A Whole New Tour

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

A Bedford kitchen featured on last year’s tour. The design is by Not Just Kitchens with new appliances from Baron’s Major Brands. Photo by Greg West.

The Bedford kitchen redesigned by Not Just Kitchens maintains an open and airy feeling by using space economically. This two-tiered counter and sink creates an eating or food preparation area without using up too much of the available space. Photo by Greg West.

A before shot of the Easter Seals NH group home in Manchester. Tour-goers will get the chance to see Building on Hope’s version of an “Extreme Home Makeover.”

A Bedford kitchen featured on last year’s tour. The design is by Not Just Kitchens with new appliances from Baron’s Major Brands. Photo by Greg West.

The annual Palace Theatre Kitchen Tour, a benefit event for the theatre’s youth performing arts programs, has historically gained access to some of the most impressive homes in the Manchester and Bedford area, but this year promises to be even more interesting.

Now in the tour’s sixth year, the Palace Theatre plans to expand the event with a few new twists and surprises. Included on this year’s tour will be a wine and food sampling, and a chance to see the results of the Building on Hope coalition’s first-ever renovation project.

Ticket holders are invited to start and finish anywhere they like on this self-guided tour, but no one will want to miss a chance to check out an exciting new feature — a viewing of the world-class Bedford Village Inn commercial kitchen and a tasting at Corks.

Corks, the urban chic wine bar at the Bedford Village Inn, will introduce tour-goers to two samplings — some of their impressive wines and a few amuse bouse items to taste. To celebrate its 20th year anniversary, the inn will also unveil its new courtyard patio.

In keeping with the elegance and stately grounds of the BVI and blending the old with the new, the patio is an elegant space exuding a mix of comfort and sophistication.

In addition to the elegant gardens and shady nooks, a stunning focal point of the patio is a modern “firetable,” which houses glass panels to contain the flames without obstructing the glow, and offers ample room for drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

“In celebration of our 20th anniversary, we are excited to be a featured stop on the Kitchen Tour and have enjoyed working jointly with the Palace Theatre to open our kitchen doors and dining spaces for its supporters,” says Jack Carnevale, owner of the Bedford Village Inn.

The tour will showcase the kitchens of six homes in Bedford and Manchester, including an extraordinary compound in Manchester with amazing views where patrons will be able to explore three (yes, three!) of the home’s kitchens.

Another featured stop on the tour will include the Easter Seals NH “White House.” This newly revamped home for boys is being renovated as part of an inaugural project by the Building on Hope coalition. The home, which will be transformed into a designer showcase, will boast a newly renovated kitchen.

The White House Intensive Residential Treatment Facility is a group home that houses up to five boys at any given time. The outdated 1930s-era two-story building is located at the west end of Mammoth Road. Before renovations it was a drafty, somewhat industrial-feeling home with a small kitchen and three-season porch.

Tour-goers will be able to see its amazing transformation to an energy-efficient, attractive and above all — welcoming — home. The whole project was made possible by the donations of time, money, supplies and building and design expertise of local businesses and organizations. (See www.buildingonhope.com for more information.)

Event Info

The day begins with registration from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Granite State Cabinetry, where details and maps will be distributed. Homes will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wine tasting at Corks at the Bedford Village Inn will be offered from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and a wonderful open seating luncheon catered by O Steaks and Seafood will be available between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. at Baron’s Major Brands.

Advance tickets are $45 per person or $50 if purchased on the day of event. All proceeds benefit the youth performing arts programs at the historic Palace Theatre.

For tickets please call the Palace Theatre box office at (603) 668-5588 or visit www.palacetheatre.org.