| The northern beaches of the Outer Banks were | | | | all coordinated to fit the theme of the beach |
| settled around the same time as the mainland in | | | | house. High end appliances and accessories abound |
| the 1600s. A hearty but tiny population of | | | | through out the room and usually ample place |
| fishermen and wild horses made the narrow sand | | | | settings for a medium to formal gathering of |
| bar that is now Corova Beach home for several | | | | guests. To be a chef in one of these kitchens is |
| centuries. The horses, descended from | | | | indeed a memorable experience. No expense has |
| shipwrecked Spanish mustangs and local feral | | | | been spared when it comes to all the |
| animals, still roam the beaches and marshes | | | | conveniences for the occasional cook to the |
| freely. This pristine area of the Outer Banks, | | | | professional chef. Little or no tight corners and |
| inaccessible for years is now one of the most | | | | plenty of working room allow a chef and his staff |
| popular areas on the Outer Banks of North | | | | large open areas for meal planning, preparation |
| Carolina. | | | | and presentation. |
| Once you reach the Outer Banks, travel north on | | | | As a personal chef, I have worked in many |
| Route 12 to the pavements end. At that point | | | | kitchens up and down the Outer Banks of North |
| you enter a different world as you proceed up | | | | Carolina from the Virginia state line to the north |
| the beach in your 4x4 for a number of miles with | | | | to the southern ferry slip on Ocracoke Island to |
| sand dunes on your left and the Atlantic Ocean | | | | the south, and few kitchens compare to the ones |
| on your right. As you proceed, you will start to | | | | you will see in Corova Beach. Many have been the |
| see palatial beach houses on your left housing | | | | times I have asked myself why someone would |
| eight, nine or more bedrooms. Here, in these | | | | build a 1.5 million dollar beach house and place an |
| mammoth beach cottages resides some of the | | | | apartment size efficiency kitchen right in the |
| most elaborate and beautiful kitchens in which I | | | | middle of the structure. Not so in Corova. It is |
| have had the pleasure of working. Many contain | | | | truly worth the trip through the four wheel area |
| not one but two stoves, refrigerators and at least | | | | of the Outer Banks to see some of the most |
| two or more dishwashers. The cabinets and | | | | beautiful culinary preparation sites ever seen on |
| pantries, usually made of cherry or mahogany are | | | | the ocean front. Oh, there is one thing you will not |
| capable of storing supplies for a small army. | | | | see in the area. There are no roads, no side |
| Electric and gas utilities are both available and | | | | walks of paved drive ways there. It's all about a |
| mostly solid granite counter tops abound. | | | | rustic ocean front landscape with a truly elegant |
| Hardwood, ceramic or quarry tiles cover the floor | | | | beach house interior. |