Buying catering equipment for a business can cover anything from fridges and freezers to kebab grills and toasters. Tea urns and serving gantry's, griddles and spoons; the list is absolutely endless. So how do you stop yourself being overwhelmed when setting up a catering business and ordering a multitude of items that are destined to sit and gather dust? Well it is true that all items of catering equipment have a place and a use, but it depends on what types of catering business you are in. There is no use purchasing a three grand ice machine if you are planning to open a late night kebab shop for instance.

Before buying anything, it is essential to plan what foods and beverages you plan to serve in your establishment. It is also necessary to decide what type of establishment you are going to run. Equipment for an al fresco eatery is going to be of a different calibre to an indoor American diner. The number of staff and the potential covers per service period will also affect the type and amount of equipment needed for the smooth running of a catering establishment. Here we address a variety of establishments and identify the essential items that should be purchased.

Fast Food Restaurant

A fast food restaurant aims to do exactly what it says on the sign, serve food fast. Burgers, hot dogs, chips, pizza and kebabs all fall into this category, but it is rare that one establishment will have all of these on the menu. There are many items of cooking equipment that aid the speed of turnaround of these types of food. Dedicated pizza ovens for example, hot dog broilers with built in bun warmers, deep fat fryers and the ever versatile microwave oven. Preparation areas for fast food restaurants can be kept to a minimum, and there is little need to spend money on peripherals such as cutlery and plates unless you plan to offer sit down meals.

Sushi Bar

A sushi bar will typically need some type of large griddle, as contrary to popular belief, not all sushi is comprised of raw fish. There are types that incorporate thinly sliced omelette and some types that are deep fried. A large hob area for boiling large amounts of rice will be needed and a large preparation area for creating the sushi rolls. Investing in specialist equipment such a bamboo mats will be essential, and investing in small patterned plates for presenting various priced dishes on the sushi belt.

Carvery

Deciding to set up a carvery is usually done in conjunction with an established public house or hotel. Cooking the food requires very little in the way of specialist equipment; large ovens for roasting, and large pans for preparation of vegetables and sauces, which can be found in any commercial catering establishment. The investment comes in the purchase of specialist serving equipment. Heated gantry's will keep the food warm during service and allow the customer to help themselves. Dry well bain marie hot cupboards are ideal for serving vegetables and gravies and plenty of serving spoons, ladles and tongs need to be purchased.

Cocktail Bar

Apart from the obvious purchases of glasses and a glass washer, equipping a cocktail bar is often about having time saving devices and the peripheries that add to an authentic experience. Invest in blenders and shakers and an ice machine that dispenses cubed, flaked and crushed ice. Straws, umbrellas and stirrers are essential items and make sure to stock up on the cocktail sticks to pop an olive in a dry martini - shaken and not stirred of course!