The kitchen is the heart of any restaurant, where activity and innovation come together to create delightful dishes. Maintaining excellence in the kitchen is tough, because kitchens can also be centers of chaos. There are so many moving parts in a busy restaurant kitchen that staying organized and efficient is an age-old challenge for chefs and staff alike.
Restaurant innovations in recent years have improved efficiency and helped to reduce the typical chaos. From improved inventorying practices to more efficient appliances, these innovations have changed the way food is ordered, prepared, cooked and stored.
If you're a restaurant owner who has not updated your commercial kitchen recently, there are many things you can do to improve the way your commercial kitchen operates. A remodel with the right Connecticut contractor can change everything.
1. Robotics in the Kitchen
Robots and artificial intelligence have changed the world, including restaurants. Robots can be designed to do a variety of automated tasks, and when combined with artificial intelligence, can adapt to changing requests and recipes.
Robots are largely found in fast food settings, but can be installed in other restaurant kitchens to perform a variety of specific tasks ranging from the preparation of pizza to making of tortilla chips. Robots are currently found in a relatively small percentage of commercial kitchens, but it's predicted that the world will start to see more of this in the future.
2. Improved Kitchen Hoods
Kitchen hoods are an essential part of any commercial kitchen because it's important to exhaust smoke, grease, moisture, heat and so on. Kitchen hoods help keep the kitchen functioning. Modern hoods have features that make them more effective, including smart functionality and sensors that activate the hood automatically under certain conditions.
Older hoods are often loud, contributing to the overall noise of the kitchen. However, newer hoods are designed to be quiet, to promote a calmer kitchen environment. LED lighting under the hood provides a well-lit cook surface, and remote controls makes using the hood more convenient for all.
3. Reduced Food Waste
Wasted food is wasted money. Some restaurants aim to limit waste by studying their own portion sizes and changing their dishes accordingly. Other kitchens find that they can control food waste by using fewer and more natural ingredients.
Restaurant owners can take steps to limit their food waste when they purchase an onsite composting device that turns food into dirt overnight. These devices are a smart addition to make during a kitchen remodel. This item contributes to an overall eco-friendly agenda, which is good for restaurants that prioritize sustainable practices.
One other change that can help with this is the use of a modern inventory management system. These systems track food usage for improved forecasting and reduced waste. A remodel is a good time to implement this kind of system. Put your inventory in place when your kitchen remodel is over and your food items are being moved back into your kitchen storage.
4. Online Services
Online services are convenient for customers and help solve problems for restaurants. For example, online reservation systems make table reservation simpler for customers and for restaurant owners.
In addition, QR code menus make it easy for customers to view restaurant menus on their mobile devices. This makes it easier to look at the menu even before you get a table, and solves the problem that happens when a restaurant's menus become sticky, poorly maintained or out of date.
5. Energy Efficient Appliances with More Features
Just as exhaust hoods have improved, so have all other commercial kitchen appliances. Smart appliances offer Internet connectivity, to monitor the temperature and status of appliances like refrigerators and freezers, while also making it possible to start running an appliance like a dishwasher from a remote location.
In addition, energy efficient kitchen appliances help save kitchens money on utilties like electricity and water. This reduces operating costs and allows commercial kitchens to invest their money back in their business or in their employees, rather than spending it on day to day operating costs.
6. Multitap Water Dispensers
Restaurants go through a lot of sparkling water and non-sparkling water throughout the day. Installing multi-tap water dispensers that provide regular and sparkling water in hot and cold temperatures can help waitstaff meet customer requests efficiently.
Multitap water dispensers also help cut back plastic waste by eliminating the need for bottled water. If your restaurant prioritizes eco-friendly practices, installation of multitap water dispensers is an excellent solution.
7. Touchless Fixtures
Touchless fixtures like soap dispensers and faucets for handwashing can help reduce the spread of germs and keep your commercial kitchen safer from the spread of bacteria. Touchless fixtures are already the norm in restaurant bathrooms, but they can also be installed in your commercial kitchen, allowing kitchen staff to wash their hands safely while still doing their jobs. Keeping clean hands is important for stopping the spread of illnesses and also important for food safety.
Get Started With the Right Connecticut Contractor
Innovative updates can help commercial kitchens meet customer expectations. Finding the right contractor to collaborate with and perform the installation is important. Look for a Connecticut contractor with extensive commercial experience and experience renovating restaurant spaces.
Finding the right contractor can be a challenge. Litchfield Builders provides a guide that can help. Download our guide to finding a professional contractor to get started with your commercial kitchen renovation.
