The Réchauffoir

The name "réchauffoir" means "reheating room," and while it looks like a kitchen at first glance, no actual cooking took place here. The real kitchens stood at a distance, kept separate because of the smell, noise, and fire risk, which meant dishes could cool or lose their presentation on the way over. This room solved that problem: cooks reheated dishes here, added sauces, and put the finishing touches of decoration on each plate before it was served. The counter beside the fireplace, called the "potager," served much the same purpose as a modern gas stove.