Campfires are Going Upscale

There is a paradox happening in kitchens all across America. Even though we eat out more and more (and at-home less and less) our kitchens continue to grow. It is not just the size of the kitchen but also the amount of money spent on its construction that is increasing.

Part of the fuel for this growth is the continued economic impact of the baby boom generation. This demographic continues to dominate domestic spending and they are entering the highest paid parts of their lives. Although this explains where much of the money is coming from it does not explain why so much of it is focused on the kitchen.

We are all perfectly able to eat alone. Many of us do it everyday. But if we want to establish and maintain long-term relationships we feel the need to eat together. The symbol of the campfire as a unifying point is based on this aspect of all human cultures. We have gathered where the food is prepared for thousands of years and are still doing so today. Below are some impacts of this trend:

Architecture: Many architects who design homes are starting to design them without formal living and dining rooms and putting more time and expense into the kitchen. This makes sense to designers, builders and owners because this is where people and guests spend most of their time in the home.
Appliances: Companies such as Viking Range have taken advantage of this trend by providing high-end, high cost commercial-type appliances for the home."
Food: The resurgence of fondue fits this trend well. What better food to put into a new upscale kitchen than an upscale campfire that allows people to cook, eat and mingle together.