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Kitchen Resolutions: 8 Ways To Be A Better Chef in 2016
With 2016 here, its the perfect time to set your resolutions and start the year off right in your restaurant or commercial kitchen. We want to make deciding on and keeping your new year’s resolutions as easy as possible. Just because they are easy resolutions, that doesn’t make them any less important. These resolutions for your kitchen will make your time in the kitchen less stressful, increase your creative juices and make your days a little easier. So, as the ball drops and 2016 starts with a bang, here are the kitchen resolutions to help you have a cleaner, more organized and optimal kitchen.
1. Buy local
We love Cleveland and the suburbs. We live in one of the best places for food in the world! Your restaurant or commercial kitchen is in a thriving market where people are flocking to for the food. With all of the options in vendors and resources available, we want to do all we can to support our local communities. At Dean Supply, we are locally owned and operated and also support many Ohio vendors. If you are not sure what options are available for local vendors and opportunities for local support, here are some great lists of Cleveland resources
2. Degrease!
After the rush of the holidays, its the perfect time to deep clean and degrease your kitchen. Grease happens when creating so many delicious dishes, but it can cause kitchen disasters if not properly removed. Above all we want everyone to be safe in their kitchen. So break out the elbow grease and start degreasing. Degreasing most industrial kitchens is not an easy task, here is some helpful advice:
- Degrease floors
- Degrease walls, cabinets and countertops
- Naturally degrease your entire kitchen
One way to start the year off right and help the environment is to limit your wasted food. The start of a new year is a perfect time to implement new strategies or procedures with your kitchen staff. Wasting less food and water are both great ways to lower your costs and help eliminate your carbon footprint.
In an industrial kitchen we know cleanliness is crucial and corners can not be cut. That doesn’t mean that your cleaning products have to be corrosive or dangerous. Using natural cleaning products are a great way to start the year off clean and green.
5. Clean as you go
Cleaning is a never ending battle as a commercial chef, or a home chef. Getting behind on the cleaning during a rush can increase your stress and tension in the kitchen. To keep morale high and great food coming, here are some ways to implement a plan to clean as you go.
6. Calibrate electronics - test thermometers, scales, and ovens
A few degrees separate a perfectly cooked meal and one that’s dangerous to consume. It is important to keep your kitchen electronics accurate. Start the new year off on the right foot with calibrated equipment and accurate electronics
7. Care for your knives
A dull knife is a dangerous kitchen tool. When knives are dull your staff has to work harder to get their desired results. This can lead to costly mistakes that can injure your workers and damage your kitchen. So, care for your knives and your staff by supplying sharp tools.
8. Master mise en place
In your kitchen you will relieve stress and keep the flow of food optimized if you implement mise en place or having everything in place. Mastering mise en place is a great way to streamline your kitchen and increase teamwork and community with the kitchen staff.
As you celebrate the new year with friends and family, take a moment to think of your kitchen. Reflect on how to improve your everyday processes and help your bottom line. Whether you decide on one resolution or you want to go big and implement all eight of these, you'll be on the path to a cleaner, more organized and high performing kitchen.
