It's a well known fact that if something looks good, it works better. This is especially true of our range of Dynamic products, which - in their striking orange and chrome finery - certainly look the part, but also deliver on performance, too.
Think of Dynamic, and most likely you'll think of the stick blenders we all know and love. Well designed, compact and useful for making everything from cakes to smoothies, Dynamic have established themselves as the premium choice for stick blenders and hand mixers.
In 2006, Josh and Holly Eggleton took over The Pony and Trap
in the small village of Chew Magna (found between Bristol and Bath). Over the
years, they have gone from strength to strength, seeing them recognised with a
coveted Michelin Star.
While some might say that buying utensils is not
terribly exciting, any chef worth his salt would agree that they are absolutely vital in presenting the sensational
dishes that all catering establishments strive for.
While white crockery sets and dinnerware will always have a
special place on restaurant tables, the trend in stylish catering crockery is moving
away from the crisp and clean, and heading in a couple of interesting directions.
Firstly, there‘s a renewed interest in unusual miniature side-pieces,
perfect for presenting the appetiser or amuse bouche. This is great news for
the more imaginative restaurateur and can really allow chefs to showcase their
personalities by offering some exciting freebies to entice customers from the
outset.
The first thing that sprang to
my mind was our range of vibrant, glass miniatures from Olympia which would look great topped off with a bite-sized delight.
We’ve revamped and restyled our entire Furniture section, including Hotel and Guest Supplies, for better navigation and increased usability.
This means that you can find what you need, when you need
it, faster!
If you’re looking to redesign your restaurant, bar or hotel,
you’ll find everything you need, guaranteed, and with our price match promise, you
won’t find a better deal anywhere!
Every chef has his favourite tool. For some it’s the humble
knife. For others, something a little more ambitious, like a Dynamic stickblender or pasta maker. It’s this piece of equipment that they bestow with a
significant amount of their culinary power. It has changed the way they move
and work in the kitchen forever, which is what makes it so important.
For Mark Veale, Head Chef at Thornbury Castle, this is the
Clifton Foods Waterbath, perfect for the sous vide method of cooking.
When asked about the waterbath, he said it had “transformed
his back of house”, before adding:
“Because of the slow,
gentle cooking process, I can set it off at the start of the shift and thanks
to the exact control and consistent temperature, I know that it will be perfect
for lunchtime service.”
For those unfamiliar, sous vide is a method of cooking where
food is sealed in airtight plastic bags in a water bath. This allows for
exceptionally even cooking, keeping the outside from burning while thoroughly
heating the inside. This keeps the food juicier and, going on personal
experience, tastier.
As September held British Cheese Week, I thought it would
make a good blog post. Here are some facts that the British Cheese Board
researched: astonishingly 99 percent of Brits have no idea how many cheeses are
made in Britain, 1 in 10 don’t know that milk is the main ingredient in cheese
and the average person buys just 2 different types of cheese each month.
When choosing this weeks Product of the Week, there was only ever one choice, because not only does the Dick Pro Dynamic 8 Piece Starter Knife Set offer everything you need to get started in the kitchen, it also comes with 20% off for the next few weeks. So, whether you've just moved into a new house, you're looking to do more in the kitchen or whether you're a catering student about to start a new year, this knife set is perfect for you.
The Japanese Turning Vegetable Slicer (sometimes referred to as a vegetable spiralizer) is an often overlooked kitchen gadget, but one that could just give your culinary creations that unique edge. With just a few turns of the handle, the slicer quickly creates long ‘spaghetti’ strands in a variety of widths from many vegetables or firm fruits. The creative possibilities are endless with the end product often being used in sushi restaurants and by imaginative chefs in many other styles of cooking.
The Japanese Turning Vegetable Slicer was featured on BBC One’s ‘Saturday Morning Kitchen’ this weekend by renowned chef James Tanner of top Plymouth eatery Tanners Restaurant. Whilst James Martin was initially dubious of this unusual kitchen gadget, the resulting dish created by Tanner was highly original and well received. If you need further inspiration on how to use this great little piece of kitchen equipment, here’s the recipe:
To complement our huge range of products we have added another 280 new lines to our website. You can now choose from more products
than ever before, including new items in:
Investing in the right cooking equipment is a very wise
choice.
One thing that trips people up during the buying process is
the price. It can be tough to make that initial outlay with no guaranteed rate
of return. That’s why I’ve decided to highlight the most versatile, best priced
machinery with the most bang for its buck. Some are no-brainers, some are my
favourites, but all could (and probably should) have a place in your business.
Commercial Microwave
Ovens
A mainstay in most busy kitchens already, commercial
microwave ovens differ from their domestic counterparts through component
quality and cooking power. They can defrost, reheat and cook many different
foods in a short amount of time, making them invaluable in fast-paced
establishments such as pubs and cafes. One such machine, the Buffalo 1800w commercial microwave oven, is robust, has 5 power levels and 200 programmes. As
far as cooking equipment goes, the
commercial microwave oven is one of the most hands off of the lot and can save you a lot of time.
Buying the right utensils for your kitchen can be a daunting
prospect. Spending your money wisely is essential, and with that in mind I’ve
decided to take a look at the utensils that absolutely no kitchen should be without.
When agreeing to write about this week’s Nisbets product of the week the OXO Good Grip Squeegee immediately came to mind as it has become the latest in my collection of “how to make my life easier” gadgets that I tend to favour.
Recommended to me by a trusted friend at the weekend, of which could be described as a leading authority in tools of a domestic nature, I felt compelled to try it out. Now, I wouldn’t call myself a domestic goddess in any sense of the word, but the notion that this handy little tool could
actually make my life a little easier won me over. You see, although my friend and I have a lot in common, unlike her, spending hours cleaning and polishing is not my idea of a well spent weekend.
Nowadays, it seems quite mundane having food served to you on a normal round plate. Lots of gastro pubs and up market restaurants tend to serve many dishes on wooden or slate boards, especially steaks and burgers, with side orders in quirky little bowls. This seems to be the trendy thing to do, and it’s certainly catching on.
There are lots of other interesting and unique ways of serving your food to customers. To make starters and side orders stand out from the crowd, our wired presentation baskets are a great option, they look like mini baskets you use for frying chips and scampi which adds quite a nice finishing touch.
If you are in the bar trade it’s probable that over the past
few years you have noticed the renaissance of real ales and craft beers. This
is evident in the popularity of beer festivals which a growing number of pubs
are hosting, and making a pretty penny out of.
This is a similar metamorphosis that transformed wine
several years ago, taking it from the closely guarded property of the
connoisseur into a drink of the people, found in every pub and on every convenience
shop shelf.
Another parallel with wine is that real ales and craft beers
have distinctive characteristics and personalities which, if they are to be
appreciated, need to be acknowledged by serving them in glasses that complement
them. This does not mean glasses emblazoned with a brand name,
this is a more subtle and sympathetic exercise of accentuating the flavour and aroma.
Those who take the time and effort to present these beers in
the best possible way will find that they are lively, interesting and, above
all, in huge demand.
Take a look at our beer glass guide below and see which ones
best suit the range of beers you offer.
For those of you who spend a lot
of time on your feet, whether it’s back of house in a kitchen environment or
those working in health care, we know how important it is to wear comfortable
shoes which won’t tire your feet out.
It's always very unpleasant walking into a restaurant toilet or hotel lobby and smelling a nasty whiff of something. Steer clear of this by using efficient air fresheners. Rubbermaid has introduced three refreshing and natural fragrances designed to rejuvenate the mind and body while effectively neutralising odours in any environment.
These fragrances are infused with therapeutic ingredients and essential oils, proven to have a positive impact on mood. Each blended fragrance offers complex and multidimensional scents which have been proven to disperse evenly and last longer than most other fragrance refills.
Depending on your type of establishment and what atmosphere you'd like to create, here are some descriptions of the type of mood these fragrances will give you:
Racing about and grabbing a bite at the nearest shop or
supermarket has become a common occurrence for everyone. This trend has been
followed by a huge rise in the number of coffee and sandwich shops on the high
street, offering accessible food at competitive prices for people racing
against the clock.
‘Fast eating’ (not necessarily ‘fast food’) is the fastest
growing sector in the catering industry.
Look around the next time you’re out. Everything is about
speed. Supermarkets have installed shops, shops are basically supermarkets, and
quick purchase checkouts are taking over from manned tills. As the ‘Grab and
Go’ sector continues to explode, innovative companies are demanding more of
their creations, developing specialist equipment that meets the increasing
needs of modern living.
Around for over 30 years, they’ve grown to become one of the
world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of commercial refrigeration.
They’ve built a global reputation for excellence, stretching across the globe
and complemented by a network of top-tier refrigeration dealers and
distributors.
Most people I know love waffles; they are eaten all around the world as a popular breakfast meal or snack, particularly in Belgium, France and the United States. One great thing about waffles is the toppings; you can either go sweet or savoury and practically have whatever you want on them, from BLT waffles to peanut butter and banana ones!
As waffles can be a very popular choice on a menu, for those cafes and restaurants looking for quick turnarounds this Dualit professional double waffle iron, which can make 60 waffles per hour, is exactly what you need. It has many great features, such as the Teflon coated plates which makes them easy to clean, has a quick 8 minute heat up time and for energy saving, one ring can be switched off when not in use.
I love going out for dinner. It means not having to cook, lay the table or wash up – ideal. It’s not just all these things though that makes eating out a pleasurable experience; it’s also the umming and arring over the menu, enjoying the company and getting a feel for the decor.
For those of you who don’t know what sous vide is, it literally translates from French as ‘under vacuum’. What this means is the food is sealed in a pouch under vacuum before being cooked very slowly at controlled temperatures. Sous vide uses a water bath to accurately cook the vacuum packed items at a precise temperature, which then creates enhanced texture and taste.
Its benefits:
• Unique flavours • Vibrant colours • Consistent results • New opportunities to be creative
Operational benefits:
• Gives you accurate portion control • Extended shelf life for food • Reduces wastage • Increases yield • Lowers energy costs • Increases profitability
One very recognisable uniform in the Western world is the chefs uniform, traditionally known as chefs whites, which include a toque, white double breasted jacket and chequered trousers. White has always been the common colour to wear in the kitchen generally because it is known to indicate cleanliness, and was worn by head chefs to signify the importance and high regard of their profession.
Although we’re still in the middle of summer, the new university term will soon be with us. For students, it can be a daunting time with lots of preparation in the run up to the start date. To help ease you in to student living, Nisbets have put together a range of great value student kitchen packs, particularly suited to those moving into halls of residence.
Featuring everything from cutlery and crockery through to pots, pans and kitchen utensils, they include all that you’ll need for the kitchen in your new digs and will help to elevate your culinary repertoire beyond beans on toast! There are 3 packs available to suit all budgets and requirements; our basic set, standard pack and the full works:
When it comes to cleaning, cleaning with care matters, regardless of whether it’s in your home or in a communal establishment. Good hygiene is always of upmost importance wherever you go, be it your bathroom at home or a restaurant floor. Made from natural, sustainable plant-based ingredients, the Ecover range is fully biodegradable and has less impact on aquatic life. All these products also offer Ecover consumers superior cleaning power without leaving behind harmful toxins. This brand is constantly working to ensure they leave fewer unwanted residues, which means they are a better and more proficient cleaning
product
It’s now official; we’re in the midst of a sweltering heatwave
which is set to continue well into the summer.
I find the trick to enjoying a heatwave is to find effective
ways of cooling down. There are plenty of hints and tips around, including two
of my favourites; taking a hot water bottle filled with cold water to bed, and licking
your own wrists.
Personally, I can think of some more consistent and
pleasurable relief, primarily in the form of a drink or two. And based on my
research over the weekend, there are plenty of like-minded others.
As the only Tudor Castle Hotel in England, Thornbury Castle is uniquely placed to offer guests a culturally rich experience. Steeped in over 500 years of history, Thornbury is without doubt the jewel in the crown of the Luxury Family Hotel Group and as you venture beyond the heavy oak doors you'll find yourself walking in the same rooms and grounds as Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn did all those years ago.
Although the venue oozes history, this is perfectly contrasted by a modern yet traditional internationally inspired menu that uses the finest and freshest ingredients, many of which are sourced from the castle’s own gardens, local markets and nearby suppliers, to provide a culinary experience that the Guardian once described as ‘being fit for a king’.
No one knows what we did, if anything, but the temperature
has suddenly skyrocketed!
Everywhere pale, squinting Brits are emerging from the
Wimbledon euphoria of Andy Murray’s triumph and hitting the beer garden or restaurant
terrace. It’s fair to say that food-serving businesses everywhere have seen the
numbers through the door go the same way as the thermostat.
My Nisbets product of the week has to be this fabulous KitchenAid Mixer. A little pricey you may think for a domestic kitchen, but I can assure you it’s worth every penny and they last a life time. This luxurious brand will certainly stand proud in the kitchen for those who wish to entertain and impress dinner guests; it certainly is eye-catching on the TV show Saturday Kitchen! Whether you want this for the home or for it to be used in a commercial kitchen it will noticeably simplify your preparation time and allow you to indulge your creativity in the kitchen.
Not only does it have a gorgeous vintage look to it, with smooth rounded edges for easy cleaning, but this mixer is strong enough to process larger amounts of food. To give you a better idea of the amount, it can process 19 egg whites, 1.9 litres of whipped cream, 4.5kg cake mix, 3.8g dough and 3.6kg of mashed potatoes; it does this fast and thoroughly, helping you keep up with the demands of a busy kitchen.
It’s a wise investment, and to help you get started with it, here are a few ideas of what you can use it for... • Soup • Ice Cream • Bread • Cakes • Dough’s • Batters • Whipping Cream
Don't forget to come along to our KitchenAid Mixer Demo Days in our London and Birmingham stores from 11-4pm on Thursday 18th July, there will be exclusive offers on the day – not to be missed!
During the summer, it’s always happy hour! Whether you’re
making cocktails for your customers or practicing at home with friends you will
need the essentials. We have a range of excellent glassware and bar equipment
for making and serving cocktails, as well as purees and cocktail mixes for establishments that perhaps don’t have the time or
skill to make cocktails from scratch. If you are new to cocktails then don’t go
overboard, stick to a small selection and make sure they are served perfectly.
My Nisbets Product of the Week has to be the Bolero parasol
range.With the summer comes the weather that
can make either dreams or nightmares, and I’m not sure crossing fingers and
wishful thinking is preparation enough.
So whether you have a bus fare in your
pocket or a contingency plan for a rainy day, be ready for whatever weather is
thrown at you, be it a heat wave or mini monsoon.
One of the most popular drinks when the temperature is hot
and its summer time would have to be the smoothie. It’s refreshing, can be healthy and
invigorating and a great way to consume your 5-a-day. Not to mention they are
oh so simple to make.
Whether you’re a cafe, bar, restaurant or domestic god or
goddess in the kitchen it is essential to own a suitable blender. Our
range of Waring blenders are ideal for liquidising all types of fruit and
vegetables, as well as crushing ice. Also take a look at our specialised Waring Margarita cocktail blenders which are capable of pulverising ice and
blending larger amounts of drinks in a shorter space of time for higher demand ‘happy
hour’ days.
The longest day of the year is upon us and with it the official start of British Summertime and our minds turn to warmer days, longer evenings and plenty of social events involving alfresco food and drink that extend well into the night. Unfortunately the weather doesn’t seem to have taken notice of this and if ‘warm and humid’ is the best we can hope for, then fingers crossed for the rain to hold off so we can all enjoy some quality outside catering.
With the summer falling luxuriously on to the UK and a million people heading out every weekend to spend money at YOUR bar or restaurant, it's safe to say business just picked up.
Make sure your equipment is up to the challenge and your customers will thank you.
Festival season is upon us and however unpredictable the
summer weather, us Brits always meet it head on with pack-a-macs, brollies and
wellies at the ready. Whether you’re a seasoned festival food seller, or 2013
is the first time you are attending with your own food and drink stall, make
sure you are 100% ready in advance for no doubt the busiest weekend of your
trading calendar!
As well as preparing to feed the masses by carefully choosing
which dishes you are going to sell, also plan ahead what you are going to serve
your food and drink in. Whether serving a hot or cold menu, our variety
of disposable catering supplies, such as takeaway containers provide the
perfect solution for your food and beverage serving needs, as well as disposable cups and cutlery.
My Nisbets product of the week has to be Dualit’s 2 Slice Lite Toaster. I recently bought this product for my new apartment as I wanted a
toaster which would last me a lifetime (or nearly that long!). As Dualit is one
of the most well known brands, especially for its commercial toasters, I knew I
was onto a winner taking this little beauty home.
And a beauty it is!
It looks chic and sophisticated in the kitchen with a shiny
black and stainless steel body, but it’s not just me who loves it, as we all
know, the proof of the pudding is in the sharing (or something like that...)
two of my colleagues Andy and Beccy bought one too.
It may not look like it, but summer is just around the corner, and to celebrate, this week is National Ice Cream Week. Even if it doesn’t feel like summer where you are, nothing quite beats enjoying a cold, refreshing ice cream.
An increasing number of people are now choosing to make their own ice cream and if you are thinking of doing the same, here are our top five weird and wonderful flavours;
Make sure you enter our Rubbermaid competition to be in with a chance to win £500 worth of prizes! Since 1968, Rubbermaid has pioneered solutions in the catering industry, supplying a wide range of premium quality products to businesses all over the world. To enter, simply click on the link at the bottom of this post and fill out the form. Good luck!
‘Our
People’ is a brand new page
on our website which highlights some of the varying roles at Nisbets and
explains in detail the roles and requirements needed.
Find out what it takes to
be a Contact Centre Advisor or Team Leader, a Business Sector Assistant or one
of our Warehouse Operatives.
Shrove Tuesday is that day when you really wish you had a crepe maker. Not only is
it a great year-round addition for sweet and savoury foods, it’s the easy way
to create perfect pancakes.
No more burnt or broken efforts looking sorry for themselves.
Here at Nisbets we have a
selection of products that are ideal for reception areas in
Hotels and B&Bs.
Reception Counters:
Our range of reception counters are idea for front of house reception areas.
They feature large work surfaces, cupboards with sliding doors and adjustable
shelves, and they are supplied fully assembled.
Guest & Appointment Books: Our range of guest and appointment books can help add
structure and simplicity to your booking systems.
Call Bells:
Our all-metal call bells are finished in a smart polished tone and are idea for
reception desks in hotels, restaurants and all types of business. Clear tone.
Have you seen our useful Buying Guides
section? It is designed to help you make the right choices for your business
when deciding what to buy. We have guides for knives, glassware, refrigeration
and much more. Have a read to find out how to choose and care for your Nisbets
products.
We are very pleased and excited to announce that Nisbets have won Best Equipment Distributor at the Chefs Choice Awards 2013! We were also Highly Commended in the Best Pan category for our Vogue pans. The Winner of the Best Pan went to Bourgeat who we also stock! Plus we were Highly Commended for Vogue as the Best Equipment Brand. We would like to say a huge THANK YOU to all of those who voted in the awards!
In our previous blog post we mentioned how we all got involved in Children in Need during November 2012. From bake sales to quizzes there was plenty going on at Nisbets HQ in Avonmouth!
The grand total raised on the day was £2642.00, and we would like to thank all of our generous employees who helped out on the day by giving their time and money to help us raise such a fantastic amount for Children in Need.
Above is a photo from our IT department who put on a wonderful spread of cakes and coffees for everyone to enjoy.
December 2012 saw the launch of Nisbets new initiative, NIC, or Nisbets in the Community, a scheme which enables the company and its employees to become involved in charity work in the nearby areas of Lawrence Weston, Avonmouth and Shirehampton.
The object of NiC is to
become a long term charitable project which aims to give back to the local
community through donations of money, time, effort and skills.The main projects undertaken
during NiC week were the renovations of Avonmouth Community Centre and re-
fencing at Lawrence Weston Community Farm.
NiC chairman Anne Nisbet
said: “As one of the main regional employers, Nisbets wanted to give something
back to our neighbouring community. The Avonmouth Centre is the
perfect cause to launch our ‘Nisbets in the Community’ as it is a central hub
for the local area.”
Avonmouth Community Centre
was completely cleaned, renovated and re-painted in the days before a Christmas
lunch was laid on there for local residents. The Lord Mayor of Bristol
Peter Main, High Sheriff of Bristol and Nisbets Chairman Andrew Nisbet, and a
very welcome Father Christmas all paid visits to the Community Centre over
lunchtime, to the delight of guests.
James Collins, Pricing Analyst
at Nisbets, was part of the team who helped at Lawrence Weston Community Farm. He said: “I felt quite linked
in with the community as we got to meet people who have dedicated their lives
to the project. The farm is great as it
gives low income families the chance to explore the animals and wildlife by
their own front door.”
At Nisbets HQ in Avonmouth,
other staff members supported NiC week by taking part in a Dress Down Friday
and shopping at a Christmas Market in aid of homeless charity Caring at Christmas.
You can view the Avonmouth Community Centre website here.
