Attend any in-home gathering, and you’ll notice a trend: It doesn’t matter how lovely the living room — with its cushy and ample seating — is, because everyone tends to end up gathering in the kitchen. Perhaps that’s why we are drawn to kitchen design.
For the past 30 years, the Oklahoma County Medical Society Alliance, an organization of physicians’ spouses, has organized a public tour of well-designed kitchens located in and around Nichols Hills. This year’s Alliance Kitchen Tour will showcase five kitchens on Sunday, Oct. 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“I’ve always thought of the kitchen as the heart of the home. You start your day in your kitchen, and so many conversations happen — things get discussed and taken care of — at that kitchen island,” said Margo Ward, co-chair in planning the tour. “I love walking in and seeing how other families are using their kitchens to connect in their home.”
The fall tour provides not only plenty of design inspiration and ideas, but also a way for the Alliance to promote local health and wellness initiatives. Last year’s event raised more than $28,000, fundraising for Keaton’s Kindness Foundation (K Club), the Health Alliance for the Uninsured and various Alliance community service projects held throughout the year. The 2023 beneficiaries are Vizavance, which provides free vision screenings to children statewide, and Healthy Schools OK led by Bethany Children’s Health Center, which implements nutrition and fitness programs in public schools.
“It’s about raising money for a good cause,” said co-chair Tessa Wicks. “It just makes you want to work harder, to try to raise more money, because you know how impactful this event can be.”
A longstanding partnership with Culinary Kitchen adds even more flavor to the experience; the local retailer treats shoppers to in-store cooking demonstrations and tastings during the tour. Inside the homes, this year’s tour will also feature a Bath Sorbet pop-up shop, a Diamonds Direct jewelry raffle and Well Kept Space organizing insights. Tickets can be purchased at ocmsalliance.org and Culinary Kitchen.
