Gary Ciuffo's 30-Hour Kitchen: If He Builds It, They Will Cook

The centerpiece of any home is the kitchen, and in the Hamptons, where mansions line the lanes to the beach in every direction and enjoying food and drink is as much a part of the lifestyle as the sun and surf, one would only expect that every kitchen would be the stuff of dreams. From layout and design to the finest of materials and professional equipment, one need only add the personal chef to complete the perfect recipe.

“The kitchen becomes the nucleus of the home,” says Gary Ciuffo, owner of Ciuffo Cabinetry. “It’s the place where the whole family and close friends will gravitate to. They will stay to make new memories, continue or make new traditions, and simply love and enjoy being there.”

That irresistible draw will be calling to the thousands of guests at Sayre Park in Bridgehampton this weekend as Dan’s Taste of Summer kicks off with an incredible kitchen, right there in the middle of the event, as one of its more show-stopping attractions. “We were invited back by Farrell Building to design and build a fully functional and operational “Build It In 30-Hours” Kitchen for the Dan’s GrillHampton and Taste of Two Forks events,” says Ciuffo, who has created the incredible kitchens from the ground up each summer since 2012. “This kitchen to me is the ultimate kitchen.

“This year’s kitchen will be a transitional-style kitchen, leaning a little more toward a modern flare,” he adds. “It will have organic woods and be painted with an Italian imported hand-polished Sirca to match Farrow & Ball Strong White, finished in a wet gloss look, sold by Colorspec.” 

Creating a kitchen that will stand the test of time is one thing. Designing a showcase kitchen for some of the most knowledgeable food and wine aficionados in the Hamptons, from across Long Island and from New York City, well, that is another thing entirely. Every detail matters.

Into this “30-Hour” Kitchen, Ciuffo has packed everything a chef may desire and more. “Sub-Zero Group East, LLC has teamed up with us—they will deliver and install over $65,000 worth of Sub-Zero, Wolf and ASKO appliances, all custom fit into our cabinetry and powered up in our functional kitchen display. The Sub-Zero, Wolf and ASKO appliance list will include full refrigeration and freezer, two-drawer refrigeration, three full-size wine coolers, induction and gas cook tops, steamer, double-wall oven, steam oven, coffee maker, dishwasher, Wolf ventilation, and twin warm drawers. All are the newest models from Sub-Zero—which will be hooked experience firsthand, and enjoy. Additionally,” Ciuffo continues, “Silestone Quartz will be displayed as the custom fabricated countertops and backsplashes.”

Like any work of art, the Dan’s Taste of Summer kitchen takes time to create. “This year’s kitchen and wine bar took a couple of months to get prepared for this two-night show, it will take a total of eight to 10 men three long days to set up, and one additional day to breakdown and remove.” And for two glorious nights thousands of foodies and oenophiles will drink it in.

The price tag for the ultimate Hamptons kitchen and wine bar? More than $350,000. But you don’t need to bring your own chef—there will be more than 50 of them awaiting your arrival this weekend!

Dan’s Taste of Summer kicks off on Friday, July 17, at Dan’s GrillHampton presented by Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors, followed by Dan’s Taste of Two Forks presented by Farrell Building Company on Saturday, July 18. Both events are held at Sayre Park in Bridgehampton. For last-minute tickets, visit DansTaste.com.