Having a successful business in the fast-paced restaurant world is a hard feat. With the onslaught of very demanding customers and the burgeoning competition looming every-which-way from surrounding businesses, it can seem almost impossible for a small, new restaurant to survive long-term. Having state of the art restaurant equipment and supplies can transform a good restaurant into a great one, and eradicate any further stress that the restaurant world is infamous for. GatorChef, a family-owned and operated restaurant supply company located in Illinois, caters to every level of restaurant in order to satisfy every level of consumer. From both new and used restaurant equipment to restaurant furniture, GatorChef fulfills every need that a restaurant could have at great price points. Chicago, a city teeming with state of the art restaurants, deserves an outstanding supply company – which is exactly what GatorChef is. When utilizing GatorChef’s expansive website, a consumer can easily discover why they are the restaurant supply Chicago needs. To begin, GatorChef provides restaurants with several options to obtain the restaurant equipment that they ultimately desire. First option is for a restaurant to simply purchase the piece of equipment brand new at an astoundingly affordable price. A second option is for a restaurant to purchase a used piece of equipment they need. GatorChef’s inventory of used products is comprehensive – restaurants looking for used products can find anything from used bakery and ice-cream cases to used stainless steel equipment. Lastly, the third option for restaurants looking to purchase a piece of restaurant equipment from GatorChef is leasing the equipment. GatorChef provides restaurants with low cost financing options for leasing a plethora of commercial restaurant equipment and supplies. Furthermore, GatorChef offers financing plans for restaurants ranging from 13 to 60 months. Leasing gives new restaurants a method to create a cost efficient financial plan that frees up their cash, while also giving the restaurant dependable fixed-payments. Being a restaurant supply Chicago based company, it only makes sense that GatorChef provides local customers with a showroom, conveniently located right outside the hustle and bustle of Chicago, teeming with both new and used restaurant equipment at great prices. The showroom inventory is updated daily, so if you do not find equipment of interest on your first visit, simply try again another day and you are bound to find an expanded selection of equipment never before seen. If you are a restaurant with equipment to spare, GatorChef’s showroom allows restaurants to both sell and trade restaurant equipment. GatorChef, a company with the best customer service since 1982, takes pride in knowing that each and every customer is satisfied with every purchase made. Each GatorChef representative has a wealth of knowledge pertaining to the food industry, and can, therefore, provide each customer with advice only experienced chefs, owners, commercial kitchen designers, and equipment technicians would have. If you have any questions, feel free to contact GatorChef through either: (1) Live Chat located on GatorChef.com, (2) Telephone: (888) 944-2867, or (3) Email: [email protected]. They’re always happy to help!
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Running a restaurant involves a lot of skills. Not only are food knowledge and business savvy necessary, but it’s also important to have forethought when planning out how your restaurant is going to operate. The kitchen is the most important part of any restaurant; it’s where the magic happens. Having a well-planned kitchen can make all the difference in maintaining a smoothly operating kitchen. GatorChef is a provider of commercial restaurant equipment. They’ve built a strong business on providing quality equipment at an affordable price. They have a variety of supplies so that no matter what kind of restaurant you run, you’ll be able to find the equipment you need. GatorChef is operated by people who’ve worked closely with this equipment before: restaurateurs, chefs, equipment maintenance workers and more. If you choose to work with GatorChef, you’ll be working with experts who can help you find the best equipment for your specific food service needs. One of the best ways to save money without cutting corners is by buying used equipment. GatorChef offers used commercial kitchen equipment at a discounted rate. This way, you can access all the necessary equipment without having to worry about going over budget. GatorChef has all kinds of used equipment available, such as refrigerators, cooking equipment, bakery cases, prep tables, serving equipment, beverage equipment, furniture and more. These kinds of restaurant supplies can be pretty expensive when bought new. With GatorChef, however, you’ll get to access to some of the best used equipment you can find while also having the satisfaction of getting the best deal you can hope for. Even though they’ve been used, each product has been tested and cleaned by professionals to make sure they are in good-as-new condition. When you’re looking for any kind of restaurant equipment, be sure to look into GatorChef’s selection of used commercial kitchen equipment to find the most cost-effective way to obtain all of the high quality equipment you’ll need in your restaurant. It’s pretty obvious that the kitchen is the heart of a restaurant. After all, the food is the brand. It’s the product around which you’ve built a business. By keeping your cooks well-equipped, you’re investing in the quality of the food they’re making. In the restaurant industry, it’s important to provide your kitchen staff with the necessary tools and space while also being careful to stick to a budget. With GatorChef, you’ll be able to do both. This industry requires mindfulness and preparation. GatorChef has all the equipment you need to keep your kitchen staff prepared without spending unnecessary amounts of money. Whether you’re operating a high-volume hot spot, a small and intimate bistro, or an upscale restaurant with full dinner service, GatorChef has what you need. The people at GatorChef take pride in their expertise. Their combined experiences in food service is as diverse as the products in their showroom. Whether you’re looking for work tables, meat slicers, restaurant furniture and more, GatorChef is sure to satisfy all of your needs. Their stainless steel equipment is both top quality and easy to clean. Start preparing your kitchen for greatness with key pieces of equipment at reasonable prices. Start preparing your kitchen with GatorChef today! Being the owner or manager of a restaurant is difficult. Whether you are working somewhere that has had the same regulars come in for years or are cutting the ribbon at a new location, it is absolutely necessary to have a well functioning commercial kitchen. Once you find the staff to create your vision, the rest is just having the equipment needed to make the masterpieces possible. GatorChef has the best and most up to date equipment you’ll need to accomplish every task from cleaning in a commercial hand sink to creating fabulous desserts in an ice cream machine. All of these needed items can be found at great prices at GatorChef.com. GatorChef can get you everything you need to keep your kitchen running smoothly. Some people may think all you need to keep a kitchen running is a refrigerator and a stove. Anyone that has ever worked in any sort of food industry knows that this is far from the truth. Just like it takes a team of people with different skills to keep a restaurant in business, the same can be said for the tools and equipment needed. A great chef relies heavily on their cutlery, so it is important to have some high quality and versatile knives. Once all of your ingredients are prepped and ready, having the proper storage to contain it all is essential. And with food storage containers, it is also important to have a walk in refrigerator in which to keep everything. Once you have everything you need for your kitchen, you will then need something to keep your dishes clean. GatorChef has dishwashers and commercial hand sink options that are easy to clean and will help you keep everything nice and tidy. Having proper equipment every step of the way is the only way to really line yourself up for success. Buying all of this may seem like it would completely demolish your budget. However with GatorChef, this is not necessarily the case. They offer many options to give anything you need at prices that work for your business. If you are looking to buy very large and technical equipment, it is the perfect place to search. People are so often afraid of buying things that would greatly increase their profits because they initially a large investment. GatorChef, however, offers used and refurbished equipment at a fraction of the cost, despite the fact that they have all been maintained by experts to above and beyond manufacturer’s standards. They make sure you can keep everything in working order without breaking the bank. Keeping everything in a restaurant running smoothly relies on so many factors, it may sometimes seem like you have nowhere to turn to for help. To help relieve some of the stress, let GatorChef help you get all of the best equipment at a cost that works for you. From commercial sinks to large commercial kitchen equipment, accessories and more, find exactly what you are missing to create the best dishes you can dream up with the products available at GatorChef. Help can be on the way with just a click of a button. Impress vendors with the superior quality of your commercial steam table settings using steam table pans from GatorChef! Often otherwise referred to as fractional pans, gastronorm pans, hotel pans, and stainless steel pans, our GatorChef steam table pans are available in a wide variety of types and sizes. As stainless steel has proven to be dependable, economical, resilient, and efficient, buyers of our stainless steel pans can be confident in the provision of a secure, durable, appealing food display on any steam table. Our steam table pans are NSF listed and can be purchased in a number of sizes and types that will combine together in various ways to fit the conventional commercial steam, buffet, event, or other restaurant table. As a result, buyers will be able to utilize a range of diverse accommodations for food items, meals and ingredients, all the while maximizing the space and appearance of the steam table in use. Our GatorChef wares include standard weight pans, perforated pans, and anti-jam style food pans. The benefits of differing styles of table pans may vary. Perforated pans aid food liquids in draining and assist in keeping foods from becoming soggy, mushy, or otherwise distasteful, while other pans are designed to prevent damaging the customer’s pan-to-plate experience by ensuring that steam table menu items do not congeal or stick to pans. At GatorChef, we aim to make certain that you are able to find the specific type and size pan that will suit your distinctive menu item, food preparation, and food service needs. The variety of options available to you at GatorChef makes for an accommodating, multipurpose steam table operation. If you a desire a radiant, polished presentation at your next food based showing, be sure to explore our GatorChef stainless steel pans and, while you’re there, make sure to get a glimpse of our accessories as well! A variety of pan accessories are presented to aid in progressing the quality and appearance of your food item layout for your restaurant. At GatorChef, our table pans can be paired with cover accessories, such as the GatorChef Full Size Notched Cover for Full Stainless Steel Steam Table, the Flexsil-Lid High-Temp Silicone Lid for Steam Table Pans, the GatorChef Deep Anti-Jam Stainless Steel Steam Table Pan, the Winco Full Size Electric Water Pan for Buffet Chafers, and the Thunder Group Aluminum Full Size Steam Table Spillage/Water Pan. Carry, cover, present, and heat your food at proper temperatures with an elegant display using GatorChef stainless steel pans and accessories. If you want to save money by reducing plastic and foil wrap usage, or reduce food spoilage, GatorChef steam table products are perfect for you. Providing easy to clean solutions and efficient storage options tailored to your menu items and display preferences, GatorChef is your go-to place for all your food and steam table presentation needs. Visit us online or in showroom today to find the top quality items you need for your restaurant! As a restaurant owner or manager, the most refreshing sight you can find is a well organized kitchen. You need the right commercial cooking equipment to make sure that your service runs smoothly and quickly and you need to make sure you are as efficient as possible. The right stoves, ovens, knives, ventilation and dishwashing machines make everything better and make your life much, much easier. Having the right commercial cooking equipment saves you money too by letting you operate fast and painlessly, serving more customers and preventing waste. The right equipment improves the quality of your food as well. Time saving products are essential in a kitchen that sees a high volume, like a pizza restaurant or a bakery. Every second is precious when it comes down to your bottom line. In addition, if you are working in a large scale kitchen, you can save money as well by using equipment to automate tasks that will ensure perfect results every time. A great and easy solution for many kitchen owners is to buy great food processing machines. These can be ribbon blenders or vertical blenders. Ribbon blenders are great for when you need your food product to have a uniform consistency and they work very well with foods that have a short lifespan like cooked vegetables, for example. Vertical blenders are best used for combining dry ingredients into ready-to-go supplies you can use for pastries and doughs. As you know, the better your preparation is, the better your success will be in the kitchen. Both vertical and ribbon blenders can save you time and money by getting your products mixed fast and ready for service or for cooking or baking in no time. So when it comes to your commercial kitchen, another important thing to think about is space. Space is very critical for any kitchen, but especially small ones where every inch counts. If you can find products that combine functions or get processes done in a fraction of the time they normally do now, you are in great shape for success. Space saving items are essential for almost any kitchen. You need something that can get multiple items cooked, baked or processed quickly so that your staff can serve more people and you can make all your guests happy. As well, you need to make sure you are investing in quality products that will last you a long time. When kitchen equipment breaks, it can cause big pains for owners and staff. If it breaks in the middle of service, this can be even worse in that you may not be able to fix or replace it quickly enough to salvage the day’s service. Every minute you go without being able to offer a food product or use your kitchen to it’s maximum potential is money down the drain. Make sure that you buy only quality products so that you can keep working and growing your business. At Gator Chef, we have everything a commercial kitchen needs. Visit us online now and get started. If you have ever cooked a lovely meal from the comfort of your own home, you may have had the thought cross your mind that you would make a wonderful chef in a big restaurant. As any professional chef will tell you, there are some pretty major differences. The biggest of these differences being the commercial kitchen supplies that you have to be trained to use. With food safety regulations and massive complicated equipment, you need to make sure your restaurant has everything it needs to safely create some of the most beautiful and delicious food possible. All of this can be accomplished with the commercial kitchen supply from GatorChef. One of the biggest things you learn when you become a chef in a professional kitchen is all of the food safety regulations that need to be followed to keep all of your practices safe. The necessary equipment for these practices is crucial to the process. If your restaurant is lacking these pieces of equipment, you should look to GatorChef for all of your restuarant kitchen supplies. If your walk-in freezer is not kept at the right temperature, you could be faced with unsafe ingredients or even lose some of your stock, which is more money out of your pocket everyday. In this case, you should purchase a new refrigeration unit from GatorChef. They have a variety of different types and sizes to fit in perfectly with whatever your kitchen needs and can handle. In addition to storage spaces, GatorChef also has a variety of tools that are used in commercial kitchens every day. If you are preparing various meats, fruits, and vegetables, you know you have to separate them prior to cooking in order to avoid cross contamination. They can help you with this, using color coded cutting boards and serving utensils. GatorChef also offers all the necessary cleaning equipment to tidy up after a long day of prep and cooking. When you return to your kitchen the following day, you will know without a shadow of a doubt that your spaces are clean and sanitary, and you are ready to make some quality foods. In addition to keeping your ingredients safe, you need to make sure you are safely using the right commercial kitchen supply. With the number of huge machines involved in a large-scale kitchen, you need to make sure everything is in proper working order and everyone on your staff is properly trained. While Gator Chef may not be able to assist in training your new staff, they certainly can help you replace broken stove tops or preparation stations. Your chefs will never have to struggle to get your oven to heat up to the right temperature with a brand new piece of equipment, which means your dishes will get out faster and your customers will keep coming back. Keeping a kitchen in tip-top shape is incredibly important to its success. Using the correct equipment and safety practices are the first step in this process. Get all of your commercial kitchen supplies from GatorChef and you will never worry about lacking in all of the proper equipment! Everyone who has ever opened a restaurant has the same thought at one point or another. What is the best restaurant supply store near me? When you need to buy new ovens, stoves, tools like knives and ladles, and anything else you might need to make your restaurant a success, you need to know this important information. Making sure your kitchen is set up properly is a great way to ensure that your food service comes out on time, hot and fresh, exactly how and when you need it. So when you ask, “Where’s the best restaurant supply store near me?” it is not just a matter of finding any place that sells knives. You need to know that what you are buying is of high-quality and that it will be durable and last a long time. Have you considered that the best restaurant equipment store might be online? Where else can you be sure you are browsing through all of the available products, and not just what your local store has in stock on that particular day? You need to know that you are getting the best prices for your cookware and that you have made the best possible choice in selecting your equipment. After all, your kitchen’s success depends on the gear you use. Choose products that will keep your kitchen staff productive and that you will be able to get the most life out of for the longest time. Making the most of your kitchen comes down to buying efficient products that do not break down easily. Every kitchen struggles with space and it can seem, to most restaurant owners, that there are really never enough places to put everything you wish to purchase, so some sacrifices need to be made. A great tip to get the most out of your limited space is to choose products with multiple functions. This way, the same product can be used for a number of dishes and processes that your restaurant needs to get done. You need to make sure, as well, that your kitchen has proper ventilation and a great method for waste disposal. Commercial kitchens are notoriously messy and produce a lot of steam, smoke and smells that need a way out of your space. Consult an HVAC specialist to make sure your system meets the standards for your local area and that excess heat and air are filtered out of your kitchen properly. Not only is this important for efficiency, but for safety as well. If your kitchen is too hot, you could have problems when your staff overheat. They will be less productive and may even suffer an injury, leaving you open to lawsuits, not to mention causing needless pain and suffering for your staff. At Gator Chef, we pride ourselves on our vast knowledge and years of experience that give us the cutting edge when it comes to commercial restaurant equipment. Whether it’s a new set of pepper mills or a whole new kitchen makeover, our mission is to connect you with the products you need to make your restaurant a success. Contact us today! When you’re throwing a party, event, or get together, the food you serve will say a lot about you and be remembered by your guests. Partygoers often remember when food is particularly good or bad at an event they attend and they know the difference between great catering and poor catering. So if you are choosing a caterer, you need to make sure every detail is perfect, from the hotel pans they use to the plates your food is served on. A great caterer will pay close attention to detail to ensure that every part of their service is absolutely on point. So how should you go about finding a great caterer? It can be intimidating but first ask yourself what kind of event you will be throwing. Is this a birthday party or a family celebration? Is it a corporate party to celebrate a workplace achievement? Do your guests have certain food preferences or dietary restrictions? Special care must be taken to ensure that all of your guests get exactly what they need. When you picture great caterer, you might imagine an array of hotel pans set up in a beautiful display of offerings as guests move up a line and great dishes are added to their plate. While this style of buffet service is among the most popular, it is not the only option. Consider the type of event you are putting on when choosing the style of catering. If your guests will be relatively stationary or if this is a traditional celebration like a wedding or bar mitzvah, buffet style catering is completely appropriate. But if this will be an event where guests will spend most of their time doing activities or dancing, you might want to consider a catering style that compliments that. Passed hors d'oeuvres are a great alternative to traditional catering and they are the perfect style for a party of this kind. You will minimally interrupt your guests while they drink and dance but still be able to serve delicious food. Also think about the kind of cuisine you will offer. If this is work event during the workday, perhaps a breakfast catering option is the right way to go. Make your employees and coworkers feel at home as you serve them breakfast to celebrate a milestone. If this is a birthday, consider who the main guests will be. Are these people into health and fitness? A well-balanced healthy menu would be the right choice. Is this a more traditional celebration for a family affair? Food options from your family’s culture might be the best way to go. Whatever you choose, finding the right caterer takes work. At GatorChef, our mission is to connect you with all the right equipment your caterer needs to keep your guests satisfied. We have products from all of the top brands and our years of experience make us great guides to help you find what you need. Visit us online and get started now. As a chef working in a restaurant, the most important thing you will learn is food safety. Not only does it keep all of the ingredients at their freshest, but it ensures that everyone eating the food you worked so hard to prepare will enjoy every bit of their experience with you. To keep everything safely contained at all times, it is important to have the proper equipment for refrigeration. GatorChef is the commercial refrigerator supplier that will help you get whatever equipment you need for your specific business. If you need a refrigeration unit with a workspace, one that you can use on the floor of your restaurant to display food items, or if you just want to get a new ice cream machine, they have the items to keep your business up and running. Often in a commercial kitchen, space is a big issue. With GatorChef as your commercial refrigerator supplier you can purchase a refrigeration unit which has its own work space, so you get two important parts of your kitchen with one piece of equipment. Using these can not only consolidate space, but it saves you time as well, and we all know time is money. Instead of having to walk back and forth from the walk-in refrigerator to your work station, all of your ingredients are right in front of you, readily available. This way you can focus much more on the process of making the food and less about organizing everything prior to the beginning of this process. If you have a restaurant that specializes in prepared foods, you should also get a deli case to proudly display all of your inventory. With glass cases ranging from 11.8 cubic feet all the way to 46 cubic feet you can buy one that will fit any space you have open on the floor. This will make your restaurant look much more professional. It will also make it much easier for guests to see everything that is available to them, so they can make their selection quicker and give you a faster turnover rate. Dessert is often the most anticipated part of a wonderful meal. What is the best thing to top your desserts with? Well, ice cream of course! What better way to up the value of your desserts than to have your very own homemade ice cream. GatorChef offers a variety of different ice cream machines with one or two flavor capabilities. They have a range of different size capacities so depending on what sort of volume you are looking for, they can offer you whatever machine works best for you. This way you can make a batch of one flavor and store it so you can have multiple batches of other flavors to go with your versatile desserts. No matter what type of restaurant you run, you need the right commercial refrigerator supplier. With GatorChef, you can choose from a wide selection of different types of equipment to perfectly fit your business. With this you will know your food is safe and always kept as fresh as can be. A craftsman is only as good as the tools they use. A carpenter is nothing without his hammer. A potter can only do so much without his wheel. Archimedes famously quipped that he could move the Earth if he could only get his hands on a lever that was long enough. Without it, he stood no chance at all. The importance of tools cannot be understated; they mark the difference between Neolithic scratches on a cave wall and skyscrapers dominating the landscape. We are a tool-driven species. Why, then, would you tolerate subpar tools and supplies in your kitchen? The answer is: you shouldn’t. Companies thrive when they deliver the best products to their customers, and making the best products means having the right equipment. That’s where GatorChef comes in. Here at GatorChef, we work hard to supply restaurants with the equipment they need. We work with dozens of commercial kitchen suppliers to make sure we have the right tools for any kind of restaurant. We sell everything from ranges, fryers, and ovens to bakeware, worktables, and sinks. And that’s barely scratching the surface of the diverse selection we make available to you. Say, for example, that you needed to set up a concession stand for a local sporting event, but you don’t know where to look for equipment. At GatorChef, we carry a variety of concession equipment, including hot dog rollers, popcorn machines, and small countertop convection ovens. And what could be better than a hotdog when you’re out enjoying the game? Within moments of browsing our site, you’ll find the products you need to make your concession stand the place to be at half-time. Or, what about this: say you’re in need of supplies for the new bar you’ve added to your restaurant. Well, we’ve got tons of bar supplies to help you get on the right track. Whether you need glassware, sinks, speed rails, blenders, or accessories, we’ve got the selection to make your dreams come true. And of course, this doesn’t just apply to restaurateurs. Catering companies can make use of our extensive bar supplies as well as the numerous other categories that we supply. In fact, we have a catering category for that exact reason. Those of you who are familiar with commercial kitchen suppliers will certainly know the brands we work with, whether it’s Winco or Southbend. We know that you expect durability and high-quality components. We even have a selection of refurbished cooking and refrigeration equipment if you’re looking for quality components at a reduced price. If that weren’t reason enough, all of our refurbished cooking equipment comes with a 90-day limited parts and labor warranty. Whatever your needs, GatorChef has the selection and know-how to supply it. We’re more than happy to offer our expertise to those who need it. After all, we know that without our tools, we would be nothing. Head on over to GatorChef.com and see where we can take you. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact us. When shopping for restaurant kitchen equipment, a standard abbreviation you will come across (often attached to specific appliances) is BTU. What do these three letters represent? Can they help me at all? What does it tell me about the equipment? Here are a few basic facts about BTUs: What Do the Initials BTU Represent? What Products Have BTU Information? Why Is BTU Information Important? How Do BTU Levels Help Me? • the higher the BTU, the higher your energy bill will be; and The main thing to take away from higher BTU levels is that, while they offer better cooking efficiency, faster and more precise cooking times, and an increase in overall kitchen production, you will also have more substantial costs to combat with as well. Are BTUs a Universal Measurement? For more information about how British thermal units affect your commercial kitchen equipment, contact the experts at Gator Chef today by calling 1-888-944-2867. The knowledgeable product consultants are always there to help and can answer any of your BTU questions. Every chef knows that when your kitchen is busy, you need every second you find. If you can speed up a process or find a more efficient way to run your kitchen, you will do it every time as long as that means never sacrificing your final product. Time is important and so is space. Especially in a metropolitan area; every inch of your kitchen matters. You do not want to fill it with needless appliances and cramp your already tight space. So when it comes to ovens, a rather large fixture in every kitchen, getting the most out of yours is essential. That is why the Unox combi oven brings together three elements to make cooking faster and more efficient, giving you more time and space to work on what matters most to you. So how does a Unox combi oven do all that? It combines three types of oven into one so that you can effortlessly switch between the right temperatures of heat for what you are making. First, its convection mode circulates dry heat in the classic way a oven works. This is ideal for foods such as breads or baked goods and with it’s precise temperature control you can rest assured that your food will come out perfect every time. In its steam mode, the Unox oven will cook with moisture, creating a high humidity that is perfect for poaching. Rice, vegetables and fish are a breeze. But the real power behind the Unox combi oven is in its combination mode. By combining dry heat and steam, you can control the humidity of the oven to a precise degree. This is a perfect way to avoid burning food while avoiding shrinkage and sealing in freshness. Cook times decrease with the combi oven, depending on your settings and you can get your food plated and out to your guests faster than ever before. Best of all, because this oven functions as a three-in-one machine, your kitchen will have plenty more space to work or to utilize other equipment. A combi oven can gently cook potatoes without burning them while at the same roasting red meat and with minimal flavor transfer. You now have more options for menu design and flavor choices than with a simple convection. Your combi can be the workhorse of your kitchen and with an intelligently designed interface, it is easy to train your staff. At GatorChef, we are your kitchen experts who bring decades of experience to help you find the right equipment you need to take your business up to the next level. Whether you are trying to save space, maximize your kitchen’s productivity or both, our selection of appliances and products are high quality, while always getting you the most for your money. Visit us online and see why more and more chefs trust GatorChef. Or contact us today; we are happy to help you with your purchase and we rely on our vast culinary knowledge to get you what you need. One of the keys to success in the food service industry is creativity and innovation. As with any business, to stay ahead of the pack, you need to provide something your competitors can’t. Whether this is a menu option, customer service, or some form of restaurant cooking equipment; you have to be able to provide your customers with more, without spending additional time, money, and/or energy. A great way to do this for your restaurant is to add a commercial countertop warmer to your kitchen equipment arsenal. However, before rushing out to buy one of these exceptional devices, make sure you understand these basic facts. What Are Countertop Warmers? What Are the Benefits? Another perk is they require a very minute amount of space. Plus, depending on your specific unit, these devices typically have a low energy demand to run. In fact, most models can heat up quickly, and can promptly be turned on and off several times throughout the day to help limit their energy requirements; thus, they are a prime choice for smaller businesses. What Disadvantages Do Warmers Have? One of the most significant disadvantages of commercial countertop warmers is safety. Warmers are electric so there is very little chance of a fire hazard, unless it’s from a faulting electrical appliance. The hazard, however, comes from being scaled by steam or hot water when being serviced by an employee – warmers can be run “dry” or with water in their well. So, be sure to safely check the warmer before handling. Other times, when inappropriately placed, it can pose a serious risk to customers as well. If you’re interested in utilizing warmers for your restaurant, take into consideration where you will place the warmer. A secure surface level would be optimal so that it is always visible and always set safely in place. While it is common to get some form of use out of this marvelous restaurant cooking equipment, you need to decide if it is right for your business. Before you rush out and make your purchase, check and see if you have the proper space for a commercial countertop warmer. Keep in mind, if you plan on showcasing the food inside a hot display, you will most likely require some form of Plexiglas encasement. However, if you are still unsure after considering all this information, call the experts at GatorChef at 1-888-944-2867 to get any additional questions or concerns addressed today. If you’ve recently opened a new restaurant or need to upgrade your already established one, you know how important having the right commercial kitchen supplies is. Ovens, refrigerators, walk-ins, counters, salamanders, and grills – the amount of equipment and information available can be overwhelming. However, by narrowing down what your business needs and working with experienced industry veterans, you can outfit your kitchen with the right equipment and get the best food out to your customers. Choosing commercial kitchen supplies begins with determining what kind of food you will be creating. If your business is established in a spot where a former restaurant once stood, you may have some equipment readily available. Start by determining what pieces you truly need. Next, consider the gas, electric, and ventilation equipment you have in your kitchen. This will determine the general layout of the pieces. How will work flow from the cooks behind the scenes to the front of house staff? Where will ingredients be stored and plates cleaned? The hallmark of a great kitchen is a great stove and oven. Will you need more than one? If you are serving breakfast, will you need an oven, range, and griddle as well? The size of your kitchen and expected volume of work is an important factor as well. Smaller kitchens might only need a four burner stove whereas a large steakhouse might need to accommodate up to ten burners. A broiler is usually a necessity for most kitchens and these are available in a variety of sizes. They can be fitted to work with gas or electric and when the orders are coming in fast, having a reliable broiler is essential. Next, it is time to consider fryers. They can be bulky and expensive so extra care should be taken here to make sure you have an appropriate one. If you are serving large numbers of French fries, having a large fryer is critical but, with careful menu planning, it may not be essential. A Greek or Indian restaurant will have a much less busy fryer than a burger joint. In the world of commercial kitchen supplies, steam tables are one of the most visible products in the public eye. If you are in the catering business, your steam tables will be important for keeping food hot and warmed evenly throughout the dinner and/or buffet service. Choose an appropriate size and number of fryers and do not forget about aesthetics, if they will be seen by your guests. Serving pizza? A great commercial pizza oven is the number one item on your list of kitchen supplies. A heavy duty, deck style pizza oven is essential for any place focused on the Italian treat, but it is not the only option. If pizza will only be a special or a small part of a larger menu, consider purchasing a lighter more portable oven that can be moved to save space when not needed. At Gator Chef, our passion is helping restaurants succeed and connecting them with the right products they need for that success. Speak with any of our experts and outfit your kitchen with the right equipment today! Most commercial hand sink purchases are for either the bathroom or the kitchen. Whether cleaning, cooking, or doing prep work, in some form or fashion just about everything you do will revolve around the sink. Therefore, it is essential to purchase the perfect hand sink for your needs. Before rushing out and picking out the various sales models, make sure you consider these important factors. Mounting Style The Depth of the Bowls Materials Are More Significant than the Brand The Size of Sink You Will Need Count the Mounting Holes Remember the Drains Consider Installation and Repairs For more help on choosing the best commercial hand sink for your business, talk to the sales associates at Gator Chef today by calling 1-888-944-2867 or messaging [email protected]. Deep-frying is a relatively simple concept; you heat up a pot of oil to a specified temperature and submerge food in the oil to cook. Unfortunately, it isn’t always as simple as that, and various factors can impact whether a specific deep fryer is right for you. Therefore, when trying to figure out the best fryer for your business, you need to think of a few simple questions to determine the commercial deep fryer best suited for your needs. What Do You Plan On Frying? What Shape Is the Vat? Will a Specialty Option Work? Will You Be Using Electric or Gas? Electric Gas What Size Do You Need? For more information on choosing a commercial deep fryer, talk to the experienced associates at Gator Chef by sending a message to [email protected] today or by calling 1-888-944-2867. Commercial food storage containers that work are hard to come by. There are plenty of products online, but which ones are the quality that you deserve? Here at Gator Chef, we only sell the highest quality restaurant equipment, and we intend to deliver every single time. You’ll find containers of all shapes and sizes that are built to house specific products. With our help, you can keep your kitchen organized and functioning at its fullest potential. There’s nothing better than a neat and clean kitchen; it makes all the difference between structure and chaos. So, take a look at all of the products that Gator Chef has to offer! Whether you’re in need of silverware, cooking equipment, or even just some new sinks for your restaurant, Gator Chef has what you need to run your kitchen, hassle-free. Not only this, but we’ve got the best prices around. You don’t need to put a huge dent in your wallet just to enjoy the pleasures of running a restaurant, at least not through us! So, if you’re in need of commercial food storage containers, you’re in need of the excellent service of Gator Chef. No matter what shape or size, we’ve got a container that’s perfect for you. Looking for a 2qt round container? We’ve got it. Need something a little bigger? How about an 18qt Winco Round Storage Container? If you’re looking for something to store your sauce or chili in, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better container than this. Made of translucent polypropylene, you’ll find that this container can store a wide variety of foods, perishables, and even breadcrumbs if you need it to! 12.4” x 11.97” in diameter, you’ll be able to organize your kitchen with ease with the help of this wonderful product. Winco makes excellent containers, and that’s why Gator Chef chooses to sell them. We only want to deliver the best brands to our customer’s doorstep. Not only this, but this container is NSF approved! Perhaps you’re all stocked up on containers, and what you really need is some new knives. That’s fine! We’ve got the commercial cutlery that’ll knock your socks off! Whether you need Asian Cutlery or just some plain old chef’s knives, we’ve got it! Take a look at the Mercer Genesis Nakiri Knife, and you’ll see what we mean. High carbon, German steel, no stain, NSF approved, and one mean vegetable cutting machine. With corrosion and rust resistance, you’re looking at one durable knife that’ll last you quite some time! This is just one of the many incredible knives that you’ll find in our catalogue, so take some time to look around! While you’re browsing for your containers, remember to look through the rest of our selection. You’ll find that your entire restaurant can be supplied by Gator Chef, for incredible prices that’ll leave your wallet beaming! Our customer service is as important to us as our products, so don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions. Gator Chef is here to help, and helping is what we do best! If you’re in the market for restaurant supplies, you probably already know that you’ll be investing a good chunk of your money into something that would help sustain your business. Refrigerators affect many levels of your business so it’s important to ensure you are working with the best commercial refrigerator supplier that will treat you right and provide you with quality products. Whether you own a bar, restaurant, cafe, or nightclub, it is essential that your business keep certain foods and drinks cool and frozen. Thus, choosing the right restaurant supplier to work with is an important decision to make sure your business runs smoothly. Here at GatorChef, we offer a variety of restaurant equipment from kitchen supplies to dining, plumbing, and furniture so you can get all the equipment you need in one place. Stocked with trusted brands, we aim to offer top-quality food service equipment with the best pricing so that you know you’re getting the best bang for your buck. Not only do we care about serving the commercial food industry with affordable equipment, but we’ll also match most prices you find to ensure you receive quality equipment from a reliable company with the best pricing. When looking for a commercial refrigerator supplier, it is beneficial to not only look at all of the products being offered, but, also, to research the different products so that you can be sure you are getting exactly what you need for your business. Here at GatorChef, we offer a wide range of supplies from a number of different brands, both new and used, so that you can find exactly what you’re looking for at great price points. We understand how important it is for you to find the best supplier that can fit all your needs, which is why we not only offer both new and used equipment, but we include shipping in our bottom line price that way you know your total cost up front. Another detail to look into, when looking for commercial refrigerator suppliers, is their customer service and support systems. At GatorChef.com, we aim to provide the best customer service in order to keep our clients coming back time and time again. Along with answering any general questions you may have, our knowledgeable customer service group provides support and guidance in the selection, ordering, and delivery of GatorChef’s products. One of the brands we offer is ArcticAir. ArcticAir has come to be known as a quality, lower cost division of Broich Enterprises, Inc. for a reliable alternative to many common commercial applications. At GatorChef.com, we have a variety of ArcticAir products available for you to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a reach-in freezer or a food prep table refrigerator, GatorChef has everything you need to ensure your business stays running. For quality assurance, all ArcticAir products go through numerous quality control inspections and are operated and monitored for a minimum of 13 hours before being packaged and shipped. We understand how costly it can be to maintain your food storage equipment. So, in addition to the great pricing, GatorChef offers an exclusive, free 1-year warranty for parts and labor with any ArcticAir purchase. So head on over to our website and check out our deal of the week or visit our showroom to browse all of our new and used restaurant equipment and supplies so that you can get the best deal on the market with GatorChef! Code violations are just about the last thing you want to think about when running a restaurant or commercial kitchen. Cleanliness is strictly enforced by state agencies and while it seems simple enough to make sure everything is clean; sometimes it is a little more difficult. One appliance that is an absolute necessity in a kitchen or bathroom is a commercial hand sink. It’s a simple device that people use every single day, but we don’t really give them a lot of thought. Staying up to code means staying clean, so you need a sink that will take near constant use and stand the test of time without springing a leak or cracking. GatorChef has a pretty great variety of commercial hand sinks on hand to fit any sort of budget or kitchen space. Taking a look at one of GatorChef’s more popular sinks, the Royal Industries gooseneck wall-mount hand sink, we can see how this model could work for just about any kitchen or restroom. One of the great features of this particular sink is that it comes with side guards. This allows even a small kitchen to take advantage of this kind of commercial hand sink without worrying about splashing water onto adjacent countertops. This sink is also only fifteen inches wide, large enough to comfortably wash your hands in its stainless steel basin, but also compact enough to fit in any kitchen setup. This particular sink is meant to be mounted on a wall, has a six inch deep bowl, and is NSF certified for the foodservice industry. It comes with everything you need for a quick and easy installation, so getting it up and running couldn’t be easier. If you are looking for something a little more heavy-duty, then maybe the Krowne wall-mount gooseneck faucet is for you. One great advantage that this faucet has over some of the other sinks on offer from GatorChef is that the Krowne comes with an attached soap and hand towel dispenser. This takes a bit more worry off your mind, since you don’t have to think about also buying these as separate pieces. This sink is a little bit wider than the previous example at sixteen inches, but it keeps the six inch deep bowl. It also mounts directly to the wall and the gooseneck faucet is built on a swivel, allowing a wide range of flexibility and motion. Both sink options discussed here are built from beautiful stainless steel, so rust and mildew aren’t a worry like they are with other types of sinks. Whichever sink you decide fits your needs and works with your kitchen, cleanliness has to be a top priority. Nothing can close down a commercial kitchen faster than state health inspectors, so leaving the guesswork to a proven company is always a wise option. Sinks should be an easy thing to use in every kitchen and should fit into any setup with minimum effort in order to bump up proficiency. Whether you are just starting out or are already an established culinary force, cleanliness and utility are equally important. Having the right option and a commercial hand sink that fits your exact needs is a must. Visit GatorChef’s website (www.gatorchef.com) to learn more about their available catalogue. They have constant sales on anything you could need in your kitchen and a polite staff that can help you with any culinary needs. Any questions or comments about orders or available products can be directed to GatorChef by phone at (888-944-2867). Remember: keep it clean and cook safe! One of the most important pieces of hotel restaurant equipment is hotel pans for steam tables. Because of their simplicity, it can be easy to overlook them and miss important information about them until the last minute when you’re opening a new hotel restaurant, upgrading equipment, or even just restocking. In this article, we will explore some of the most important facts you should know about hotel steam table pans so that you can choose the right ones for your restaurant. The first and most important factor to understand of any set of hotel pans is standardized sizing. All steam table pans are based on a standardized pan size and fractions of that standard size. Fractional sizes range from 1/2 size pans, which are ideal for larger servings of food to 1/9 size pans, which are great for sauces, add-ons, or seasonings. Various fractional sizes can be combined in a single socket in order to create attractive and convenient layouts of food. In addition to pan length and width standard measurements, there are also standardized depth measurements for hotel pans. Different depths are ideal for different foods. Shallow pans are ideal for food types like salad and entrees while deeper pans are ideal for soups and other food that will not suffer from being stacked on top of one another. Like length and width, steam table pan depth is standardized to four sizes: 2.5 inch, 4 inch, 6 inch, and 8 inch depths. Another important characteristic to consider when buying pans is whether or not you’ll be needing to place your pans in the freezer or in the oven. High-quality pans will be built to be heat and cold-resistant. This characteristic makes it so that you can quickly remove prepared frozen food from the freezer and place it into the steam table to warm, or so you can move hot food from the oven directly to the pan. When choosing hotel pans it’s important to know what your menu is likely to look like before you buy so you can decide if you need pans capable of being heated in the oven or placed in the freezer. The final consideration to make is whether you will need perforated pans. Perforated pans have small holes punched in the stainless steel in order to allow for the draining of excess juices or water. Perforated pans are ideal for steamed foods like hot dogs or steamed vegetables which are likely to suffer in quality unless excess moisture is drained off. Now that you know the basic important characteristics of steam table pans, you’re ready to make a purchase. Why not buy from a company that understands the experiences and needs of hotel restaurants? Here at www.gatorchef.com, we offer professional service, high-quality products, and a great inventory, all of which are backed by our personal satisfaction guarantee. Come by today and see how Gator Chef can help your restaurant live up to its full potential through excellent supplies! A steady, reliable, and high-quality supplier of restaurant supplies is one of the greatest benefits any intrepid restaurateur can have on their side. Finding a supplier, however, can be a major challenge in and of itself. The good news is that there are a few surefire ways to ensure you end up with a quality supplier, and we’ve gathered them all here in this article so you don’t have to ask yourself “is there a restaurant supply store near me” anymore! The first step you should always take in trying to answer “is there a restaurant supply store near me” is to utilize a modern, online search engine tool like Google Maps in order to quickly gather a list of all possible restaurant suppliers near your location. The reason you should use a maps tool to do this instead of a standard web search is that map tools like Google Maps provide business profiles with attached reviews that you can instantly access to get an idea of what experiences others like you have had. If you’d gone into it blind, you might spend an hour driving out to a store that has abysmal reviews online, missing the warnings other restaurateurs had put out for you! Take the time to read through detailed reviews that explore the experiences of other people who were trying to answer that same old question: “Is there a restaurant supply store near me?” Once you’ve made yourself a short-list of suppliers with good reviews, take the time to explore their website and see what they have to offer. Most quality suppliers who will be able to fulfill your needs will list their products, policies, and other useful information right on their site. If they have a polished site with detailed product inventory, it's a good sign they have what you need. Once you’ve checked over their website, the next thing you should do is call their store and talk to a representative about your needs. This saves you the hassle of having to drive to the location while still allowing you to get a feel for their customer service. Calling also puts you in control; it is much harder to feel pressured by sales when you can step away from the phone at any time. Finally, pay a visit to any stores you’ve whittled your list down to. If they made it this far, they’re likely to be a good fit. A visit is just due diligence to make sure that they have what they say they do. The good news about visiting in person is that, at least sometimes, you’ll manage to make a connection with a manager or salesperson who will turn out to be a great contact. Building personal relationships can help you get the best deals, saving your company fortunes in the long run. If you’d like to work with an online restaurant supplier with a stellar record, fantastic shipping policies, and an enormous inventory, come visit us today at www.gatorchef.com! We promise to help you get everything you need for success! The restaurant business is full of unexpected expenses. Buried beneath making cheeseburgers or fine dining Italian food is a myriad of minor details that add up to a substantial amount of concerns and costs. If you are starting your first foray into the restaurant industry, these hidden expenses will likely come as a surprise, and many will be unique to your particular location, concept, and restaurant. If you have owned restaurants before, you know these costs will appear where you least expect it. However, a not so secret cost is buying restaurant equipment for your business. In fact, it is probably one of the bigger expenses you have built into your budget. But did you know that by saving money on your kitchen equipment you could be prepared for those other, less anticipated expenses? When you choose to save money upfront, by purchasing used commercial kitchen equipment and making other cost-effective decisions, you will have the liquid funds to handle emergencies, take opportunities, and build a better restaurant. What Are the Hidden Costs of Opening a Restaurant? First, construction costs are always higher than people anticipate. If there isn’t water damage above the ceiling there is mold behind a wall. If your counters fit perfectly in your new commercial kitchen, then the bar is going to be the wrong color. From floors to roofing, construction always holds some surprises. Of course, you can try to combat construction costs by doing a thorough inspection or buying a built-out space, but even these “safer” buildings will require some attention and funds. Second, permits and licensing require a lot of resources when opening a new restaurant or renovating an old one. Not only can the process be onerous, but filling and inspection fees can quickly add up. It helps significantly to have a good grasp on the permits and licenses you need to operate before you even begin the planning process or construction. Third, training staff, whether management, front of house, or back of house, is costly. Even when you hire hospitality professionals, your restaurant will have an atmosphere and style unlike anywhere else. This means retraining staff is necessary, and when you are up and running this cost continues. Every new employee will require some training, and it is an ongoing expense that you should account for each month, not ignore. Where You Can Find the Extra Funds Commercial kitchen equipment is extremely expensive when purchased in new condition. However, after it has been used just once, its value drops significantly. Therefore, it is possible to find used commercial kitchen equipment that was hardly ever used, but less than half what the same equipment would cost brand new. Those savings are substantial. As well, used equipment isn’t difficult to find, a slew of equipment can be found at Gator Chef online. Another way to save on costs opening a restaurant is looking at your expenses in the long-term. Eventually, utilities are going to be one of your major expenses. Therefore, where you can save money on electricity and other energy costs is a massive win. Look for LEED certified lighting and energy efficient appliances. As well, there are bathroom fixtures specifically designed to cut back water costs. Used Equipment Conundrum? So, you want to purchase new pizza peels for your kitchen or restaurant? Whether you are just starting out in the hospitality industry, looking to change methods in your restaurant kitchen, or simply trying something new at home, you may need some direction on how to use your new restaurant tool. Pizza peels are simple kitchen devices in terms of look and construction. Even the basic use is straightforward. However, if it is your first time cooking with a brick or stone oven pizza, you might not find the proper techniques as easy to master. These basic tips can go a long way towards incorporating wooden, aluminum, or wood composite pizza peels into your kitchen or restaurant routine. Most Common Technique for Using This Tool Once the pizza is placed inside the brick oven, you will need to use the pizza peel to turn the pizza and ensure it heats evenly. In larger brick ovens, like those found in restaurants, you might cook more than one pizza at a time, but the oven doesn’t always heat evenly. Using pizza peels to shift and rotate pizzas will ensure proper cooking. Using a Pizza Peel in Your Home However, these wooden versions are best used for preparing the pizza not placing pizza in your home oven or removing them. First, you never want to use a pizza peel that is too small for the size of your pizza. If the dough droops over the edge, it becomes much harder to remove. Also, wooden peels are more difficult to maneuver in a home oven. If you are up for a challenge, though, it is the most traditional way to make a pizza in your own home. Alternatives to the Modern Aluminum Pizza Peel In traditional kitchens, a sprinkling of flour and chilling of the peel would alleviate some of this problem. Today, restaurants that want have the best of both worlds, without the inconvenience, use peels that are made of a wood composite. Where to Buy a Pizza Peel? |