The 6 Ways to Organize Your Commercial Kitchen

Commercial kitchen owners know that a well-organized kitchen helps them serve customers more quickly and efficiently, reduce food waste, and prevent workplace incidents. Listen up for some food-service organization hacks that are easy to implement and can help your business save money, increase productivity, and improve customer satisfaction.

Pro Tip: Start by combining like items with each other in your storage area. This will make them easier to find and helps avoid over-stocking.

1. Use the FIFO Method

The FIFO method, short for first-in/first-out, is one of the easiest inventory management methods to implement in your restaurant. It helps staff use the oldest ingredients first, which reduces food waste and keeps kitchen items fresh. To get started with FIFO, make sure your kitchen has an adequate storage space and labeling system. This includes pantries for dry goods, different racks or freezers for perishable foods, and cupboards for tools and place settings.

It is also important to have dedicated areas for various tasks. This will help prevent cross-contamination and ensure that the right equipment is being used for each task. For example, you would want to keep the area for mixing messy or sticky fillings away from the area where meat is being butchered.

Lastly, it is crucial to train your staff on the proper way to store and use food. This will help your restaurant run more efficiently and prevent costly mistakes.

Pro Tip: Utilizing open shelves is an ideal commercial kitchen storage idea because it lets chefs see everything without having to open a cabinet or drawer. This is especially useful if you have an organized labeling system in place. And remember, only keep the utensils that are used frequently in the kitchen so you don’t have to spend time searching for what you need. Using a hanging rack to hang your most commonly used utensils is a great idea too.

Proper food storage practices are vital to the success of any restaurant. It can save you time and money, improve customer service, and protect your business from hefty fines for violating sanitation and health regulations.

2. Storage Labels

One of the best ways to organize your inventory is to create a system for labeling food and supplies. This ensures that each item has a place and is returned to its proper spot after use, saving time, money and reducing clutter in your kitchen. Using storage labels for ingredients also helps you to maintain accurate inventory by allowing staff to quickly identify items and determine whether they are past their prime, which prevents waste and reduces the risk of foodborne illness.

When it comes to labeling your storage areas, a simple piece of masking tape isn’t going to cut it. Instead, invest in a high-quality labeling system that includes features like a space for the name of the product and a date stamp. This allows you to trace an item back to its creator should something go awry, and also gives you the option of adding information like allergy warnings or handling instructions.

Another way to make it easier for your staff to manage food storage and inventory is by adopting a galley layout, which organizes equipment and supplies along the walls of your kitchen. This makes it easier for your team to find what they need when they need it, and also makes the cleaning process faster and more efficient by reducing the amount of time spent moving and cleaning equipment between work stations. It also minimizes the potential for injuries caused by slamming cabinet doors or tripping over equipment.

3. Utensil Shelves & Hangers

It’s critical that utensils are stored in a way that makes it easy for kitchen staff to access them. For this reason, commercial kitchens use shelving units to keep cooking utensils within reach and organized. These units are ideal for storing everything from spatulas, whisks, and tongs to serving spoons, ladles, and other larger utensils that are prone to being lost in drawers.

Shelving units can also be used to store smaller tools and supplies like dish soaps, cleaning brushes, scrubbing pads, sponges, and steel wool. These units get these items off of the floor, which is necessary for following health code requirements. Moreover, these shelving units are made of durable materials that are easy to clean.

Alternatively, utensil crocks and holders are a stylish, space-savvy alternative to storage units that can hold all your utensils in one place. They can be positioned on the counter or in a cabinet, and they come in many sizes to suit your needs. For instance, this deep utensil crock from Confessions of a Craft Addict can fit a whole array of tools, and it can be adjusted over time to accommodate your newer gear.

4. Keep Larger Equipment Below

Keeping larger equipment underneath table shelves is another easy way to keep your commercial kitchen organized. This makes it easier for chefs to get what they need and allows them to save time. Plus, it’s a safer work environment because it reduces the amount of movement required to retrieve or store items.

This helps in maintaining a well-organized kitchen space by keeping heavy and bulky items closer to the floor, which reduces the risk of accidents or injuries caused by items falling from higher shelves. It also optimizes workflow efficiency as it allows easier access to frequently used items that are stored at eye level or on higher shelves, minimizing time spent searching for specific tools or equipment. 

Additionally, storing larger items at the bottom shelf also contributes to better weight distribution throughout the kitchen storage areas, ensuring stability and safety within the workspace.

5. Enforce An Organized Work Culture

In a restaurant kitchen, it’s easy for things to get out of hand, especially during the morning, lunch, happy hour, or dinner rushes. Physical order tickets can easily become lost, and back-of-house (BOH) staff can find it challenging to communicate with front-of-house (FOH) staff during these busy times.

To prevent chaos, make sure your team members are on board with your restaurant’s standards of organization. If they’re not, then your business will have a hard time sustaining a consistent work culture that improves productivity and efficiency in every area of the restaurant.

For example, consider posting clear prep procedures that every back-of-house employee should follow throughout a shift. Also, be sure to stock individual stations with tools specific to their job, so that each station is ready for service. And, always include a station check as part of the service setup and breakdown process.

Additionally, it’s crucial to monitor the EBB and flow of your kitchen/dining room so that you can properly schedule your kitchen crew. This will ensure that you don’t bring in too few employees to handle a heavy service, which can strain communication and slow down workflow. A food service kitchen management software like CookDocs can greatly simplify your communication and organization.

6. Use Kitchen Management Software

Using kitchen management software can help streamline your restaurant’s operations in more ways than you can imagine. Investing in a quality kitchen system can significantly cut down on the time it takes to prepare items and organize your entire workflow. It also helps kitchens manage production levels, waste reduction, and prevent overspending on ingredients.

Kitchen operations management software systems also enhance communication and collaboration among kitchen staff, leading to improved coordination and efficiency in daily operations. Additionally, these software solutions provide valuable insights through analytics and reporting, helping managers make informed decisions to optimize performance and reduce costs.

CookDocs stands out as the best option in kitchen operations management software due to its user-friendly interface, customizable features, and comprehensive functionality tailored to the unique needs of commercial kitchens. With CookDocs, you can standardize procedures, maintain consistent operations, and ensure compliance with industry standards effortlessly. Don’t wait to experience these benefits firsthand—start your free 14-day trial of CookDocs today and simplify your kitchen management forever!