The design and layout of a professional kitchen are key aspects to ensuring that any restaurant is functional and safe. A well-designed layout not only utilizes space efficiently, but also makes working easier and ensures greater productivity and safety for the staff. In addition, it facilitates the preparation of food, reducing the time needed to move between different workstations, while complying with health and hygiene regulations.
Good design is a crucial investment for anyone who wants to successfully run their restaurant business, but it requires some precautions, which will be outlined below.
The importance of planning in a professional kitchen
Good professional kitchen design guarantees an overall improvement in operational efficiency as it takes into consideration the following aspects:
- Careful organization of space and equipment to minimize unnecessary movements and optimize the workflow.
- Ergonomics: creating spaces that help alleviate physical stress on operators. Well-designed workstations help prevent excessive strain and injuries, improving the well-being of staff.
- Food and staff safety. Designing spaces in compliance with health and hygiene regulations reduces the risk of food contamination and accidents.
- Optimised workflow. Planning the kitchen layout so that every stage of preparation and service runs smoothly, contributing to a high-quality culinary experience.
These aspects together guarantee all-round improvement.
The must-haves of a professional restaurant kitchen
Work surface and functional furniture
A professional kitchen must include work surfaces made of durable and hygienic materials, such as stainless steel. These materials are not only long-lasting, but also easy to sanitize, thus ensuring a safe working environment. Worktops must be designed to be user-friendly in order to facilitate daily operations.
Essential equipment
If we want to achieve efficiency, it is essential to consider installing cookers, ovens, blast chillers, pans, bratt pans and kettles already during the designing phase. Implementing automated systems and advanced technologies provides savings both in terms of time and resources. Firex has been supporting professional kitchens for over 30 years by designing and manufacturing equipment for the foodservice, food industry and pastry sectors.
Stock and refrigerating
A well-designed kitchen must include organized pantries, refrigerated cabinets and refrigeration systems to ensure food safety. Food storage systems are critical for maintaining freshness and preventing contamination.
Plant and ventilation
Ventilation through hoods and appropriate systems is essential for maintaining hygiene and safety.
Design and layout of restaurant kitchens
Dividing into functional areas
A professional kitchen must be divided into functional areas: preparation, cooking, chilling, storage and washing. The most common layouts include linear, L-shaped, U-shaped and island kitchens, each with its own specific advantages.
- Linear kitchen: ideal for long, narrow spaces, it allows easy access to all functional areas along a single wall.
- L-shaped kitchen: maximizes the corner space and provides a clear separation between the cooking and preparation areas, facilitating the workflow.
- U-shaped kitchen: offers large workspaces and storage options, all functional areas are easily accessible.
- Island kitchen: perfect for large spaces, the central island can serve as a multifunctional area, ideal for prepping or cooking, and facilitates collaboration among staff.
Improving the workflow
A well-designed layout of the equipment is crucial to improving the overall efficiency of the kitchen. Examples of successful layouts, such as those used in foodservice and in the food industry, can make a huge difference.
Regulations and certifications for a compliant kitchen
Compliance with regulations, such as HACCP for food hygiene and safety, and ISO certifications, ensure that the kitchen is up to standard. It is important to use certified materials and compliant equipment, as well as investing in staff training.
How much does it cost to set up a professional kitchen?
The costs of setting up a professional kitchen vary depending on the equipment, furniture, surfaces and installation work required. The differences between professional and industrial kitchens, such as those designed for catering services or high-volume production, must be carefully weighed up, along with modular solutions and customized services.
Firex can support you at every stage of the process, from planning to the quotation. We’ll work with you to choose the solution that best suits the specific needs of your kitchen. With our experience, we can guide you through the selection of the most efficient equipment and the most functional layouts. We also offer advice to ensure that every detail is fine-tuned, guaranteeing that your kitchen not only meets your operational needs but also your budget.
Useful tips for a successful installation
Relying on industry professionals such as Firex is paramount because they are able to support the customer from the very beginning of the project. With over 30 years of experience, Firex is a solid and reliable supplier of cutting-edge technologies. Leading the way is the Cucimix line of automated bratt pans, an innovative cooking system that offers unrivalled versatility thanks to its precise programming modes and wide temperature range.
The line features a high level of automation and an integrated mixer that can be programmed by means of the FTC electronic board, with no need of constant supervision or specific skills. The equipment allows you to create and save your own recipes, providing quality and consistent results. Last but not least, the automation and pressure cooking version increase your productivity. The automatic mixer is easy to clean.
This is what makes Cucimix an automatic cooker: minimum human intervention, streamlined processes and no need of specialised staff. Moreover, you can check out our interactive platform Firex Lab, a digital video gallery where you can see all Firex machines at work as used by our chefs.
Furthermore, Firex offers the opportunity to prepare your own recipe together in our demo kitchen to test whether Firex has the right technological solution.
