Designed by John Nash for the gregarious George IV in 1816, the Great Kitchen of the Royal Pavilion at Brighton was lauded for its modern features—including rudimentary running water. Today, the kitchen isn't quite as bustling as portrayed in this rendering, but the palm-tree columns still stand tall. royalpavilion.org.ukGeorge imported Frenchman Antonin Careme to head up his new kitchen. While I have not read Ian Kelly's biography of the inventive chef, it certainly looks like a most appetizing book.