Saturday 5 October 2013

Getting the Right Catering Equipment for the Job

"Do you cook as a hobby? Many catering services started this way, and with the prodding of family and colleagues who frequently get to taste their cooking, many start to venture into the catering industry. With an annual gross of $7 billion, you too can be a part of this business. With the right catering equipment and a good crew, you can earn a lot while doing what you love. Sure it involves a night of sleepless preparation and a balancing act to rival a circus, but you'll find that the returns are well worth it. The first step in developing your catering business is choosing a specialty. It's best to choose what you're comfortable cooking with and expand from there. Moreover, you also need the proper kitchen tools to cook certain foods; an example of which is getting ovens and pasta makers for Italian-themed catering. Marketing is also a concern, but that will follow if you do great with your first few customers. So get cooking and start catering to a successful future."

http://www.nationalkitchenequipment.com.au/blog/from-catering-equipment-to-logistics-things-you-need-to-know-about-starting-a-catering/

Friday 4 October 2013

On Taking Care of Your Grill: The Basics of Kitchen Equipment Care

"No matter how good of a cook you are, you can only go so far with substandard kitchen equipment. A dull knife, a sticky pan, or a lousy grill can easily affect the quality of the food you're making. This alone should be reason enough to care for those kitchen equipment and cooking tools by keeping them well-maintained and in proper condition. Like many other cultures, Aussies love a good grill every once in a while. It is safe to assume that every household has at least one indoor or outdoor grill, and that it has seen a fair amount of use. But if you want to keep your grill in top condition, there are simple steps that you can follow. For example, it is best to remove anything that is left stuck on the grill with a sturdy grill brush after a barbeque session. You can also avoid rust and corrosion by coating it with a spray of cooking oil after you're done cleaning. By following these simple steps, you can be sure that you get the best results from your grill every time!"

http://www.nationalkitchenequipment.com.au/blog/kitchen-equipment-care-basics-tips-for-maintaining-a-barbeque-grill/

Thursday 3 October 2013

Nurture Your Catering Services with the Best Catering Equipment in the Market!

"It seems that the catering industry in Western Australia (WA) is enjoying a surge in profits due to the growth of mining industry and recent resource boom, and is showing no signs of slowing down. Surveys show that the catering industry in WA is now the fastest growing in Australia, surpassing past leaders New South Wales and Victoria. This success is, of course, made possible with the help of reliable catering equipment as well as kitchen appliances from leading companies like National Kitchen Equipment. Kitchen tools such as food processors, ovens, mixers, and other food preparation utensils are vital to ensure an efficient kitchen. It is important that caterers are able to meet orders from clients and do it with precision, safety and efficiency, without sacrificing quality."

http://www.nationalkitchenequipment.com.au/blog/catering-industry-growth-emphasizes-the-need-for-quality-catering-equipment/

Wednesday 2 October 2013

Make Sure Your Kitchen Equipment is on Par with the Best Bakers of Australia!

"Last July 9th, The Great Australian Bake Off rolled into the local scene, much to the delight of local home chefs. Based on the hit British TV show, it will feature ten competing bakers who will be tested in a series of challenges to show their skills and expertise, until one wins the title of best home baker. With TV shows like this, one can't help but copy the recipes to see how hard it really is, or simply to know what it tastes like. While that isn't a problem by itself, some forget that these bakers use the best kitchen equipment, which help with their quality of work. In most cases the difference could just be the taste; but if there is a big gap between the show's setup and yours, there is a chance of getting hurt."

http://www.nationalkitchenequipment.com.au/blog/the-great-australian-bake-off-time-to-set-up-your-kitchen-equipment-and-cook-along/

Tuesday 1 October 2013

The Use of Better Food Service And Catering Equipment for Future Recommendation

A wedding is such a big word. Even though the sound of wedding bells are like music to the ears, the preparation can be daunting and stressful. That's why most of the couples nowadays choose to make their weddings to be more intimate. In fact, the idea is practical and wise. Usually, an intimate wedding consists of not more than 70 guests, which is quite manageable. It could also mean an opportunity for the restaurants and catering companies since intimate weddings call for a smaller space in the reception. On the other hand, it is a must for the restaurateurs and caterers to provide such organized food service to avoid unexpected and unfortunate happenings when it comes to handling food and dishes. And most importantly, they should see to it that they have high-quality catering equipment to give their client a better dining experience. Quality service always results to good feedback, and in the long run, customer loyalty and sales.

http://www.nationalkitchenequipment.com.au/blog/the-importance-of-using-the-proper-catering-equipment-for-intimate-weddings/

Monday 30 September 2013

Let's Talk About Kitchen Equipment

As we all know, food industry is one of the most aggressive industry today. Merely because food is one of our primary needs. Just like an air to breathe, we need food to give us energy. When you roam around the city, restaurants and food stalls are pretty much everywhere. Moreover, there are catering businesses that are rendering services for events like birthday parties. But the continuous rise of this industry are causing environmental problems. According to an article published in edie.net, big numbers of food stalls and restaurants could mean a huge demand for equipment to produce more dishes. And more demand for these could mean a massive emission of green house gases which could harm the atmosphere. That's why it's really suggestive to take the good advantage of using energy-saving kitchen equipment for cooking, like the ones that are offered by National Kitchen Equipment. It would not only minimize carbon emission, but the expenses as well.

Friday 27 September 2013

Choosing Durable Catering Equipment Tips

If you have a knack for cooking and for hosting large parties, it may be worthwhile to explore the idea of starting your own catering business. To flourish in this new venture, you will need a vast network of clients that can assure you a steady flow of jobs. You also need a high-performing van that allows you to take your delicious meals on the road without hitting a snag.

You naturally can’t do without durable catering equipment that can stand heavy wear and tear. There’s no point in purchasing a set of elegant-looking chafing dishes that easily break apart the moment you hit a bump on the road. Without durable catering equipment, it will prove rather difficult to transport your scrumptious culinary creations to any destination, which can ultimately prove detrimental to your business.

The possibility of is not the only thing you have to consider when selecting durable catering equipment. You also need to take into account how well the equipment can withstand adverse weather conditions, particularly if you’ve got an outdoor catering event. As such, it is certainly advisable to obtain your cooking and catering equipment from reputable suppliers that offer a wide range of products at reasonable prices. 

Saturday 14 September 2013

Choosing Commercial Kitchen Equipment

Those who are setting up a commercial kitchen for the first time and are looking into buying the right kitchen equipment may wish to consider the following tips:

Oven – the right oven for commercial purposes can be either gas or electric. The main advantage of gas ovens is that you can turn the heat on and off quickly, whereas electric ovens take a longer time to heat up. However, gas ovens need more ventilation because, unlike electric ovens, they emit carbon monoxide. Likewise, gas ovens emit more secondary heat than electric ovens, which is another reason why gas ovens need more ventilation.

Refrigeration – the main purpose of refrigerators is to remove heat from an area. Heavier duty refrigerators can remove more heat, and one with a remote condenser can take away much of the heat from a larger area. Smaller areas may be served by a single unit refrigerator with its own compressor and condenser.

Range – just as with ovens, the right range may also either be gas or electric, but gas ranges are preferred because they heat up much more quickly than electric ranges. In setting up your gas range, you need to comply with local codes on safety and environment regulations. Most codes require a ventilation hood for areas over open flames. 

Thursday 29 August 2013

Rudimentary Information on Starting a Catering Business

If many of your family and friends call upon your cooking expertise when they are having a dinner party and many of them RSVP right away when you have a dinner party of your own, it may be a good idea to consider establishing a catering business. With a catering business, you get to share your expert cooking talents and skills with more people—and expect a significant profit as a result. Starting a catering business may be easier than starting a restaurant business since your home can serve as your headquarters, but it's certainly not a walk in the park.

For one, you need to choose the right catering equipment to ensure that you deliver superb dishes without fail. Secondhand kitchen equipment may seem practical since they are not as costly as brand-new ones. However, if you wish for this business to have legs and maybe become your main source of income, it's best to invest in brand-new, first-rate catering equipment from reputable providers of kitchen equipment.

Whatever equipment you choose, however, they don't have to be large-scale at once, especially if space is an issue. There are numerous options for scaled down kitchen essentials such as mini-microwave ovens and others. Also, don't force yourself to have an all-encompassing menu available right away; give yourself time to get a feel of what running the business is like, and stick to what you do best before expanding your menu.

Saturday 3 August 2013

On the Rising Popularity of Street Food

The street food craze that has been sweeping many areas of the United States is quickly taking over the cities of Australia as well. The city governments of Adelaide and Sydney, in particular, have commissioned several food carts and food vans that offer unique options to traditional take-out foods. In addition to this, the varied menus dished out by street food vendors are giving everyone a chance to sample a wide array of cuisines and flavors

The most popular street food in Australia is the “sausage sizzle', which consists of a sausage or steak served on a slice of bread, then topped with cheese, onions, and various condiments. Greek food such as kebabs and souvlakis are all the rage in Melbourne, while ethnic and vegetarian foods are finding their ways onto the streets of Sydney, Brisbane, and Adelaide.

The emergence of street food in Australia has also given would-be restaurateurs, who might not have the right resources to set up a standard dining establishment, an opportunity to present and sell their culinary creations to the public. One of the primary considerations of a street food operator is the kind of kitchen equipment they would need to prepare their food. Some of the most common equipment used by street food vendors include flat top grills and fryers, which should ideally run on propane rather than electricity. Mobility, as well as the size of the vehicle, should be considered when a street food operator shops around for the right kitchen equipment.

Saturday 6 July 2013

Buffet all the Way: The Beauty of Preparing Food in Advance

Restaurateurs and party hosts are quite aware of the various reasons why, in some cases, preparing food upon order just won’t work. One such reason is that a small crew of chefs might find it difficult to prepare enough meals within a reasonable amount of time to satisfy numerous guests. For instance, it can be difficult to attend to the needs of every demanding diner when there are dozens of others still waiting for their orders to arrive.

The concept of the buffet was born out of this necessity. It’s a system of serving food where the dishes are prepared beforehand and then laid out on a long table where diners can put as much food as they want on their plates. This system also allows guests to return for seconds or even thirds without having to wait for food to arrive.

The beauty of buffet service is that patrons can help themselves to food in a more relaxed setup. Diners are simply called to take their own plates and utensils, then allowed to pick from the array of dishes laid out before them. All the waitstaff needs to do is to collect used utensils and plates, as well as refill emptying buffet bowls and trays. Serving food can be quite a chore, but setting up a buffet can save substantial time and effort, all while indulging the appetites of very hungry guests.

Thursday 4 July 2013

Why It Is Important to Invest in Quality Equipment for Your Kitchen

The proof of the pudding is in the eating—so goes the popular idiomatic expression that goes all the way back to Medieval times. Even the least complicated recipe, when executed properly, can be considered a true culinary gem. Yet aside from the right recipe and technique, one must also use proper kitchen equipment.

When it comes to commercial food preparation, the types of tools used can make all the difference between mediocrity and superior quality. After all, if you can't achieve the right cooking temperature or optimum mixer speed, it can be hard to arrive at the desired outcome. As such, chefs and even amateur cooks know that it is crucial to invest in durable and reliable kitchen equipment.

Running a restaurant when you've got substandard equipment is like performing a lab experiment with defective or badly worn implements. You're only inviting disaster, and you're likely to leave your customers downright dissatisfied. So if you're looking to replace an old oven, an inefficient freezer, or whatnot, you might want to source replacement equipment from reputable vendors.

Whether you're a Michelin three-star chef or a simple home cook who loves to host great dinner parties, you certainly won't regret investing in quality and world-class kitchen tools and appliances. That said, it also to pays to choose your vendor carefully.

Wednesday 26 June 2013

Advice When Entering a Catering Business

People who have a knack for cooking naturally think about sharing their talent by venturing into catering, the business of providing food service to events like weddings, conventions, and banquets. If you feel you are ready to enter the exciting and rewarding world of catering, it helps to remember the following advice.

  • Specialization – to set yourself apart from the competition, you need to find your niche, whether it's in vegan cuisine or specialty cocktails, to name a few; although smaller towns demand you to be a jack of all trades, it is more lucrative to know and stick to what your edge is
  • Logistics – the start-up cost of a catering business is low since you can initially outsource and rent supplies like tables, utensils, and linens; moreover, take into consideration how you will transport food and how you will maintain the temperature, especially if the site has no kitchen available
  • Marketing – since you have no retail space, marketing and branding are critical in this business; a website, where potential clients can know more about you and your history and perhaps hire you for a gathering, is a vital tool; nevertheless, have a professional web designer create it

These are just some of the things to consider once you start your own catering company. If you are organized, far-sighted, and patient enough, the aroma of your cooking will soon enough reach them, and the cash piles eventually will come in.

Thursday 20 June 2013

BBQ Time: Tips for Choosing a Grill

If you grew up on backyard barbecue treats on summer weekends and loved watching your dad flip burger patties, steaks, or hotdogs, then you can't have a house of your own and not have a grill. Given today's innovations in cooking equipment, modern grills are much more efficient and convenient to use. Therefore, while scouting for your grill options, here are some tips for you to keep in mind:

Choose the right style.

Of course, you'd want a grill that would look nice in your yard or outdoor kitchen. Although the grill's appearance doesn't affect the taste of the barbecue, having a grill that matches your home's architecture, and complements the landscaping can be aesthetically pleasing. You'll need to think about grill color, size, and style before making a purchase.

Look for useful features.

Depending on your reasons for buying a grill, there are several considerations for you to ponder on. Examine grill features, such as storage options, size of the cooking surface, and extra burners, and determine whether you need them or not. Go for a grill that will make every grilling session quick and easy.

Set a budget.

Grill prices can range anywhere from $200 to $4,000. Needless to say, the more money you shell out, the better your grill will be. However, always avoid the temptation of spending beyond your budget because you might end up with a fancy grill but no money left to buy anything to barbecue.

Wednesday 12 June 2013

Cook Up a Storm: Start Your Own Catering Business

If you love camping out in the kitchen and have been complimented on your cooking a few times too many, you might just be cut out for the catering business. But a passion for all things culinary, including food preparation and presentation, is not the only thing you need to succeed in a catering venture. Remember these tips while you give this catering idea some thought:

Starting small is the way to go, especially since startup costs for this kind of enterprise can be high. Try home-based catering first and start with small, private functions to test the waters. (Better yet, get a relative to hire you.) This way, you are not required to hire a lot of people, nor prepare a ton of food that may or may not be palatable to guests.

Get the necessary permits and equipment. Operating from the confines of your kitchen may still require you to get a license, depending on your location. Likewise, do not forget to stock up on equipment that will make your preparation easier and safer. When clients are already seeking out your services and word of mouth has given your business a boost, it is time to expand.

Finally, always be mindful of food safety regulations. Make sure you are following your area’s rules to the letter. Ensure that the quality of service you provide is also on par with industry standards.

Tuesday 11 June 2013

How to Buy Catering Equipment Supplies

Food has always been a great business. Sustenance is a basic need, and people are always eager to try new and exotic food. However, when starting a food business such as a catering service, there are a couple of things you have to keep in mind especially when it comes to supplies and equipment. You have to make sure that they are of good quality and that they suit your needs perfectly.

That's why before you shop for equipment, you should do some careful planning. First, come up with a detailed list of everything you actually need. This will help you avoid buying things that are either unnecessary or not suited to your business. After making your list, determine whether you are getting brand new or second-hand items. It wouldn't hurt to ask friends and acquaintances in the business to weigh in with their opinions. 

After you've made up your mind about which items you'll be purchasing, proceed to the shopping part. Check online stores for prices and compare them with the ones at retail stores. Looking online saves time and effort and provides the opportunity for you to thoroughly check each item's specs and compare its pros and cons with those of other brands and available models.

Monday 10 June 2013

Cook Your Way into the Hearts of Your Clients

Tending to the unique palates of a large number of finicky eaters can take its toll on the hardworking caterer. The way to succeed at a catering venture is by providing high-quality food that will not fail to make every guest drool. You can achieve this by purchasing the best catering equipment—this will go a long way in helping you make your way to the stomachs and hearts of your clients.

Before you get caught up in a buying frenzy, assess your needs. Purchase equipment based on what your business needs and not what will look good in your kitchen. When making a list of cooking appliances to buy, consider the size of both your workspace and the piece you want to buy. Then think about the price and compare it to projected return of investment. You wouldn't want to use up a lot of money for a top-of-the-line equipment if there's no guarantee that the money you spent will come back to you.

Unless you have a baseball field for a kitchen, you can't just buy massive appliances on a whim. At the end of the day, the kitchen must have enough room for the cook to move around comfortably. It is advisable for caterers to use cooking equipment made of steel as they durable and easy to clean and maintain. Ideally each piece of equipment must be easy to use so the cook and his helpers would not have a hard time operating it.

Most importantly, don't forget to check if you have enough money for everything. When on the lookout for catering equipment, make every cent count by inquiring about specifications and other vital bits of information.

Friday 7 June 2013

Keep Your Restaurant Competitive with the Right Commercial Kitchen Equipment

According to Nielsen's 2013 Restaurant Growth Index, tougher competition—particularly the opening of 47,161 new restaurants—can account for the apparent 7 percent drop in per-restaurant sales in 2012. In any case, the U.S. restaurant industry is certainly still a lucrative one, with overall sales of $472.4 billion last year. This industry also provides employment to more than 13 million people,making it the largest private sector employer.

The best thing about the restaurant business is that there's somehow always room for growth. After all, there will always be demand for food. Competition may be intense, but with a good business sense and proper day-to-day management, any budding restaurateur can succeed despite all odds.

If you want to start a restaurant, the first thing you have to think about is its identity. What type of cuisine will you focus on? Do you want to follow the norm, or would you rather come up with your own concept? This will all be factored into your business plan.

You also need to identify the right commercial kitchen equipment for your restaurant. These items may be more expensive than household implements, but keep in mind that they are designed to withstand heavy use. By choosing wisely, you can avoid unnecesary breakage and costly repairs for a long time. Likewise, you can ensure optimum food quality and be on a par with the best in the industry.

Thursday 6 June 2013

A Brief Overview on The Precise Art of Butchering

Do you know how many basic cuts of beef and lamb there are in Australia? By the standards of the Meat & Livestock of Australia, there are a total of 37 basic cuts of beef and 29 basic cuts of lamb. That's a lot of cuts for aspiring butchers to master.

To many people, butchering is an ageless art form that needs human skills in combination with high-powered machines to preserve the optimum flavor and texture of meat. Good butchering requires the proper identification of the best parts of cattle and lamb meat, which may vary according to the variety of animal where the meat product is coming from. For example, the best cuts of wagyu beef are different from those of angus beef.

A well-trained butcher needs to be precise in his cuts for each variety such that the prime parts are well-separated from the rest and may thus be marketed as such. Luckily, Australia has some of the best butcher training centers that offer programs tailor-made for Australian livestock. Lucky, too, that modern kitchen equipment now provide many options for the precise cutting and slicing of meat.

Modern meat slicing implements are, of course, indispensable in getting the job done right and in the most efficient manner. However, they cannot replace the eye and skill of a good butcher who has taken the art of meat-cutting to heart.


Tuesday 4 June 2013

Modern Technology, Soft Serve, and Mrs. Thatcher

It was the stuff of urban legends: right after her death on April 8, 2013, the Internet was abuzz with stories on how former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher figured prominently in the invention of soft serve, ice cream that is much softer than the regular one due to the introduction of air while freezing. The stories related that while working for the British food conglomerate J. Lyons and Co in the late 1940s, Baroness Thatcher helped create a technique for adding air into ice cream, which eventually led to the invention of soft serve machines.

The story was pure conjecture, of course, as the invention of soft serve is attributed to either Tom Carvel or J.F. McCullogh, and happened in the 1930s in the U.S., long before Baroness Thatcher joined J. Lyons. In fact, the existence of soft serve is largely the result of advances in kitchen equipment technology. Soft serve can only be served directly from a special machine to avoid crystallization, unlike regular ice cream that can remain uncrystallized for a longer period after its manufacture.

Modern kitchen equipment not only brought the world soft-serve but also such things as designer coffee. This beverage, complete with fruit-flavored creams and chocolate mixes, can be prepared to your specification in just a matter of minutes. Such an innovation is also the reason you can now sample choco-chip cookies from certain popular brands in almost the exact same way they were made several decades ago.