Food Safety Tips for Food Entrepreneurs

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Food safety is an important issue you have to pay attention to if you own a food business.

As an entrepreneur, yours is the huge responsibility to ensure that all the food you serve are clean and that preparation for it is done in an orderly and sanitary way. You should likewise comply to cleanliness and safety standards as prescribed by your local government agencies. This is vital in order to avoid food poisoning and other serious consequences.

Wash, wash, wash

For the most part, cleanliness begins in the kitchen.

It is advisable that you always wash your hands before cooking. Of course, hand washing should not be limited to that because you need to do it repeatedly during and after you finish cooking.

You should also make sure that all your utensils and cooking surfaces are entirely clean as you proceed. Countertops and cutting boards need to be spot-free. Also, ingredients should likewise be washed whenever necessary and appropriate.

You gotta keep ‘em separated

Anyone who has a long cooking experience knows that it is important to keep some foods separated – not only during food preparation but even during storage. Use different cutting boards for meat and vegetables, for example. And make sure that you have the foods properly covered. As for storage, it is recommended that you store ready-to-eat foods above raw ones. Health experts say this is essential in avoiding the possibilities of cross-contamination.

Do not delay

The main point of keeping food sanitary is to prepare them quickly, cook them well enough, and then serve them as soon as possible. It is not advisable to delay any of these steps because that can lead to bacteria growth.

Chill out!

Finally, ensure that your foods are refrigerated or freezed. This especially applies to perishables so you can prevent spoilage. If you decide to put a newly cooked meal on the fridge, make sure that you cool it down before doing so. This can even help you save on your electric bill because the fridge will not require as much power.

Where necessary, you may want to have access to services that offer cool room hire Perth especially if you have to keep a lot of foods refrigerated. This will lead to better preservation and storage of food in case you no longer have enough space on your fridge. Go check out Premier Sales and Rentals for these options if you are in Australia.

Few Essential Tips for Start-Up Foodpreneurs

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Despite the many economic downturns worldwide, many are still hopeful to make a name of their own in the business industry. And of course, when it comes to businesses, food ventures are a typical popular option. If you’re an aspiring food entrepreneur or you’re thinking of putting up a business of your own, hope you find the following tips helpful on your planning.

 

Know the different types of food businesses.

The food business industry is a broad one, so it’s necessary to figure out your main concept for your business first. Know about the different types of food enterprises. Apart from the traditional dining (fine dining or family/casual restaurants, ethnic restaurants, and fast food chains, for instance), you can also check out different types of mobile food businesses. Some of the types you can consider are food trucks, catering units, or vending carts. Of course, your main business concept should depend on your particular interests, your budget for this venture, and your areas of specialization.

 

Consider legal requirements.

Before starting any business venture, make sure to take into account different legal considerations. Requirements in getting permits or business license typically vary per state so I cannot give you a definite list of things for this. Apart from business permit, also think about other legal documents you’ll likely need, such as a tax certificate and health and sanitation license. Also think about zoning laws implemented in your locale if ever you’re planning to go for a mobile business.

 

Do a market research and competitive analysis.

If you want to be successful on your chosen niche, it should start with finding out how it is in your target industry. Who will be your target audience and where do you plan to put up your venture? Is your chosen area suitable for the business concept you have in mind? What are the particular consumer behavior and business trends in your target niche? Also know about your competitors. Who will be your competition and what business practices or strategies do they implement? Doing a market research and analysis can also help you work on developing your marketing strategy that will give a unique advantage for your business.

 

Think about practical considerations.

Your capital will greatly depend on your type of business and the particular products or services that you offer. Of course, apart from investing time and money in getting permits and choosing a location, another important consideration that will take up a big part of your budget is the food utensils and catering equipment. Aside from the typical dining/tableware and cooking utensils, you should also allocate budget on getting essential equipment such as ice maker, commercial freezers, food displays, and other catering supplies. Also take into account the budget you should allocate for your employees, supplies, and storage, as well as other start-up costs and considerations (one-time and ongoing expenditures). Make sure to develop an appropriate business plan and checklist so you can efficiently work on planning your funds for your venture.

 

For additional resources, check these out:

Marketing Your Food Business via Facebook

 

 

Your Quick Guide to Buying Fridges Online

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Are you thinking about buying a new fridge? Or are you planning to upgrade the old one in the kitchen? Do you need it for your new business?

It’s easy to see how the choices can be confusing. There are so many different types of available fridges these days; in fact, there is a wide array of brands catering to fridges. They have different sizes, styles, models, colors and not to mention, different price ranges. The choices just seem so endless. Typically and initially, it can be hard to pick the right one. This is an investment that you want to make the most out of, after all.

So how do you know which one you should get? A few quick tips on choosing the best fridge might help. Essentially, when choosing available fridges online for home or business use, there are a few things you need to consider:

Energy efficiency. Fridges consume a lot of electricity, so it really pays exercise care when choosing one.  Always check the fridge’s Energy Star rating, which will tell you a great deal about the model’s energy consumption. Generally, the more stars means the better it is at helping you consume less energy and therefore conserve it.

Electric consumption. If your needs allow you to, choose a fridge with a smaller freezer. The bigger ones would normally consume more electricity. Speaking of aiming for conservative electric bills, a fridge that has Holiday or Eco mode is highly recommended since it saves more electricity.

Eco-friendliness. Finally, choose a fridge that is environment-friendly. Buy one that doesn’t have chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) or hydro chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) since these chemicals contribute greatly to global warming.

Fridge capacity. A good rule of thumb when it comes to buying a fridge is it to check its capacity. Normally, a household of only 1-2 people would need a 200-380 liter fridge. You can opt for a 350-530 liter fridge if you have a bigger household. A 440+ liter fridge would be perfect for a household of 5 or more people.

Manufacturer’s warranty. Make sure that you buy a brand new fridge that carries a full warranty and after-sales service. This totally comes in handy especially when you need to have it fixed for damages, whether accidental or otherwise.

Aesthetic appeal. Of course, you have to consider the aesthetics of the fridge. Would it fit in the overall look of your home or commercial kitchen? Or would it stick out like a sore thumb? Seriously, choose the one that would totally blend with the look of your kitchen space or any space you want it to put it in.

With these factors in mind, you are on your way to choosing the right fridge for your needs.

Is Catering the Stay-at-Home Business Opportunity for You?

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With job layoffs and requirement compliant issues besetting the current state of the global workforce, many people are trying their luck with starting their own business. Just as long as you set the right, achievable goals; keep your focus on that goal, craft a feasible, realistic plan; and keep up with your customers’ ever-changing behavior and evolving demands. Most startup business owners will tell you that just like any business, a catering service is no piece of cake, but it will be worth it in the end.

If you’re really passionate about cooking, food and pleasing people with your own product or masterpiece, the catering business must be for you. However, you need to remember that over time, it will require more than just passion. For starters, you need to be able to find the right niche, an effective and efficient team to help you out, and enough money to get you started. It’s a $5 billion industry in the United States and with a good business plan in place, there is certainly room for your delectable masterpieces in it.

If you are yet testing the waters, you can opt to start small. Catering to your friends’ events such as weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and other similar occasions can give you a head start. When you do well, people can’t help but share about their experience with you, and soon, word will get around. You can proceed with giving local events catering a try, and perhaps expand your market by inking catering contracts with schools, organizations and companies.

Do you want to be known for specific food specialties? Try serving a particular market. You can specialize in vegetarian menus or healthy pastries and cakes that are essentially safe for people with health conditions such as diabetes. The demand for tasty yet healthy food is on the rise, so you can also try serving customers who are health-conscious with food 100% organic food.

Professional caterers are usually required by law to have their own kitchen, which can be a challenge if you are thinking about a being a home-based food entrepreneur. If you have gone beyond food catering your friends’ occasions, you may need to put up a commercial kitchen in your home and comply with your state’s legal requirements. Don’t forget to tap the right catering equipment suppliers for stress-free procurement of the kitchen tools and cooking materials you need.

Remember that while everything sounds so promising, a stay-at-home catering business can also be very stressful work. There are deadlines you need to meet, customers you need to please every day, and the constant demand for better and newer food or drink concoctions. Make sure you’re up for the challenge and capable of keeping up with all the demands.

Lucrative Small Scale Business Ideas from the Kitchen

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Who needs to commute horridly when you can make a decent to lucrative earning right in your kitchen? If you are the type who can spend many happy hours inside a kitchen, consider this the best spot on earth for a lucrative business. That’s right; there are many small-scale business ideas from the kitchen that can provide you a more meaningful life and a fatter bank account.

Options for home-based businesses can be overwhelming. If you like cooking or you’re a foodie, you can take some crash courses to prep you for this lucrative business. It is easier to start this business because it doesn’t require much capital. Everyone loves good food, and that gives you an infinite market. Narrow down your options. Choose the one closest to your heart and go for it. You can add more choices, take away slow-moving items, or make changes here and there as you go along.

Getting Started

You need to keep in mind, though, that in order to bring your dreams to fruition, you need to have the right equipment. Commercial freezers, fridges, and others are some of the things you need to invest on. Fortunately, you can easily search online for commercial fridges on sale, as well as other equipment you might need.

Here are a few small-scale business ideas from the kitchen you can check out:

• Get into canning and licensed kitchens. If you have a wonderful recipe for homemade jelly, jam, salsa, or other food you love canning and your family and friends can’t seem to get enough of, why not sell them. You must have heard that licensed kitchens are mandated if you intend to sell them commercially. You can start by doing your batches in a kitchen that is already licensed. If you are into this for profit, you can work out to have your kitchen licensed. Market your kitchen so you don’t only earn from your canned food products, you also earn from the kitchen rental.

• Be a personal or private chef. The world is full of people living and dying to have a great bite each meal. Unfortunately, not everyone has the skill or the time to cook nutritious, delicious, and picture-perfect meals. This is where you come in. As a personal chef, you can prepare and package these meals right in your kitchen. With a reheating instruction, these are delivered to various clients. You can also be a private chef; this means going into the homes and cooking in the kitchens of your clients. This is a preferred arrangement if your clients like partying or freshly cooked meals.

• Delivering home-cooked meals. If you are not a chef, you can still use the same concept – cook for others. You can also cook for other people, but minus the fanfare that chefs are known to have. However, if you are a creative and passionate cook, your product can be as elaborate, delicious, and nutritious. Your clients will soon recognize this and word-by-mouth can be a very powerful form of advertisement; expect the number of your clients to grow.

• Share your skills by holding cooking lessons. All people like eating delicious foods. Seriously, many also like to learn to cook. This is another market for you if you are a chef or has cooking skills. Offer cooking lessons. Develop several packages; happy clients will come back to learn more recipes. You can start with a low capital by teaching private lessons in your client’s own kitchens.

• Be a caterer. The key to catering, aside from delicious foods, is to have a network of contacts. You can try to forge partnership with event planners and meeting venues that do not have their own kitchen. Try to contact organizations who regularly hold and sponsor meetings with members and stakeholders. Look for those contacts that prefer home cooking at an irresistible price. These can be important elements when you are starting to gain loyal customers. Catering is a more expensive business because you need to have transportation, cooking equipment, chafing dishes, tablecloths, serving sets, and more.

If you like food and has the gift of gab, why not be a food blogger or reviewer. These you can do in your kitchen too. These are just some of the other small-scale business ideas from the kitchen that are as lucrative.

When Is The Best Time To Replace Catering Equipment?

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This is a question many novice food operators ask. Unfortunately, there is really no set standard or rule for how long catering equipment will last. Sometimes, you even wish each of your equipment had a built-in countdown timer in it that would tell you if it is already time to buy a new piece. Well, the good news is that there are two factors that can help you determine whether it’s time to have a catering equipment replaced.

Repair Cost is Piling Up

An obvious sign that you need to replace an equipment is that the cost for repair for the unit has already piled up to a point that it’s more expensive than buying a new unit. Even if repairs don’t cost as much, they can add up eventually. For this reason, it’s good to assess the overall status of a unit before deciding to have it fixed. If you believe one major repair will keep it running as good as before, then go ahead and have it repaired. If, however, you evaluated that a repair will only fix it temporarily and that for only a short period, it’s better to consider spending your money on a brand new unit.

The Equipment Has Become Inefficient

The efficiency of an equipment is not limited to how well it does the job. It is also based on whether it is helping you save money, time, and energy. Even if a unit is doing perfectly well in terms of performance and durability, but is causing you to spend more money on electricity, it is best that you have it replaced immediately. It’s a good thing newer models of kitchen appliances today are designed to help you save energy.

Additionally, if a unit is not working as it used to, it’s a good idea to have it replaced. Catering equipment and appliances usually last several years. However, if it is best to replace a unit if operating it is costing you time and money.

If you believe any of your catering equipment needs to be replaced, it is important that you choose your supplier very carefully. If you need a new display fridges, for instance, you can find high-quality display fridges via premierrentals.com.au, a trusted and reputable catering equipment provider. Suppliers that are already well established may cost you more in expenses, but investing in high-quality products provided by such companies will help you save more in the long run than if you spend money on cheaper, yet, lower-quality equipment.

Two Crucial Factors That Will Either Make or Break Your Food Business

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If you enjoy preparing and cooking food, are creative and hardworking, you have a huge chance of succeeding in the food business. However, you also need to realize that having these qualities alone won’t help bring you to the top. In fact, there are many food business owners who are skilled and talented and yet failed. The reason is not that their product was bad, but that they didn’t have enough skills on the managing and marketing side. In order to truly succeed in the food business, you need to have both the skills and the understanding of the food and the trend, as well as the market you are serving. Having said that, here are two crucial factors that can either make or break your food business.

The Quality of Your Customer Service

Whether you like it or not, your business will go nowhere without your customers. They are the ones that keep your business alive so it only makes sense that you invest in improving the quality of your customer service. Even if you have all the money for advertising, you won’t acquire any customer loyalty if your service is poor. In fact, no matter how good your food is and no matter how big yours servings are, you won’t acquire customer loyalty if the quality of your customer service is poor. The solution is proper management. Your food business will only be a success if it is managed properly. Proper management means training your staff not just in the area of handling food, but also in the area of handling customers. If there is one thing that will separate you from your competitors, it’s the way you treat your customers. Treat them with care and you will not only gain loyal customers, but loyal fans.

The Supplier You Choose

No successful food operator has made it big without the help of good suppliers. This is the main reason the supplier you choose is the second most critical thing you need to focus on. The quality of their products has a direct bearing on your business so be careful which supplier you partner with.

Obviously, you would want to partner with someone who has already established a reputation in the industry such as Premier Sales & Rentals. However, you also need to make sure they are not a company that’s big enough that they won’t have enough time for you. Also make sure that the products you buy or rent from them are treated, processed, and stored properly. Finally, establish a close working relationship with your supplier and make sure you maintain a constant line of communication with them.

There are several other factors that can determine whether your food business is going to grow or not, but these two are the most critical and the ones you should invest your time, money, and energy in.

Selecting the Suitable Ice Maker

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Planning to buy an ice maker machine? There are several things you need to understand before making the purchase.

First and foremost, there are different types of ice makers and so it’s important that you determine which one will be best suitable for your needs. Read this article and I’ll try to give you an overview of the most commonly-available ice maker machines in the market:

Portable Ice Maker

If you are throwing a social activity, a portable ice maker should be most useful. This type of machine is recommended for simple gatherings because they are lightweight and small. Fitting them on counter spaces will not be a problem.

Never underestimate its small size, however, because it does a good job in producing ice. They are also very easy to use and clean and so it’s a perfect fit for your social events.

Built-In Ice Maker

On the other hand, built-in ice makers are what you need if you are thinking of getting one for your home bar. This can be installed in your bar and so you won’t even have to leave the room to get ice from the kitchen whenever they run out. You can stay in your bar and enjoy your drinks without unnecessary hassles.

Actually, RV and boat owners will also love these built-in ice makers. You’ll always have access to fresh ice as you install this on your RV or boat. Long road and boat trips with friends and family members will be more fun.

Outdoor Ice Maker

Last but not the least, we have outdoor ice makers which, as the name implies, are great for outdoor settings.

Are you having a barbecue party in your yard? Planning to throw a luau at the poolside? An outdoor ice maker should be a reliable companion. You can continue enjoying your party without having to visit the fridge several times. The ice you need will always be easily within your reach that’s why you can focus on the thing that matters most – entertaining your guests.

Typically, these outdoor machines come equipped with air-cooled condenser, reversible door, and removable bin. They’re also designed with enclosed back to protect them from rain.

If you need ice equipment for business purposes, you may check out Premier Sales & Rentals’ ice maker machine and other high quality equipment. You will see that you can rent many interesting items for very affordable rates.

Interesting Articles:
How to Make Homemade Ice Cream Without an Ice Cream Maker (browneyedbaker.com)
How Do You Care For And Clean Your Portable Ice Maker? (icemakermania.com)

Steps Businesses Should Take When Choosing the Right Fridge

In order to run properly, smoothly and efficiently, all businesses need a place to operate, a number of the right people to manage all the tasks at hand, and a wide range of equipment, machines or tools. Together, all these can ensure that all operational needs are addressed, and all customer demands are met.

As a business owner who is exploring the food or similar sector that requires refrigeration or cooling, a fundamental requirement is to obtain a commercial refrigerator. Where preserving food, drink and supplies, as well as storing them properly, take an essential part of doing business, you need to consider several factors in order to end up with the best equipment for your specific needs.

First of all, you have to remember that there are so many types of fridges out there and not of them are created equal. The kind of business you run is important in determining the type of cooling system you should be having. Are you into pastries and cakes and pastries that require cooling? Is it a restaurant that you run? Do you have a convenience shop that offers cold drinks? All these questions matter first when choosing your fridge.

Do you have enough space where your refrigerator can be placed? Remember that to function efficiently, your commercial fridge should never be where it’s too hot, such as beside your very warm cooking area, or where it tends to get wet, such as beside or near sinks. Also, it makes sense to situate your fridge in areas where you have direct and quick access. On a busy day, it is not uncommon for kitchens, restaurants and food shops to repeatedly close and open the fridge countless times daily. Place the equipment where it is safe and can function properly, and where it can cater to immediate needs.

Talking about your wealth of options when it comes to your commercial fridge, there are so many brands out there to choose from. All these manufacturers claim to have developed the finest in refrigeration technology. Initially, you may want to make an educated comparison of these brands, evaluating their materials and features. It also helps to check out other people’s testimonials about each brand, and find out which ones will truly help you in your business.

Because a commercial fridge is a large investment, make sure you end up with the right one for your business. You can opt to own one, but it also makes more economic sense to rent it. For your business refrigeration needs, you may want to check out leasing services of commercial bar fridges only at Premier Sales & Rentals and invest in your equipment wisely.

Signs You Need a New Commercial Fridge

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Anyone in the food service industry benefits greatly from having a commercial bar fridge. Depending on the type of fridge, it can be used for cooling food products that need to be served cold, such as the Mississippi mud pie, for instance. You can also use it as a display fridge, housing either various beverages or any frozen sweets. Or you can even go with a freezer, where you can put raw food products to await preparation. When you feel like you’ve been trying to remove fridge and freezer odors too often recently, you may want to check for signs that your fridge is drawing its last breaths.

While fridge and freezer odors can be caused by a lot of things, such as power outages that render it inoperable for several hours, food that spoil too soon may indicate that your fridge or freezer isn’t doing its job as properly as it should.

Simply put, if you’re putting food in your fridge to keep it fresh and it comes out spoiled, then you may want to check the condition of the fridge and whether it is still able to maintain the low temperature necessary to keep the food fresh.

Another good sign that your fridge is just about ready to be replaced is if it’s just not as cold as it used to be. You’ve probably seen a commercial bar fridge at your local supermarket containing sodas. But when you grab one, it’s not even cold. One would argue that it’s just a matter of adjusting the temperature. But if your fridge doesn’t specify the temperature and only has “cold” and “very cold” settings and even the latter doesn’t seem to make the fridge colder, then you may want to have your fridge checked.

Finally, another reason that your fridge won’t be around for much longer is if you see a spike in your electric bills. Having a lot of appliances in your food service business can push your bill up, but a fridge that’s struggling to lower the temperature just to keep up with the items stored in it tends to consume more power. Either that or your fridge may have a case of faulty wiring.

If your fridge is failing, you’ll need to get a new one. If you can’t afford to do so, you have two options. Call in a repairman to try and revive the appliance or rent a fridge that’s in good condition. Just remember that a complete set of equipment will not boost your business unless you maintain good work ethics.

Related Links:

These Cringeworthy Restaurant Truths Will Make You Think Twice About Dinner (huffingtonpost.com)

How to clean a refrigerator after a power outage (eatocracy.cnn.com)