Answers to the Most Popular Questions About Our Services
Got a question about Advance Catering’s kitchen design, installation and management services? Here are the answers to some of the most popular questions we receive. You can also call us for answers to specific questions about your project, or to book a FREE initial consultation with our kitchen design team.
What Is a Commercial Kitchen?
A commercial kitchen is designed for the production of a vast amount of food, both at speed and to health and safety regulation standards. Commercial kitchens are laid out to ensure that work can be completed as quickly and efficiently as possible, to avoid order backlogs. There are specific requirements for cleanliness and safe food handling, which your Advance Catering project manager will discuss with you during the initial consultation stage. We will plan your commercial kitchen for optimal layout and to meet all regulations.
What Do I Need to Factor in When Considering a Commercial Kitchen Installation?
The main things to consider when planning your kitchen installation are budget, timeframes, equipment requirements and design. We can work with you to factor all of these elements into your project plan. Together, we will discuss requirements for food storage, preparation, cooking, service, cleaning and washing, ensuring that the flow of your kitchen is optimised for fast, safe and hygienic food delivery.
How Long Does It Take to Design and Install a Commercial Kitchen?
The most complex commercial kitchen designs can take up to two years to complete. However, on average, most small-medium scale installations can be completed within 1-3 months of the initial consultation call. We work to a structured, clear process that has been developed over our thirty years of experience, which allows us to deliver on budget and on time. If you have a tight deadline for your commercial kitchen installation, tell us during your free initial consultation and we will discuss practicalities with you to find the best possible solution.
How Much Does It Cost to Have a Commercial Kitchen Installed?
Installations start at £20k and can cost more depending on the scale of the installation and the design and equipment required. The largest kitchen installations cost upwards of £100k.
What Sort of Commercial Kitchen Designs and Layouts Can I Choose From?
We can install a kitchen that perfectly fits the dimensions of your installation space and have created layouts to fit every kind of location, from basements to rooftops. Even if the room is an irregular shape, or access is required via several flights of stairs, we can design a layout that works for you.
How Big Is a Commercial Kitchen?
When planning the size of your commercial kitchen you will need to provision for space between equipment, in front of equipment (including allowing for opening doors), staff to walk around the space freely and the ergonomics of the kitchen for efficient service. There is no strict rule for what size or shape your kitchen should be. Our experts will be happy to plan the layout to meet your requirements.
Are There Specific Regulations and Guidelines My Commercial Kitchen Should Adhere To?
There are specific regulations that you are legally required to adhere to when you run a commercial kitchen. These ensure that the kitchen runs in an environmentally friendly, hygienic manner. Your Advance Catering project manager will discuss these with you when planning your kitchen, but broadly they cover the following areas:
- The correct disposal of fats, oils and grease
- Waste disposal and recycling
- Blast chilling – the specific temperatures required to stop bacteria multiplying to unsafe levels
- WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) approval for any kitchen equipment connected to a mains water supply
- Food heating – the requirements for keeping food hot during preparation and before serving
- Gas safety – ensuring that your gas appliances are CE marked and approved by a notified body
Can I Specify the Catering Equipment I Want to Have Installed?
We stock a wide range of commercial kitchen equipment from the UK’s leading manufacturers, including Maidaid Halcyon, Unox, Valentine, Valera and Blue Seal. We can also source specific commercial kitchen equipment from all over the world; we’ve sourced pieces from Mexico, America, India and many other places for clients with specific ideas in mind
What Sort of Ventilation Does My Commercial Kitchen Require?
Commercial kitchens are legally required to have commercial extractor fans that collect fumes, carbon monoxide gases and grease from the air. Commercial kitchen extractors are usually installed in the form of extractor hoods. Advance Catering will ensure that your commercial kitchen ventilation is optimal for removing impurities to the level required by the Health and Safety Executive and local planning authorities.
What Other Services May be Needed With My New Commercial Kitchen Installation?
When considering the installation of a new commercial kitchen there are a number of addition services that may have to be considered as part of the installation. At Advance we can work with you on the complete project, which may include specifying and installing extraction and ventilation systems, coldrooms and refrigeration area’s, and hot and cold food counters or servery areas. We ensure that all of your catering installation requirements are met on time and to specification.