If you own a restaurant, you want to make sure that the food you serve your guests is not only delicious, but also safe to eat. Complaints of food poisoning from diners is a chef’s worst nightmare and can threaten the livelihood of even the finest establishments. In today’s post, we’ll review some food safety basics as well as a few commercial food service equipment essentials to ensure your kitchen staff can prepare delicious dishes efficiently and safely.
Are you in need of high-quality industrial kitchen equipment? If so, Taylor Freezer of Michigan, Inc. is here for you. We are a premier distributor of commercial refrigeration and cooking equipment and we have more than 64 years of experience in the industry. Contact our team today to get started!
Food Safety Basics
When it comes to ensuring that your guests have the best experience possible at your establishment, your top priority as a restaurant owner is to ensure that the food you’re serving is safe for consumption. As your kitchen staff prepares food, there are four vital guidelines to follow for food safety:
- Clean hands and surfaces — Make sure that your employees wash their hands often, wear gloves when appropriate, and keep prep surfaces clean.
- Avoid cross-contamination — When storing raw meat, fish, and poultry, take care to keep them separated from other foods to avoid contamination. Wash raw food prep surfaces with hot, soapy water.
- Proper cooking methods — Cook all food to proper internal temperatures, checking often with a food thermometer. Raw beef, pork, lamb, and roasts should be brought to 145 ℉, ground meats to 160 ℉, and poultry to 165 ℉.
- Cooling — Refrigerate foods promptly and follow the proper cold storage times recommended for each food type. Refrigerated foods should be kept at 40 ℉ to ensure they don’t spoil or become dangerous.
Many restaurant owners rely on commercial food service equipment to ensure they meet all of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) required food safety recommendations. As a leading distributor of industrial cooking equipment and refrigeration, Taylor Freezer of Michigan, Inc. has all of your food safety needs covered. Contact our team today to discover the best solutions for your restaurant!
Equipment Essentials
High-quality food service equipment is essential to operating a safe, profitable restaurant. Below, we’ve reviewed four of the most beneficial pieces of equipment. Read on to learn more!
Prep Tables
When your staff is preparing entrees, you want them to have access to prep tables and surfaces that promote proper food safety. This means that prep surfaces should be non-porous and easy to clean, which is why stainless steel is so ideal for kitchen equipment. There is a wide assortment of commercial food prep tables available on the market today, and it may be difficult to know which type and manufacturer will best suit your needs and budget. Whether you need a raised-rail prep table or a combo prep and display table, Beverage-Air and Master-Bilt® are industry leaders for commercial food service equipment, and you’re sure to find a prep table that will complement your kitchen’s functionality.
Thermometers
Whether you’re testing the internal temperature of a specialty entree or checking to make sure your commercial refrigeration equipment is cold enough, having a properly functioning thermometer that is specific to your task is very important. It might seem like a no-brainer, but you wouldn’t use a meat thermometer to test the coldness of your refrigerator, and you probably wouldn’t use a refrigerator thermometer to ensure your dish is thoroughly cooked. Having a large assortment of thermometers in your kitchen allows your staff to efficiently and accurately check the temperatures of food, dishwashers, and cooking and cooling equipment, ensuring that the food that comes out of your kitchen is as safe as possible for guests.
Coolers
Because refrigerated goods must be kept at a safe and consistent temperature to avoid spoilage and foodborne illnesses, having a top-of-the-line commercial cooler is essential to your kitchen. Whether you operate a smoothie shop that features unique recipes based on locally sourced fruits and veggies or you own a high-end, reservation-only establishment, you want to make sure that the ingredients going into your food are fresh, delicious, and safe. From upright rolling units to under-cabinets coolers, Taylor Freezers of Michigan, Inc. carries the right cooling solution for your needs. Browse our full selection online today, or visit one of our showrooms!
Holding Cabinets
Depending on the type of cuisine your restaurant specializes in, you may require some type of warmer or holding cabinet to ensure that your warm dishes remain at a consistent, safe temperature. To ensure optimal freshness, it is ideal to prepare each dish for your guests after it is ordered. However, restaurants that serve a significant amount of diners a day may not be able to do so without sacrificing reasonable service time. Having a reliable holding cabinet in your kitchen ensures that proper food temperatures are maintained, and it can improve the efficiency of your kitchen.
America’s Commercial Food Service Equipment Pros
Carrying the nation’s top brands for commercial refrigeration and cooking equipment, Taylor Freezer of Michigan, Inc. is your one-stop-shop for everything you need to ensure your restaurant kitchen is safe and efficient. From upright coolers and ice machines to grills, rotisseries, and fryers, we have it all. Contact our team or visit one of our showrooms today!