Kitchen supplies are an essential part of any restaurant. The success or failure depends on top-quality products coming out of the kitchen and having the right kitchen supplies is the backbone to sending out those top quality dishes.

Kitchen supplies cover everything from the spoon used to stir the pots to the plates and bowls used to serve the final product on. Stocking a kitchen prior to opening a restaurant can seem like a daunting task with so much to cover. However, knowing ahead of time what is needed for the kitchen and having a list to check off will be of great help.

Necessities

Large kitchen supplies or equipment should be considered a major investment. The range, oven, grill, fryer, cooler, and freezer are all going to be high dollar costs that should last for many, many years. These items should be purchased from a commercial restaurant supplier who can offer service and warranties for them.

Pots and pans should be heavy duty, restaurant grade that can be used in high volume. There should be a variety of sizes and enough in quantity to get through a dinner service without having to stop and wash dishes.

The variety of cookware purchased should include large and small stockpots, large and small saucepans, large and small sauté pans and large baking pans. Other bakeware may be needed and can be added to the list based on the menu and the chef's recommendations.

Utensils for cooking that should be on the kitchen supply list include  both long and short handled tongs, spatulas, ladles, slotted spoons, spoons. The spoons and slotted spoons should be restaurant commercial grade. These have longer handles to reach down in the larger pots without causing burns.  An ample amount of cooking utensils should be purchased.

Many chefs have their own knives; however, the kitchen will also need to have knives. Sharp knives because fewer accidents than dull ones and so a top quality set should be purchased along with a sharpening stone.

Although used for serving the food, dinnerware is also considered part of the kitchen supplies. There should be bread plates, salad plates, soup bowls, pasta bowls, dinner entrée plates, and dessert bowls. If ice cream is served there should also be ice cream dishes. Dinnerware should be commercial grade and there should be an ample supply of extra in case of breakage.

Other items that should be included in the kitchen supply list include towels, rubber floor mats, hand soap and sanitizers, aprons, and a fire extinguisher.

These supplies make up the basics that any kitchen should have. There are more items that will undoubtedly come to mind as the list is being procured. The bottom line is making sure the restaurant kitchen is ready to serve a full dinner service without suffering due to lack of supplies.

 

About the Author:

Sharon V Chapman provides information on kitchen supplies for A1 Restaurant Supply - your guide to finding the right supplies for your food business.

Author: Sharon V Chapman