For those of us who work in the hospitality industry, Christmas can be really stressful. That’s why it’s important that you find time to treat yourself to a festive cocktail or two.
As the end of 2016 approaches fast, there is no hesitation to say this year has been a busy one for all who have worked in hospitality. With the sector increasing in custom and expected to reach a value of £52bn by the end of the year, we look at our top ten products that have aided you in providing the best quality service and hygiene to your customers.
Competition in the restaurant industry has never been so fierce. So is it time to consider updating your menu? Before they’ve even set foot in your restaurant, potential customers are making decisions based on what your menu says about you. And it’s important to get it right.
From mistakes in the layout, to using overly descriptive language, there are many menu turn-offs that are potentially losing you custom every day. Here are our tips for creating a menu that’s guaranteed to increase footfall and leave customers satisfied.
Uber has taken over the taxi world, Airbnb has opened doors (literally) to millions of travellers and Deliveroo brings restaurants to your doorstep. They all did so in record times, using the latest technology to take their markets by storm. And not just locally. All over the world. With rapid international growth and a ‘revolutionary’ way of thinking, could Wheelys Cafe be following suit?
Know your rash from your robo? Your flash from your FOH? These are the essential terms you need to know if you're going to survive the professional kitchen.
Chalkboards have an almost magical ability to turn an unusable or blank space into an inspirational masterpiece. In less than 15 minutes, you could create a clever piece of artistry that advertises a daily special in a creative way or even just write a quote that has an intelligent play on words to stop your customers in their tracks.
A dilemma for many café and restaurant owners, finding the perfect coffee blend is a decision that should never be made in haste. So how do you choose the coffee which suits both your customers and business whilst fitting within your budget?
Salmon is a great and popular choice to offer on your menu. Rich in omega 3, it is delicious and healthy – great to offer as a light lunch or dinner to your customers. Many flavours work well with salmon, especially those with a little kick. This chilli salmon recipe has the perfect balance – the spice of the chilli, the creaminess of the butter and the soft, flakey texture of the salmon.
Britain may be known for its fish and chips, mushy peas and pies, but we’re a nation built on a diverse and delicious range of foods. 2016 marks the 15th year of Great British Food Fortnight with celebrations erupting up and down the country. People everywhere are championing fresh, home-grown produce to create mouth-watering dishes, and you can too.
A recent study published in February 2016 found that 29% of people have reduced the amount of meat they eat over the course of the previous twelve months. So the question is: are you taking advantage of this with your menu choices?
Keeping staff members up to speed with the latest hygiene standards is an essential task in hospitality and food service areas caterers can't afford to ignore.
It's probably one of the most recognisable, most popular auto fill water boilers in the UK. Originally launched in 2008, the Lincat FilterFlow EB3F firmly established itself as the industry standard. Suddenly though, it's no longer available. The question is - what happened to it?
You’ll have heard of 3D printing by now. Machines have been printing things like furniture and even prosthetic limbs since the 80s. But imagine walking into a restaurant, designing your meal on a computer and watching a printer create and serve your food right in front of you. It could happen sooner than you think as 3D food printing technology has already hit the restaurant scene.
With warmer weather and long evenings it's time to make the most of your outside space and the sunshine. Keep your party in full swing with 10 of the best summer catering hacks..
Creating a recognisable brand image has always been a priority for any coffee house, café, pub or bar and the use of uniforms is one of the easiest ways to do this. Starbucks, for example, have always been known for their black shirts and iconic green aprons. However, they have recently announced that they will now allow their staff to wear their own clothes underneath the green apron. This is a clear shift towards following an urban trend and creating a more relaxed feel within their coffee houses. But should you follow suit?
Sushi burgers are hitting the world by storm and are currently one of the hottest new food trends around. The burgers have been around in some form or another for quite some time, but thanks to Instagram they have recently rocketed in popularity.
Do you own a commercial meat slicer? The chances are, if you run a delicatessen, sandwich shop or butcher's shop, your meat slicer might be one of the most frequently used appliances on the premises. Even if you don't own one, you might be able to save yourself a whole lot of prep time in slicing meat, cheese and other foods.
When you spend the majority of your days sweating it out in the kitchen, striving for that perfect dish, there’s nothing like the satisfaction of finally plating it up and seeing your vision become a delicious reality. We asked you to send us photos of the dishes you’re most proud of, and here are some of the most delectable entries...
One pizza bar in New York used the newly popular Pokémon Go app to rapidly boost their sales with very little effort or cost. Other caterers across different countries have also used this new game to their financial advantage and there’s no reason you can’t too. Below are several cases of how businesses have turned a profit and how their methods can help you increase your turnover as well.
Read further for more information on the app itself and the steps to follow to install it.
Now with
summer in full swing days out, trips, holidays and festivals throughout the country are at
their peak. With the growing number of visitors comes an opportunity to capitalise on customer
needs for quick and convenient food purchases, especially of fresh and pre-packaged
meals as well as canned and bottled drinks. For advice on the best way to
present your stock and the value of counter display equipment we spoke to Polar
brand manager Steven Harris for his advice on display refrigeration and how
best to profit from the customer trade.
Working in a hot kitchen environment can be tough, so when it comes to choosing the right kit chefs don’t just focus on their cooking equipment. Deciding on the appropriate uniform is just as important.
Friday the 1st July plays host to the latest Nisbets store launch event in Liverpool with huge discounts in store and plenty of goodies on offer, including free food and drink.
Thelargest tennis tournament in the world is finally upon us. As it gets underway, plan around the Wimbledon timetable andsatisfy your sport fans by hosting key matches on the big screen. Compliment your menu with ideas inspired by this most prestigious of sporting events, taking advantage of seasonal treats and keeping those extra seats filled..
Commercial microwaves can be a god-send for business and industry caterers with most machines commonly used for saving time reheating previously prepared meals. This is great for regenerating both single and multi-portions without keeping customers waiting, but it's important to remember that there are many meals that can actually be cooked completely in a microwave. Any recipe that requires poaching, steaming or braising can be carried out in a microwave making them an extremely versatile piece of equipment.
There are lots of things to consider when choosing your
dream chef jacket; buttons or zips, short or long sleeve and the list goes on. We
recently conducted a poll
on Facebook to find out what type of chef jackets you wear: traditional
white, sophisticated black or eye-catching colour.
Running a restaurant is a competitive and demanding business, however every business has its quiet periods and the catering trade is no exception. With the development of modern technology, marketing has evolved to help build a brand’s recognition and its food’s reputation in an effort to capitalise on extra profits – check out our marketing blog post for more. Whilst social media has a role have you considered the more hands-on method of food market stalls.
With this year’s growing season fast approaching, vineyards from around the country are opening their doors and getting ready to share their wine making secrets with you by offering tours, tastings and special offers, if you’ve been thinking of stocking English wine then English wine week offers the perfect opportunity to experience what the British countryside has to offer.
National Vegetarian Week (16th- 22nd May) is the perfect time to take a look at your menu and consider whether you’ve put as much creativity into your veggie dishes as you have into your meat dishes. The competition in the food industry is heating up with regards to veggie options and you don’t want to be losing potential diners and profits. Vegetarianism in the UK is on the rise as we are becoming more health conscious as a nation, and we are being encouraged to eat more veg. And although this doesn't necessarily mean cutting out meat completely, as this can still be part of a well balanced diet, it's likely that even meat eaters may begin to consider the vegetarian options at restaurants on occasions. So, what can you do this National Vegetarian Week to appeal more to the meat-conscious market?
A commercial kitchen can be a pretty cramped place. The collection of ovens, fryers, fridges and microwaves can make for a pretty tight squeeze to have to prep food in, even more so when the checks are rolling in. Having equipment that can fulfill multiple roles can really benefit a kitchen. The question is.. what is the most multi-functional appliance?
A popular global fast food franchise was recently implicated in a food hygiene issue, but acted fast to preserve their own high standards. The headline has prompted concerns over the regulation of food safety practices within current UK legislation.
When it comes to commercial kitchens, there is no better material for tables, sinks, cookware and cutlery than stainless steel thanks to its strong, durable and hygienic properties. Ensuring your stainless steel is always looking its best and free from impurities is key to maintaining maximum hygiene and efficiency, but how easy is it?
Dining outdoors is a experience that we all look forward to whenever the weather permits, but especially for business owners as it consistently yields increased takings and presents an opportunity for fresh menu ideas, including simple yet highly profitable foods such as barbecued meats and summer salads. Well constructed outdoor furniture brings huge financial benefits but also helps to create a warm, buzzing atmosphere for your guests to soak up, ensuring they'll come again soon.
Folding furniture offers you versatile table and seating arrangements for a wide variety of highly profitable outdoor events such as weddings, food stalls and buffets. With an extended selection of robust and sturdy stacking chairs, highly durable utility tables and lightweight staging platforms to choose from, you'll not only have more time to focus on your guests but more space to play with too.
With summer fast approaching, it’s time for you to start gearing up for the clear skies and summer crowds. At Nisbets, we have also begun to prepare for what many Brits would argue is the best part of the year to sit down in the sun with friends and enjoy some lovely food to accompany the weather.
Have you thought about the presentation of your dishes lately? It’s true that people eat with their eyes, so give them something tantalising to look at and you’re already half way to creating a great dish. Studies have proven that improved presentation can actually encourage diners to rate the taste of a dish higher than one with the same ingredients, cooked in the same way. And here’s the really interesting part – they’re also willing to pay more.
It might be time to throw out your tired old crockery and inject a little creativity into the presentation of your sides and snacks, and you’ll soon be reaping the rewards. There are so many ways to present a dish, and new trends are always surfacing. Finding what works for your business can be a fun and creative experience to get stuck into. Whether you’re going retro, quirky or classic, there’s plenty of tableware to suit your needs on the market.
UK Coffee Week begins on the 11th of April.
For coffee shops and cafés, it’s your chance for highly profitable in-house
promotions and increased footfall.
You've bought your new oven and are looking forward to getting it into position ready for your next busy dinner service. The only problem is... it won't even fit through the door! Now what?
