Dino’s Blog: Crafted for Kitchen Perfection

This is a photo of the very first workstation kitchen sink ever built, to the best of my knowledge. This is a photo of the first workstation sink we built. Back then, I called it the "Smarter Sink". It is now called our Signature Series. So, how did this come about? Well, back in 2010, I had a customer that wanted a farm sink. He also wanted the ability to have a cutting board. I had done this in the past. However, the cutting board had to lip over the back countertop, then d

The real Tucci family timpano recipe from the movie Big Night, shared by Dino Rachiele, first cousin of Stanley Tucci. An all-day family tradition every Christmas. Featuring the full cast including Tony Shalhoub, Minnie Driver, Isabella Rossellini, Allison Janney, and a young Marc Anthony

In recent years large sinks have become a kitchen design staple.  It is not uncommon to see single bowl sinks that are 4-7 feet in length. Influenced by the recent pandemic, we have seen a kitchen resurgence. People have rediscovered how enjoyable it is to spend time at home, preparing meals with loved ones and entertaining with friends and family. Partners and children are now sharing the work and joy of preparing meals together.  One challenge that exists when two people ar

Many of my sink designs have been inspired by listening to the needs of my clients. My first accessibility sink was one such instance.  I had a customer who was struggling to get her wheelchair to fit underneath her sink. My solution was to decrease the sink depth and move the drain to the right rear corner. This shifted all the plumbing away from the center of her sink, allowing her to comfortably work at the sink while in her wheelchair. Over the years we have had clients w

54" Custom, Paragon™ dual-tier farm sink in 316L surgical-grade stainless steel The value of a custom workstation sink versus an off-the-shelf workstation sink depends on a variety of factors, including your specific needs and preferences, budget, and design requirements. One of the main advantages of a custom workstation sink is that it can be tailored to your exact specifications, ensuring that it meets all of your functional and aesthetic requirements. A custom sink can be

Time to update your kitchen? Remodeling a kitchen can be an exciting and daunting task at the same time. While a kitchen renovation can add significant value to your home and enhance the functionality of the space, it can also be an expensive venture. However, with careful planning and smart decision-making, you can achieve the kitchen of your dreams without breaking the bank. In this blog, we'll discuss where to splurge and where to spend less when remodeling a kitchen. The

Dual-tier Paragon™ workstation sink in Millennia™ stainless steel. Two 9700 Waterstone faucets, soap dispenser and disposal air switch in stainless steel. Introduction : In the ever-changing world of kitchen and bathroom design, it seems that marketing departments might be taking the lead in shaping sink and faucet trends. This post will delve into both commendable innovations and frustrating missteps within the sink and faucet industry in the U.S., with a focus on lavatory f

Sketch of a Paragon™ dual-tier farm sink. In a world of cookie-cutter kitchen designs, I found myself disheartened by the impersonal approach prevalent in the industry. Back in the 70's and 80's, most kitchen designers were men who had little to no experience in the art of cooking. It struck me as odd that they were the ones defining how a kitchen should be designed. Being taught the so-called "proper" way to design kitchens by following rigid rules set by the National Kitche

Adorable, right? We have countless photos of children playing and bathing in our sinks. This adorable one was sent in about 18 years ago. We have kept in touch over the years, and this little girl is now driving! It's fun to see the creative ways in which our sinks are used.  These two corgi pups seem quite at home in one of our copper sinks. Last, but not least... a potbellied pig

Cooking for a crowd? For many families, the kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s a place where cherished traditions come to life through meals that nourish both body and soul. Whether you're making fresh rotis, preparing shrimp and grits, or making homemade pasta, your kitchen should work as hard as you do. That's where Rachiele Custom Workstation Sinks come in—designed for those who love creating delicious meals and spending time with loved ones. Our sinks elevate both the

How many gifts have you received that you rarely, if ever, use? Worse yet, when you do use them, you can't recall who gave them to you. Wouldn't you prefer to give a gift this holiday season that will be used daily for decades, with the recipient thinking of you every time? Now is your chance to purchase our copper cooking diffusers at a discount. Don't miss this opportunity to make your gift memorable and practical! Give a gift that brings warmth and functionality to every m

Our white teacup Persian (4 pounds) wishing everyone a Merry Christmas! The holidays are upon us! If you're anything like me, your kitchen is about to become Grand Central Station for food prep, cooking, and cleanup. The holiday season has a way of shining a bright light on how functional—or dysfunctional—your kitchen really is. Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that can turn the chaos into calm, and I’m here to share them with you. Tip 1: Clear Out the Clutter (Serio

For the Love of Food. Making and cooking meatballs right on our sink! Around our dinner table—whether it’s Café Positano on a Friday date night with my sweetheart or a quiet meal at home—one thing is certain: real food matters. There’s something deeply grounding about cooking with whole ingredients. Foods that don’t come from boxes or factories. Ingredients you can pronounce, recognize, and feel good about. In our home, we’ve chosen to move away from processed foods, seed oil

White Bean Caprese Salad and the need for retrofit sink accessories

The perfect steak One of our custom sink clients used to own 7 restaurants. He told me a trade secret that perhaps you already know. In case you don't, this is how he cooked perfect steaks in his restaurants and didn't even have steak knives offered! The steaks could be cut with butter knives. Many of you know that I love to cook. My background comes from an entire Italian family of amazing cooks. I am the cook in our home, and I love every part of it - including the clean-up

Grandma's Homemade Apple Pie Recipe

Some days at work are more fun than others—especially when they involve chocolate. 🍫 Recently, my project manager Mataya and I got to work on something a little different. While our teammate Sean was behind the camera, we were busy dipping, drizzling, and—let’s be honest—sneaking bites of the most ridiculously easy and delicious chocolate-covered fruit platter. And let me tell you, this is one of those recipes that checks all the boxes: No oven required (because who wants ex

Pots and pans are an essential part of any kitchen, used for cooking a variety of dishes ranging from soups and stews to stir-fries and sautés. They come in different shapes, sizes, and materials, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. In this blog post, we'll discuss the different types of pots and pans and which ones are best suited for various cooking tasks. First, let's talk about the different materials used to make pots and pans. The most common material

Fun Facts: Italian Food and Drink

At Rachiele Custom Sinks, we believe in the power of resilience and the human spirit. Today, I am excited to share the inspiring story of Dan Kotter, also known as the "Wheelchair Dad." Dan's journey is a testament to hope, strength, and unwavering determination. His positive outlook and dedication to overcoming challenges have touched our hearts and motivated us to support him in making his home more accessible. Dan Kotter is a devoted father of six, a loving husband, and a