How to Buy Second-Hand Catering Supplies Online

Whether you own a large catering company or you need catering supplies UK for a one-off event you are planning, this is a major expense. Purchasing brand new supplies can set you back quite a significant amount. You do not have to approach the big catering equipment suppliers to get the deal you are looking for, though.

It is possible to buy them second-hand online. In this article, we are going to show you the best way to do it.

Find a Seller

To start with, you have to find someone who is willing to sell you second-hand equipment. This is not always easy because there are so many possible locations you can check. The first place you should look to is your local area. Use websites like Gumtree and Craig’s List to help you track down individuals and businesses in your locality that may have various bits and pieces for sale.

Do not limit yourself to seeking out sellers who have absolutely everything you need. Be willing to buy pieces from multiple sellers, otherwise you could be searching for a long time, and there is no guarantee you will find the right seller.

Check them Out

Sadly, the online world is a hub for people who want to rip good businesses off. This is why you have to be especially careful when looking at catering equipment UK. Get in contact with the seller and ask them some questions about what they are selling. Most importantly of all, you need to ask them about whether you can see the items in person before buying.

We always recommend making the purchase in person wherever possible. Doing so allows you to thoroughly check the condition of the items and make sure they really are how they appear in the original ad.

Once you are happy with the equipment, you can move on to the final step in the purchasing process.

The Agreement

When you are happy with the items, it might be tempting to hand your money over and be on your way. This is the wrong way to go about it. In a conventional land-based store, you would automatically have access to a return and refund policy. You also may have the opportunity to have an item repaired if it breaks within a certain period.

You have to be clear about what the seller’s responsibilities are as part of an independent, second-hand purchase. In most cases, they will not offer refunds or repairs. Once you take the item away, that’s it. This is also why you will often get a lower price for an item bought in this way.

Is it a Good Idea?

Some people stay clear of making a purchase of second-hand catering equipment in this way. They believe the risks are true great. Whilst it is not inherently unsafe, you do have to take care with the way you purchase these items. There is always a risk of buying something and it breaking down immediately. If you are buying equipment to last for years to come, it is nearly always better to look towards paying extra for completely new equipment.

How to Buy Catering Equipment from Closing Businesses

Kitchen equipment is expensive. If you want to outfit a commercial kitchen from scratch with brand new equipment, you can expect to pay thousands of pounds to do it. It is no surprise to see businesses looking for an alternative means of getting what they need. Thankfully, there are other options available.

One of these options is closing sales. Businesses that have closed down for whatever reason need a way of getting rid of equipment quickly. To do this, they hold a public sale where other businesses can come in and make offers on what they have.

Here is how you can go about making a purchase.

Find the Sale

You will not find closing sales widely advertised. It is a case of latching on to various rumours and making sure you turn up on the correct day. The easiest way of finding a sale is to actually drive past a business and see a sign in the window. Obviously, this is not a practical way of doing things. Instead, browse local online community boards. Businesses will normally advertise a closing sale on a local basis so they can get enough buyers.

What is the Sale Type?

Determine the type of sale before you start to splash your cash. It does not always work the same way as conventional kitchen suppliers. You cannot always walk in, make an offer, and walk out again. Some sales are conducted in the form of an auction where you must bid against fellow buyers in an attempt to win.

If it’s not an auction, it’s just like going into any store and taking something of the shelf. An auction, however, throws up a whole host of problems. Primarily, you have to avoid overpaying. It is easy to get carried away with the desire to beat someone out of an item. Focus on yourself and nobody else.

Auction Tips

1) Inspect the item before buying. Do not buy what you have not seen.

2) Set a strict spending limit on an item. Avoid going over this limit.

3) Do not build the auction up in your mind. It is easy to overspend when you believe this is your one and only chance of buying something. It’s not your only chance.

Establish the Terms of Sale

Prior to handing over any money, you need to know about the terms of sale. Closing sales do not always work the same way as conventional catering equipment suppliers. You will never have the same buyer protections in place. This is a closing sale. You will not have anyone to complain to when the business selling the items drops off the face of the earth.

Work out what they will and will not take responsibility for. Even at closing sales, businesses will offer some form of temporary warranty for the first few weeks. If the item breaks, they will take responsibility. What you will not have is the option to ask for a refund. Once you buy the item, the item is yours to keep.

Every closing sale works differently. When you are happy with the terms of sale and the price, hand the money over and take your new equipment back with you.

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.

The Three Things Every Waiter Has To Take Into Account

Waiters have one of the hardest jobs in the world. They have to manage the entire eating area for minimum wage. It is hardly a desirable job, but they do it anyway. It is a difficult job and you need a certain set of skills and characteristics to do it.

In this article, we are going to delve into some of the things every waiter has to take into account.

Time Management Skills

Timing is everything. Guests want their food to always be fresh. This is why a waiter has to be able to deliver fresh food when a guest calls for it. They have to be able to understand how long it takes for their specific brand of commercial kitchen equipment to make a meal. It is a case of estimating when a guest might need it.

Time management is not only about keeping track of all the commercial catering equipment in the back. It is also about keeping guests informed about how long something will take to create.

For example, you will have to explain that a well-done steak will take longer to make than a steak cooked to rare. It may seem like common sense, but many guests need to have it explained to them if you do not want them to kick up a fuss.

Multi-Tasking on Ever Trip

There is a rule within the restaurant industry. Every waiter should leave the kitchen with their hands full and come back to the kitchen with their hands full. In plain English, this means they should be picking up any plates or glasses on their way back to the kitchen after delivering food.

Good waiters know how to multi-task. The average waiter could be taking care of up to five tables at the same time. This means they have to clear away the plates, take orders, bring out the drinks, and handle all those extra niggling jobs.

Multi-tasking is more of a mind-set and an example of good organisation than anything else. Always think, “How much can I get done on this single trip to the floor?”

Do They Like Me?

A waiter’s job is to bring the food to the table and take it away again. This is not your primary concern. What you need to do is establish that important human relationship. Having a moody waiter come to your table can completely ruin a meal. You do not understand how crucial a well-mannered waiter is until you experience a waiter who cannot make small talk.

It is intimidating to walk up to a bunch of strangers and ask them what they would like, but you have to.You will find yourself repeating the same lines to different tables all night long. Make them like you and you may even get a few extra tips at the end of the night.

Remember, always remain professional and never let small talk take you away from serving other tables and attending to your tasks. Good waiters talk fast, end the conversation, and get back to work.

Should Waiters Expect a Tip at a Wedding?

Catering equipment suppliers supplying waiters for a wedding party is a little different from walking into a restaurant and having permanent waiters there ready to serve you. For many guests, it is tough deciding on whether they should tip the waiters at the end of the night or not. There are no hard and fast rules on the etiquette of a situation like this.

In this article, we are going to investigate this issue the next time you employ a catering equipment company for your next event.

Why is it Any Different?

Once you order catering equipment in the UK, you are also buying the waiters. This is confusing for people because they have technically already paid a service charge to the waiters. You have not done this in a normal restaurant setting.

The truth is although you have already bought the services of a team of waiters, they will not see any of that extra money. The chances are they are on minimum wage and will continue to receive that same wage no matter what you have paid.

Always give a tip to a waiter who does a good job at your wedding.

What about the Tip Charge on the Bill?

Some catering companies will already add a bit extra for a ‘service charge’ on the bill. This still does not mean you should give a tip to a waiter. These service charges do not necessarily go to the waiters. Some companies add the service charge but keep it as profit. The waiter never sees a penny of it.

In other cases, the total tip is split between all the waiters. Therefore, that waiter that went the extra mile for you will only see a tiny portion of the amount you gave.

Tip Directly to the Waiter

If you feel like a waiter has done a particularly good job, give them the money directly. Only put it in their hands so they get to keep the money. They may well have an informal agreement with their colleagues about what happens to the total tipping pot at the end of the night, but that is up to them.

Never make the mistake of giving a tip to a manager or another member of staff to give to the waiters. It will go straight into the company coffers.

Is Tipping the Waiter Expected?

Rules on tipping are far more lax because the waiters tend to receive a fair wage, unlike in a restaurant setting. In your favourite eatery, waiters need tips to pay their bills. The management expects them to top their wages up with any tips they can wrangle from the guests. At a wedding, waiters do not expect tips and you do not have to give them.

On the other hand, this does not mean you should not tip someone for good work. Yes, you might never see them again, but it’s a way of rewarding them for a job well done.

In conclusion, always tip the waiters when they have done a good job. Never feel compelled to do it, but it is a nice gesture when it does happen.

6 Survival Tips for Trainee Waiters Working in Catering

Waiters have a thankless task. They have to keep everyone from the kitchen staff to the people on the floor happy. If something goes wrong, the chances are you will be the first person to blame. It all gets better with experience, though.

In this article, we have teamed up with top catering company Kidcateringequipment.com, and we are going to show you how to take your first steps into the profession.

1. Always Be On Time (or early)

Making friends early by creating a good impression is the best way of making it in this high-stress job. You do not want to give off the impression you do not really care about the job by turning up late. This is only going to make life far more difficult for you in the long-term. Try to be early in your first few days on the job.

2. Pay Attention to Your Trainer

Your trainer is your best friend and your life support in the first few days. You may be using catering equipment UK at a wedding with the rest of your team. When you do not know what you are doing, your trainer is there to help. Do not ignore them and barrel on in. Despite the fact you are a waiter, you do need to know about catering supplies in the UK for the purposes of time management.

3. Move Faster

Even though guests at the tables may see you as relaxed and comfortable, the reality behind those kitchen doors is different. You need to be able to work at the pace of the rest of the team. It is a job where if someone’s timing is off disaster can ensue.

You may find it overwhelming at first, but instead of trying to get everyone else to slow down you need to speed up.

4. The Grunt Work

Be prepared to have to deal with the work nobody wants to do in the beginning. Your trainer may well give you all the boring jobs, such as preparing silverware. Although it is hardly the most exciting thing in the world, take it anyway. It is common practice in many companies for the newer waiters to have their limits tested by such tedious tasks.

5. Ask the Right Questions

If you have to ask a question, make sure it is relevant to the job. Never ask questions that reek of self-interest. Asking about whether you can have next weekend off or how much you can take out of the tip pot is not going to make you any friends. It shows you are more interested in yourself than improving your performance.

6. Smile

This is the number one tip for succeeding as a waiter. Always smile, even when you do not feel like it. In the face of guests, this lights up the atmosphere and puts them in the mood to have a good time. A smile in the back when everyone is running around trying to get everything ready will improve the atmosphere. It also shows you are taking your job seriously at all times, and that cannot be a bad thing.

5 Secrets about Destination Wedding Catering You Didn't Know About

Destination wedding catering just means that a catering company will take all their commercial catering equipment and drag it out to wherever a wedding they have been hired to cover happens to be. For the time you paid them for, they will cater to your every need (within reason).

Here are some of the secrets you did not know about how destination wedding catering works, though.

1. You Don't Pay for the Food

This is perhaps the most common misconception amongst people. When the caterers arrive, you have not paid for all the food they bring. You have paid for a certain number of plates and guests, but the food there is still the property of the catering company. Once it is time to leave, you cannot keep the leftovers. Anything left goes back to the company for them to do what they want with.

2. Caterers Lose a Lot of Profit on Extras

There is a reason catering equipment in the UK is often more expensive than you think. They have to make up money on the extras they have to bring along. It is rare for caterers to run out of food for the table and alcohol for the bar. This is not because your guests have not indulged. It is because the caterers have brought extra.

Catering equipment suppliers do not know how much you might want to drink that night, or what you might want to drink. To stop themselves from running into disaster, they have to bring along more than they actually need. Moreover, the guests are rarely charged anything extra for this.

3. Last Call isn't an Option
The majority of caterers will not issue a last call at the bar before the end of the event. This is because they do not want to be rushed by your friends trying to claim as much alcohol as possible. Remember, you are paying for time not the alcohol. You have paid to stock the bar and for the servers and nothing else.

If someone has an extra glass of wine, you are not going to find the catering company trying to hunt you down for that extra glass of wine. It's an expense normally shouldered by the catering company. This is one of the reasons why most caterers prefer not to issue a last call.

4. Rehearsal Dinners

Destination wedding caterers relish the chance to watch the main guests at a rehearsal dinner. They watch everyone to see how they are likely to react on the big day. In most cases, this provides the caterers with the vital information they need on what they need to bring and how much of it they need to bring.

It stops any mistakes from getting through when it matters the most.

5. It's Dangerous

You would be surprised at how dangerous catering for a wedding can be. Sometimes at the end of the night,it is not uncommon to see people trying to raid the coolers and demand more from the bartender or the waiter. They do not understand that the food and drinks are not their property. They are extras only in case someone ran out of something.

This is why you will commonly see reception staff bulking up around the main bar areas in case of trouble.