Are you a serious foodie thinking about taking the plunge and transforming your passion into a career? There are a few practical issues to think about first – one of these is outfitting your first commercial kitchen. Here are five must-have pieces to pick up so that you have everything you need.
Fridge-freezer
No matter what size your restaurant is, you’ll need to keep it up to health and safety standards. This means a reliable refrigerator is essential to keep food chilled until use. However there’s a lot of variation within this general framework. For a taco truck, a basic counter refrigerator could do the trick, while an organic vegetarian kitchen might need a cold room to handle large quantities of produce.
Regardless of your operation, sourcing high-quality commercial refrigeration units from reputable suppliers like Ancastert food equipment can ensure your perishables are stored safely and efficiently.
Prep surfaces
Get the perfect surface to chop like a champ. Look for a professional butcher block crafted from anti-bacterial materials, or go for stainless steel worktops. These tend to be the easiest to clean, and give you the added bonus of being super durable so you get more for your money. You’ll get bonus points for adding a sink next to the prep surface for no-fuss cleaning.
Dishwasher
When you’re just starting out, washing dishes by hand may be the most cost-effective choice. But as your restaurant starts to grow, you’ll soon find that a proper dishwasher is worth its weight in gold. Look for one that can handle tough stains without the need to pre-wash in order to save time.
Extraction Unit
If your restaurant menu invovles frying anything, an extraction unit is a must-have. On top of the general fire hazard, you don’t want your customers smelling like food. Make sure that your kitchen design is compliant with any local regulations.
Beverage Dispensers
A good way to boost your bottom line is with a lengthy drinks menu, but if you have a small restaurant you may not have the space for a lush lounge. Still, you can kit out your kitchen with a standard bar, ice machines, and beverage dispensing system. This will require some initial investment, but could enhance the appeal of your outfit immensely.
While the specific needs may differ depending on the kind of restaurant you’re after, these basics will get you off to a running start with your new biz.
