These days, churches, community centres and all manner of faith-focused enterprises are classed as commercial catering establishments if they either cook or serve food. Consequently, they must abide by exactly the same rules and requirements that are applied to restaurants and pubs. So, as a ‘commercial kitchen’ there is clear government legislation that must be adhered to and, as a company that’s specialised in this area for many years, we’re here to guide you from the beginning to the end.
A KITCHEN IN A CHURCH?
Community-focused enterprises are increasingly commonly serving food, yet many are unaware that by serving any form of food and drink they are classed as commercial catering establishments. This means that commercial kitchen legislation must be observed. Community enterprises consist of church halls, or venues affiliated with any other religious denomination, community centres, village halls, charity groups, soup kitchens and so on.
It’s true that a well specified commercial kitchen within a local hub will help provide a warm welcome to your community and will enable you to reach out to the wider neighbourhood. We’ve helped a great number of these projects to launch or enhance their catering facilities and, by doing so, make a very real difference. As well as widening their abilities to engage with their community, they have also extended their welcome to newcomers, all aided by a welcoming, modern and thriving kitchen
A KITCHEN CAN PROVIDE A MEANINGFUL WAY OF ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY BY HOSTING CHARITY EVENTS, COFFEE MORNINGS OR NEIGHBOURHOOD MEETINGS.
BUT WHAT DOES COMMERCIAL KITCHEN MEAN?
It means that your existing kitchen with its old, wooden, domestic worktops and cupboards does not comply with the standards required in a commercial environment. To conform, all work surfaces must be made of high-grade stainless steel so that they’re easy to keep clean, while all underframes and shelving must be functional, but must also allow unobstructed access for cleaning.
Commercial appliances will be of a heavier duty than domestic equivalents too in order to withstand longer and more frequent use and should always be moveable for ease of cleaning and maintenance. Your walls, floors, ceilings and lighting will also be specified to fall in line with modern commercial hygiene standards.
RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS THAT SERVE FOOD ARE CLASSED AS COMMERCIAL CATERERS
THIS MEANS, LIKE ALL COMMERCIAL CATERERS, THEY NEED COMMERCIAL KITCHENS
THE SAME RULES AND REGULATIONS APPLY TO CHURCHES AS TO PUBS AND RESTAURANTS
SEEMS DAUNTING? NOT TO US – WE’VE INSTALLED KITCHENS IN CHURCHES FOR 40+ YEARS
COMMERCIAL ALSO MEANS SAFE
There are many reasons why church kitchens are classified as commercial. Most importantly, the rules that apply help ensure that a high level of safety and hygiene can be achieved and maintained both for those preparing food and those consuming it.
The good news is that much of what is required is very straightforward and, once explained, makes perfect sense. In fact, there are so many potential benefits to owning a functioning commercial kitchen, you will wonder why you didn’t do it before
A WELL-EQUIPPED KITCHEN CAN PROVIDE A VALUABLE SECONDARY INCOME STREAM FROM LETTING THE FACILITY OUT FOR WEDDINGS, FUNERALS AND OTHER FUNCTIONS.
WORKING TOGETHER –
A TEAM EFFORT
As commercial kitchen specialists, we have worked on many dozens of community projects over the years. Our experience means we can guide you through the various stages of planning and design and we will also liaise closely with your chosen contractors and trades to guide and advise them in terms of how the space must be prepared.
This is because, whether you are refurbishing an old kitchen or building a new one, there will be essential preparation work to do prior to the kitchen being installed. Be assured that we will work alongside your team from beginning to end. So, whatever your budget and no matter if the available space is small or large, we can help.
A REAL TEAM EFFORT
A commercial kitchen installation is a collaborative effort. As the kitchen providers, our installation falls within the final stages of a carefully structured and sequenced programme of work that will be conducted by a variety of trades. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, as every client’s premises and needs are different, but below are the tradespeople you will most likely need to call upon.
LEGAL AND IN SAFE HANDS
As commercial kitchen designers with almost 50 years’ experience means that we have learned to help simplify the necessary procedures that make this type of kitchen functional, safe – and, most crucially, legal!
We understand exactly how your kitchen is likely to be used, and we are aware of the benefits it will bring. We are fully conversant with all aspects of commercial kitchen legislation and can provide the simple, effective solutions that will please everybody – including your local authority.
A BEGINNING TO END SERVICE
We provide you with a beginning-to-end service which starts with a friendly chat, and ends with you welcoming your guests into your new thriving environment.
Epsom Methodist Church
Liberal Jewish Synagogue
Bransgore Village Hall
Herne Hill Baptist Church
BREATH OF
FRESH AIR
Commercial Kitchen Ventilation is a factor that many find daunting. When you cook food in a commercial space there is legislation regarding the sufficient removal of cooking fumes, and replacing those fumes with fresh, breathable air. Again, these are the same rules that apply to any restaurant or café.
However, although there is no hiding from the importance of good kitchen ventilation, the solutions can be surprisingly straightforward. One of our in-house kitchen ventilation specialists will be happy to attend your site and suggest most suitable solution for your specific circumstances.
THERE IS NO HIDING FROM THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD KITCHEN VENTILATION, BUT SOLUTIONS CAN BE SURPRISINGLY STRAIGHTFORWARD.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
You’ll be glad to hear that the majority of community project kitchens are never complicated in design or in use. The complex cooking methods found in restaurants do not normally apply to smaller, community enterprises, so kitchens are often based around just one or two versatile appliances. You can take for granted that a typical kitchen requires ample worktop space and plenty of shelving, but the following following tasks are what similar customers have agreed are the essentials:
DON’T FORGET
There are some really invaluable inclusions that should never be overlooked in community kitchens.
Our designer will address every one, but here’s a few examples…
Working closely with so many places of worship over the years has taken us to some delightful towns and villages to meet new customers of every denomination. Each and every one of them has a different story to tell, but what they all have in common is that their new kitchen has helped them engage with their wider community. We are proud of what we’ve achieved and the difference we’ve helped our customers to make.
We hope you find inspiration in some of our recent success stories shared below.
Zoroastrian Centre (Parsi Temple)
Please get in touch with us
Whether you’re in the earliest stages of planning or you have a site that’s ready to go, it’s never too early to involve us. We can advise and assist you at every stage so let’s start the conversation today.
