The key to a successful and interesting party is planning the party well in advance. For this, you need to have a proper equipment checklist. It helps you tick all the boxes of the requirements for great outdoor party catering.
The equipment that is needed for catering varies depending on the particular event. Hence you must break down the list into several major sections. It helps you to be much more efficient and also allows you to stay organized. But some types of equipment are a basic necessity for any catering business.
Here is the list of seven must-haves when it comes to running a catering business:
1. Cookers
Nowadays, it’s a trend where all the catering services showcase their cooking skills to the guests. They set the countertop setup to show how the food is cooked. For this showcase, you need cookers that are attractive and effective as well.
Cookers fit the requirements here. They are easy to set up and cook food quickly. The quality of the food cooked in cookers is also remarkable. Also, these are handy when the venue has no official kitchen, as you need less space to install them anywhere.
There are numerous brands offering cookers. One such brand is a cajun cooker. These cookers come with an enhanced airflow design and are the market’s most efficient smokers. They are perfect for your catering business or restaurant.
2. Catering vehicle
Without a vehicle, you cannot transport your catering equipment. So before considering other equipment, think of buying a commercial catering vehicle. The most popular and perfect catering vehicle is a cargo van. This van has enough space to store all the food items and cooking utensils.
Space is the most important fact to consider when buying a catering van. Choose a vehicle with spacing that also fits all the equipment, food, and staff. Before buying a commercial vehicle, do not forget to take essential permits. You need to have valid government permits to serve the services in some places. Take care of all those permits.
3. Table and chairs
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You must provide the guests with tables and chairs if you own a catering service. It would help if you decorated all the tables and chairs according to the venue.
So try not to invest much in these things but decorative items. Know the number of guests in advance so you can set everything accordingly. Buy enough tables and chairs and beware of the last-minute rush.
4. Serving utensils
If serving utensils are not appropriate and well-maintained, then nobody will consider the food. Therefore, have enough catering utensils that go with almost all the decorative themes. Black and white are the two major colors that you can use everywhere. Providing enough serving utensils to your staff ensures they serve the guests efficiently.
The most common serving utensils are plates, spoons, bowls, and trays. It is just the basic stuff you need to modify according to the guests’ requirements.
5. Outdoor coolers
Your customers are not going to provide refrigerators every time. There may be chances that you have to cook outside. Whatever the conditions, you need something to keep the essential ingredients cool. And you cannot always rely on the customer to provide you with the refrigerator. It will be like taking unnecessary risks. Therefore, buy something that keeps your food cool. Buy something that works with electricity and other sources for outdoor catering. If possible, go for the industrial coolers. The reason is that they can store more food items compared to normal commercial refrigerators. Also, these remain sealed even in the harshest weather.
6. Cutters and slicers
One of the essential things is slicers for a catering service. It is the most minor, and business usually forgets about it.
Remember, there is a difference between the slicers and the knife. Slicers are more useful as compared to knives. At this point, cooking becomes simple, enjoyable, quick, and organized. Many recipes can be completed if you keep a slicer or cutter in your kitchen. These tools quickly and easily cut meats, fruits, bread, and vegetables into different sizes and shapes.
This includes the dicers and graters as well. However, they are occasionally produced separately. Now manufacturers are creating models that mix the two. These versions are capable of both cutting and slicing.
Another justification for including a meat slicer in your shopping cart is its accuracy. In contrast to a knife, a meat slicer allows you to cut meat into various sizes.
7. Mixer
People enjoy pizza, bread, and other foods that require thoroughly blending components, so using a mixer in your restaurant kitchen is essential. A mixer is a culinary equipment used to combine many ingredients into a single product. It comes in numerous forms, such as the planetary mixer, stand mixer, dough mixer, and even the blender.
Typically, mixers consist of a bowl and an agitator. Depending on the model, a powerful electric motor is either attached to the bowl or the agitator, which can be a whip or blade. As a result, the materials placed in it will mix while one is stationary and the other is moving quickly.
The device not only relieves your stress but also shortens the time needed to prepare a meal. Additionally, having a machine with such a large operating capacity in your service is helpful when you’re pressed for time. You have to face lots of upset faces if you are late in serving the food.
Conclusion
These are the seven things that are very important for any catering service. There is much other equipment, but these seven are the most important. You can run a very successful catering business if you have everything that fits in less space and is very effective. Use equipment that saves space, money, and time. But never compromise with the quality. Make sure you satisfy your customers with the quality of equipment and taste of food.
