam oven is the best in its class and this versatile piece of kit is a super healthy way to cook your food and retain nutritional value.  And a kitchen fitted with two dishwashers is a dream come true as one can be cleaning whilst the other is being loaded.
The composite stone work surface is elegant but tough; its highly polished finish is ideal for use as a heavy use counter top and boasts many practical properties such as being heat resistant up to 146°C, stain, scratch and water-resistant.
And what is more, in addition to functionality Millgate kitchens are created with real living in mind.  Soft close drawers and doors create peaceful living, a cosy seating area at the end of the work surface is perfect for friends popping over for coffee or for kids struggling with their homework whilst you are trying to cook dinner, not to mention the other half propping up the bar area with a glass of wine.
Sinks are often set in the central island directly behind the oven to minimise mess and remove the need to walk around the kitchen with dangerous pans of boiling water. Tasteful lights hang down this central area providing necessary illumination but can be dimmed to alter the mood of the kitchen to perhaps match the mood of the chef if required.
Stacey Mitchell, Sales Manager for Millgate and a keen cook herself comments on the stunning kitchen at St Audries in Kingswood, Surrey,
“We have been building homes for over 25 years and one of the most important things to get absolutely right in our houses is a kitchen that works for families who love to cook. I believe that some designer kitchens have gone a step too far and have taken their eye of the ball on what really works for the cook. We have listened to our owners, adapting and working with suggestions to create sublime kitchens that are a joy to be in AND to cook in.  Compliments like that really say it all.”
So to please the MasterChef in you, choose a Millgate kitchen such as that at St Audries in Surrey, on the market for £2,750,000. Set within private landscaped grounds this is a palatial six bedroom detached house offering privacy, exclusivity and allure in equal measure bearing all the hallmarks of a truly exceptional home.
For more information contact Millgate on 0118 934 3344 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk.