We at The Kitchen Yard like to look back at the history of the kitchen and its evolution down the centuries. It's interesting to notice how many of the functional basic requirements have stayed the same.
Kitchens have been part of our home life almost since man existed, when he learnt to cook his food over an open fire. As he became non-nomadic and started to build ever more intricate, multi-use buildings, the kitchen evolved along with the needs of the inhabitant.
In Medieval Times, a kitchen size and layout was dependent on it's master and his wealth.
In an Abbey of Monks, a kitchen may have been large but still very basic in its layout and equipment.
Here we see an open fire, baskets for fuel, and pots hung up on the wall out of the reach of mice and rats.
Crude trestle tables with plain food bowls were the worktop of the day.
A similarly restored kitchen can be seen at Glastonbury Abbey.
A cottage would have a huge open hearth with cooking cauldrons hung from a swing-in cast iron arm.
A fuel store to keep logs safe but dry.
This one has an oven, but that would have been a more modern luxury.
Cottage kitchens like this were still in existence and use up until the middle of the last century.
A larger home could have rhe oven, shelving with utensils in easy reach, enclosed chimney. and feature windows we would pay any money for today.
Cats as always knew how to keep warm and where the was a ready meal.
A Family Town house, already thought to have the diner area included for ready heat and ease of serving.
Caldrons and cooking pots around an open fire.
Perhaps they had a cow, as a milk churn is visible.
A hatch in the cool thick wall served as the fridge.
A castle would have a huge open fire and larger cauldrons to cook for it's many occupants.
Fuel store underneath, and pheasant hung to mature on the ceiling.
Dining would be in the nearby Great Hall with long wooden tables.
Today we often replicate those simple kitchens of the past.
A typical French Style Country Kitchen.
Cupboard storage, a primitive looking sink, perhaps evidence of a wood fired oven to the left. Onions and herbs hung to dry.
Who wouldnt love the opportunity to have a location like this to build their kirchen.
Natural materials keep with the medieval type feel. Simple wooden cupboards and worktops.
A dining table with bench seating.
Wooden shelving and iron-work add to the oldie-worldy feel in this kitchen.
A belfast sink and antique tap in a modern concept of a kitchen island.
Rustic shutters on the window and white-washed stone walls, along with slate flooring.
If you would like to replicate a Medieval Kitchen, or perhaps you would prefer something a bit more modern, contact us at The Kitchen Yard:
Telephone: +44 (0) 28944 33788
Email:
thekitchenyard1@gmail.com
The Kitchen Yard is a partner of Kitchens Direct NI Limited, 26 Cherryburn Road, Templepatrick, BT39 0JD.
In an Abbey of Monks, a kitchen may have been large but still very basic in its layout and equipment. 
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