CATERING Top quality catering
standards can help care homes cut through the competition.
many customers now take into account, and the knock-on effect means there is a huge saving on running costs.
Ancillary equipment There is now a variety of ancillary equipment available, which can save time for chefs and produce a higher quality output. A Blixer machine can puree without heat using a specially designed blade, saving time and energy on heating and optimising the nutritional value of the food.
For those who can’t get out to celebrate special occasions, an Induction Teppanyaki Griddle can be used to cook in front of residents and their family, adding theatre for celebratory events. The griddle has no heat emission, due to its advanced technology and it’s easy to clean too.
Care home caterers need ovens which can cook the greatest variety of foods at the same time. A choice of cooking methods, such as steam and convection, is key. For example, combi ovens can cook a large range of different foods simultaneously, with no cross- contamination, which is invaluable when catering for varying dietary needs, such as vegetarians and meat-eaters.
Energy Efficiency As with almost every industry, being
energy-efficient is a huge focus in catering and that is set to stay. Kitchens can be high in energy wastage so are a particular area of focus in the new eco- friendly way of living.
Energy wastage can be cut by using new cooking and heating techniques, such as induction. Induction cooking is known to be far more energy-efficient than gas or electric, which is great for improving eco-credentials, something
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Some smaller gadgets are ideal for kitchens where space needs to be maximised. Modular units are proving popular too, as rising property prices and cost-saving is meaning caterers need to maximise every inch of available space. Modular kitchens mean caterers can design a bespoke arrangement to perfectly suit their requirements.
Flexible Payment Terms Most catering equipment suppliers support the need to maintain a high quality catering service within the care and residential home sector by offering flexible payment options, enabling establishments to begin the process of improving their equipment for a greater return long-term and in a way that is manageable for them.
Customer Service Like buying a car, or any other big-ticket item, customer service is of the utmost importance, especially during the aſter- sales period when the deal has been done. Care homes can’t wait for troubleshooting
- any hiccups or knowledge gaps need to be resolved instantly.
Most suppliers offer the most premium sales experience, but a top-notch aſter-sales service is essential to ensure that any potential problems are fixed and resolved as soon as possible. We would advise caterers to research the aſter-sales element when choosing an equipment provider.
Assess how easy it is to communicate with the factory or supplier. Are all channels of communication open? How easy is it to speak with someone? Is there enough information on their website? The website should also feature testimonials from customers; these are a great barometer of customer satisfaction.
Importance of
Ongoing Training As the quality of catering and food within the care home sector has continued to improve, with it comes a requirement for ongoing training. Championing high training standards is The National Association of Care Catering (NACC), which represents professionals catering to the care industry. The NACC offers an annual training and development forum, where caterers can learn from expert care catering speakers, watch culinary demonstrations tailored for those in care, interact in workshops and network with like-minded colleagues. The organisation also hosts its own awards programme, heralding best practice and giving recognition to those in the industry.
Cutting Through
the Competition Catering in care homes should be at a base level of quality as a minimum. However, this does not mean that establishments cannot strive to be better than the rest in order to drive more business.
Top quality catering standards can help care homes cut through the competition. Once standards are at their optimum, word needs to spread as a care home’s catering reputation can play a key aspect in driving new customer enquiries.
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