In the ever-changing hospitality industry, having efficient and reliable equipment is more important than ever to ensure your business operates at its full potential. So when it comes to designing a commercial kitchen for your establishment, it’s essential to take the time to think about the equipment you choose.
There are many factors to consider: price, materials, durability, size and functionality are just a few. Ben Argentino is the co-founder of Yolk Group, which owns Melbourne music venues Terror Twilight, Convoy, Hifi and Tinker.
Argentino and his team are currently designing a commercial kitchen for a new location scheduled to open later this year. Hospitality talks to Argentino about the kitchen design process and the critical role equipment plays in ensuring your space is efficient and long-lasting.
Argentino has worked on many commercial kitchen projects for Yolk Group, and each time, understanding the space without making assumptions is a hurdle. “Designing kitchens from scratch is always challenging because you spend a lot of time anticipating how the space will be used,” he says.
“As any hospitality veteran knows, you can plan for things to go a certain way, but when the doors open and the orders come in, it doesn’t always go as planned.”
Details of Yolk Group’s new dining venue are still under wraps, but Argentino hints that it’s a new direction and style of venue for the group. But the role of equipment is critical for any dining venue. “Equipment is very important to running a successful commercial kitchen,” he says. “Some brands are definitely better than others. While everything is going to let you down eventually (when used day in and day out!), you want to go for the ones that are the most durable and reliable.”
So what criteria does Argentino consider when choosing equipment for the Yolk Group rooms? The criteria revolve around price, materials, wear and tear, functionality and size.
“In many cases, if you choose a product based on price, it will likely cost you more in the long run (either through repairs and maintenance or lost revenue due to downtime),” he says. “It’s critical to assess the durability and wear and tear of a product before making a hasty decision.”
Argentino also stresses the importance of space when it comes to choosing kitchen equipment. “When you’re designing a kitchen, you don’t have an infinite amount of space to work with,” he says. “You have to be smart about the size of your equipment to make sure space limitations don’t get in the way of food offerings.”
Equipment maintenance and upkeep should also be considered, and can be detrimental to your facility’s efficiency. “Having a reliable maintenance technician is even more important than good equipment,” Argentino says. “Having someone you can count on at all hours of the day to maintain your equipment and make sure everything is running smoothly is very important. Commercial kitchens are fast-paced, high-energy environments, so daily wear and tear is inevitable.”
Argentino says building a commercial kitchen is a team effort, and working collaboratively will ensure the success of the operation. “My best advice is to work closely with your chef and kitchen team throughout the design process,” he says. “They’re the ones who are going to be moving around the space, so it’s important that they feel comfortable doing their best work.”
Selection of equipment for the hotel industry
Mytico
Drinking coffee has become a daily ritual that many people enjoy. The trend has grown stronger over the past few decades, as have customer expectations. A barista-quality espresso has even become one of the prerequisites for staying in a hotel or visiting a new restaurant. People are looking for an extraordinary coffee experience wherever they go.
Franke Coffee Systems always follows the latest trends and offers innovative solutions that go beyond industry standards. This year, the company has raised the bar even higher by introducing a completely new product category: Beyond the traditional.
Mytico is the name of the first product line in this category, aesthetic, easy to use and hard to ignore. Mytico coffee machines combine impeccable Italian design on the outside and excellent Swiss quality on the inside. Their elegant and classic appearance makes them an ideal choice for any corporate environment. You can choose from six colors that will complement your business.
The low height allows baristas to focus on conversation with customers while easily preparing tasty drinks. Consistent in-cup quality will keep your customers coming back.
For more information, visit coffee mytico.franke
Hoshizaki
Hoshizaki is a proud provider of complete commercial refrigeration and ice machine solutions, featuring a wide selection to meet the diverse needs of businesses. Hoshizaki ice machines are popular in bars, restaurants and hotels, and are essential for bar and kitchen teams.
Ice makers include Cubers, Flakers, Nugget and Crescent models, which are suitable for a wide range of uses. Its product range also includes special ice makers to create unique shapes such as XXL ice cubes and ice balls.
The IM Series offers durable and reliable ice machines, including cube ice machines and specialty ice machines, ideal for restaurants, bars and hotels. The KM Series offers unique purity with Crescent ice machines, perfect for creating unforgettable cocktails. The FM Series includes flake and nugget ice machines, both of which are versatile machines suitable for catering, restaurants, hotels and food processing facilities.
Discover excellence in ice machines with Hoshizaki, where superior design meets unique demands, delivering exceptional performance in diverse industries.
Discover the range on hoshizaki.com.au/buying-guide
honey
MasterLine is a powerful, durable and efficient dishwasher. It is designed to meet the challenges of commercial dishwashing and promises to reduce your workload in the hustle and bustle of everyday working life.
Modern Miele technologies, intuitive touch controls and cycle times of just six minutes* deliver outstanding results and streamline processes. The intelligent fresh water system has a high final rinse temperature of 85 degrees Celsius with a specially developed hygiene and drying programme that guarantees excellent results in the shortest possible time.
Quote HMMASTER24 for 10% off Miele Professional PFD404 dishwasher only.**
For more information, visit miele.com.au/p
* Cycle time depends on the connection on site. 6 minutes when connected to 3N AC 400 V 50 Hz and hot water at 65 °C.
** Discount applies to the recommended retail price. Cannot be combined with other offers or products. Valid until September 30, 2024.
Aristarchus
Achieve unmatched cleanliness and efficiency with the Aristarco range of dishwashers from Stoddart. Designed to meet the diverse needs of establishments, Aristarco washing solutions ensure impeccable performance and superior hygiene.
Undercounter glasswashers and dishwashers: ideal for small spaces
Aristarco undercounter glasswashers and dishwashers are ideal for cafes and bars with limited space. These compact units are very powerful and provide deep cleaning in confined spaces.
Hood dishwashers: powerful solutions for busy kitchens
For kitchens requiring robust solutions, Aristarco offers hood dishwashers such as the AH800EPRS, designed to handle large volumes with ease.
Energy-efficient XL hood dishwasher
Aristarco XL hood dishwashers are designed for larger establishments requiring increased capacity.
Choose Aristarco dishwashers from Stoddart for reliable, efficient and environmentally friendly cleaning solutions tailored to your facility’s needs. With cutting-edge technology and thoughtful design, Aristarco ensures your kitchen operates at peak performance with minimal resource consumption.
Discover the Aristarco range on the Stoddart Website or contact our team by calling 1300 79 1954 or sending an email info@stoddart.com.au
Sushi machines
The ASM545CE Multi-Nigiri Machine is an advanced sushi making machine designed to streamline nigiri sushi production. Designed by Autec, the leader in sushi robotics, the machine combines efficiency and precision to deliver consistent quality nigiri. The ASM545CE can produce up to 2,000 pieces per hour, dramatically increasing production while maintaining the traditional hand-pressing quality.
It features user-friendly controls and customizable settings, allowing operators to adjust the texture, shape, and size of the rice to suit their preferences. Types of nigiri include onigiri, bento, makunouchi, temari, and others.
The machine’s compact design makes it suitable for a variety of kitchen environments, from small sushi bars to large restaurants. By automating the labor-intensive nigiri-making process, the ASM545CE helps sushi chefs focus on creativity and presentation, enhancing the dining experience for customers.
For more information, visit sushimachines.com.au
Unox
The culinary world is witnessing a revolutionary innovation with the introduction of SPEED-X™ and EVEREO®, a powerful combination that promises to redefine kitchen operations and food service. SPEED-X™, the world’s first high-speed combi oven.
SPEED-X™ has won numerous prestigious awards for its revolutionary design and technology. The smart oven combines air, steam, microwave and a fully automatic self-cleaning system, delivering unmatched versatility and efficiency.
The SPEED-X™ is complemented by EVEREO®, a revolutionary “warm fridge” that uses patented EXEVER® technology to maintain prepared foods at serving temperature for up to three days. The HACCP-certified food preservation system provides precise temperature and atmosphere control, allowing restaurants to expand their menus and reduce the stress of preparation.
Together, these innovations enable kitchens to fulfill orders at unprecedented speeds while preserving food quality. The SPEED-X™ + EVEREO® solution enables chefs to serve express preparations and complex dishes with remarkable efficiency, potentially transforming the landscape of foodservice operations.
Find out more about unox.com/au_au/hyperaccelerated-food-service-solution