Well, yes, they are made in the kitchen, but you still need the muscle there. The more muscular your abs are, the easier they will show. Take Brock Lesnar for example, even though in WWE he was actually a lot leaner, he's now gotten a bit hefty, but you'll notice in promo shots you can still see the outline of his abs. Know why? Cause they're probably pretty big. He probably does a lot of squats and deads..a guy of his build (I mean, those traps say "deadlift champ").
So, while you do need a low bodyfat for abs to show well, you still need some mass in there. A lot of pinner guys seem like they have ripped abs simply because they're so lean. But, take a look at the rest of them. No back, shoulders, legs, arms, etc...even their abs are small. They're just so lean it appears they're ripped. If you really want impressive abs, build them up first with squats, deads, pullups, pullovers, push press, etc...anything where your core needs to stabilize while lifting heavy weight. I wouldn't bother with much if any direct ab work. So much energy for so little results. And, if you must, refrain from movements with your spine curving (e.g. situps); I don't have the technical terminology down, but P-Funk posted recently that this is not good for your spine. Stick to your stabilization exercises like planks (great and very practical for your squats and deads) and rotation/twisting exercises.
Think of it like this...you know those people who trim bush hedges in competitions and make art? Well, they must first let their bush hedge grow large and thick for a foundation. THEN, they can slowly trim it down bit by bit and let the detail show.
And, just in case you were worried about this, don't worry about the word "mass" when used in the case of abs. Squats won't give you bulky, unappealing abs (though, genetics really determine this). I took out direct ab work about 2 months ago as an experiment. Instead, (though I did this for other reasons..abs are the least of my concerns for now), I incorporated more squats and deads, etc, and my abs have grown more than ever and actually have taken on a nicer appearance in terms of proportions. Also, my rip cage has expanded, making my lats and chest appear much nicer and stronger. Trust me, squats and deads are your best friend.
