Ugly Kitchen Contest Winners
Ugly Kitchen contest winner was announced along with four runner up contestants at a Gourmet Dinner, created by Chef Bruce Finch of A Party for Your Palate, (San Jose) and held at the Harrell Remodeling Design Center last Wednesday, Jan. 25th. Our contestants dined on Tamarind Beef Short Ribs delicately topped with watercress, sides of Creamy Polenta and Broccoli Rabe with Almonds. After such wonderful fare, they were provided with a sweet ending to the dinner with custom made dark chocolate cupcakes from Sprinkles Cupcake Shop (in Palo Alto) adorned with a sugar wafer of the famous Harrell Remodeling logo of a purple iris. Contestants chatted with one another and the staff of Harrell Remodeling as they enjoyed appetizers, beverages and a scrolling presentation of the entry photos. Once seated, they were in for a treat as each table was served by Iris Harrell (CEO), Ciro Giammona (newly appointed President), Bella Babot (Director of Marketing), Genie Nowicki (Senior Designer) and Nichole Garber (Marketing Administrator) with the grace (well almost!) of experienced ‘food servers’.
Chef Bruce Finch stopped by each table personally as he explained the dinner, ingredients and methods in which each dish was prepared, including the number of days he roasted the delectable short ribs – which were “melt-in-your-mouth tender”.
After all were satiated, the winners were announced with much fanfare, laughter and even pride of “how truly ugly their kitchen was”. One of our favorites was the presentation told in true “Dr. Seuss” form. There were stories that tugged at our heart strings, some filled with humor and others who wove creative or intriguing stories on why their kitchen should win.
All in all, it was a wonderful evening, and in addition to the winner’s prizes, every contestant took home a warm and cozy fleece blanket, a ribbon festooned boxed cupcake for later and memories of a night out, where strangers quickly became friends and all discovered that at least for one night, having “an ugly kitchen” was an amazing amount of fun!
Winner – 1st Place Marilyn/
Palo Alto
My house was built in about 1930. The changes in the kitchen have been modest.
Beyond the plugs for the dryer and the iron, there are the 2 outlets.
The drawers have no glides, so they slide wood on wood.
The laminate counter top is covered with cut marks that were present when the house was purchased in 1973.
The wall and ceiling nearest the outside wall have some peeling paint.
The back door has termite damage.
The linoleum has chipped away at the seam in the middle of the room.
The 3 major appliances display 3 colors:
- Refrigerator is white
- Washer/dryer is olive green
- Stove is brown
One of two ovens works; one of four burners works the day after I took the photos, the left upper oven door fell off.
2nd Place Mei Xi & Erik/
La Honda
We are not sure if we should be proud of our prospect of winning this Ugly Kitchen Contest, or feel embarrassed that our kitchen is the ugliest. Well, I guess the latter is okay because that just tells you how badly we need remodeling.
Attached are a few photos including the signed entry form. They are resized to 800 pixels to be less intruding to your inbox, but the full size version is available if you need them.
Truly, our kitchen is ugly beyond words. What could be more compelling than these photos?! We simply cannot imagine there is a kitchen uglier out there.
We sincerely thank you for this opportunity to enter the contest. Hope to hear from you in 2011.
3rd Place Trudy /
Palo Alto
I love nostalgia and the reassureing comfort that comes with a “blast from the past.” But take a peek into my old, outdated kitchen and that blast looks more like nuclear winter. From the box-like design of the small space and the dislodged linoleum on the floor, to the 1960 fridge and hodge podge of other old fashioned appliances that stopped working years ago, my kitchen is well past its prime.
Yet I love my little, neglected kitchen. The old girl has made many sweet memories for me, my children and my grandchildren. She just needs some TLC beyond what my elbow grease and a can of Bon Ami can provide. I would love ideas for a redesign that makes the space contemporary and enery efficent/good for the enviroment and my limited finances as a senior citizen and a retired teacher. And what a joy it would be to start with a new enery saving diswasher since my kitchen doesn’t have one now.
Together we can take my kitchen from “I like Ike!” to “Yes We Can!”
4th Place Marilyn/
Mountain View
54 years of use, 5 kids, and 59,130 meals later, my kitchen and I are tired!! The original cabinets and stove are still there, when microwave ovens and water coolers came into being, there was no counter space or accommodations for them, so on top of an old table sits the microwave and next to it a metal shelf and cabinet to capture the tupperware that somehow multiplied over the years. After the kids left and I was widowed, my culinary focus narrowed to microwave meals and quick snacks. Not good for me or my kitchen…now, my kitchen and I have to renew our relationship, since a low sodium and low fat diet are necessary for me to regain my health. A revitalized kitchen would be an inspiration for creating healthy meals and making it fun to cook again!
5th Place Carole/
Palo Alto
Top Eight Reasons Why My Kitchen Should Be Chosen:
8. 1949 house-the kitchen has never been updated.
7. Old creaky floor covered by linoleum, which has holes and permanent rust marks.
6. Poor space utilization, e.g. insufficient counter space, some of it consumed by a large counter top microwave range, but at the same time a lot of wasted and unused space, such as above and around refrigerator, and portable dishwasher.
5. Cupboards are too small to fit modern kitchen items such as a KitchenAid Mixer, which have to be moved around to create temporary counter space.
4. Cupboard doors and kitchen drawers can no longer be shut due to multiple layers of paint and worn-out hinges and latches.
3. The kitchen window is held close by a long bolt because its original latch is inadequate. Opening the window requires standing on a stool and forcefully yanking the top window pane down.
2. No vent above the gas stove, so the cooking fumes regularly set off the smoke alarm!
And the number 1, most compelling reason is:
1. The portable, ancient, dishwasher needs to be moved around and hooked up to the sink and an electrical outlet for each use!
