8 Essential Catering Tools & Equipment

If you are considering launching your dream catering business, now might be the right time to do it. In 2019, the UK’s booming catering industry was estimated to be worth a staggering £36 billion per year, with revenues reaching record highs that year. There is every expectation that the catering industry will pick up speed once the recovery is in full swing, meaning that now might be the best time to invest in catering equipment and begin setting up your own successful business.

But what are the tools and equipment in the catering business that you need to succeed? A successful catering company must be high-tech, flexible, and adaptable to a wide range of orders and customer needs. This means that the list of equipment that you need to invest in might be more varied than you originally thought. To help you prepare to launch your own catering business, we have compiled a list of the essential tools of the trade that you need to thrive.

1. Quality Commercial Refrigerator

If you are in need of high-quality catering equipment in Cornwall, a powerful commercial refrigerator should be at the top of your list. Depending on the size of your operation, you will likely need a large commercial refrigerator or chest freezer in order to store all of your stock and ensure that it stays fresh.

You will also want to choose a qualified refrigeration engineer in your area who can quickly fix any problems that might arise in your refrigeration system. When it comes to refrigeration for your catering business, never cut corners.

2. Cooktop and Oven

Whether you are cooking on the go (if you have a food van for example) or have a dedicated site where you prepare food, a quality cooktop and oven is absolutely essential.

A standard 4-ring hob will simply not cut it. You will need a large oven range with multiple ovens and stove rings that allow you to prepare multiple batches of quality food at the same time. Always make sure that your place of business has the power requirements and the necessary space to operate a commercial cooking range.

3. Holding Cabinets

No matter what kind of catering business you run, you need to be able to transport your food safely and effectively without worrying about losing freshness or quality. That’s why any list of equipment for a catering business should include quality holding cabinets. You may have seen these before.

Holding cabinets are essentially little fridges on wheels that allow you to store and transport all of your prepared food to wherever it needs to go. They can easily be used to load food in and out of vehicles and are usually lightweight, meaning that you can transport your food around any tricky venues such as hotels or stately homes.

4. Chafing Dishes

If your catering events involve a hot food buffet, then you absolutely need to invest in some chafing dishes. Usually made of stainless steel, chafing dishes are used to keep food hot throughout the day.

They also tend to look a lot more elegant and classy than a standard hot plate, which is a plus given how important appearances are for any catering business. If you are serving hot food of any kind, then you should buy plenty of chafing dishes.

5. Food Pan Carriers

Food pan carriers are essentially giant, lightweight sealed boxes that allow you to transport hot and cold meals wherever they need to go. Food pan carriers are designed in a way that allows you to transport a beautifully-arranged plate of food without worrying about it getting all messed up in transit.

They are also durable, meaning that, no matter what weather mother nature might decide to throw at you, you will be able to get your food wherever it needs to go intact. They are also inexpensive, meaning there is no excuse not to invest in this essential piece of catering equipment for sale.

6. Crockery and Cutlery

Of course, one thing you cannot forget about is plates, bowls, knives, forks, spoons, and serving utensils. When investing in crockery and cutlery for your catering business, there is a delicate balancing act to achieve. You want dishware that looks classy, trendy, and definitely not cheap.

On the other hand, you will have a high rate of attrition, with crockery and cutlery constantly being lost or broken. That is why it is important to find a supplier of crockery and cutlery that can offer items that look very high quality but are also affordable enough that you can regularly replace them.

7. Serving Trays

If you are aiming to cater to more upscale events, you will need elegant serving trays. You might choose to pay your own catering staff to serve canapes at an event, or the venue may supply the serving staff.

Either way, you should be able to offer elegant serving trays with which to serve those canapes on. Your serving trays do not need to cost a fortune, but they should at least look expensive and make a statement about the kind of quality and service your company offers.

8. Beverage Equipment

Many catering companies do not consider the importance of beverages, with the food hogging all of the attention. However, people need libations and somebody has to give them it. You do not necessarily need to invest in this yourself, as you can hire it on a case-by-case basis by Google “catering equipment for hire near me” and finding a suitable supplier.

You should have your own tea and coffee station. Extras to consider hiring for certain events include champagne buckets, formal glassware, beer coolers, and cocktail making equipment.

Invest in Quality Catering Equipment in Cornwall Today

If you are in need of catering equipment in Cornwall, we are here to help. Our expert engineers can help you design a custom refrigeration solution to meet the exact needs of your catering business. To find out what we can do for you, do not hesitate to get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable team today.