31 May 2010
Selecting Flatware for Your Restaurant
Posted by Crystal under: Restaurant Business .
Restaurant flatware comes in a variety of styles, designs, and sizes. Typical flatware items are dinner spoons, forks, knives, cocktail forks, dessert spoons, and other serving utensils. Here are some tips on how to select just the right flatware for your restaurant:
Style is an important factor when selecting the flatware for your restaurant. Select the flatware that matches the overall concept of your restaurant. Select classic flatware for a classic restaurant, and funky and trendy spoons and forks for contemporary establishments. Make sure you buy the flatware of the right heaviness: not too light, not too heavy, just right for your restaurant’s concept. Pay attention to the design of the flatware to ensure it matches the plates and will satisfy the tastes of your customers.
Quality and Specifications. Keep in mind that your flatware should be commercial grade as it will last longer. Buy your flatware from a reputable manufacturer. It is always advised to purchase stainless steel flatware as it presents the most economical and long lasting solution. In fact, stainless steel flatware will likely last for years without wearing out. Stainless steel flatware typically has important specifications, such as 18/10, 18/8 or 18/0, denoting the percentages of chromium and nickel content in the stainless steel. Nickel helps resist the corrosion in stainless steel, while chromium increases the hardness of flatware. The first number represents the percentage of chromium present, such as 18%, while the second number indicates if there is any nickel present. If there is 0% of nickel, it means the flatware will not be able to keep its silver-like shine over long periods of time. Flatware with 0% nickel usually features soft shine and is a more economical solution, while flatware denoted as 18/10 typically has a shiny luster, is durable and is more resistant to rust.
Matching Flatware to Dinnerware. The flatware of your choice should complement, not contrast the dinnerware. Just like all pieces of dinnerware typically match by having the same colors, designs, themes, or patterns, so should your flatware match the overall design of your dinnerware. Enhance the presentation of your restaurant tables by choosing the right flatware design.
Popular Types of Flatware. It is important to understand what pieces of flatware are essential to have on a table. The most basic flatware items are dinner knives, forks, and spoons. However, depending on the style of your restaurant, you might want to make sure you have other specific types of flatware if your restaurant so requires. It is often appropriate to have separate salad forks for eating salads, and specialty fish forks for easily separating fish meat from the bone. Other types of forks are dessert forks, which are typically smaller, and are of a thinner build.
European dinner flatware is usually larger, heavier, and more durable than regular dinner flatware. Such flatware is appropriate for more formal restaurants. Cocktail forks are often used for small appetizers, for instance, cheeses and olives. Teaspoons are popular utensils used for coffee, tea, and desserts. Soup spoons are wider and deeper than regular ones to hold more liquid.
Flatware Table Arrangements. Train your staff to properly set the table and know the names of each flatware piece. The correct table setting usually involves placing flatware pieces, which are to be used first, the furthest from the center of the plate. Servers should know basic flatware table arrangements for breakfast, lunch, brunch, dinner, banquet, and a formal dinner. Proper table arrangement involves not only properly placing the flatware; it also involves proper arrangement of plates, glasses, and napkins.
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