Should You Buy Catering Equipment from Closing Sales?

A closing sale is where a business has closed for whatever reason. They are selling off their equipment and people have the opportunity to buy. This may be part of an auction setting or a case of first come first served. For people looking to purchase catering equipment, this can be a blessing. However, at the same time, you have to buy with caution. Let uslook at whether you should buy from closing sales.

The Setting

First of all, you have to take into account the setting. Is the business running an auction or are they simply allowing people to walk in and make offers on various pieces of equipment?

In the case of an auction, you have to give yourself a secure spending limit. During auctions, buyer can become entangled in bitter battles over various pieces of commercial kitchen equipment. They become more concerned with winning rather than getting a good deal. Do not get involved in these battles or you could find yourself paying more than the item is actually worth.

If you do buy from closing sales, it is best to go for a first come first served scenario. This way you can browse the equipment as you would in a conventional shop.

What about the Condition of the Items?

The condition of the items is always a factor to take into account. Exercise the same caution you would when buying from any other second-hand supplier. Remember, it is difficult to hold a business to account when it’s already shutdown. Usually, you will not have much support in the years following a sale.

Always make sure you have the opportunity to check anything you buy before you buy it. If you do not have this option available, you may find yourself paying way too much for an item that has little going for it.

Can You Get Something Good?

It is easy to assume that all commercial catering equipment bought from closing sales is old tat with minimal longevity left. The fact is businesses close for a number of reasons. For a start, not every business is closing because it wants to. Some companies open and close within a few months. This would mean they have to get rid of brand new equipment that has only been in use for six to eight months. That is nothing for heavy-duty catering supplies.

It is all about going to the right closing sales and ensuring you never force yourself to make a purchase. The biggest risk comes in getting lost in the sale. Just because you turn up does not mean you have to actually buy anything.

In conclusion, you can and should consider closing sales as a useful outlet for getting good deals on commercial kitchen supplies. What you should never do is use a closing sale exclusively. Do not put your business on hold for the sake of finding the right sale. If the deal is not there, look for other methods of supply to outfit your catering operation. By doing so, you will get good equipment at an affordable price.

Top Tips for People Learning to Use Commercial Kitchen Equipment for the First Time

Learning to use commercial kitchen equipment for the first time is a nerve-wracking experience. Many people walk in thinking it is going to be like the cooker they have at home, but when they see all the knobs, dials, and settings they go to pieces.

If you are training to use kitchen equipment, here are some top tips to make sure you take in as much as you possibly can.

Listen to the Trainer

It seems like an obvious one, but not for the reason you think. Yes, you need to listen to them if you are going to learn how to use the equipment. What people forget is every catering company has a different procedure and a different system for using commercial machinery. If you get this wrong, it could land you in hot water with both your peers and the management team.

Get Used to the Speed

You will have to get used to a certain way of working. Someone who uses commercial equipment will have to be able to produce food in a certain period. Consistent timing is everything in catering because the waiters need to be able to manage their time effectively, otherwise guests could be waiting twenty minutes before they receive their next meal.

Hard Staff Members

Catering is a high-pressure industry. You have to have a thick skin no matter where you are in the process. When you train, you will make mistakes, but you have to be willing to accept the fact senior staff members will be harsh on you. The waiters will especially have a problem with failure because they rely on topping their wages up with tips.

If you cannot find the right button on a commercial grill, the extra time lost could mean they do not get a tip.

Leave Your Ego at the Door

You might think you are the most technical person in the world and nothing can touch you. With this sort of attitude, you’re setting yourself up for disaster. Leave your ego at the door and listen to what people with more experience than you are trying to tell you.

Focus on Your Job

Most of the time, you are going to be working in an environment where you are close to people. It can get tempting to start talking about what you did at the weekend or what you were doing last night. Cut out the small talk. You are in a work area that relies heavily on good timing and getting things right the first time every time.

Reduce the number of mistakes you make whilst training by focusing on the job at hand. If you are working on the commercial coffee machines, you do not want to press the wrong button because you were trying to talk to a friend standing next to you.

Overall, remember not to be too harsh on yourself. You are a trainee and many of these machines can take some getting used to. Most trainees do not realise how complex some of these machines are until they confront them for the first time.

How to Hire a Catering Van for Your Next Event

Catering vans are mobile pieces of catering equipment. They allow you to cook food almost anywhere. These are also a relatively compact alternative to high-end catering. This is why so many companies opt for this type of commercial kitchen equipment, especially when they do not have the dedicated catering space within their facilities.

In this article, we are going to look at how you should go about hiring a catering van for your next event.

Planning for the Party

Start by thinking about how many guests you expect to come. To be on the safe side, always base your estimate on how many guests you invite, rather than whether you think someone will actually turn up or not. It is always better to have too much capacity than too little.

Determine how many meals the van will be used for. This will determine how well equipped the van will need to be. It is always wise to be aware of what sort of meals you will have on offer from the very beginning. Take into account any special dietary needs, such as vegetarianism from the beginning.

What about the Budget?

Always have a budget in place. It is easy to see a catering budget get out of control if it does not have solid limits on it. You have to make sure that you are aware of how many guests you can accommodate and what sort of food you can afford.

Furthermore, you have to remember that you will need the staff to make and serve the meals. Most catering vans are highly specialised and require a trained pair of hands to operate.

Recommendations for a Company

With an idea of the amount of people who will be attending and a budget in place, you need to find a company with commercial catering equipment who can meet your needs. It starts with being able to find someone reputable.

The best place to start is with people you trust. Ask any friends or colleagues whether they can recommend anyone. You never know, they may have dealt with a catering company before.

If you do not have any real recommendations, look for a trade directory. This is where most catering companies advertise. Compare the different advertisements and check to see what sort of reviews they have gained. Call them and get some quotes. Automatically remove any company that cannot stick to your budget.

What about Compromise?

Compromise is something you may have to do. Your initial demands were made based on what you wanted not what you can get. This is why it is wise to be as flexible as possible with the sort of facilities you want and the budget you can spare.

Every catering company has different policies on what it will do and what it will not do. If they cannot meet your needs, either look elsewhere or be willing to make changes to your requirements.

Proper planning is essential to successfully hiring a catering van. By being clear on what you need from the beginning, this process should be as efficient and problem free as possible.

Why Should You Purchase Commercial Kitchen Equipment Over Residential?

Commercial kitchen equipment is different from what you would find inside your kitchen at home. You will usually only find this equipment within a large-scale kitchen. If you were thinking about sticking with residential equipment in order to save money, think again. Commercial equipment is essential to the good running of a large working kitchen. There are a number of differences you have to take into account, though.

We will look at the key reasons why you should always purchase commercial kitchen supplies over their residential counterparts.

The Size Difference

First of all, it is important for us to state the obvious. Commercial equipment is much larger than residential equipment. It enables you to cook more at a faster rate. Think about it. How else could a team of chefs cook for 100 people at the same time?

The volume means you need specific premises in order to install this type of kitchen equipment. The vast majority of residential buildings would not have the capacity to have it installed.

Quality of the Piece

Catering equipment suppliers understand users of commercial equipment will be using it on a regular basis. Let us take a restaurant kitchen as an example.

Each night, you could see a dozen chickens on the grill and a few hundred quarts of soup. This is no easy feat. It is also going to take its toll on the equipment. This is why you will typically find commercial equipment being made from other types of metals, such as heavy-duty iron and stainless steel.

For a commercial grill to work, it has to be able to withstand a flurry of activity night after night. It is also why it tends to be much heavier and much more expensive.

Safety Code

You will notice that there are more safety features on a commercial cooker than on a residential cooker. You have to remember that commercial kitchens have to deal with more safety regulations than the average kitchen. If the business does not do this, they can find themselves paying out thousands in fines; and this is assuming nobody gets hurt and decides to sue.

Safety features on commercial equipment include heat guards and finger protections. Many people forget that commercial kitchens are more active and carry more dangers than a kitchen at home.

Is it Worth the Investment?

A lot of people balk at how much they have to pay to get commercial equipment into their venue. It is understandable. You could easily spend thousands on it. The problem is most commercial venues have no choice. Residential kitchen supplies could not cook for hundreds of people in a single night. They do not have the capacity to do so.

In most cases, the additional safety features have to be implemented by law, and you will only find them on specialist equipment.

Any commercial kitchen supplies that are taken care of will last for years without any problems. Although it will cost a significant amount of money now, it will pay off in the long-term. In conclusion, do not be afraid to invest now for better results later on.

Super Methods to Increase Efficiency and Quality in Your Working Kitchen

Anyone who works in a commercial kitchen knows how important cooking efficiency and food quality are. Purchasing equipment from commercial kitchen suppliers is only half the battle. The way you cook and the way your kitchen functions can all have a significant effect on the results you get when it is time to serve the food.

In this article, we will outline some of the ways you can increase efficiency and quality in your working kitchen.

Cook Faster with Convection Ovens

One way to cook more efficiently is to use a commercial convection oven. They have the capacity of larger ovens, but they distribute heat in a faster way. Within the oven, a small fan sends heat all over the interior. It reduces the number of cold air bubbles in the food, which cooks the food more thoroughly and reduces the total cooking time.

Better Taste More Precise Settings

There is a reason why the majority of people cannot replicate the same taste they would find in a restaurant. Commercial catering equipment has far more precise settings, which gives chefs more control over their creations. This is why any professional chef must purchase commercial kitchen supplies.

The Small Things

Commercial kitchen equipment is not confined exclusively to large ovens and grills. There are smaller implements that enable chefs to increase the speed at which they can prepare meals.

In a restaurant, the majority of the time is spent preparing ingredients for the actual cooking process. This can involve chopping up carrots and peeling potatoes. In a professional kitchen, it is easier to purchase commercial tin openers and peelers to make the job go faster. This frees up the head chef to take care of the most important job, rather than being forced to stick with the mundane.

Cooking Specialist Foods Consistently

Many specialist foods, such as crepes, can be made in the home. The problem is getting the consistency a professional restaurant would expect. Chefs can use commercial crepe makers to get consistently thin pancakes quickly each time. It means they get consistently good results with every cooking session.

There are so many specialist devices that target certain foods. You can find brulee torches, hot plates, waffle makers, and Panini presses.

Freeing Up the Oven

The oven only has a limited amount of space. Head chefs have to control the flow of food to make sure there is always enough space within the ovens. One way of increasing efficiency and preventing traffic jams is to take jobs you would normally use a stove for and transfer them to specialist tools.

The most common example off this would be boiling a pot of oil. Rather than using the stovetop, the chef would use a commercial deep fat fryer instead. This leaves more stove space for important jobs that cannot be outsourced elsewhere.

Overall, increasing efficiency and quality in the kitchen is all about good management. It is about being able to outsource tasks to more specialist equipment. By leaving yourself with enough space in the oven, you can increase efficiency and prevent any unnecessary waiting around.

What are the Responsibilities of a Professional Caterer?

A professional caterer has to take control of more than just preparing and serving the food. They have to be able to coordinate and create a certain ambience. There is more to commercial catering than turning up with a few meals.

In this article, we are going to reveal the responsibilities a caterer will have whenever they pick up a job. As you will see, commercial caterers need to have the right skills in multiple areas.

Event Coordination

You have to conform to the event you are working at. This means you have to time everything perfectly. When the guests are ready to sit down for their meal, you have to have everything on the table. This will require liaising with the event’s manager to make sure you can get things ready.

You will also need to have the right equipment at the venue. It could include commercial coffee machines or hot plates to keep food warm.

Preparing Food

The food preparation is the responsibility of the catering company. They will need to take the menus from the customer and prepare everything to a tee. As a caterer, it is your job to make sure you do it as efficiently as possible. This means you will need to concentrate on reducing wastage and profit loss.

As part of your food preparation, you will need to come up with a way of storing the food until it arrives at the venue and is ready to serve. Customers want fresh, hot food that iswell presented.

Setting the Venue

Believe it or not, caterers have to do more than setup bakery equipment and deliver food. It is common practice for them to have to get the dining hall ready. They’re responsible for making sure there are enough chairs and tables, as well as making sure all the cutlery, napkins, and other forms of dining paraphernalia is there and ready to use.

Serving the Food

Assuming this is not a buffet dinner, catering companies will provide staff to help serve the food. This requires good coordination to ensure everyone knows what they are doing and what the guests expect. Most catering companies will be forced to have separate teams for each area, which makes good management essential to the event’s success.

Cleaning Everything Up

The majority of customers prefer to pay extra to take advantage of a catering company’s cleaning services. After all the guests have gone home, it’s the job of the caterer to clean up the dining area and leave it in the same condition as it was before.

It will require logistics management to ensure everything is put back in its proper place without any breakages. Any breakages on your part will come out of your own pocket.

Services on Demand

Take note, some customers may decide to take care of different areas by themselves. For example, some catering equipment suppliers will only ask for the equipment. They will choose to supply their staff and send the equipment back again. It is important for catering businesses to offer their clientele as much choice as they possibly can. It is what the general public expects.

Where Can You Buy Catering Equipment for Your Business?

Catering equipment is essential to starting your own catering business or hosting a major event. Whether you are purchasing commercial catering equipment or just looking to show people a good time, it is important you get a good deal. Within this article, you are going to find useful tips on where you should look for catering equipment.

The Restaurant Supply Store

Your first option is to visit a restaurant supply store. This is the place where the majority of people buy new kitchen equipment. The vast majority have a good reputation for quality, which makes it an ideal place for the first-time buyer to begin.

Suppliers of catering equipment do have different policies on who they sell to. Some of them will only supply established businesses. You would have to prove which company you come from to shop here. Others are open to the public. It is best to call ahead to make sure you are not wasting your time.

Most of these stores sell new equipment, but you can find ones that sell second-hand equipment, as well.

It is best to go online to see if you can compare prices first. Many of them have online catalogues you can browse without having to visit their depots. This will save you both time and stress.

Go to the Auction Sites and the Classified Ads

You do not have to buy directly from the experts. There is the option of visiting an online auction website like eBay for your catering needs. Catering equipment suppliers will sometimes sell bundles of supplies they want to get rid of quickly on here.

Classified ads also provide the same service. Craig’s List is by far the most popular site for this, but Gumtree continues to be a popular place to buy and sell.

The same rules apply when deciding whom to buy from. Make sure they have a good reputation and do not part with any money until you can see they are legitimate. They must show you the equipment first;otherwise,you are taking an enormous risk. Many of these sites cannot do anything if the person takes the money and runs.

Occasionally, you will find auctions happening in the real world. Defunct businesses may be selling off their old equipment. In the event you hear about one of these auctions, it is always worth visiting to see if you can snag something on the cheap.

What about Renting?

You do have the option of renting. For events, this is ideal because you do not have to bear the costs of storage and purchasing the items in the first place. Renting is also a good idea if you also need to employ trained staff to operate the equipment.

It is easy to find a list of caterers who rent supplies online. A simple Google search will bring up a list of the individuals and businesses in your area that are renting equipment.

Again, make sure they have a reputation for reliability and quality. You do not want to hand your money over to a business that will not do its best by you. Always inspect the small print prior to signing any form of agreement.

The Ultimate Guide to Hiring Commercial Catering Equipment

Hiring commercial catering equipment is not an easy task for anyone to take on. You need to get it right the first time or it could mean wasting a huge chunk of money. It requires careful planning and a full understanding of what you actually need. This is what you will learn by reading through this short guide.

The Menu Strategy

Your menu strategy encompasses aspects of the process like plating. You have to consider things like whether plating a fancy salmon platter with the most expensive plates you can find is really worth the risk. Remember, you will be responsible for any breakages that happen on your watch.

The menu strategy largely depends on what food you intend on serving, as well. You need to write down your menu from the beginning. Determine what you will need to make and how many alternative options you will be having. Do not make the mistake of hiring a series of commercial kitchen equipment first.

The Capacity

How many people are likely to be in the premises at the same time?

Consider the worst-case scenario not the best-case scenario. Look to the extremes. You must be able to cope with full capacity and the lowest capacity. Of course, it is likely the actual attendance will fall somewhere in the middle, but it is important to be prepared.

This is quite easy if you stipulate the number of people who will be coming before you begin the hiring process.

Added Extras

Standard kitchen equipment is relatively easy to hire. You also need to decide whether you will be having any added extras. Some venues decide to hire commercial coffee machines to offer an additional choice. Are you willing to do this?

The Company

Once you have decided what you need to hire, you need to decide on whom you will hire it from. Look online for some recommendations for companies that serve your local area. First of all, visit their websites to see if they suit your needs. Once you have a list of caterers who have everything you need, interview them.

Some of them will serve things like plates and cups in a variety of different styles. Determine whether these will suit the décor of your venue. You also need to consider whether their service packages are flexible. Think about whether they will be able to react in the right way should something change later on.

Make sure you have a list of your requirements when going into an interview. A reputable company will ask to see these so they can judge whether they will be able to fulfil them. They will tell you honestly if you would be better off looking elsewhere.

Always read the agreement and check the small print. You need to be clear on when the equipment needs to be returned and what you are responsible for. The last thing you want is to be stung by any unexpected expenses at the end of it all. These can easily add hundreds of pounds to the cost of your overall bill.

The Increasing Value of Catering Services

Catering services have become so popular that people think of getting into a catering business as it profitable and a very interesting business.

REQUIREMENT OF KITCHEN SUPPLIES

It is seen that people think that getting into a catering business is very easy and casual job, but in reality if think practically the catering business is a very tough business and a lot of hard work is needed. It is not a joke to open a catering company hand in hand. It really takes efforts to work on any plan and start a catering company to provide with the best food services. The catering supplies in UK are the best as they work accordingly and in proper time. Those who are involved in the catering business should also focus on the best catering supplies as it is the basic step to start with a catering business. The kitchen supplies should be best and always available so that there is no delay in preparation. Quality matters a lot and if you want to be a professional chef of a professional concern then your responsibility turned out double. From the food to the serving tray everything should be perfect and crystal clear. Moreover, you can also feel the difference of cooking via professional cooking gears than the normal one. 

CATERING MANAGEMENT

Whenever anyone is planning to start with a catering business a person should have a clear vision of being professional and work accordingly. If a person is not professional and just takes the business in a rough manner, then for sure his business will fail. In order to begin with the first step of catering services try to go for commercial kitchen equipment. This will help to work in a professional manner and will create lots of enthusiasm to work honestly. Some of the commercial kitchen equipment includes freeze, oven, mixture, juicer, blender, glasses, plates, kitchen knives, bowls, tongs, baking bowl and many other types of equipment.

Getting into a catering business is a job of hard working team. Unless you are sure of having a dedicated team you should not try to go for a catering business. People go to the company which provides with the best catering service including the taste and tariff. So always maintain the quality of the food that you supply as quality and taste are the two main and important factors of a catering business. You can maintain a long term relationship with your customers if you are honest and dedicated in your work and live up to the expectations of your customers in a positive way.

A New Trend of Show-offs

Now in this era of modernization, there is a war among these modern housewives to make their working place look better than the other. Kitchen is the most precious for housewives and they try their best to make it a dream home. The most attractive things in the kitchen nowadays are the kitchen ware and our ladies are quite specific about their needs. Not only its brand matters to them, but also the design and commercial kitchen equipment attraction are the key things. From matching knives to the matching juicer, blender, microwave, toaster and other all has to look good or sometimes they prefer to buy all the goods of the same brand for better matching and which adds more grace to the place. There are lots of stores where you can have these stuffs. 

Now people are so concern they prefer to buy a matching catering with their equipment like a coffee machine. So you get into a commercial coffee machine store and ask for matching machine, he will not laugh at you, but instead he will provide you with the best match.

You have noticed sometime, a coffee seems to taste better if we have it in a well design mug, which scientifically do not have any influence on it but yeah it does impress our eyes. So yes, there is a battle in between the coffee shop not only on the taste of their respective coffee but also how they are presenting it. People used to spend lots on marriages from decoration to a simple food items have to be perfect, food not only needs to taste good, but also it should look good too on its respective vessels at the same time. This job is in the hand of catering department, it is their job to make it look delicious whether or not it tastes same but, it should look perfect.

Apart this, commercial equipments are mostly used for having any special events or for regular purpose in an office. These commercial equipments are very necessary in terms with the presentation in front of the guests as it directly represents your status of your company. Each and every equipment ranging from a coffee mug to the best crockery items you can have if you are dealing with the best commercial equipment suppliers. Having a great supplier can provide you the extraordinary services which will surely attract you and your guests. They are always well-equipped with the latest collections as well as with mind-blowing stuffs. Expecting better quality equipments from the best equipment suppliers one can expect so without thinking much just grab good collection and make a good impressions on your guests.