Cooking in the great outdoors

Southern California leads the way in outdoor chic. So, when it

comes to entertaining al fresco, we know how to do it huge. We build

outdoor fireplaces and fire pits. We construct stone benches and

chairs. We eat in covered dining rooms and cook in outdoor kitchens.

Say good-bye to the Weber kettle relegated to a back corner of the

patio. Say hello to beautiful built-in barbecues that may put your

kitchen to shame.

One of my neighbors recently completed a backyard remodel that

includes an amazing outdoor kitchen. Under the rough-hewn trellis

timbers is a cooking area that has been planned and executed with

meticulous detail.

The body of the outdoor kitchen is stacked ledger stone. The

craftsmen that built it spent weeks chiseling and layering the stones

until they fit together like a hand in glove.

The top of the counter is honed black soapstone. Soapstone

withstands heat, is harder than granite and cleans up easily with a

dab of mineral oil. It is practically impervious to stains and, most

importantly, looks great.

The appliances built in to the stone face include an outdoor

refrigerator, stove-top gas burners, a 48-inch grilling surface, two

warming drawers and a rotisserie. You can cook a lot of hot dogs and

hamburgers on this battleship.

The double warming drawers keep cooked food at the proper

temperature and humidity for serving. The burners keep sauces and

side dishes at the perfect heat.

The outdoor chef in this family planned well for cooking outside

day or night. There are two lights above the grilling area and two

spotlights mounted behind the cooking area. The mini spots that shine

from behind are perfect for checking the meat’s progress.

Barbecue friendly seating includes two chairs and a low table near

the cooking area so guests can keep company with the chef while he

cooks. Adjacent is a dining table that can seat up to 12. There is a

dramatic hanging lamp above the table that provides an ambient glow.

A fountain just a few feet away provides soothing background noise.

The cooking area hosts two large pots, stained to match the

soapstone, that have a variety of herbs available for the chef to use

while creating his culinary masterpieces. Rosemary, parsley, basil

and sage spill over the sides of the containers, ready for picking.

Nearby, pots of dwarf lemon trees provide a quick zest.

And lest no stone be unturned, there are outdoor speakers to bring

the backyard alive with the sound of music.

Am I coveting my neighbor? No way. I’m just glad that I make the

guest list. I can sit back, grab a beverage from the fridge, lounge

and coach the cook. Life al fresco doesn’t get much better.

* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column runs

Sundays.