To give yourself the best chance of running a successful restaurant or café, you’re going to need a highly efficient kitchen. A well-run kitchen must be equipped with the right people and tools to deliver tasty dishes on time for a hungry crowd. Efficiency depends on various factors, from the complexity of your menu to the systems you put into place.
Another critical factor is of course making sure you have the right amount of ingredients available. There’s nothing more disappointing for a customer than ordering a sweet and sour seabass, only to find out it’s unavailable because the seabass has run out! This guide will give you some ideas on how to keep your restaurant kitchen running efficiently. We’ve been providing catering equipment to the hospitality sector for 25 years so know a thing or two about what keeps the best restaurants running smoothly.
Staff Your Restaurant with the Right People
Above all else, the success of a restaurant or cafe lies in the people behind it. As well as seeking out skilled employees, consider their temperament and whether they’re likely to gel with existing staff. In a small kitchen, clashing personalities can create friction so it’s important to find the right balance. A harmonious team are more likely to support each other during busy shifts, ensuring processes run smoothly and the customers receive their meals in good time.
Appointing the right head chef is equally important. Choose someone with clear leadership skills, who is likely to be well-respected, as they will play a key role in maintaining order and efficiency. They should also be adept at delegating tasks and supported by a capable sous chef.
An efficient kitchen starts with smart delegation of tasks. For lesser skilled chefs or those still learning the ropes, it’s wise to assign simpler dishes that can be prepared quickly with minimum fuss. Reserve the more complex menu items for your highly trained chefs.
Appliances & Food Stores
Invest in ample refrigeration to store your perishable items and partially prepared dishes and avoid any wasted ingredients. You should also make sure to have good-quality cooking appliances. Consider purchasing bain-maries to keep sauces, soup and foods hot for extended periods, without compromising quality. When groceries and goods arrive, it’s important to store them promptly to maintain freshness, especially the perishable goods. Organise your kitchen with clearly designated areas for vegetables stores, dry goods, equipment and cleaning items etc. This level of organisation will not only streamline your kitchen’s workflow, but also improve food safety.
Food Preparation Areas
Separate your food preparation into areas into distinct areas to improve efficiency, and prevent cross-contamination, e.g.:
- Area 1- Meat/fish/poultry
- Area 2 – Fruit/vegetables/salad
- Area 3 – Pastry
Additionally, if space permits, consider having a dedicated baking oven for pastries, and another area designated for roasting, grilling, frying, steaming and boiling. This prevents congestion in your kitchen and frees up ovens and boiling tops to help with speed and efficiency.
Keep the dishwashing area separate from food preparation areas and make sure dirty dishes are promptly taken to the washing station. This will help maintain a cleaner workspace and improve the overall kitchen efficiency by reducing clutter.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency isn’t only important for the planet, it will also help to save you money in the long run. When you’re considering how to improve the efficiency of your kitchen in an efficient manner, take into account the following points:
- Invest in energy-efficient appliances like convection ovens, which can save up to 20% on your monthly energy bill. They reduce cooking time by using a technology that circulates heat, cooking food faster and more evenly.
- Check the bottom of your cookware regularly because warped pans take much longer to heat up, wasting energy.
- A clean kitchen is a more efficient one. Clean up pans as soon as they are used; the shinier they are the quicker they heat up, reducing your energy consumption.
Essentials Before Each Shift
Running a successful kitchen is all about good preparation. By implementing the following steps pre-shift, you can be sure your kitchen will operate efficiently and safely during even the busiest service periods.
- Distribute the menu to your staff well in advance of each shift; this allows them ample time to familiarise themselves with the dishes, especially any new or seasonal items. Encourage your team to research and ask questions about unfamiliar ingredients or techniques and consider conducting briefings before shifts to ensure everyone understands that day’s specials.
- Before each shift, perform a thorough inspection of all kitchen equipment. Test major appliances such as ovens and fryers but also don’t overlook smaller appliances. Pay special attention to knife maintenance as sharp knives are much more efficient and replace any worn utensils.
- Encourage your kitchen staff to gather and organise all necessary ingredients before their shift, and to pre-prepare what they can. This approach will save valuable time during the rush later, allowing for efficient cooking when orders start flowing in.
- Take time to review responsibilities with your team before shifts and foster an open environment where staff feel comfortable asking questions. It’s far better to address any concerns before the kitchen gets busy and this can help prevent mistakes during service.
- Make sure all necessary equipment is clean and ready for use before the shift begins. A well-organised workspace allows your staff to focus on preparing good food, rather than searching for misplaced items.
- Identify dishes that require longer cooking times and begin their preparation early. Have a proactive approach, anticipating potential high-volume periods and planning accordingly – this prevents bottlenecks later down the line.
Busy kitchens can be stressful places but try to remain calm. Stress filters through to the staff in your kitchen and, when people are nervous, mistakes and even accidents happen.
Lastly, to run your kitchen with precision, it’s important to have quality appliances and excellent equipment in place. Alliance has everything for your catering needs, all sourced from highly reputable suppliers and at competitive prices.
