'The most important room of all': Alice Stolz's inside word on week six, kitchen week

 Serious, serious reveal this week with contestants delivering what many buyers, agents and experts say is the most important room of all: the kitchen.

Whatever your perspective on how much weight a kitchen holds, it’s the room that can indeed make a house come alive. In the case of these apartments, most of the teams face the challenge (and it’s a real one) of creating one big entertaining zone that will ultimately extend out to living and dining spaces.

What struck me profoundly this week was the size of those butler’s pantries. They’re like an apartment all of their own. Too big? Yes, in my opinion, particularly as all couples are targeting DINKs, downsizers or empty nesters … no one has pitched to me their aiming their apartment at a family of five.

Kerrie and Spence are feeling pretty chuffed this week and they’ve every right to be; they are literally delivering one of the most pimped-up luxury kitchens I have ever seen. I also like that, in a similar way to Jess and Norm, they’ve kept the butler’s pantry open at both ends. I think there’s a sadness to those that have a door firmly shut on them. Yes, they should be tucked away so if they’re full of pots and pans no one sees the mess, but who wants to be stuck in pantry chopping an onion with the door shut? And also, haven’t you heard about butler’s pantries parties? They’re the next big thing.

Related: View the five Gatwick apartments for sale

• Kerrie and Spence: 1/34 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
• Hans and Courtney: 2/34 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
• Sara and Hayden: 3/34 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
• Norm and Jess: 4/34 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
• Bianca and Carla: 5/34 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda

Sara and Hayden took a risk and moved the orientation of their kitchen and I think it works. They’ve got a great space that neatly sits tucked in one end of the apartment. I was again disappointed by the size of the butler’s pantry and in their case, also a door that feels like it opens the wrong way.

Jess and Norm impressed me again with their muted colours and the marble benchtop and the fact the butler’s pantry is open ended. And wow, the whole kitchen is bathed in beautiful natural light in a way that only a penthouse can offer.

I know Courtney and Hans have ummed and ahhed while considering if they should have moved their kitchen. I think it was a mistake not to do so and the best bit of their kitchen is tucked behind the main show. But in an area as cosmopolitan as St Kilda, with so many wonderful bars and restaurants on your doorstep, they may just get away with it. It does feel odd to walk in the front door and be instantly in the kitchen, though.

Bianca and Carla also got carried away with pantry and for them I think it really comes at the cost of their dining space which seems (excuse the pun) a little undercooked. And so, this week, the Domain prize is backing Kerrie and Spence because if kitchens sell houses, theirs is shoring up to be a winner.

The scores:

Kerrie and Spence: 7

Jess and Norm: 6.5

Bianca and Carla: 6.5

Courtney and Hans: 6.5

Hayden and Sara: 6.5