Stay within your budget when purchasing restaurant cooking supplies

Many commercial cooking equipment pieces are quite inexpensive, especially smallwares, like soup cups, silverware and serving utensils. However, all these items add up very quickly and you may find yourself spending well over your original budget. While new is nice, it isn't always necessary. Used cooking supplies cost a fraction of new items and are one area you can purchase with confidence.

I recommend: Checking out local restaurant supply companies in your area. Because stock is always changing, it’s best go look in person. Find a restaurant supplier near you at Business.com. Restaurant auctions are another place to find used restaurant equipment at great prices. Check out ACityDiscount for online restaurant auctions.

Keep food safe with the proper industrial cooking equipment

Meat thermometers and industrial grade cutting boards are just two restaurant cooking supplies that help keep food safe from cross contamination and bacteria. Making sure refrigeration is cool enough for food storage (41 degrees) is another step to insure your restaurant's food stays fresh.

I recommend: Chef’s Essentials carries a complete line of cooking equipment that will keep your kitchen clean and safe. Find color coded cutting boards, which help keep food from cross contamination, at Sur La Table.

Maintain menu consistency with restaurant cooking supplies

Portion control is key to maintaining menu consistency and food costs. Restaurant cooking supplies that can help in this department include a food scale, to help weigh portions of meat and seafood and cheese. Measuring spoons, scoops and cups are all invaluable in controlling food cost and ensuring a consistent product comes out of your kitchen each time.

I recommend: Find a food scale at ValueScale.com, to help you keep control of food portions. PFG carries everything from portion cups to rubber gloves to protect food during handling.   

Organize your cooking supplies

Restaurants kitchens are a lot like black holes. Things go in, but never come out. This especially true when it comes to smaller restaurant cooking supplies, such as ramekins and thermometers. Help keep track of all your industrial cooking supplies by having a clear organizational system that all employees follow. This can be as simple as labeled shelves and draws.

I recommend: Restaurant-Service.com  offers durable metal shelves that work well in and out of a commercial kitchen. Storage Solutions offers custom built commercial kitchen shelving, to help you take complete control of organizing your cooking supplies.