The Viking Kitchen
The Viking Story: From Greenwood to Gourmet
In the early 1980s, down in the quiet Delta town of Greenwood, Mississippi, a homebuilder named Fred Carl, Jr. began dreaming of a kitchen unlike any other. He wasn’t just building houses—he was envisioning a new way of living. At the time, home cooks had modest ovens, while restaurants relied on hulking industrial ranges. Carl saw the gap and imagined something radical: a range that carried the power of a professional kitchen, yet was crafted beautifully enough to anchor a home.
By 1987, that dream found fire. Viking introduced the world’s first professional-grade range for residential kitchens, and with it, an entirely new category of appliance was born. Suddenly, home cooks could sear, broil, and simmer with the same precision as chefs, all while standing in kitchens softened by painted cabinetry, linen curtains, and the hum of family life. It was a revelation—equal parts performance and poetry.
The 1990s brought growth, and Viking expanded beyond ranges to refrigeration, dishwashers, ventilation, and outdoor cooking. Yet no matter the appliance, the soul remained the same: professional power wrapped in design that felt timeless, American, and enduring. In cottages and city lofts alike, a Viking stove quickly became more than a tool—it was a symbol of aspiration, a hearth where meals and memories were made.
By the early 2000s, Viking had become an American icon. Its appliances were featured in design magazines, dream homes, and television kitchens. Greenwood itself became a kind of culinary campus, where cooking schools, product showrooms, and Southern hospitality intertwined. Viking wasn’t just selling appliances—it was crafting a lifestyle rooted in community and the joy of gathering.
In 2013, Viking joined forces with The Middleby Corporation, a global leader in commercial cooking technology. The union gave Viking fresh strength, pairing its Southern roots with international innovation. The brand refined its product lines, unveiling the 5 and 7 Series ranges and refrigeration systems, each carrying the lineage of that first revolutionary range while pushing performance and reliability even further.
Today, Viking remains both pioneer and heirloom. Nearly four decades after its debut, the brand continues to blend rugged performance with coastal charm, fitting seamlessly into kitchens where the sea breeze mingles with the scent of bread rising in the oven. It is, at its heart, a story of vision—a small-town builder who wanted more from his kitchen, and in doing so, redefined the way America cooks.
Heirlooms of the Shoreline: Viking’s 7 & 5 Series Appliances
Imagine your kitchen bathed in golden morning light, sea-breezes drifting across whitewashed shiplap walls, and the gentle hum of ultra-premium appliances crafted for both beauty and performance. Whether you’re simmering a coastal chowder or baking farmhouse bread, Viking’s 5 and 7 Series appliances become the heart of your coastal cottage—where culinary passion meets timeless design.
7 Series: Professional Power Meets Serene Simplicity
At the forefront of ultra-premium design and capability, the Viking 7 Series is the embodiment of rugged elegance.
Restaurant-Caliber Burners: Elevated surface burners reach a scorching 23,000 BTU—borrowed from Viking’s commercial line—to sear steaks as crisply as a chef would, while the rear burners supply steady simmering power.
Gourmet-Glo™ Infrared Broiler: This broiler locks in juices with intense heat, reminiscent of seaside grills perfect for char-searing fish in summer.
VariSimmer™ and SureSpark™: Precision simmering and reliable reignition create a safe, controlled cooking experience—ideal for gentle sauces or late-night baked treats by lamplight.
SoftLit™ LED Lights & Elevation Burners™: Soft, illuminated controls evoke driftwood lantern glow; elevated burners reduce messy spillovers, keeping that cottage kitchen tidy.
Intelligent Refrigeration: Viking’s 7 Series refrigeration elevates function to form with BlueZone™ Fresh Preservation that purifies air, Spillproof Plus™ Nano-tech shelves, feather touch water dispenser, and antimicrobial metal interiors—all nestled in cabinetry for a seamless look.
5 Series: Classic Comfort Meets Thoughtful Design
The 5 Series appliances reflect what you’d envision in a cottage kitchen passed down through generations—with subtle artistry and functional ease.
SoftLit™ LEDs & BlackChrome™ Knobs: The glow of these lights is reminiscent of candlelit dinners by the shore, while sleek knobs provide effortless control.
RackView™ Windows & GentleClose™ Doors: Oversized oven windows offer a clear view into your baking—a warm loaf rising like the morning sun—while doors close softly, like waves kissing the sand.
Other Enhancements: Illuminated push buttons, improved wiring, and seamless gas connections make daily use intuitively simple.
7 & 5 Series: Inspiring Roots, Modern Performance
Since Viking introduced professional-grade home ranges in 1987, they’ve symbolized both aspiration and accessibility for passionate home chefs. Over four decades later, the 5 and 7 Series continue that legacy—heirlooms forged for kitchens where memories are made.
Coastal Cottage Styling & Usage
Visual Palette
Base cabinetry in weathered white or soft sea-foam pastels
Countertops in beachstone granite, reclaimed wood, or whitewashed pine
Accents in driftwood and aluminum
Finishing Touches
Open shelving with woven baskets or blue-white ceramics
Mason jars for utensils, linen tea towels, and potted herbs
Soft pendant lighting or vintage sconces to amplify the LED glow of appliances
Everyday Use
Mornings begin with eggs and simmering chowder using VariSimmer™ burners
Evenings become gatherings—roasting, broiling, and chilling are effortless with 7 Series power and preservation features
The 5 Series keeps daily tasks practical and charming: intuitive controls, a clear window into your culinary creations, and gentle functionality
