After a long night of dancing, drinking and saying goodbye to 2014, people all over the nation will be waking up seeking a cure for the ever-unwanted hangover. There are some weird and wonderful remedies from around the world, such as cows stomach soup and sticking pins in the cork of the bottle you drank from...but we prefer the more accessible and pleasurable solutions to help your customers start their new year with a smile.
Many traditions occur during this festive time of year, one of the biggest and perhaps most anticipated (by adults) are the mountains of food we are suddenly allowed to consume ‘because it’s Christmas’. And what Christmas day would be complete without the greatly anticipated Christmas dinner. The turkeys have been bought and sit securely in the freezer, but do you really know how to prepare it safely?
As this year comes to an end and a new one begins, the festive season is in full swing making it prime time for maximising profits and exceeding targets. Customers will be flying through the doors for office parties and family meals, creating great opportunity to push specials and boost revenue. And what better way to bring in extra takings than to create a few festive themed cocktails.
Calling all Manchester foodies, keen bakers and professional chefs, Nisbets is very excited to announce the opening of our 7th UK store in your fantastic city.
Nisbets London Stores Open Until 8pm Every Thursday in December 2014
We know how hectic things can get in the run up to Christmas. If there isn’t a party to attend, there’s shopping to be done. So that you can fit in a spot of shopping around your schedule, our Shaftesbury Avenue, Fulham Road and Shoreditch stores will be open until 8pm every Thursday until Christmas. That’s the 4th, 11th and 18th of December.
The festive season is upon us and with that comes the Christmas party bookings. You have done the hard promotion work and reservations are flooding in but do you have adequate equipment?
Leading up to Christmas you will start to see the volume of customers rise, whether it’s the office Christmas party bookings or hungry shoppers in need of a snack, the winter season means money in the culinary world and it will provide you with a huge opportunity to enhance profits.
Changes to EU food labelling laws will be coming into force from 13th December 2014 meaning all suppliers providing food and drink products will have to provide full allergy information to consumers. This new European legislation will be enforced in the UK by Trading Standards and failure to comply could lead to prosecutions. The aim is to help provide allergen information in a clearer and more consistent way so customers know exactly what they are consuming.
If you find yourself wondering what to give the Chef who has everything, look no further. We've rounded up some perfect gifts for that special chef or foodie in your life this festive season.
Any chef will tell you that there are many essential components and skills that go into being successful within the culinary industry, perhaps one of the most important is time keeping. When you are continually rushed off your feet furiously trying to get orders ready and out in time your kitchen utensils become a major aspect, use the wrong tools and you will end up wasting time unnecessarily, get them right and you can make preparing, cooking and plating food a lot faster. Good kitchen tools are built with the professional chef in mind and should allow the user to make kitchen life easier, quicker and more efficient. There are many tools in our range that are designed to do just this.
Here are our top 5 kitchen tools to save time in the professional kitchen.
A KitchenAid mixer takes centre stage in the kitchen. The colour, the style and the strong presence for which it portrays are just a few reasons why this mixer is admired by so many. But there may come a time when your mixer is on its last legs so calls to be replaced, which is why Nisbets have launched the KitchenAid Commercial Mixer Trade-In. The offer applies to the commercial mixer which means that you can simply trade in the old for a new heavy duty or professional – fear not, attachments such as the sausage stuffer, pasta maker, mincer and grain mill will fit these new mixers too. What’s more, you will receive £100 off your new mixer and a KitchenAid Artisan toaster completely FREE!
The Heavy Duty Mixer comes in three different colours and is renowned for being KitchenAid’s quietest model. It boasts a range of useful features, including its 6.9Ltr stainless steel J handle bowl which allows for ultimate control when dealing with heavy mixture loads. Also Included is a pouring shield which ensures precision when adding ingredients, and the versatile power hub fits a vast range of attachments such as the stainless steel whisk and nylon coated beater and dough hook - already included within this promotion. Its smooth and rounded bowl-lift design with lift lever means that the KitchenAid Heavy Duty Mixer is effortless to operate, whilst the heavy duty motor with direct drive transmission means this mixer can mix large quantities of ingredients at any single time. Examples include 19 egg whites, 1.9Ltr whipped cream and 4.5kg cake mix – that’s a lot of cake!
It is common knowledge amongst chefs at home and professional caterers alike that pre-ground herbs and spices cannot compare to the intense taste and aroma of herbs and spices that are freshly ground. Finding the right spice grinder for you or your business can however be tricky, particularly if the addition of fresh spices to your dishes is a new and mysterious culinary exploit. Here are a few tips and suggestions on finding the right spices grinder for you.
With the huge range of chefs knives available on the market today, it can be difficult to know where to start. Whether you’re buying your first set of knives, or upgrading your existing collection, selecting the right tools to suit your requirements is crucial.
Active Cut is the brand new range from Friedr. Dick, one of the world foremost manufacturers of professional chefs knives. Exclusive to Nisbets in the UK, this exciting new series has a number of specialist features making them more of a premium than others on the market.
All knives in the range have been forged from high-carbon stainless steel and fitted with a specially designed ergonomic plastic handle that has been connected seamlessly to the tang of the blade. This ensures that there is no place for dirt and bacteria to reside, greatly reducing the risk of cross contamination in the kitchen. For added peace of mind, the range is NSF-certified, ensuring that they conform to the very highest standards of manufacturing and hygiene.
I’m sure that’s a statement that 90% of chefs have heard. I’d expect it from my wife or children referring to the times I spend in a professional kitchen, however, I wasn’t expecting to be told it from my Head Chef referring to my 9-5 job at Nisbets!
Typically pumpkins are used for ghoulish faced lanterns around Halloween time, but there is a lot more to this fantastic fruit than meets the eye. Pumpkin is actually incredibly nutritious and very rich in calcium and fibre with endless lists of health benefits.
Not only does it add great flavour, but it also produces an attractive, vibrant orange colouring that fits perfectly with this autumnal time of year. The best part is, nothing will go to waste. Every last bit of a pumpkin can be used to make an extensive array of dishes meaning this low cost ingredient can be transformed into substantial ROI.
Floor safety signs are typically double sided, bright yellow and display commonly used warning messages such as ‘CAUTION! Cleaning In Progress’ in just the one language.
Blue roll is a popular choice amongst our customers and it is no surprise why.
Spills, leaks and stains you name it and blue roll has it covered. And don’t just take our word for it, here’s what some of our customers have said about it;
“It [Jantex Centrefeed Roll Blue 2ply] is the same quality we were getting locally but at a much better price, thank you” 2 Oct 14
“Good product great value” 23 Sept 14
“Good value and excellent product” 5 Sept 14
Here at Nisbets we have a range of blue and white centrefeed rolls in a choice of 1ply, 2ply and 3ply in various quantities to suit your catering needs.
It’s that time of the year again when Christmas menus start appearing in restaurants and decorations are making their way onto shop shelves. The truth is, Christmas is fast approaching and for all you eager home bakers out there, the time to start your cake preparation is now.
No Christmas feast is complete without a traditional Christmas fruit cake taking pride of the table amongst the other desserts and nibbles. This traditional pudding is the staple sweet treat that everyone will be asking for over the festive period so it is imperative to get it right. To guarantee yours is flavoursome, it is a good idea to make the cake well in advance of the big day, as it will need up to 12 weeks to mature and be ‘fed’ with your finest liquor. We have put together a simple, yet traditional, recipe and highlighted all of the essential equipment to ensure your guests are happy this Christmas.
With National chocolate week coming up on the 13th-19th October, it is the perfect opportunity to introduce this indulgent ingredient into a variety of dishes on your menu. Chocolate expert Thierry Dumouchel, offers up his advice and explains how using the right equipment and method, is key to a successful chocolate based dish.
Having trained at the renowned food college in Rouen, France and worked in Paris, London, Sydney and Tokyo before opening his own patisserie, chocolaterie and boulangerie in Leeds, Thierry Dumouchel knows a thing or two about chocolate. As one of only a few ambassadors for both Barry Callebaut and Cointreau, Thierry truly understands what makes this ingredient great.
I’m sure I’m not the only person with a childhood memory of being taken to a “posh” restaurant.
Part of my favourite “experience” of eating out was when the waiters performed the art of cooking the food at the table before serving it. The sizzling plate of hot meat was enough to turn heads and produced a theatre that’s not often seen these days.
Nisbets Next Day Catering Equipment has an extensive product range which covers everything the professional chef needs in the kitchens, from the clothing they wear to catering appliance they require to serve up their signature dishes.
Showcasing over 3,000 of our best selling products, at trade prices, are the Nisbets stores. In the UK, Nisbets has six stores located in the cities of London, Birmingham, Leeds and Bristol which are all easily accessible via the transport links.
Visiting a Nisbets store is a great way to take full advantage of our friendly and knowledgeable staff who are on hand to deal with any queries you may have. We even have a wealth of in store services to cater for you and your business. Whether you would like to take advantage of our call and collect service, watch a product demonstration or have your chef knives sharpened and/or engraved, Nisbets can cater for you. For more in-store services on offer, visit a store page near you.
The approaching bank holiday weekend has got many of us fired up over the promise of good weather and a satisfying barbeque.
However, with over half of us (54%) intending to take advantage of the last BBQ of the season, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) are encouraging enthusiasts to ensure food standards don’t slip when cooking outside.
It’s week 3 of the Great British Bake Off and for all of you keen home bakers, Wednesday night would have consisted of being gripped to your television screen as you watched the 10 remaining contestants battle it out to bake the best loaf. As with every week we saw some marvellous triumphs along with some disasters, so we have put together a simple recipe on how to make a loaf with a twist to ensure nothing goes wrong in your kitchen.
With the August bank holiday just a few days away there will undoubtedly be quite a few of us dusting off our BBQ's and enjoying a nice beverage, so why not make your day even better by taking some smokey sausages from the BBQ and making a beautiful sandwich out of some homemade beer bread. This particular type of bread is quick and easy to make as it requires no proving or kneading. Besides being great for BBQ'S, the tasty loaf will make a fantastic addition to cheeseboards, bread starters and as a side with pastas and soups. Check out the equipment list for all of your bread baking essentials from Nisbets.
Under the Children and Families Act
2014, a legal duty has been placed on all state-funded schools in England, (including academies and free schools) to offer a free hot school lunch to all pupils
in reception, year 1 and year 2. These new rules will come into force from the
start of term in September 2014 and with the new academic year just around the
corner, it is imperative that your school kitchen is ready and stocked with
all the correct equipment to facilitate this big change.
New to the Nisbets product range is our selection of Excalibur Food Dehydrators. Growing rapidly in popularity, food dehydrators have a wide variety of uses. The Excalibur Dehydrator removes water from food by a continuous circulation of thermostatically-controlled warm air and is ideal for use with a range of ingredients.
The uses range from creating your very own yogurt to dehydrating marinated slices of beef, chicken, fish or even venison in a combination of sauces and spices, that can be easily transformed into homemade jerky. You can even dehydrate bitter chocolate for flash frying. This not only makes for a chocolate experience with a completely different texture, but also adds the perfect finishing touch to an already tempting dessert.
The Food Standards Agency has
recently released guidance on how to comply with new legislation regarding the
correct, legal use of vacuum packing machines. This new legislation has been
brought into effect in the attempts to control the threat of E-coli. Renowned
for being an exceptionally dangerous bacterium, E-coli has the ability to
survive a multitude of harsh conditions, from freezing temperatures to salty,
dry and even acidic environments.
The FSA states that if E-coli is
consumed, even in low doses, the bacteria can cause serious illness and even death.
Even if the sufferer recovers from infection, some cases are left with
permanent kidney or brain damage. It is thus extremely important for commercial
and professional caterers to take all the steps necessary to ensure the highest
standards of hygiene are reached. One of the most effective ways to do this is
through the control of cross contamination between raw and ready to eat foods,
which the FSA states will also help control and reduce the risk of other
foodborne bacteria, such as Salmonella.
With temperatures soaring across Britain over the past few weeks, it is no wonder that the spotlight has been firmly placed on the highly innovative, exceptionally versatile Buffalo Ice Cream Maker.
Many commercial, and even domestic, ice cream makers do not include a removable bowl, thus making the ice cream making process difficult, and on some level even tiresome. A static bowl not only requires that you empty, clean and then dry it before the next batch, but also limits you to a certain output for a certain amount of time.
Professional
bakers all the way to chefs at home are delighted to hear that the culinary
show of the year is finally back – the Great British Bake Off is set to hit our
screens on the 6th August.
A great source of debate during office
coffee breaks, or simply great quality viewing, GBBO has certainly made
itself at home amongst Britain’s finest television shows, and no wonder! Each
year brings with it a brand new set of shiny KitchenAid mixers perched
elegantly on each competitors work stations, reigniting viewer’s passion for
all things baked as well as filling us with mixer envy.
These reassuring words come from the accreditation schemes founded by the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA).
In essence, buying plastic refuse sacks under the scheme ensures that you will get a good quality product, labelled accurately and from a reputable organisation.
All our Jantex plastic refuse sacks fall under the CHSA accreditation scheme.
Summer brings with it plenty of reasons to be happy. The gorgeous weather we enjoyed earlier in the year has returned, and looks set to stay a little while longer.
And as if that were not enough to raise the mood, the Nisbets Catering Supplies £2.5 Million Warehouse Clearance event is now on, with savings on everything from Tableware and Bar Supplies to Catering Furniture.
The Nisbets Clearance sale gives you the chance to stock up on some of the premium quality catering supplies Nisbets are famous for, at a fraction of the normal price.
Among the hundreds of reduced items are a wide variety of chefs knives. Including a fillet knife, a boning knife, a serrated slicer and a vegetable knife, our Hygiplas cooks knives are reduced to clear, offering you the chance to avail yourself of a whole set of new knives, without spending a fortune.
Colour coding is used by many trades for a quick and easy identification of products and to avoid cross contamination.
Colour coded cleaning equipment was first initiated in the 1990’s by the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc). The BICSc began to develop a simple universal colour coding system - consisting of blue, green, red and yellow - that would be recommended for use on items commonly found in the janitorial cupboard.
From there on, in 2006 the Food Standards Agency (FSA) introduced a number of new food and hygiene legislations which transitioned the colour coding recommendation over to kitchens.
Colour coded cleaning is widely used throughout the catering and hospitality trades where there is a high risk to health and safety of the general public. Our range of colour coded cleaning equipment is suitable for use in kitchens, washrooms, bars and public spaces. Whether it’s a dustpan & brush set, cloth, mop or bucket, we can cater for you.
Anglia Farmers (AF)
was established as the result of the merger of Loddon Farmers and Mid Norfolk
Farmers back in 2003. Now with 3,500 full members nationwide and representing
over 11,000 farmers, AF provides an
important support mechanism buying everything from agricultural machinery,
energy supplies, mobile phones and animal feeds for a range of outlets from
farms, golf clubs, leisure attractions and even pubs.
With the promise of just one
monthly invoice, no matter the raft of purchases made, members can access many
benefits including improved prices, benchmarking services, market information
and a support network that takes many of the day to day tasks away from busy
desks and farms.
Pests come in all shapes and sizes and with this comes a swarm of issues for catering establishments.
Ants, mice and rats aside, flies are not only a nuisance in the kitchen but a health and safety matter too.
Flies are a carrier and transmitter of many diseases (some serious) including Campylobacter and E. coli so it is essential that these pests are controlled.
Nisbets have a range of fly killers and a chain door fly screen which will help to get the situation under control.
A fundamental feature
of any successful catering establishment is its selection of grilled foods such as
paninis or toasties. In order to provide these, it’s necessary to have access
to a grill, but there are many different types of grill, each suiting different
businesses. “What grill should we use?” is a question a lot of businesses have
to ask, but Nisbets have the answer. Celebrate the summer with Buffalo’s new
range of grills, available exclusively from Nisbets. Whatever business you run,
your customers are sure to enjoy the perfect grilling that Buffalo’s range
provides.
For this week’s guest
blog, I was asked to write about which kinds of equipment I believe cooks meat
best. In all honesty, even if I managed to complete this mammoth of a task, I'm certain even
the most devout readers would eventually have to exit the page, and seek refuge
in a dark, quiet room. As with thousands of different kinds of cooking equipment
sold through Nisbets, each with the ability to cook meat in a variety of ways
and with the endless types and cuts of meat means, this blog could quite
literally go on forever.
Summer is the most popular season to ‘tie the knot’ and competition can be fierce. The happy couple will want only the best for
their big day so is your venue up to standard and surpassing the opposition?
At Nisbets we believe in
high quality products at the best value prices so you can maximise your profits.
Check out our cost effective ways to emanate quality without blowing your
budget.
As the temperature heats up, outdoor receptions will become increasingly popular. Our range of folding tables is ideal
for catering to large numbers. The temporary furniture is perfect for filling
marquees or large gazebos and can be easily packed up and stored away
when not in use. As well as being practical, when dressed with
the right items such as table linens andskirtings, they will emit elegance and style.
This July has seen temperatures soar, and if the forecast is to be believed, the mercury in our thermometers isn't set to fall any time soon, which is great news for events co-ordinators and outdoor caterers alike. The coming weeks will see weddings, fetes, school proms, street parties, country shows, anniversary celebrations and catered birthday parties, and with the weather set to stay fair, there is one thing that will help you and your customers make the most of the summer.
Gazebos. Not only do gazebos provide shelter - either from the searing heat or a potential torrential downpour - they also provide a focal point for any outdoor catered event, and give catering staff a hygienic and functional space in which to operate.
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’.
Our very own brand Buffalo has just got even better by offering an amazing 2 year warranty on selected lines. This not only means that you receive great value for money with every Buffalo appliance you purchase, but also that it is guaranteed to provide a reliable and dependable performance.
With the Buffalo range extending from heavy duty, 6 burner ranges all the way to knife sterilisers, you are certain to find exactly what you are looking for at a price that is guaranteed to suit your budget.
BBQ season is finally here and rustic, smoky flavours are being infused into menus across the country.
Smoking food has been around for centuries, but adding theatrics and exotic flavours through smoking has recently become something of a trend, thanks to Michelin starred chefs such as Heston Blumenthal. This clever tool conveniently incorporates 3 important elements- great flavour and interesting presentation, whilst enhancing the appealing allure of scent.
Brought to you by Polyscience, the Smoking Gun has revolutionised a once laborious, messy job into a quick and easy task. With over five decades of experience, Polyscience are leaders in molecular gastronomy equipment that responds to the needs of a range of markets including the culinary industry. Their focus is on quality and to create innovative designs that help with the ease of operations, making mundane chores quick and simple.
The Commonwealth Games (23rd - 3rd August) is steadily approaching and is set to bring together athletes and spectators from all over the world. Whilst many diners will be looking to eat out in cafes and restaurants, many others will be searching for food outlets for quick bites on the go as they travel and explore the UK.
Monday 23rd is set to be an exceptionally
busy (and exciting!) day at Nisbets as it marks the launch of our brand new UK catalogue
meaning hundreds of new UK lines and the start of our exclusive Microwave Trade-In (in association with Samsung).
The new catalogue is set to feature over 500 new products, whilst hundreds of current lines across our entire range have been reduced! Not only this, but our commitment to low prices through our price-match guarantees we'll beat any published price by at least 5%.This means that from Tableware, Bar Supplies, Kitchenware and Storage
all the way to Furniture, Catering Appliances and Refrigeration, there is
certain to be an appealing new product, unit or appliance to suit your individual catering establishment.
Kicking off the start of this year’s Food Safety Week, the Food Standards Agency has warned people to stop washing raw chicken to reduce the risk of contracting Campylobacter - a potentially dangerous form of food poisoning.
Latest figures have revealed that 44% of people always wash chicken before cooking it. In doing so, this can spread Campylobacter bacteria onto hands, work surfaces, clothing and cooking equipment through the splashing of water.
Campylobacter can be easily spread and it takes just a few bacteria to cause a potentially fatal illness. The food bug can come from raw or undercooked chicken, or from a cross- contamination due to washing raw chicken.
Cooking of the meat will kill any bacteria present, including Campylobacter.
Campylobacter is the most common form of food poisoning, causing more cases of food poisoning than E.coli, Listeria and Salmonella put together.
In the UK, Campylobacter affects an estimated 280, 000 people a year. Four in five of these cases come from contaminated poultry.
Those most at risk are children aged five and under and the elderly.
Here’ some rules from the Food Standards Agency to prevent Campylobacter from causing food poisoning;
The world of food storage encompasses anything from sandwich bags
to high spec insulated food containers with built-in temperature controls. Lets
run through your options:
Preserve
Jars:
These are great for storing liquid and jams and are available in a range of
sizes from 50 mls to 3 litres.
Food
Containers:
Nisbets stock a range of containers in almost every conceivable shape and size
from those with measurement markings on them to the popular ‘Klip-It’ range of
seal tight storage.
Gastronorms: Coming in both polycarbonate and stainlesssteel
options, our Gastronorms can go from freezer straight to bains marie and can be
used for a multitude of foods.
Ingredient
Bins:
Offering easy movement of heavy loads ingredient bins are ideal for storing dry
ingredients such as fruit, vegetable, grains and flours.
Insulated
Storage:
The best option for moving temperature-sensitive liquids and solids. Food will
stay fresher for longer and you can maintain the temperature for optimum
conditions during transport. Ideal for outside catering companies.
Slowly but surely, summer has arrived. This not
only means the dense, yet nostalgic scent of sun cream in the air or the increasing exposure of white, sun starved skin doomed to a shade better suited to a healthy lobster. No, summer also marks the beginning of our huge Polar Fridge Sale.
There’s nothing worse for customers than walking into a
shop, cafe or restaurant and receiving a warm bottle of cola or a sandwich
containing sweating cheese. More often than not, during particularly hot summer
days, the temperature of your products can make the difference between having
custom and not. This is why it’s important to make sure your refrigerator, freezer,
display cooler and ice machine are in tip-top condition.
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