BUYING CATERING EQUIPMENT
The Catering Equipment Suppliers Association (CESA) represents over 130 companies who supply, service and maintain all types of commercial catering equipment - from utensils to full kitchen schemes. Here CESA offers advice to clubs thinking of upgrading their kitchens
Choosing the right equipment is essential as there are hundreds of different ways to prepare, cook and serve food in today’s commercial kitchens. But which ones are right for your club? That will depend on all sorts of factors, such as what you’re cooking, how many you are cooking for, how the food will be served and the time available.
There’s no doubt about the potential for food to increase club revenue as well as providing a great service for members. So it’s no wonder that many clubs are looking into improving their foodservice operation. Whether your club already offers foodservice, or is thinking of going into it, if you’re considering upgrading your kitchen then the simplest solution is: get advice. Catering equipment manufacturers will be happy to come to your club and give you free advice, on the basis that you may end up giving them your business.
A quick search at www.cesa.org.uk will put you in direct contact with businesses that will help you provide the best food with the minimum labour. They are all backed by the CESA code of practice in terms of the product quality and advice that you receive.
Here are a few areas to consider.
Energy saving
When you buy new equipment, it makes financial sense to think of energy efficiency. You may pay a little more for an energy efficient machine initially, but this will be offset by the lower running costs.
For example, just about every kitchen will have a hob. But what sort is best? Should you consider an induction hob? These cost a little more than their conventional equivalents but save energy and offer advantages in terms of safety and can reduce ventilation costs.
Significant financial benefits are available for purchasers of energy efficient equipment - including interest-free loans from the Carbon Trust. The Energy Technology List on the Carbon Trust website includes the most energy-efficient catering refrigeration equipment, which clubs can buy with additional financial and tax benefits.
Hopefully other types of catering equipment will be included in the ECA list soon - but meanwhile club caterers should consult with the dealers and manufacturers to find the best equipment to deliver lifetime energy savings.
Fryers
Almost every kitchen has a deep fat fryer. But should it be gas or electric? Electric fryers are cheaper to buy than gas fryers for low-to-medium production. They are available as free-standing, high-volume units and also as table-top fryers which can be plugged directly into the mains socket in the kitchen. Gas fryers need professional installation and are not available as table-top models. Servicing costs on gas fryers may be slightly more expensive because of the need to check the gas system.
Gas-powered fryers may be dearer to buy than electric fryers but they can be cheaper to run and the bigger models have a higher output capacity. However, there have been significant advances in the technology of high-performance electric fryers in recent years enabling them to compete with gas fryers in speed of output. In a very busy operation, speed of output is more important that the difference in energy cost between gas and electricity.
Servicing
According to CESA’s research, the foodservice sector as a whole spends well over £300 million every year on service and maintenance
So when you’re selecting equipment, it pays to check what the servicing costs are likely to be. They’re going to have a vital impact on the lifetime cost of any equipment purchase. Keeping equipment well maintained makes economic sense. It lengthens its life and ensures it operates as efficiently as possible - as energy costs rise, this aspect is becoming ever more critical. So make sure kitchen staff know how to handle and clean the equipment, and how to take care of day-to-day maintenance tasks. If you need a service company, use a CESA accredited service provider, which ensures that the company’s staff are trained and have the relevant qualifications and also that the company is insured to work in your premises.
• The CESA website offers all sorts of advice and guidance for caterers thinking about buying equipment. The Association has also just published a 2010 Equipment Buying Guide. Copies are available free, while stocks last. You can also access it via the CESA website. For more information on CESA visit www.cesa.org.uk
