Butler’s pantries first came into fashion in the 19th century. They were originally designed for butlers. These narrow rooms were located just off or in-between the kitchen and dining area. They had shelves and cabinets for serving and storing tableware. Although butler’s pantries were a common feature in wealthy homes, they are now being rediscovered in all homes.
A butler’s Pantry can be described as a room that is located between the kitchen and dining room and which serves as a place to store serving and tableware. A modern butler’s Pantry can store a variety of kitchen equipment and food.
What exactly is a Butler’s Pantry, and How Does It Work?
A butler’s pantries are meant to be used for storage. Butler’s pantries can be used to cook food, while larder pantries can be used for serving food.
A scullery is not the same as a butler’s Pantry, although these names are sometimes used interchangeably. A scullery, which is also located just off the kitchen or dining room, is a small area that is used for cooking, washing dishes, and preparing food for the table. Although sculleries may look like butler’s pantries they will contain a sink and a dishwasher.
History of Butler’s Pantries
Butler’s pantries were used by wealthy families to store silverware, crystal, glass, and fine china. These expensive, fragile items would be protected from thieves by locking drawers and cabinets. These pantries were often used as a workspace by the butler in some wealthy households of Victorian England. Some butlers would even sleep in the Pantry to ensure that the valuable silver in the household was always protected.
A few butler’s Pantry served as the hub of operations for household staff and could include desks, document cabinets and drawers that the butler could use to perform administrative tasks. For larger estates, a call system or intercom might be used to reach the butler who was the manager of the house.
Today’s Butler’s Pantries
While the major design elements of 19th-century butler’s pantries still exist, their purpose and use are now 21st century. To enjoy the benefits of a butler’s kitchen in your home, you don’t need to hire one.
The butler’s Pantry is located between the kitchen and dining area and will have plenty of shelves, counterspace and storage cabinets. Some butler’s Pantry have taken on the role of a small refrigerator, sink, or dishwasher.
Butler’s pantries are a great extension to the kitchen. Their large counters make them ideal for prepping large meals or storing special cooking equipment such as paella pans or pasta makers that aren’t being used often. A butler’s Pantry is a great space to make cookies and frosting, as well as candy, chocolate and other items that are susceptible to heat damage.
