Backyard barbecues are an American pastime that rose to popularity in the ‘50s when working-class families moved from cramped metropolitan cities to quiet, spacious communities in the suburbs. High-end culinary brand Hestan has brought the art of grilling into the 21st century with their Outdoor Living Suites that convert any backyard into a studiolike space where cooks can enjoy creating dishes outdoors without missing the conveniences of an indoor kitchen.
These last few months have taught us to revitalize spaces in our home for optimum comfort while also appreciating outdoor spaces that provide an oasis during the warmer weather. Backyard barbecuing will be the thing to do this season as social distancing continues to be incorporated into our day-to-day. Our ability to adapt to new ways of living has allowed us to reimagine entertainment with our friends and loved ones, and nothing brings people together more than gathering around a smoky grill. Hestan has just the thing for those looking to enjoy cookout weather all summer long. In the 1970s, Stanley Cheng broke out in the commercial cookware industry when he introduced, Circulon, the first line of nonstick technology to be used on hardanodized metal to the cookware market, under the Meyer Corporation brand. Circulon became an instant hit and in 1997 Cheng moved on to the wine business after purchasing 80 acres of land in California’s Napa Valley. Hestan Vineyards, whose namesake is a blend of Stanley’s name and that of his wife Helen, has grown into an award-winning brand and over time Cheng has expanded the brand’s reach even further. In 2013, Stanley Cheng and partner Eric Deng founded Hestan Commercial Corporation in Anaheim, California.
Hestan rapidly rose to popularity in the culinary world soon after their debut. It became such a favorite of Michelin starred chef Thomas Keller, that he has incorporated Hestan’s Commercial line into the kitchens of several of his restaurants and is currently the brand ambassador for the company. In 2016, Hestan unveiled their Hestan Outdoor line at the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Expo in New Orleans, where the company took home awards for Best in Show and Outdoor Grills. The Outdoor Living Suites have revolutionized traditional outdoor cooking and were designed to transport the cornucopia of cooking options that are available indoors to the backyard. “You can grill, bake, sear, refrigerate, everything you can do inside, these allow you to do outside,” expressed Basil Larkin, vice president of sales at Hestan. To refer to the suites as just grills would be an extreme oversimplification as they are much more than that.
Suites take 60-90 days to build in the company factory in Anaheim and about 4 hours to build in-home and install. The smaller of the suites measures 8-feet and is built with a stainless steel exterior, weatherproof outlets for gadgets, and undercounter refrigeration. Measuring in at a whopping 12 feet, the larger suite can accommodate a 42-inch grill where cooks can comfortably work while conversing with guests who can relax on the raised bar and indulge in a tall cool glass of beer freshly served from the suite’s 24-inch tap. There is also an option to add your own egg-shaped smoker for meat lovers who smoke a variety of meats. Finally, the entire unit has more than enough storage space, designed with cabinets and drawers for utensils and cooking tools. All of the Outdoor Living suites are customizable, customers can choose the color and appliances they want, add on custom countertops or keep the original stainless steel countertops. Available in 12 exclusive color finishes, some examples of their variety of colors include Bora Bora, Matador and Lush.
Almost more impressive than the Outdoor Living Suites are the intuitive features and minor details of each Hestan grill. Stainless steel DiamondCut™ grates for the grills are one whole laser-cut piece that ensures even heat distribution and easy cleaning, as opposedvto most other grates which are usually made of castiron pieces that are welded together. Hestan’s Horizon Hood™ weighs about 40-50 pounds but its unique design allows cooks to lift the hood easily with an index finger or with hands full to almost any angle desired, providing a seamless user experience. When the hood is opened to 30 degrees, motion-activated Halogen Stadium Lights™ automatically illuminate the entire grill while the Marquise Accented™ handle provides a solid grip. The most popular feature on the grill is the built-in rotisserie. Its salamander or broil burner was designed into the interior of the grill underneath the hood. The rotisserie rod can be placed right below the burner offering 360-degree heat distribution and comes with a specially designed heating rack that can be placed under the burner to cook smaller dishes like lobster tails, or doubles as a warming rack for buns. The secret behind Hestan’s success is attributed to its focus on highquality intuitive design, smart-tech, and production. Although the Hestan name began its journey in the winemaking industry, the company has since catapulted itself into an award-winning brand and household name for professional appliances and cookware. Hestan offers the ability to transform any outdoor space into a true living area you can enjoy with family and friends.
