The festive season is one of the busiest times for commercial kitchens. With increased orders, special menus, and heightened customer expectations, optimising your kitchen equipment is essential. Here are some tips for preparing your commercial kitchen for a successful and efficient Christmas season...
1. Evaluate Your Equipment for Peak Christmas Performance
The holiday rush can push kitchen equipment to its limits. Regular maintenance and an equipment evaluation is key to ensuring optimum kitchen performance to minimise breakdowns and failures during peak times.
Refrigeration and Freezer Units: Check temperatures, clean coils, and confirm that doors and seals are in good condition. A sudden failure in refrigeration during Christmas service can spell disaster, so clean condenser coils and inspect fans to keep units running efficiently.
Ovens, Ranges, and Fryers: Calibrate and test all ovens, ensuring burners are working properly and electric/induction hobs are clean to allow them to work efficiently. Clean and replace fryer oil if necessary to maintain food quality and cooking consistency.
Dishwashing Stations: Expect more plates, glassware, and cutlery during festive service. Check that dishwashers are working efficiently, filters are clean, water is regularly changed, water filters are checked, and your chemical dosing is working effectively and efficiently.
Ventilation System: A clean and efficient ventilation system is critical during high-output times. Clean or replace filters, check for grease buildup, and schedule a professional deep clean if needed.
2. Review Health & Safety Protocols for High-Volume Christmas Service
As the holiday rush brings a larger team and faster staff turnover, it's more important than ever to reinforce health and safety protocols to maintain a clean and safe environment.
Food Safety and Hygiene: Review food safety practices, from proper hygiene and food storage to temperature controls. Keep extra gloves, disinfectants, and sanitisers accessible for quick and frequent cleaning. Ensure that all new and temporary staff are correctly trained.
Cross-Contamination Prevention: With a seasonally adjusted menu, ensure a clear plan for handling allergens and preventing cross-contamination. Label allergen-specific ingredients clearly and store them separately.
Hazard Checks: Make sure all staff have correct training and know the locations of first aid kits and fire safety equipment, and ensure these are stocked and up-to-date.
3. Fine-Tune Your Cleaning and Maintenance Routine for Peak Season
A spotless kitchen is critical during the holidays, both for health and efficiency. With more activity, consider stepping up your cleaning routine.
Daily Cleaning of High-Traffic Equipment: Reinforce the daily cleaning schedule for fryers, ovens, and refrigeration units. Frequent cleaning minimises the risk of unexpected breakdowns due to grease buildup.
Deep-Clean Refrigeration Units: Before the season starts, thoroughly clean fridges and freezers, and check seals to ensure optimal cooling. Schedule coil cleaning to prevent overheating and maintain cooling efficiency.
Stock Extra Cleaning Supplies: Keep additional supplies like disinfectants, wipes, and gloves on hand. A well-stocked cleaning station helps staff maintain a sanitary environment during busy hours without interruption.
4.Prepare for Equipment Failures and Unexpected Surges
Even with the best preparations, unexpected equipment issues can occur during Christmas service. Plan ahead to handle these situations smoothly.
Arrange for Emergency Repair Services: Partner with a reliable repair provider who offers emergency services during the festive period. Having a contact ready ensures any major breakdowns are quickly addressed.
Want more guidance? Get in touch with us today.
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