Before and After – A Kosher Kitchen in South Florida

This ‘Before and After’ is courtesy of  Harold Morantz of Morantz Cabinets in South Florida.  Tzvi, as he is known to his friends and customers, and his customers all seem to become friends. Some of the challenges he faced are obvious from the ‘before’ picture: Outdated materials, appliances and layout for starters. The clients also wanted to start keeping kosher so the kitchen had to be totally redone to make space for preparation of meat and dairy in distinct and separate areas as kosher laws require. The room is an open plan and is 30 feet long with pantry and fridge at one end built into a wall niche and the dairy food prep at the opposite end with its own sink and dishwasher and under-counter fridge that are both covered in matching panels. The design called for two islands, with one next to the dairy section that houses the oven,two burner cooktop and microwave. The counter top for this island is 63″wide and there is storage on both sides as well as a counter extension for up to four stools for light breakfast or lunch meals. The other matching island is for meat preparation with an under-counter oven and microwave and more seating  for quick snacks or a chat with the cook. Opposite this island is a large angular meat  prep and cooking area with a pass thru to the dining table and pool area beyond it. This section has a large sink,dishwasher,trash pull-out,spice drawers and 6 burner cook-top with barbecue under a decorative exhaust hood.

Another challenge on this project was to have a foolproof design where different members of the family can be preparing or eating meat and dairy at the same time, while maintaining the complete separation of the foods as kosher laws demand. From both island seating areas it is possible to see the flat screen T.V. in the adjoining family area and there is an extended counter on the end of the dairy island with computer hookup for a laptop for the woman of the house to check her emails and have a coffee while being able to watch the news at the same time.
All cabinetry is designed and built in Tzvi’s Fort Lauderdale area shop with the island cabinets made from espresso stained solid maple and the perimeter cabinets feature solid MDF shaker style doors with an antique white lacquer finish. This solid MDF construction as opposed to a five piece door has not developed any cracks on joint lines and cannot swell from water as all edges were sealed with a water/glue sizing before priming and painting. All doors and drawers are full extension soft close using Blum hardware exclusively. The cabinets interiors are all pre-finished maple plywood.

Modenus  features Tzvi’s work as testimony to the craftsmanship and customer service  that is available when people seek out a true expert and specialist. And if you happen to be looking for that craftsman in South Florida, Tzvi of Morantz Cabinets could well be your man.