Main points:
Kitchen Counter: Display and use kitchen tools, without carrying them around.
Fridge: Store food, accessible to tools placed on the counter.
*neither would be accessible to visitors, like the cabinet*
I love to cook in games - and in real life - but all those tools and ingredients take up a lot of space!
-Most of us probably wouldn't want to leave our items on the floor if we're going out - especially if we have nosey neighbors! They'd see that mess, what would they think?
-Rather than store them all in bags, that we then put in our cabinets, why not have some decorative storage options that are functional, too?
-Like the trophy case, the "kitchen counter" would let you see all your tools, and use them, without clogging your inventory space.
-Instead of hauling around all your crops and various other food items, stick them in the "fridge"!
-If you're working on a recipe at the counter, your tools will be able to use ingredients from the fridge without your having to pull them out.
Saves time, saves space, would definitely get me into cooking, and it's another perk to homeownership!
Edit 1:
-Kukubee likes this idea! Also suggested the fridge as an immobile tool. (possibly built using the Engineering skills)
-Fivetide recommends having to build the counter out of planks