Food for Thought

Foodie culture is no secret, so it’s unsurprising that these elements are creeping into apartment developments across cities, giving them extra flavour and spice, reports Jennifer Duke for Executive Style.

While barbecue areas have been common for some time, developers, designers and architects have become ever more creative. Here are five new communal features appearing in developments that foodies will love.

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Teppanyaki Grill
This Japanese-inspired cooking method that uses an iron griddle to cook food in front of those eating has become the rage in restaurants across Australia.

Recently, Melbourne developments Ikebana and The Fifth have both incorporated the teppanyaki grill. This development includes high-end features, such as a karaoke lounge, landscaping by Jack Merlo, a fire pit, dining areas and the teppanyaki grill with seating around the outside and views onto the city.

Pizza Ovens
If there’s one type of cuisine Australians love is, it’s Italian. It will come as no surprise that the next feature making itself heard is the coveted pizza oven. Some buildings are now featuring a pizza oven and barbecue area on the rooftop.

In 2014, Australand’s Kingston Apartments in Western Australia won the “Medium Density” category from the Urban Development Institute of Australia’s Awards for Excellence. The development included a lap pool, gym, cinema, barbecue and pizza oven. In Sydney’s Waterloo, Diversity includes a pizza oven and, strikingly, a Yakitori Bar.

Temperature-controlled wine cellar
There’s nothing better than a glass of wine to go with a new property purchase. A Melbourne development features a 25-metre swimming pool, a gym with a steam room and conference facilities, and also includes a 10,000-bottle wine cellar in the basement that can also be used for wine-tasting events and functions.  While many high-end developments are beginning to include individual wine cellars within penthouses, it’s still quite rare to see the communal cellar.

Celebrity chef designed communal kitchen
If rubbing shoulders with celebrity chefs is the dream of many foodies, then cooking in a kitchen specifically designed by a top chef is definitely next on the list.  At 555 St Kilda Road, Melbourne a communal kitchen has been created that truly fits this description. Also on the 11th floor “Club Level” is a 16-person dining space, barbecue terrace, massage rooms and library. Those who would prefer Shannon Bennett to cook are apparently able to purchase packages that pay for him to come and do just that. It also includes a temperature-controlled wine storage area.

Herb, vegetable and fruit gardens
Living in an inner-city apartment shouldn’t mean a drought of fresh food and increasingly apartments are allowing residents to make the most of that just-picked experience. By including herb, vegetable and fruit gardens for apartment owners to make the most of, it’s urban gardening and a locavore foodie experience at its finest. A range of apartments now feature a rooftop vegetable and herb garden. Developer Small Giants have also included solar panels and have a background in sustainable developing.

Can’t help but wonder if the latest trend of reality TV food shows aren’t leading the way in this foodie revolution. Bon appétit!

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