Obra Collabs: How We Created Expert Custom Kitchen Island Modules
By Giovana Alcazas | Journalist, History Student, Obra’s Storyteller
To get expert feedback on our custom kitchen island modules, Obra has partnered with three, one-of-a-kind culinary masterminds. Chef Evan LeRoy, Chef Kareem El-Ghayesh, and Tim Laielli (@barefoodtim) each shared their rituals, favorite recipes, and what a high-performance kitchen needs during the creation of their custom islands.
All featured modules are available for your own custom kitchen island design via our Client Input Form. Check out our three collaborators and see their islands in action below!
Tim Laielli (@barefoodtim)
Tim Laielli is a world-famous home cook, internet celebrity, and talented photographer in Dripping Springs, TX. Tim believes cooking flavorful meals should be accessible to everyone, so he shares all of his cooking experiences with his faithful audience on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok (@barefoodtim).
Tim’s custom kitchen island modules feature:
Built-in electrical plugs: perfect for his content creation, and for organized cooking sessions;
Cutting boards: easy access for prepping and serving anything, integrated to his island;
Combo and knives & spices insert: clever storage for nearly any kitchen tool & spice-organization
Waste drawer: positioned intentionally in the cooking zone for quick, effortless cleanup;
Closed and open shelving: ideal for both storage and display;
Tim’s island is thoughtfully tailored for everything he loves. This Obra piece gives him the space to cook creative meals for his kids and wife, while serving as the backdrop for his videos, allowing a comfortable, relaxed working environment.
Go behind the scenes of custom furniture design in our latest collaborative documentary with @barefoodtim. We had the opportunity to travel with Tim to Mexico City for an exclusive Obra workshop tour. He saw his custom kitchen island in production, explored our workshop, and experienced an awesome food tour. Watch the full documentary on Tim’s YouTube channel @barefoodtim.
Chef Kareem El-Ghayesh
Chef Kareem El-Ghayesh is the owner of Michelin Bib Gourmand-recommended (2024 & 2025) KG BBQ, where he mixes his Egyptian roots with the bold flavors of Texas BBQ. Kareem was awarded Fume BBQ Festival’s Best Pitmaster in 2025, and his restaurant also holds a coveted spot on Texas Monthly’s Top 50 Barbecue Joints.
Chef Kareem El-Ghayesh’s custom kitchen island modules feature:
Built-in waste drawer: engineered for decluttering, easy meal-prep and a seamless design;
Raised bar extension: special countertop-platform that is perfect for Kareem’s cooking classes and hosting guests;
Premium wood countertop: meticulously crafted from hand-selected Maple;
Produce drawers: improved airflow & storage, ideal for keeping fresh ingredients within arm’s reach;
Custom drawer inserts: tailored for Chef Kareem’s signature BBQ must-haves;
Open shelves: the perfect spot to display special tableware;
Kareem’s kitchen island was inspired by the legendary private dinners and supper clubs he hosts at home. This piece delivers exactly what he needs, a space to: gather with friends and family, teach cooking, prepare his Egyptian-Texan meals, and share special moments.
Watch Kareem’s custom kitchen island dream come to life! His Obra island becomes the centerpiece of his kitchen as he cooks up KG BBQ’s exclusive Oven Roasted Rack of Lamb recipe, specially modified to be cooked at home by anyone.
Chef Evan LeRoy
Michelin-starred chef (2024 & 2025), pitmaster and co-owner of Austin, TX restaurant LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue, Evan LeRoy is a James Beard semifinalist, and ranked #2 on Texas Monthly’s Top 50 Barbecue Joints in 2025. He is also the co-author of the latest cookbook, New School Barbecue (co-written with Paula Forbes), in which he shares nearly 100 new smoking and grilling techniques!
LeRoy’s Obra custom kitchen island modules feature:
Drawers + Fixed Shelf + Big Drawer: a smart layout for pots, pans, china, and display;
Butcher block countertop: crafted from hand-selected wood and built to last a lifetime;
Two open drawers: for household silverware and quick access during meal-prep;
Wheels: 6 functional wheels that ensure effortless movement around your kitchen;
Diagonal drawer inserts: bespoke layouts tailored for any-sized items and precise organization.
Chef LeRoy’s custom kitchen island is perfect for cooking with his family, creating memories and enjoying a nice conversation. His Obra piece is used for making breakfast and packing lunch for his daughter, cooking meals for his wife Lindsay, meal-prepping for the week, and getting premium proteins ready for a neighborhood BBQ.
Texas barbecue royalty meets world-class craftsmanship. Check out Chef Evan LeRoy’s Tri-tip + Wild Boar Tenderloin recipe, mastered on his Obra custom kitchen island, and see how one of the world’s greatest pitmasters transforms this delicious recipe into a shared meal for friends and family.
Now it’s your turn. Choose among +8 million possibilities by filling out our Client Input Form and creating your very own custom kitchen island! Let’s make something special. :):)
Links list for easy access!
Tim Laielli’s Instagram @barefoodtim
Tim Laielli’s YouTube channel @barefoodtim
Tim Laielli’s TikTok @barefoodtim
@barefoodtim x Obra Mexico City tour documentary
Chef Kareem El-Ghayesh’s KG BBQ Instagram @kgbbq
Chef Kareem El-Ghayesh’s KG BBQ TikTok @kgbbqtx
Chef Kareem El-Ghayesh’s exclusive Oven Roasted Rack of Lamb recipe
Chef Evan LeRoy’s Instagram @evanleroybbq
Chef Evan LeRoy’s restaurant LeRoy and Lewis Instagram @leroyandlewis
Chef Evan LeRoy & Paula Forbes’ cookbook New School Barbecue
Chef Evan LeRoy’s Tri-tip + Wild Boar Tenderloin recipe
About the Author
Giovana Alcazas is a Brazilian journalist & student of History. Gio is passionate about informative articles, profiles and features, educational content, and deep-diving into each client’s rituals.