The hotplate is the contact point between the
kitchen and the service staff. It is the point at which both areas must
cooperate and communicate effectively so that the customer gets the quick and
efficient service that he expects. Hot cupboards can be used for either food or
plates. Units as a whole are usually made up of a hot cupboard with sliding
doors, topped by a heated serving surface. The top may also house containers
acting as dry or heated brain-maries. Dry heat keeps the food hot by electric
elements or gas flame. The wet heat method provides heat via an open tank of
water, which itself is heated by Gas-fired burners or by an electric immersion heater.
Hot Cupboard the hot plate or hot cupboard needs to be stocked with all the china
and crockery needed for service, e.g. soup plates, fishplates, consommé cups,
platters, soup cups, tea cups and de mitasse.The Aboyeur is in charge, and
controls the hotplate over the service period. As an aid to the food service
staff the Aboyeur would control the ‘off board’ which tells the waiter
immediately any dish is ‘off’. The Aboyeur who controls the hotplate over the
service period will initially receive the food check from the waiter. He checks
that its legible and that none of the dishes ordered are ‘off’ the menu.
Showing posts with label RESTAURANT EQUIPMENTS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RESTAURANT EQUIPMENTS. Show all posts
Sunday, September 13, 2015
WASH-UP AREA
At the service time especially, the wash-up area is
one of the busiest sections. It must be correctly sited to allow a smooth flow
of work, promoting a fast turnover and efficient service. There are two methods
of washing:
1. The tank method:
Using this method, the items are washed ina sink of hot water containing
detergent and then placed into racks and dipped into another sink. This second
sink is known as sterilizing tank; the water temperature is very high, at
approximately 75°C. The items are left in here for few minutes then lifted out.
As the water is so hot, the items especially the crockery, will air dry, making
this a more hygienic method (no cloths are needed). The crockery can then be
stacked and put away as required.
SILVER ROOM / PLATE ROOM
The silver room holds the stock of silver required
for the service of meals. The various types of silver are kept here on labeled
shelves, with all the service plates of one size stacked together. Cutlery,
flatware, hollowware and other smaller items are usually stored in drawers
lined with baize, as this helps to reduce noise, slipping and scratching. In
very large establishments, the silver and the plate room may be two separate
units, but in the majority of places they are combined and in some cases, are a
part of wash-up.
STILLROOM
The still room is looked after by a still room
supervisor, who irresponsible for the staffing, ordering of supplies from the
main store and effective control of these items when issued to various
departments. In most of the restaurants, the still room remains open for long
hours. For the efficient running, the staffs normally work on a straight
rotating shift basis, doing an early shift one week and a late shift the next.
The stillroom staffs are also responsible for the washing up of all their
equipments.
ANCILLARY DEPARTMENTS
The ancillary department of the restaurant area includes
important units in the make-up of a catering establishment, acting as the link
between kitchen or food preparation units and the restaurant or food service
units. The service areas behind the scene can also be termed as
‘back-of-house’. The service areas are stocked with appropriate equipment,
depending on the style of operation. The service areas themselves are some of
the busiest units of a catering establishment, especially during the service
periods. In general, especially in large hotels, five main service areas can be
distinguished:
LINEN
This is one of the more costly items with overheads
and therefore its control is important. These are used to cover the table-top
and to assist guest to maintain themselves neat and clean. The type
of linen used would depend on the class of establishment, type of
guest/customer, cost involved, and the style of menu and service to be offered.
The main items of linen normally found are:
CLASSIFICATION OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE EQUIPMENTS
Chinaware: China is a term
used for crockery whether bone china Chinaware is made of silica, soda ash, and
china clay, glazed to give a fine finish. Chinaware can be found in different
colors and designs which are always coated with glaze. Chinaware is more
resistant to heat than glassware. There is various classification of catering
china. They are:
Porcelain: Porcelain is a
ceramic material made by heating selected and refined materials, which often
includes clay of kaolinite clay, to high temperatures. The raw materials for
porcelain, when mixed with water, form aplastic body that can be worked to a
required shape before firing in a kiln at temperatures between 1200°Cand
1400°C. The toughness, strength, and translucence of porcelain arise mainly
from the formation of glass at high temperatures and the mineral mullite within
the fired body.
TROLLEYS - ROOM SERVICE TROLLEY
This trolley is known for its versatility. It is used for the service to guests in their rooms.
The waiter sets up the meal and covers on the trolley and wheels it into the guest's room.
This trolley may also be used as a dining table in the privacy of the guest's room. Beneath the trolley top, provision is made for mounting a hot case to keep the food warm.
TROLLEYS - GUERIDON OR FLAMBE TROLLEY
Gueridon Service is a term used in the restaurant business to refer to "trolley service." Food is cooked, finished or presented to the guest at a table, from a moveable trolley.
Dishes typically served like this include Crepes Suzette, Caesar Salad, Cherries Jubilee, Banana Flambé and Steak Tartar.
There are several reasons for Gueridon Service:
- ensures exact serving temperature and stage for any dishes sensitive to this;
- turns food into entertainment;
- creates an atmosphere of sophistication;
- stimulate demands in other guests for that level of attention.
SIDE BOARD OR DUMMY WAITER
The side station is also called the dummy waiter or service
console. This is a very important piece of furniture in a restaurant. It
is used by the service staff for keeping all the service equipment at
one place. It is also used as a landing table for the dishes picked up
from the kitchen enroute to the table and the dirty dishes from the
guest's table to the wash-up area. For the convenience of the service
staff, the side station should be strategically located in a restaurant.
The side station should be kept clean and presentable as it can be
seen by the guests.
TABLES & CHAIRS
Chairs
1. The
seating arrangements will depend on:
2. The
size and shape of the food service area
3. The
design of tables and chairs used
4. The
allowance made for clearing trolley
5. The
type of establishment
The chairs used are usually of the stacking variety
as this takes up less storage space when the area need to be cleared. The
standard height of chair from the ground is 18 inches. The standard height from
the ground to top of the back is 39 inches. The depth from the front
edge of the seat to the back of the chair is 18 inches
STAINLESS STEEL
Stainless steel flatware and cutlery is available in a variety of
grades. Use of stainless steels and super stainless steels is
expanding in a variety of markets. Stainless steels have higher
resistance to oxidation ( rust) and corrosion in many natural and
man made environments; however, it is important to select the
correct type and grade of stainless steel.
SPECIAL RESTAURANT EQUIPMENTS
There is almost an unlimited range of flatware, cutlery and
hollowware in use in the catering industry. Apart from the familiar
knife, fork, spoon, vegetable dishes and lids, entrée dishes and lids,
soup tureens, teapot, hot water jugs, sugar basins there are a
number of specialist items of equipment available for use with
specific dishes. Some common specialist equipments are listed.
TABLEWARE
Table ware: Tableware includes
the dishes, glassware, cutlery, and flatware eating utensils (knives, forks,
and spoons) used to set a table for eating a meal. The nature, variety, and
number of objects varies from culture to culture, and may vary from meal to
meal as well. Tableware may be categorized as follows:
1. Flatware:
denotes all forms of spoon and fork. Flatware, especially that used by most
people when they eat informally, is usually made of stainless steel
2. Cutlery:
Cutlery refers to knives and other cutting instruments
3. Holloware:
Hollowware refers to table service items such as sugar bowls, creamers, coffee
pots, teapots, soup tureens,
HANDLING OF CHINAWARE
Whatever quality of china or crockery is used, the most
important thing to ensure is that it is washed, rinsed and dried
correctly to ensure that no dirt, stains or streaks appear.
1) Chinaware has a high breakage rate and, therefore,
needs careful handling.