Where would you put the sink?

Our kitchen is showing its age and we’re contemplating major surgery to rejuvenate it.

The architect and builder keep telling me I should put the sink on the island facing the living or dining area but I’m not convinced.

In spite of my best intentions to have everything ready and be waiting, impeccably turned out and relaxed, when guests arrive for meals I am almost always still preparing food.

The men argue if the sink is on the island it will be easier to chat as I work.

But that also means the mess from preparation will be right in front of everybody and then there’s the issue of used plates and left over food from one course coming back to beside the sink possibly getting mixed up with the next course going out.

I’d appreciate advice – where’s your sink and does it work well there?