The kitchen sink is not just for cleaning up, according to one expert.And because many people now have a dishwasher in their kitchen, the purpose of the basin has evolved, the Poughkeepsie Journal reports.Michele Meierhofer, a kitchen products manager, says a sink is likely to be a thing of beauty, filled with ice to keep wine or food chilled during a party.The functional needs are changing and the aesthetics of the sink are also changing, she told the news provider.Ms Meierhofer states that dishwashers have taken over the day-to-day chores of washing plates and cutlery and the main sink is used to wash delicate pieces and large pots and pans.Many kitchens now have several little task areas rather than focusing on one cook and a sink-fridge-oven workflow, she adds.Research published by Mintel last month showed that Brits will buy 88.5 million pots, pans and kitchen knives this year.It also revealed that 41 per cent of respondents always cook from scratch, with one in ten (11 per cent) using the microwave to cook their evening meal.