The Tools for a Perfect Catered Brunch

Regardless of the season, there is always large social events. Caterers are always busy with graduation parties, weddings, and other parties. Nothing pairs better with special events than a delicious brunch. At Public Kitchen Supply we have a large selection of products that will help you create the perfect catered brunch for any type of gathering you may be catering or hosting. We will be highlighting some of our favorite brunch and breakfast tools that should be in every caterer’s collection.
Omelet stations are always a hit and should be included in a catered brunch set up. People love customizing their own breakfast and watching it being made in front of their eyes To create an omelet station you will need tools like mixing bowls, measuring cups and whisks. Stainless steel mixing bowls are perfect for omelet stations. Crack your eggs and mixing them up to make them fluffy. They are easy to clean and have a sleek, professional appearance. American Metalcraft’s 2 Quart Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl is heavy duty and perfect for a task like this. The stainless steel composition will not break or scratch easily even when using other utensils within it. Of course, you’ll need a whisk with your mixing bowl. Browne Foodservice’s 12” Stainless Steel Deluxe French Whisk matches American Metalcraft’s Mixing Bowl well, complementing the stainless steel. When setting up an omelet station don’t forget to buy measuring cups. Cambro’s Clear 1 Pint Measuring Cup has metric and standard measurements along the sides for precise measuring. Complete your made-to-order omelet station with food pans. Cambro’s 1/9 size pans are great for holding fresh toppings on display for your customers. Food pans neatly display fresh ingredients while keeping them at a fresh, safe temperature.
Bread is a must at a catered brunch. Customers expect to have bagels, english muffins, and toast along with a variety of other breads. We recommend purchasing the APW Wyott’s 13” Wide Radiant Conveyor Toaster. This toaster will quickly toast bread as it allows two slices of toast to pass at one time in less than 30 seconds. The 13” Wide Radiant Conveyor Toaster has variable speed and temperature control. APW Wyott’s toaster is ideal for serving ten people or more, making it perfect for a catered brunch tool. Have a member of the staff ready to toast your guests' bread at a moments notice. It prevents burns from improper use as well as speeds up the toasting process from a traditional toaster.
Breakfast isn't completed without scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes and meats. Rely on chafing dishes to keep your meats, hash-browns,  and other brunch favorites warm. Update International’s EZ Stor Folding Chafer is lightweight and travels well because of its foldability. Its stainless steel design is sure to match the rest of your catering equipment providing a professional appearance. Be sure to purchase a chafing dish heater to keep the chafer and food warm for extended periods. Adcraft’s Electric Chafer Heater is a great pairing. The Electric Chafer Heater will evenly distribute heat throughout the entire chafing dish ensuring all of the food within the dish is kept at the proper temperature. Proper temperature is extremely important when catering, make sure your chafing dish and chafing heater are up to code before setting up.
While breakfast foods are expected at a brunch some light lunch foods are too. That's what makes it brunch. Sandwiches and soups are great brunch foods. Consider grilling sandwiches and making paninis, grilled cheese, or other warm sandwiches for your perfect catered lunch. Equipex’s Majestic Panini Grill is a great choice for toasted sandwiches. This Panini Grill is easy to clean and easily controlled. Remember to provide a spatula with your panini grill for your customers to safely and hygenically remove their sandwiches when they are perfectly toasted. To pair a tomato soup with a grilled cheese, invest in an APW Wyott Soup Kettle. Soup kettles make it easy for customers to serve themselves. It’s important to remember simple serving utensils when purchasing pricier items like soup kettles and panini grills.
For salad and dessert bars you can rely on Table Top Food Bars. Cambro supplies an excellent Table Top Food Bar that works well for salad and salad toppings. It is NSF listed and can hold a maximum of three full size pans or a smaller pan configuration. It is made from lightweight polyethylene that will help keep food cool when filled with ice. If you want to make desserts or fruits more personal, consider serving them in Tablecraft’s stylish, Orange Frostone Serving Bowl. The Frostone Serving Bowl is an elegant square ribbed shape, painted orange with a glossy finish. Cambro’s Table Top Food Bar and Tablecraft’s Orange Frostone Serving Bowl work well with many other dishes too. You will find many uses for these versatile products along your catered brunch buffet line.
Finish you scrumptious brunch with a piping hot cup of coffee or tea. Buy Adcraft’s Hot Water Dispenser to dispense hot water immediately. Adcraft’s Hot Water Dispenser is great for setting up with tea bags and hot chocolate mixes. At Public Kitchen Supply you can find manufacturers like Keurig®. In our Keurig® Coffee and Tea category you will find countless Keurig® brewing systems and delicious drink blends to keep your customers refreshed. You will find brands like Green Mountain Coffee®, Starbucks®, Caribou Coffee® and many others. These beverages will allow your customers to have a wide variety of drinks to choose from rather than the standard milk, orange juice, and coffee.
If you’re planning to open a breakfast themed restaurant or want the perfect catered brunch, we have the tools you need. At Public Kitchen Supply we are happy to help. Call us at 1-800-458-1716 to start planning your perfect brunch or visit our website at www.PublicKitchenSupply.com/.

Bestsellers for June

At Public Kitchen Supply we track our manufacturers' and products' success each month. We are continually impressed with our customer’s brand and product loyalty so sometimes we enjoy sharing the items that seem to make our customer's the happiest. These products come from a variety of categories and range in price making it understandable that its simply product quality, durability, versatility and ease of use for why these products succeed and our customers continue to purchase. Dive in with Public Kitchen Supply and discover what products are selling fast and learn why, if you haven't used these products first-hand already.
Starting off our June bestsellers is the Blentdtec’s Two Quart FourSide Jar with Hard Lid. What makes the Blendtec Two Quart FourSide Jar so popular is the versatility of the container. It can be used on most of the Blendtec commercial blenders without a hiccup. The Two Quart FourSide Jar is perfect for anyone who loves a good smoothie or frozen blended drink. The FourSide jar is clearly marked in cups and ounces along the exterior for exact measurements keeping your drinks or sauces consistent, a necessary quality at a bar or restaurant. This style jar comes with a firm, hard, non-venting lid creating a perfect seal preventing a potential disaster. Consider Blendtec and their Two Quart FourSide Jar if you blend any drinks or sauces throughout the week. Blendtec has a loyal following due to their high-quality commercial and residential blending options.
The next bestseller is a commercial kitchen staple -  Prep-Pal labels. ITD’s 1 inch Square Prep-Pal Labels are great for food prep and food storage in either a home kitchen or a commercial kitchen. Food labels are a commercial kitchen must however. They keep your kitchen safe and organized, preventing spoiled food from being served and cross-contamination from occurring. ITD’s 1 inch Square Prep-Pal Labels come in a 750-count. Each label is one square inch, an ideal size for containers giving you the space you need to include a prep date or expiration date, and any allergen notices. ITD’s Prep-Pal Labels will stay on during use but easily come off in the wash without leaving behind a sticky residue. Restaurant needs food labels so you might as well buy the best.
Next on our list is no surprise - the Keurig Bolt Commercial Brewing System. Shipping out July 15th, people have been preordering the Keurig Bolt. This commercial brewing system works the same as a traditional Keurig single-pod coffee maker except for one main difference, the Bolt brews 64 ounce pots of coffee rather than individual cups. The Keurig Bolt is ideal for any large group. Now, you can serve fresh gourmet coffee in your restaurant or office. The Keurig Bolt brews an entire pot of coffee in as little as 2 minutes. On Public Kitchen Supply you can choose from delicious coffee brands like Tully’s Coffee, Green Mountain and The Original Donut Shop to use with the Keurig Bolt. Start your morning the right way with the help of Keurig’s Bolt Commercial Brewing system.
It’s no wonder a Vitamix product has made it on our bestselling list. Anyone who’s ever bought a product from Vitamix knows of its impeccable quality. The 48 oz/ 64 oz. Ice Blade Assembly is designed to work with 48 ounce and 64 ounce blender jars for the Touch and Go Blending Stations from Vitamix. These blade assemblies are an item that should be replaced every so often to ensure that your commercial Vitamix blender is always in perfect working condition. The sharper the blade, the faster and more consistent your blended treats will turn out. With the help of Vitamix’s 48 oz/ 64 oz Ice Blade Assembly you will be able to power through ice, chunky fruit and leafy greens without leaving chunks. Make your blender stronger and better with the help of Vitamix’s 48 oz/ 64 oz. Blade Assembly.
And finally, Rubbermaid’s Auto Faucet Valve Control Module is rounding out our bestsellers for the month of June. The Auto Faucet Valve Control Module allows you to use an Auto Faucet with Surround Sensor Technology in your restroom of choice. This product promises to save you money by including the best sensing technology available. It will turn on when your customer places their hand in front of the sensor and turn off when they move. With the elimination of sticking solenoid valves and decrease water conception, Rubbermaid’s Auto Faucet Valve Control Module is an economic and environmental purchase. Those that have a touchless restroom know how important a working Auto Faucet is to saving money.
June may be over, but these products sold well and continue to sell well for great reasons. Get your hands on these best sellers and see what you are missing! Visit our website at PublicKitchenSupply.com to see more fantastic items designed to improve your commercial kitchen. At Public Kitchen Supply we work with the best so you can be the best.

Getting Your Restaurant Summer Ready

Summer is here which means warm weather and more time in the sun! As a restaurant owner or manager, it’s important that you note that guests will want to take advantage of the warm weather. The second that sun starts shining and the temperature is warm enough, you need to be prepared to seat guests on your restaurant patio. Like any deck, after a long winter your deck will need to be cleaned, decorated, and well-stocked to thrive all summer. A bit of deck and restaurant maintenance will help keep your patio be a popular, healthy and safe place to dine. In today’s blog Public Kitchen Supply will go over the steps you need to take for a beautiful restaurant patio or deck.
Before you even consider seating guests outside, assess the cleanliness of your deck or patio. If you restaurant has a deck, be sure to check for cracks or structural timbers. Sometimes, after a snowy winter, decks will develop cracks that will make it structurally unsound. Consider having a professional come in and inspect it to make absolute certain its safe. Another important step for patios and decks is to check for left behind nails, screws and other debris that can cause a customer to trip. Also be sure your outdoor areas are clear of any trash. After you have checked your deck or patios sturdiness and general tidiness you’ll want to clean it. Depending on it's level of uncleanliness, you may need to choose between powerwashing and using a concrete cleaner. Chemco’s Concrete Cleaner is a great chemical for concrete patios. It is excellent at removing tough, ugly stains that could have occurred over the long winter. To use Chemco’s Concrete Cleaner, just pour, scrub and rinse clean. Your deck will quickly go from grungy and filthy to that clean gray look of a freshly cleaned concrete patio that is ready for your customers.
Next, play up your patio. Small, inexpensive decorations can easily create a summer theme. Think of tiny ways your restaurant can embody the warm summer weather. Update International's Cocktail Parasols are a quick way to add some summer flair. These tropical cocktail parasols are perfect for an outdoor drink station or bar area. Customers appreciate tiny decorative touches like cocktail umbrellas in their drinks. They make a person feel like they're in the tropics, even if they're far from it. Find ways to incorporate other summer decorative items like bamboo skewers, like Update International’s 12” Bamboo Skewers, into summer recipes. Something about fresh veggies, delicious meats and sweet fruit brought together with a bamboo skewer, defines summer cuisine. Tropical decorations are a great way to set a fun, summertime mood and when mixed with the heat of summer, elevate any meal.
Non-breakable dishware is one of those overlooked detail that can drastically change a restaurant's feel. If broken, glass can be very difficult to pick up. Depending on the flooring, it may be hard to see the pieces or may get stuck in cracks. Broken glass not only exposes food to cross contamination, it can result in customer and employee cuts. Summertime means customers tend to wear more open-toed shoes and have more skin exposed. Dropping a glass plate or glass drinkware could mean disaster. To ensure your patio and deck areas stay safe, use durable, unbreakable dishware. We recommend Tablecraft’s Black Classic Oval Food Basket. This food basket is made out of polyethylene, it will not break or shatter when dropped. Food baskets are a great way to present food in casual dining environments. Tablecraft’s Black Classic Oval Food Basket is lightweight and is the perfect way to deliver foods like hamburger and fries.
Summer is an excellent time to take advantage of additional, outdoor seating. People enjoy relaxing out on a nice patio with the warmth surrounding them. Opening up your restaurant's patio can be an instant boost in sales if done right. Make sure your restaurant deck or patio is summer ready with these summer tips and tricks from Public Kitchen Supply. To view the products and manufacturers mentioned in today’s blog visit our website at PublicKitchenSupply.com.

The Keurig Bolt: a One-of-a-Kind Coffee Maker

Keurig is known for their innovative technology. Specializing in their one-cup pod technology, in just a few years, they have revolutionized coffee-making. Starting in approximately 1993 with their first single-cup brewing system that was placed in offices, Keurig has, over time, become a household name that brings happiness to coffee and tea drinkers worldwide.

Now they're turning their attention on their newest innovation, turning the single-cup coffeemaker into the single-pot coffeemaker. You may be questioning what makes this any different than a traditional coffeemaker. A traditional coffeemaker makes a pot at a time, what's so special about the Keurig's version? The Keurig Bolt, their version of a single-pot coffeemaker, is the easy-to-clean, perfect portioned coffeemaker perfect for office use.

If you work in an office, you know that every few pots of coffee there's that one that was too strong or not strong enough due to a person filling the grounds incorrectly. Using the Keurig Bolt prevents this from happening. Every pot of coffee is the perfect strength due to pre-portioned pods. Like the Keurig K-Cups, the Bolt Pack seals in the perfect flavor, every pot.

Anyone who drinks from the Bolt will instantly notice how fresh each pot of coffee tastes. Freshness is packed into to every Bolt pack, unlike typical grounds that start losing their flavor the instant you open the canister or bag. Unless you brew from whole beans every day, you never get that fresh taste like you do from a Keurig Bolt.

Currently available in a few flavors from Green Mountain Coffee, The Original Donut Shop, Timothy's World Coffee, Van Houtte coffees and Tully's, the Keurig Bolt Packs are perfect for offices who love traditional coffees. They are also ideal for those companies that pride themselves on being a "green" company. Due to the packaging of the packs, they are made from polypropylene/#5 plastic, which means they are recyclable. Keurig even offers a mail-back recycling option for areas where there is no recycling available.

In addition to coffee quality and environmentally-friendly design, another benefit you'll appreciate of a Keurig Bolt over the traditional coffee pot is the lack of cleanup. The Bolt Pack keeps the cleanup at a minimum, requiring the only item to be cleaned is the carafe.

Additional Keurig Blolt features are as follows: -

• Brews 64 oz. pot of coffee in two minutes
• Maintains temperature up to two hours within the carafe
• Touchscreen allows language programming (English, French, Spanish) and temperature control (187°F - 197°F)
• UL approved for commercial use as well as NSF certified for foodservice environments

The best thing about a Bolt is that it’s truly versatile. The Keurig Bolt doesn’t have to be placed within an office setting. It can be placed in a restaurant or diner that serves coffee all day long. You can invest in an additional thermal carafe and have two pots brewed at all times. With only a two-minute wait time no one will have to wait long if you’re out of their favorite flavor. Two minutes versus the traditional coffee pot’s four minute brew time, can make a large difference when a customer is rushing to work in the morning. Your customers will love it when you invest in a Keurig Bolt Commercial Brewing System.

With all these features, it’s no wonder that Keuirg has the brand status that it does. It takes what consumers want most and delivers to them. The Keurig Bolt does what no other coffee maker does. It takes the work out of making coffee. It's no longer a chore to make coffee for the office or for customers. It's simply the press of a button. The Keurig Bolt will be available July 15th, right here at PublicKitchenSupply.com

Tips and Tricks for using Salt and Pepper Mills

The biggest difference between salt and pepper mills and salt and pepper shakers is a grinding mechanism. Pepper mills and salt mills have a grinding mechanism that allows the user to grind fresh pepper and sea salt over food for seasoning. Pepper mills and salt mills are seen as beneficial because they typical produce more flavor when compared to salt and pepper shakers that have pre-ground spices. Some people may choose to use a traditional salt and pepper shakers for a number of reasons. Mills primarily are often associated with problems throughout their lifetime, however, most of these common problems are easily solved without needing to replace the mill. Public Kitchen Supply supplies Chef Specialties Salt and Pepper Mills and Shakers, the leader in pepper mills and salt mills. While working with this manufacturer, Chef Specialties shared with Public Kitchen Supply the three most common pepper mill and salt mill issues they hear and the tips for easy fixes.

One problem salt and pepper mills seem to face is the grinding process itself and that it "doesn't work." Ironically, this is one of the biggest advantages of pepper and salt mills but the also the most misunderstood. First, remember that the mill's body should always be turned clockwise and not back and forth or counter clockwise. The body itself can be turned both directions (counter and clockwise), but when grinding, it should ONLY be turned clockwise for the longest life and the best performance. For a fine grind, turn the top metal mechanism to the right or to the left for a coarse grind.

How to Use a Commercial Crepe Maker

While France is known for their delicious crepes, they have become increasingly popular in the United States. Many restaurants have created menus dedicated to this tasty food. Crepes are a great way to expand your restaurant menu as they're not just for dessert anymore. In order to make these thin, scrumptious delicacies, we'll walk you through using an Equipex Discus Crepe Maker, one of our great products. We also want to share some delicious recipes we've found on the web that will get you started and will be sure to impress.
The Equipex Discus Crepe Maker is designed for professional, commercial crepe-making. The Equipex Discus Crepe Maker is simple to use thanks to its basic design. It appears like a flat single electric burner, which is essentially is; however it's much more than that. Once you've got your Discus Crepe Maker set up where you wish to use it, you'll first start by spraying the Discus with a non-stick baking spray. Next, preheat the Discus for approximately 10 to 20 minutes by selecting the appropriate temperature. To do this you'll rotate the thermostat knob clockwise. Most recipes recommend the Discus cook at 450°F but it can be controlled up to 570°F. Once it's fully preheated you'll want to slowly pour your crepe batter onto the black surface of the Discus. Use the Equipex Discus Batter Spreader that comes with the machine to evenly spread and shape your crepe in a perfectly round circle.
When you have a smooth circular crepe formed flip it after 30 seconds to 1 minute, this is the optimal amount of temperature to heat your batter to a light and airy consistency. The batter will typically have small air holes when it’s ready to be flipped. At this point it's about halfway through the baking process and should be flipped to continue baking evenly. After flipping, quickly add all of your delicious ingredients. Leave this to cook for an additional 30 seconds, fold in half and your crepe is now cooked. Finish your crepe off with toppings to create an amazing presentation. If you're lost on ideas for fillings, we recommend simple, classic ingredients like raspberries and cream. Strawberry and Nutella crepes are another simple but delicious recipe that is really making a name for itself on dessert menus. If you’re looking for a savory crepe that could perform as an entree though, try a creamy mushroom crepe filling, perfect for lunch or dinner menu. Pair this with a decadent salad and you've got a great meal. There are endless crepe recipes that you can explore and recreate with the Equipex Discus Crepe Maker.
After you have finished making your crepes it’s critical that you clean the Equipex Discus Crepe Maker. Regularly cleaning your Discus Crepe maker keeps it hygienic and in proper working condition. To clean your crepe maker first let it cool. Wiping it with water too early could cause it to scorch or burn. Use a damp cloth with mild soap to clean the stainless steel housing plate. You can use a sponge like Scotch Brite’s Power Scrub Sponge to remove any carbon deposits from the crepe plate, just make sure you use only the non-abrasive side on the burner itself. Water should not enter the ventilation hole around the unit as this can cause damage to the Equipex Discus Crepe Maker. If you make many crepes throughout the day you'll also want to be sure you perform a thorough cleaning on the crepe maker at the end of each day.
Introducing crepes to your restaurant’s menu is a great way to bring in new customers, especially with a dessert that is very on-trend at the moment. The Equipex Discus Crepe Maker is commercial quality meaning it's meant to be long lasting and a worth-while investment.. It’s perfect for a commercial kitchen. We encourage you to embrace this tantalizing French delicacy. To view the products mentioned in today’s blog or our wide assortment that will further help your restaurant succeed, visit our website at PublicKitchenSupply.com

The Importance of Meal Uniformity

In the kitchen, meal uniformity is key. Meal uniformity ensures when food is prepared, each plate is the same size and taste each time. Meal uniformity is extremely important for two main reasons: food cost and customer satisfaction. Understanding the importance of meal uniformity and how to achieve consistent, identical meals is a key in restaurant success. It can honestly make or break a restaurant.
Meal uniformity effects food costs. Restaurant owners must determine an exact amount of food for each dish. Failure to have meticulous, precise measurements may result in incorrect recipes and inflated food costs. When chefs are over-generous in their servings it results in wasted food, taking money away from the restaurant. In a recent study, “76% of chefs thought that they served "regular" portions, the actual portions of steak and pasta they reported serving were 2 to 4 times larger than serving sizes recommended by the U.S government.” It’s important that chefs aim for healthy, proportionate, consistent servings.
Another detriment of inconsistent portion size is unhappy customers. Customers will rarely notice if they are receiving an abundant amount of food but they will notice if it’s significantly less or if the food tastes significantly different. Recipes should be the same each and every time, this means both the portion size as well as the flavoring. Often chefs "wing-it" while they're cooking, causing significant changes to the way food tastes whenever a customer comes in. When you visit a restaurant, you expect a dish to taste the same. When customers return to a restaurant, especially for a specific meal, they expect their meal to be unchanged. Maintaining restaurant uniformity requires a well trained staff and simple kitchen tools that they can learn quickly.
Teach your kitchen staff to always use the correct utensils when making and serving food. Ingredients should be measured using a portion scale, like Edlund’s 10 lbs Digital Portion Scale to ensure the same amount is in each portion. This includes spices, meats, toppings and more, it all should be weighed. We suggest Edlund’s scale because it contains a removable stainless steel platform and large LCD read-out. This scale can measure up to 10 lbs of ingredients and is very easy to use. The Edlund Scale features a button to convert between ounces and grams, if that is a needed feature. A scale and measuring is something that is a must for meal uniformity. In a restaurant kitchen the words "pinch" or "dash" shouldn't be heard, but instead precise measurements.
For liquid ingredients measuring cups are the proper item in the kitchen. There are many different choices when it comes to measuring cups, here, we suggest Cambro’s 1 Quart Clear Measuring Cup. Cambro color coded this cup in blue and red. Molded-in graduations are printed in blue for metric measurements while the opposite side features red for standard American measurements. The cup is transparent making it very easy to see its contents and has a easy to pour lip making sure you pour the entire contents exactly where you need it. The Cambro 1 quart Measuring Cup is dishwasher safe and NSF approved. Using a measuring tool that does not pour well or easily can cause part of the ingredient to splash about or miss the intended dish, further preventing meal uniformity.
For consistent sauce servings, rely on a portioning system such as the Portion Pal system. This innovative Portion Pal system has a large assortment of products that help with sauce and condiment portion control. Sauce and condiments dramatically affect how a meal will taste. Use along a make line to ensure your employees are portioning out sauces equally so that one customer does not receive double portions without paying accordingly. Consider investing in the 24 oz. FIFO Portion Pal Kit. It includes four fixed portion control rings that allow you to determine the serving of each sauce. Choose between 1/4 oz., 1/3 oz., 1/2 oz., and 1 oz. The Portion Pal is extremely helpful for any kitchen that relies on sauces, dressings or condiments in their meals. This simple tool will ensure your meals, in terms of condiments, are consistent.
At Public Kitchen Supply we work hard to provide our customers with products and advice that will improve their restaurant. Meal uniformity is extremely important in the kitchen. It effects the money a restaurant spends and a customer’s experience. Monitor expenses and improve customer loyalty by practicing meal portion control and meal uniformity. For more products like the ones mentioned in today’s blog visit our website at PublicKitchenSupply.com.

Condrasky, M., et al. "Chefs' Opinions of Restaurant Portion Sizes." Obesity (Silver Spring) 15.8 (2007): 2086-94. Print.