Catering Equipment; What Does Your Business Need?

Purchasing catering equipment and supplies can be a pricy affair so it is essential to only buy exactly what your business needs. Before you invest in any products it is vital to ascertain which pieces will complement your catering style whether this is buffet style services, full service sit down meals or possibly both. Once this has been established you will next need to consider the maximum amount of guests your business will be able to cater for. Obviously the number of guests you hope to attract will have a direct effect on the quantities of equipment you will require. The third consideration needs to be whether you will be able to transport this equipment to a venue. For catering businesses who are at the beginning of their journey and only just starting out you may want to start on a smaller scale until you have more experience in the organisation needed to ensure that your events run smoothly. If your ambitions are higher than this there is always room to expand further in the future.

Below is a simple guide to the common pieces of equipment that a catering business may need and at which type of event each may be relevant.

There are two main types of pan carriers and deciding which is perfect for your business is a decision unique to your business.

Top load pan carriers; these pieces of equipment are best used to serve food at more casual catering events. This style of carrier has removable lids and will fit into the majority of catering transport. Available in a range of depths varying from 2.5 inches to 16 inches so can be purchased to suit your needs. Top load pan carriers are insulated so that hot food can be retained at a temperature between 79˚C/175˚F and 87˚C/189˚F for up to four hours. This insulation can also keep chilled food cold between 0.5˚C/33˚F and 2.8˚C/37˚F for the same length of time. The choice of either lip handles or loop handles means that you can choose which option is most suitable for you personally.

Front load pan carriers; this style of carrier is excellent when food pans need to be transported in bulk. Once the pans have been transported to the venue they are then transferred to a chafing dish to be made ready for service. These carriers are also insulated just as the top load alternatives and are available with capacity ranges of between 2 12x20 inch pans up to 8 12x20 inch pans. This accommodates for any sized catering business. These models are stackable and include carrying handles for easy manoeuvrability. Larger pan carriers are available with casters to further increase mobility.

Carriers, such as those from Cambro, are specifically designed to keep beverages either hot or cold for a duration of up to several hours, plenty of time for transportation and when used as storage during service. Depending on the size of your business and the scale of the event there are a range of sizes to suit all variants. There is also a choice of colours and overall design to be found. Sizes vary from 1.5 gallon to 11.75 gallon capacities. Aim to select colours that will match the overall colour concept of the event. Obviously stocking a wide range of colours is not a financially viable option therefore selecting neutral hues that will compliment any colour scheme will mean that your beverage carriers will be ideal for any occasion. Beverage carriers are usually designed with comfortable handles providing easy transport. The flat and wide bases of this equipment mean that there is no chance of accidental spillages during transportation. If you are offering tea and coffee services there are models available that have built in station organisers to ensure that the beverage side of the event runs smoothly.

These types of beverage carriers are ideal for more casual events however may not be suitable for formal functions. For these types of events beverage dispensers will offer a more stylish way to serve drinks. Beverage and drinks dispensers are available for both hot and cold drinks.

Ice is an essential part of a catering event whether to present chilled dishes or for use in cold drinks. Ice caddies are available in a range of shapes and sizes therefore can be personalised to your size of catering operation. Sizes vary from 20 pound to 200 pound capacities. The design includes wheels to offer easy mobility; obviously ice is heavy so carrying the ice caddy is not an option. A wide variety of colours are available meaning that different colours can be used to signify different uses, for example red caddies could contain ice for food and black could contain ice for beverages.

These items are used to retain the heat of hot dishes on a buffet line. They are available in a range of capacities and shapes to ensure that whatever the size of your catering business there will be a chafing dish to suit your requirements. Varying in size from 4 to 10.5 quarts, chafing dishes have cover options such as removable, hinged or roll topped, each option having their own pros and cons. Rectangular chafing dishes are generally used for entrees and require between one and two chafing dish fuel canisters. Circular chafing dishes are more suited to accommodate side dishes or desserts. The round design provides the most even heat distribution therefore is seen as more efficient. Chafing dishes can also be found that are specially designed for soup. Although soup kettles can be used, these specific chafing dishes provide a more elegant and stylish way to serve your guests. Available in capacity sizes ranging from 7 to 11 quarts you can be assured that your soup is kept at the appropriate temperature whilst still being impeccably presented. Chafing dishes with removable covers or roll top lids are more suited to buffet displays. Hinged top dishes can cause difficulty when arranging pans on the buffet table and can prove a challenge for guests who have their hands full. When lids are opened you must be sure that no other pans behind are obstructed and having the ability to balance lid opening and closing whilst holding plates and serving utensils can lead to the guests potentially causing spillages and a general mess of the buffet area.

Hot plates; portable hot plates provide an excellent way to produce heat whilst actually on site at the venue. Hot plates are perfect for dishes that need to be cooked freshly and then immediately served. This may include work on dessert items, flambé dishes and quick sauté meals along with certain fish, meat and risotto menu items. These pieces of equipment are found with between one and eight burners and can be between 12 and 54 inches in width. The size which you invest in will be reliant on the amount of work that needs to be carried out at the actual event.

Advantages;

• You do not need a permanent power source and it can be fuelled by disposable means of power
• Hot plates are available in larger sizes than induction cookers

Disadvantages;

• Safety can be an issue as the surfaces will get very hot
• If there is no main power source you must ensure that you have ample amounts of a suitable disposable power
• Temperature control is not very precise and the plate will take time to cool down when you reduce the heat

Induction hobs and cookers; these items provide a quick way to cook dishes with a lower heat than hot plates. Induction cookers use magnetic waves to heat a compatible pan. This equipment will only work with an electrical power source. Induction appliances vary in width from between 10 and 24 inches in width. Although sauté and flambé work along with the creation of other dishes is made simple with an induction cooker you will need to invest in suitable pans. The magnetic waves used to cook the menu items require pans that have a high iron content to be able to conduct the heat effectively.

Advantages;

• Temperature control is precise and sensitive to adjustments
• Heat is supplied directly to the pans reducing any wasted heat output
• The magnetic waves mean that the cooking surface does not get hot to the touch increasing safety at an event

Disadvantages;

• Special pans are required meaning extra expense
• Will not create char flames for certain desired appearances and an authentic effect
• You must have an electrical power point available for use at the event

Fountains are not only portable and functional but also a very stylish decoration and a centre point of an event. You will need to make sure that there is an appropriate electrical outlet near to the buffet table to power your function. Fountains usually come in two main types, each suitable for different styles of events.

Champagne fountains; these pieces of equipment provide a stylish decoration to a buffet table and a novel way for the guests to serve themselves a refreshing beverage. They are available with capacities that range between 3 and 7 gallons. Ice is a necessity as the fountain will not cool the liquid. This is problematic if the champagne is left sitting for too long.

Chocolate fountains; this adds a great talking point to an event and is a fun, novel and exciting way for both children and adults to help themselves to a tasty treat. They are available to purchase in a host of sizes and capacities to ensure that there is a perfect option for any sized catering event. The smallest fountains can accommodate 20 pounds of chocolate and variants can either have 3 or 4 tiers. The design ensures that the chocolate is kept at the right temperature and so is able to continually flow through the fountain without thickening and setting. If chocolate isn’t any appropriate ingredient you can also use the fountain to emit a cheese fondue mixture.

Carving stations are a great way to exhibit your finely cooked meats and as a way that the guests can observe their meats being freshly carved. They provide the perfect base to ensure that the meats stay juicy and do not sit out for too long before being served to the guests. Depending on the scale of the events and the number of different meats that need to be carved, stations of varying sizes can be purchased. These stations range from smaller units fitted with no bulbs to larger models having two bulbs attached. The integrated bulbs are designed to keep the meat warm whilst you are carving therefore a carving station with no bulbs will mean that the meat will not stay fresh and moist for long.

Whilst you will find that the majority of venues will have their own furniture suitable for every type of occasion there may be times where you will be required to provide buffet tables, banquet tables and chairs. If this situation arises you will need to know your options before you make any special purchases or choose which items to hire. Although purchasing as oppose to renting furniture means that you will need to store furniture when not in use and it may not be needed for all events, it does offer a new aspect to your business whereby you can not only offer catering you can also act as a furniture rental business. This introduces a convenience to your clients as they can easily deal with one business, your business, rather than with multiple companies.

Tables; banquet tables generally come in two shapes; circular and rectangular. Each shape will usually be used for different purposes. If you offer a buffet style catering menu it is recommended to invest in both rectangular and circular shapes. Rectangular tables are ideal for laying out your buffet and round tables are perfect to create a social atmosphere to a dining area at an event. If your catering business only deals with formal, full service dinners you may only need to invest in round tables. Each style is available in a choice of sizes and materials ranging from 4 to 8 feet in length and manufactured from either wood or plastic and metal. The variety available means that you can purchase banquet tables that are perfect for the personal needs and requirements of your business.

Banquet chairs; usually chairs are made with a metal frame with either vinyl or upholstered seats. They can be used for almost every event whether formal or casual. Obviously the colour themes chosen by the clients will be personal and will change from event to event so it is a good idea to choose neutral colours that will fit in and compliment any décor. If you cater for mainly outdoor events then plastic would be an ideal choice as it is more resilient to weather conditions. When choosing to purchase wood chairs always ensure that they come with a guarantee so that you are protected against any warping or cracking.

Getting your furniture to and from an event can be a hard task especially if the pieces are large in size and quantity and you do not have many people to lend a hand. Investing in helpful furniture transport will allow you to move your furniture with the minimum of effort and in the least amount of time.

Chair carts; these essential items are normally made from either wood or plastic. Plastic is more suitable for outdoor use whereas wood, as with wood chairs, should always be purchased with a guarantee. Chair carts offer an ideal solution to the manoeuvrability and transport of your furniture from event to event.

Table trucks; if you have multiple tables to transport, these specially designed trucks make the whole process a lot speedier and less laborious. They are available to purchase in different sizes, from 36 inches to 96 inches long and so can accommodate for any sized tables that your catering business requires. Certain table trucks are designed specifically for individual size or shapes of table so before making any purchases ensure that you have selected a table truck that is suitable for your furniture.

The catering equipment and supplies that you need will be dependent on the type of cuisine that you offer and the scale of the events that you cater for. Understanding the different aspects and uses for each of the common pieces of equipment will allow you to make a knowledgeable decision about the pieces you require before making that all important investment.