Steamboat Pilot & Today

When Carol and Gary Berman built their home in Steamboat Springs, they wanted the space to reflect their values. With a few design changes, they were able to design a kitchen that followed kosher guidelines.

Essentially, the Bermans' kitchen is two kitchens side by side and joined by a stove in the center of the room. The most important thing in the kitchen's design was the ability to kee meat and dairy separate during the food preparation process.

As a result, there are two islands -- two granite countertops for food preparation, two sinks for cleaning food and two dishwashers.

The dishes are divided between two cupboards. Light colored dishes are kept on one side of the kitchen and used only for dairy products. Dark colored dishes are kept on the other side of the kitchen and used only for meat.

There is one fridge and one oven, because there is no danger of food mixing when it is covered.

The Bermans split their time between their new home in Steamboat and a home in Maryland, where their kitchen follows a similar design.

"We're observant Jews," Carol Berman said. "This is a way of thinking about God every time you eat. In the Bible, there are commandments not to eat certain things."

The Bermans started observing kosher guidelines when their youngest son was 3 years old.

"We got more involved in synagogue life and wanted to make sure any Jew would be able to eat in our home," Berman said.

A tour of the Bermans' kitchen is part of this year's Strings Guild Kitchen Tour, which also includes the kitchens of Bob and Nancy Albertini, an Old Town remodel, and Ollie Ballard, a contemporary design created around Ballard's art collection.