A commercial kitchen is an important space for a restaurant, whether you are opening a new restaurant or expanding your business. It plays an important role in preparing your dishes and bringing sales in. You need to ensure its efficiency.
Imagine the amount of people you will be serving per day. It can be a few people or may even up to hundreds if your restaurant is busy enough. Maximizing the efficiency of the commercial kitchen helps to smoothen the operation in the kitchen. You wouldn’t want your customers to be waiting too long for their food or eating horrible meals as you rush the food out.
The requirements for every commercial kitchen may differ, depending on what food you intend to serve and also the space of your restaurant. It can be confusing where to start with. In this article, we will discuss some of the factors you can consider when you are setting up your commercial kitchen for your restaurant.
When setting up your commercial kitchen for your restaurant, it is important to choose the right kitchen layout. Determine how you want your workflow to be in the kitchen. The type of restaurant you open will also have an impact on the decision of your kitchen layout. For example, a fast-casual restaurant may be more suitable to use an open configuration.
Choosing the right kitchen layout allows you to have an efficient workflow. Your kitchen staff will also be able to access the equipment and supplies easily. Common commercial kitchens should include hot and cold preparation areas, cooking areas, storage areas, serving areas, etc.
There are quite a number of layouts suitable for a restaurant kitchen, such as assembly line, open kitchen, zoning layout. You can read more on our article on the common kitchen layout: 5 Top Restaurant kitchen Layout Ideas That Delivers.
Chefs are the ones who come out with the menu. So, unless you are the one doing the cooking yo,u may want to discuss it with your chef about the kitchen layout. Consider their suggestions when you are designing your commercial kitchen.
Every restaurant operates differently and has different requirements when it comes to the kitchen. Things such as prep tables and washing stations are common in a kitchen, but how to arrange things depends on the workflow in the kitchen.
When designing your commercial kitchen, remember that the chef will be the one using the kitchen each day. Consider their suggestion on the configurations and equipment setup, as they will know what works best better than you.
When choosing the equipment for your commercial kitchen, it should be efficient and productive for your operation. It can ensure a smooth cooking process and workflow in your kitchen.
You should prioritize reliability and durability as commercial kitchens usually operate at a high intensity. The equipment should be able to withstand the heavy use in a commercial kitchen. Invest in reputable brands as they usually produce high-quality equipment.
Also, you will need to consider the needs of your kitchen. For example, a Chinese restaurant may require equipment that is different from a fast-food restaurant. Ensure the equipment you buy is related to the tasks you need to perform.
If possible, opt for equipment that is easy to maintain. Commercial kitchens are heavily used compared to a kitchen at home. Look for those that have clear maintenance instructions to streamline upkeep.
There is a lot of heat in the kitchen, and proper ventilation plays an important role in ensuring staff works comfortably in the environment, maintaining air quality and complying with health and safety regulations.
A well-designed ventilation system should be able to remove excess heat, smoke, and odors, preventing the kitchen from getting too hot and stuffy. It allows your kitchen staff to work in a more comfortable atmosphere.
Besides, the ventilation system is able to control the dispersion of smoke and odors generated during cooking. This is particularly important if you have an open kitchen concept for your restaurant, as customers will be close to the kitchen. It ensures that any unwanted smells will be removed from the dining area.
It also contributes to fire safety in the kitchen. Usually, grease-laden vapors will be generated during the cooking process if there’s no proper ventilation in the kitchen. This may pose a fire hazard. A well-designed system will extract these vapors, reducing the risk of fire incidents.
You will need efficient storage for your commercial kitchen. Not only does it help to keep your space organized, but it also maximizes the space. It allows your kitchen staff to access things they need easily and smoothen the cooking process.
Start with categorizing ingredients based on the usage frequency. Ensure items that need to be used frequently are able to be reached easily. It helps to save time during the cooking process and keep your space organized.
Consider utilizing vertical space. Consider investing in tall, sturdy shelving units to maximize the storage capacity in your commercial kitchen. Also, try to use labels on shelves, containers, and ingredient bins. It helps you to keep track of how much stock you have left, minimizing the chances of running out of essential items.
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