Posted on November 1, 2022November 21, 2022 by — 2 Comments

Mastering the Basics of Bussing

What is most important when bussing a table? That is a good question, and the answer is a multitude of aspects within operations. If you run a professional kitchen, you are well aware that a smooth flow of staff can make or break a successful evening of service. While it is such an intricate part of service, it can be an aspect that is overlooked by foodservice managers. When a dining space is filled with guests at every table, the bussing team knows they will need to be efficient and timely when clearing tables.

While clearing tables is one component to bussing, there is also the prep work that sets the stage for guests to have a great experience at your establishment. Prep work ranges based on the type of service, but the bussing team will be sure to have plates ready for guests, whether at tables or in plate dispensers for self-service. The team will also be sure to have clean silverware, cups, and napkins for guests as well as a supply to replenish when needed. Every person operating in a restaurant contributes to the success of the group, and this includes the busser. They serve a number of important functions that require experience and training. Read on to better understand the critical role of the busser as well as some tips to make bussing operations a breeze.

Focus on Service:

Happy guests are a must for a successful foodservice operation whether that is at a restaurant, school, casino, or convention center. Bussers are on the frontline or preserving the guest experience. When guests arrive, they should be met with a clean table and quickly provided a glass of water with the cup being replenished when needed. Dirty dishes should not lay on the table untouched for too long as this can cloud the guest experience. These are the obvious ways that bussers contribute to positive guest experiences, but there are less obvious ways they contribute.

While there are plenty of ways to add to the customer experience and satisfaction, there are also simple back-of-the-house operations that can deter a guest’s dining experience including leaving tubs of dirty dishes in the line of sight of guests. This is not appetizing and looks unprofessional. Having a dirty washcloth bucket in visibility is another easy thing to make sure is not seen by guests. Little aspects like this can add up and cause guest experiences to be less than ideal. Make sure to focus on not only the obvious ways to improve guest experience, but also the subtle aspects. Regardless of how your establishment employs bussers, there is no doubt that having a skilled and highly trained bussing staff will elevate guests’ dining experience.

Encourage Back-of-the-House Flow:

Increasing customer satisfaction all starts with efficient operations on the back end. While keeping guests happy is of vital importance, it is not the only way bussers are important to a restaurant kitchen. Bussers are responsible for delivering an essential item to foodservice: flatware and dinnerware. Foodservice operations need to optimize their budgets, which means they can’t keep a never-ending supply of dishes and flatware in stock.

Bussers are responsible for getting dirty dishes back to the dishwasher, who then get dishes cleaned and back into circulation to be used for the next group of dinners. If bussers are not appropriately staffed or trained to efficiently move dishes, this could cause a backlog for the entire kitchen. While every operation has a different way of handling bussing, we have compiled some tips to hopefully help improve your bussing, especially with the industry experiencing a current labor shortage.

Tips for Bussing:

#1: All Hands-on Deck

Everyone, and we mean everyone, on your team should be trained on how to bus. With limited staff, the bussing team may not be able to get to a table as soon as a server may, or a hostess may have a lull between guests arriving. Ensuring that everyone knows your bussing operations will help make sore smoothie clearing of tables. Having a plan to ensure consistency amongst everyone makes for a cohesive guest experience. No matter your role on the team, everyone should always be keeping an eye on tables. When customers feel attended to, this not only increases their current experience, but also their likelihood of returning or recommending.

#2: Scale Up the Table

While some guests clearly let you know when they are done with a plate or drink by moving it away from them, other diners are less clear. Being able to gauge whether someone is done with a drink, side, or course takes time to acclimate to. Look for signals of more talking, not touching plates for a few minutes, or approaching the table and seeing if they pick their utensils back up. While there is no secret sauce to this, after practice you are able to perfect this skill. Once you have been able to confirm that guests are done, it is key to clear the table quickly while still ensuring quality work. Making minimal noise is also important to note as to not disturb any conversations amongst guests or alter their experience.

#3: Don’t Push Your Limits

Adding that one extra plate on top of your stack in the moment may seem like a good idea but carrying more than you can handle never ends well. When plates go crashing on the ground because a busser took too many plates at once sends all diners eyes to immediately shift towards the scene. Dining atmospheres are handcrafted by owners, and while accidents happen, avoiding them by taking smaller loads can make a huge difference. Making sure you look professional even if it means taking smaller loads is worth it in the end and impresses guests with your establishment’s seamless night of service.

Bussing tables plays a crucial role in various aspects of a diner’s experience from their initial impressions to when they are about to leave. Having all hands-on deck when it comes to bussing can help the labor starved foodservice industry keep guests flowing in and out while ensuring quality is not compromised. Lakeside offers a wide selection of bussing solutions to help ensure customer satisfaction. Talk with a Lakeside cart expert today to see how we can help improve your bussing operational efficiency.

Posted on October 25, 2022October 24, 2022 by

Rack Up Insights on our Top 3 Industrial Drying Racks

After being in business for over 75 years, Lakeside has been able to rack up industry insights on which products foodservice directors have found the most valuable, and which pieces of equipment have made the greatest difference in foodservice operations across the country. While Lakeside has a wide variety within the pool of our most popular products, three of our industrial drying racks have consistently been making a difference in back-of-the-house operations for many years. So how do these carts really make a difference and help gear up for more efficient operations?

Drying racks provide so many benefits from avoiding wet-nesting dishes to helping reduce the time it takes staff to get through all the dirty dishes after a busy night of service. Whether you are working in foodservice at a hospital, school, casino, or resort, dishes always need to be washed and dried. In last week’s blog, we highlighted the main things to look for when purchasing a drying rack, but this week we will dive deeper into the top 3 most popular Lakeside drying racks and why they fly off the shelves. There are so many benefits to Lakeside drying racks with their ability to not only serve as a drying rack, but also as a storage unit.

No matter which model you decide will works best for your operations, you’ll be sure to find these features in your drying rack. All Lakeside industrial drying racks have a stainless steel frame and “L” supports to increase the stability of the rack while also preventing accidents and spills. The all welded stainless steel bases on Lakeside drying racks ensure superior strength and balance. So rest assured, these drying racks will offer a durable, secure, and stable home for your pans, trays, and domes. Below we will take a deeper look at the top 3 industrial drying racks.

The 848 Sheet Pan and Tray Rack:

So many kitchens find themselves running through loads on sheet pans from the start of prep all the way through service. Sheet pans are a vital piece of equipment that allow food to be cooked for diners in an efficient manner, but drying them can be a pain point as they are large and bulky. Sheet pan drying racks are specifically designed to hold these bulky sheet pans and ensure they are able to dry quickly so that they can be used for another round of prep within hours. The 848 not only accommodates for the drying of sheet pans, but also for the drying of trays. Behind plates, bowls, cups, and silverware, sheets and trays are probably the next highest volume dish type to go through a dishwasher in a kitchen. Here are some main benefits of the 848 industrial drying rack.

All-welded frame of stainless steel square tubing
Accommodates a variety of pan and tray sizes
Stainless steel channel slides with spacing in between to speed up drying time
Pan-stop ledge prevents pans and trays from sliding off of the back side
Easily maneuverable with all-swivel casters
Three shelves that hold a total of 120 pans or trays

With this drying rack offering drying and storage for both sheet pans and trays, it’s fairly obvious why this is one of our best-selling trying racks. When versatility meets durability, equipment is sure to provide solutions for a kitchen for many years.

The 898 Dome Drying Rack:

The use of domes in foodservice is very common as they help keep food warm not only for the enjoyment of the diner, but also for maintaining the food at a safe-to-eat temperature. Domes can be clunky and hard to store, but drying racks designed for dome storage help solve this problem. The 898 is a Lakeside top seller as it has provided drying and storage for hospitals, long-term care facilities, restaurants, and many other foodservice businesses. Here are some quick bullet points of the main features of this industrial drying rack.

Dome cradles conveniently remove for easy cleaning and sanitizing
Holds most standard sized domes
Each cradle holds 10 domes
Five shelves that hold a total of 100 domes
Maneuvers easily around the kitchen and storage spaces

Domes play a crucial role in foodservice as they ensure all of the hours or prep work for a meal are not lost at the last minute to a cold meal that is not able to be served. Having a drying rack and storage space for these domes helps to improve kitchen efficiency.

The 867 Tray Drying Rack:

This rack is designed specifically for tray drying and storage. Trays are an item that kitchens can never have too many of. Trays serve a variety of purposes in kitchens ranging from being used to deliver food to tables, to being used by guests to grab food from self-serve counters. With trays being used so often, it is important to have a method set up to be able to dry them in a timely manner so they can be restocked and used again. The 867 is Lakeside’s popular tray drying rack, and here’s why.

Removable tray racks for easy cleaning and sanitizing
Tray racks have slant in the center and perforated bottom for quick and efficient drainage
Shelves also have drain holes for fast draining
Holds a variety of tray sizes for convenience and versatility
Easily maneuvers around kitchen and storage areas
Four shelves that hold a total of 80 trays

Having efficient draining in a drying rack is the number one feature to look for in drying racks. Without efficient draining, dishes will not dry as fast and there is a risk of mold and bacteria growth. The 867 has excellent drainage systems in various aspects of the cart to ensure dishes dry quickly and efficiently.

Drying racks play a key role in back-of-the-house operations as they provide a place for damp dishes to dry once they have gone through the dishwasher, but they also provide storage for your dishes when they are not being used. Lakeside drying racks have made a significant impact on kitchen efficiency for years. Chat with a Lakeside expert today to learn more about drying rack solutions.

Posted on October 18, 2022October 20, 2022 by

The Ultimate Checklist for Buying an Industrial Drying Rack

Ultimate checklist for buying industrial drying rack

Having functional storage within foodservice operations is crucial for ensuring everything runs smoothly before, during, and after service. Having multifunctional equipment is the cherry on top of functional storage. Being able to use one piece of equipment for two or more uses not only helps increase your ROI, but it also frees up space in the back of the house to allow for staff to shuffle around easily and place priority on dinners. At Lakeside, multifunctional equipment is the name of our game. When durability meets multifunction, you will see increased efficiency in foodservice operations.

A piece of equipment that is known to take up lots of space are storage shelves. While they are necessary, sometimes it would be ideal to have that space open. When you combine two functions into one, your piece of equipment is using the space of one item while serving two purposes. Another item that is notorious for crowding a kitchen are drying racks. Both of these pieces of equipment are vital to the functionality of foodservice operations, but what if they were combined into one piece of equipment?

That is exactly the functionality that our industrial drying racks offer. Having a place to dry dishes and not needing them to be transferred onto the storage shelves saves time. Instead, simply roll the drying rack into a storage space to continue drying while already being stored. Labor savings is beneficial to nearly any facility, whether that is in foodservice or not. Using multifunctional equipment saves the time it takes staff to perform the same tasks. So what should you be looking for in a multifunctional drying rack? Let’s take a look at the checklist below.

1. Stainless Steel Construction

For a piece of equipment that will see many splashes of water throughout its lifespan, making sure it is durable, while also being rust resistant, is crucial. While plastic drying racks can get the job done, they usually are not able to withstand the same amount of weight that stainless steel can. The higher weight capacity stainless steel is able to hold allows for more items to be dried and stored on a single rack. Pairing its ability to hold the weight of many dishes with its resistance to rust will be sure to offer you the ideal drying rack.

2. Stability of Structure

While plastic trays may not weigh down on a rack much, metal sheet pans can add a large amount of weight onto a drying rack which is why stability is so important. Making sure your drying rack will remain stable while not in motion and also during transport is crucial to the safety of everyone. Not only does a stable drying rack ensure staff safety, it also helps avoid accidents and spills. Lakeside uses “L” supports and an all welded stainless steel base to ensure superior strength and balance while in motion and parked.

3. Mobility

Being able to move an industrial drying rack is a must. When loading a rack, it needs to be next the the dish washing area. When the rack is full, it needs to be moved out of the working area and into storage. In order to be able to do this, a drying rack must have wheels. While stationary drying racks still offer the drying space you need, they take up valuable space in the kitchen. Having mobile industrial drying racks allows your drying rack to also serve as storage and be moved out of the way.

4. Easy Cleaning

These drying racks will be used heavily since foodservice operations are constantly using, washing, and drying dishes. With this, drying racks need to be cleaned to ensure clean dishes remain clean. Having a drying rack that has removable cradles or removable rack slants makes the cleaning process easier while ensuring every aspect of the rack is able to be cleaned efficiency and thoroughly.

5. Drainage System

Water will come into contact with the rack and there will be remaining water on dishes after they come out of the dishwasher. While rinse aids help decrease the amount of time it takes for dishes to dry, water still remains on the dishes for a period of time after they have went through their dishwasher cycle and taken out. Having a drainage system on drying racks helps to direct this water during the drying process. Drying racks that have perorated bottoms where the dishes sit or perforated drain holes on shelves help reduce drying time will also ensuring there is no water build-up.

6. Versatility in Storage Abilities

Having a drying rack that can hold various sized items is an important factor to consider when purchasing an industrial drying rack. Unless you are planning to use the rack for only one tray model that you only have one size of, it most likely will be beneficial for you to have a drying rack that can hold various types of items. One meal your service might require a plethora of domes to be used to keep food warm, while the next meal might rely heavily on the use of lots of sheet pans to cook the meal. Drying racks that can hold items of varying size work best.

7. Bumpers

When transporting drying racks, you are bound to bump a corner or two. Having bumpers on the legs, bottom corners and perimeter help to reduce the impact the bumps have on furnishings. Bumpers offer an excellent safeguard for doors, walls, and furnishings.

8. Braking Casters

For when your drying rack is serving its function of being used for storage, ensuring it will remain in place is very important. One of the reasons being the security of the dishes and the second being the safety of those who walk near the drying rack. An accidental bump to the rack could cause it to shift, but braking casters allow you to lock the drying rack in place while it is in the storage room. The same can be said while it is near the wash area. When staff are shuffling around taking dishes off the dishwasher racks and placing them on drying racks it is important that the rack remains in place.

Drying racks are a great multifunctional investment that offers a place for dishes to dry while also offering a storage solution for those dishes. Having multifunctional equipment is key to successful foodservice operations today. When looking to purchase an industrial drying rack, be sure to look for these features to make sure you are investing in the right equipment. Lakeside offers a selection of drying racks to help improve your back-of-the-house operations. Learn more about Lakeside drying racks here!

Posted on October 11, 2022October 12, 2022 by

5 Benefits of Industrial Drying Racks

It’s peak hour at a restaurant, they are hauling out plate after plate of delicious appetizers, entrees, and desserts. You walk into the bustling restaurant with smiling faces and chatter coming from every table. The servers are delivering drinks and food while checking in with customers. The hostess brings your group to a table, you all take a look at your menu and decide on your main dishes. Your server swiftly shifts from the neighboring table to yours to take everyone’s orders. With drinks in hand, time passes quickly and you suddenly see your food nearing the table. It’s time to eat. Let’s pause now. This is what the front-of-the-house looks like, happy customers and attentive staff, but let’s venture back into the kitchen at this same moment.

The kitchen consists of laughter and chatter. Chefs are plating dishes and servers are coming in and out to deliver plates. As tables are finished, the bussing team is sure to clear tables quickly and efficiently to allow the next group to have a seat. All of the dirty plates, bowls, flatware, and glasses are being dumped into the back of the kitchen near the washing sink. These dishes are piling up as service continues to speed up and the bussing team does not have the capacity to clean and dry all of the dishes while still tending to tables. Some dishes have been washed but are in piles waiting to be dried while the one side of the sink has a heaping stack of dirty dishes. How can this problem be solved? Industrial drying racks can be the ideal solution.

Purpose of Industrial Drying Racks:

These drying racks are built for efficient and convenient drying that also provide storage all in one. Having to dry each item by hand takes lots of labor and time. Drying racks allow you to reduce the time your team puts into washing and drying dishes. Once a dish has been washed, it can simply be put on the drying rack to air dry on its own. Not only do these industrial drying racks serve as a place to allow airflow around dishes, but it also serves as a storage. Your trays, pans, and dome lids can remain situated on their drying rack until the next day’s service begins. The convenience these carts offer benefits the entire back-of-the-house staff and can save valuable time, especially in the current labor crunch the foodservice industry is experiencing. Below we will outline the main features and benefits drying racks offer.

Efficiency:

Eliminating the need for human labor in one portion of the washing process saves a lot of time for staff. When you only need to run your dishes through the commercial dishwasher and no longer need to dry each item, the time it takes to get through post-meal dishes can be reduced tremendously. After dishes come out of the dishwasher, they can quickly be placed onto drying racks and let time do the drying for you.

Not only does this help eliminate the time it takes to wash dishes, it also provides mobile storage that can be easily moved out of the way when a drying rack is full. Drying racks help ease the strain on your staff. In AHF’s recent study, the top three concerns for their members were

Staffing
Training, development and employee engagement
Budget financials

While a drying rack can not solve all of the main concerns in the foodservice industry, it can help staff as they are able to remove one of the manual steps in their back-of-the-house operations. Industrial drying racks are also budget friendly as they offer a drying solution as well as a mobile storage solution.

Mobility:

Being able to move your storage around can make a world of difference in the foodservice industry. Dishes, trays or pans that are not needed at the moment can be pushed out of the way to offer up more space creating better flow within your kitchen. In one instance you may need the drying rack right next to the sink or dishwasher to quickly load clean items onto the rack, but as soon as that rack is full it can easily be transferred to a storage space.

Lakeside drying racks come with No-Mark polyurethane casters that help offer a smooth ride to keep items in place during transit. Easy maneuverability within all aspects of kitchen operations allow you to keep up with your fast paced back-of-the-house operations.

Convenience:

As we have discussed above, Lakeside drying racks are multifunctional by offering your dishes not only a place to dry, but also a place to house them while they are not in use. GlobeNewsWire predicts that foodservice operators are “shifting toward smaller-sized kitchen equipment to optimize their space and perform multiple functions at the same time.” Multifunctional equipment is going to be the new name of the game in the years to come as it offers the same functions which means less pieces of equipment are needed to serve the same functions. Lakeside drying racks are not only a multifunctional investment, but also an investment that will last for many years to come.

Durability:

With Lakeside drying racks being constructed from stainless steel, the lifespan of these racks spreads far and wide as they are able to serve a foodservice operation for generations. Investing in equipment that will only last 5-10 years may be a quick solution, but not a long term solution. Thinking down the line is crucial in the foodservice industry and investing in the right equipment will set your operations up for success for years to come.

Lakeside racks are made from a 14-gauge stainless steel frame and an “L” support to increase the stability of the cart and prevent accidents. The stainless steel base ensures superior strength and balance so your rack is sure to hold up to the task. The stainless steel construction also provides for easy cleaning and sanitizing which helps extend its lifespan.

Sanitation:

Ensuring your dishes remain mold free is crucial as food-safety is the number one priority when serving food to customers, patients, guests, students, or staff. Drying racks allow items to be spread out which reduces the risk of mold and bacteria growth. Wet nesting your trays or pans can lead to an unwanted surprise of mold the next time you use them. Lakeside drying racks help reduce the potential for mold with dividers on the rack as well as completely open construction. Some of our models have drain holes to help ensure faster draining while also reducing the possibility for mold build-up.

Posted on October 4, 2022October 6, 2022 by

From Foodservice to Showbiz: How a 311 Landed Behind the Curtain

From Foodservice to Showbiz: How a 311 Landed Behind the Curtain

“My Lakeside 311 is a little giant. The audio cart is now a fine-tuned, purpose-built monster” said Rachel Cameron, Location Sound Mixer with Figure Four Audio. Now you may be confused as to how a Lakeside 311 got into showbiz, and we were too. Lakeside had the pleasure of interviewing Cameron to get an insider look at the story behind her mobile audio cart and how she has been able to use this cart in her day-to-day work behind the curtain, in swamps and graveyards, and even on cattle ranches. Lakeside could not keep this story within the limits of our zoom call with Cameron, so come along as we share how Cameron was gifted her 311, how she got into the location sound industry, and how she has modified her cart to be the studio on wheels that it is today.

Cameron’s Background & The Industry:

Starting out studying at the University of South Florida in their Studio Film Making program, Cameron began her journey in the industry. After graduating she began working in the field and soon began working with National Geographic and started getting immersed in the documentary side of the industry and became specialized in this niche area of the market. Cameron has produced work for many major networks as a sound mixer including

Discovery Family Channels
ESPN
A&E
BBC
National Geographic Explorer
Disney
And many others

In the location sound industry, sound carts are crucial. Compared to Cameron’s modified 311, other professionals in the industry use a style that is more narrow and has little work space not allowing them to transport much. While there is somewhat of an industry standard to sound carts, Cameron shared that she loves “the Cadillac size of this cart” as it serves as her organizer, recording studio, office, and workspace.

How a 311 Ended up in the Audio Industry:

Working in the restaurant business for many years before entering the film industry, Cameron had seen many Lakeside carts in and around kitchens. She knew exactly what the cart was when it was offered to her while working as a medical video editor.

“I started putting this cart into action. We were going everywhere. We would be in a very nice house one day and the next day we would be out in a swamp.”

Cameron slowly began adding parts to her cart to allow it to function exactly as she needed it to. While her cart started out as a standard 311, you would not guess that by the looks of it today. She has since added a place to hold a boom pole, created a larger base for the cart, added clamps and arms to hold antennas for various devices, added beach wheels, and even attached headlights to guide her during night recordings.

“I never would have been able to do this if it were not for the beginning quality, the foundational quality, of this Lakeside cart. I felt confident knowing I could add whatever I wanted to this cart. It’s going to handle the weight, and it’s going to handle the weight under a beating.”

The Quality of Lakeside Carts

Cameron has been using this cart for over 20 years. It is her “Go to! For economy, durability, stability and strength in a small footprint, this model can’t be beat!” In the sound location business, organization is one of the most important aspects of the business because it’s changing so fast in front of the camera that if you don’t stay ahead of them they end up waiting and it can cost precious time. One of the main aspects Cameron raved on about her cart was the organization it provides in combination with its durability and maneuverability.

To this day, Cameron continues to use her Lakeside 311 to provide her clients with quality location sound with her many years of experience. Whether it’s foodservice or showbiz, Lakeside utility carts offer the workspace you need, the durability you want, and the maneuverability it takes to go wherever you are called. Do you have a unique story on how you are using a Lakeside cart? Let us know here!

“I really appreciate the quality of the Lakeside carts. To me that’s the only company and it’s a standard.” ~ Rachel Cameron

Posted on August 23, 2022October 7, 2022 by

Why Adjust-A-Fit® Plate Dispensers are the Ideal Solution

Lakeside’s Adjust-A-Fit® Plate Dispenser design allows operators to use a single plate dispensing unit for dinnerware that ranges in various shapes and sizes. There are several benefits to this. First, operators can use dinnerware from different China manufacturers or even the same manufacturer that might change or discontinue certain collections. Second, it can help facilitate menu diversity, even across different parts of the day. And third, adjustable plate dispensers can also help contribute to a more efficient operation. Essentially, accommodating a wide array of dinnerware options ensures the right match and versatility for any buffet.

Why Might An Adjust-A-Fit® Plate Dispenser Be the Right Solution for You?

Adjust-A-Fit® plate dispensers can set the tone for meal service, and though customers and diners may not notice the difference, it can play an important role for operators. Not all foodservice operations consistently use the same size dishes, as variations in menu items can require various plate sizes, as can different types of service such as going from breakfast to dinner. Sometimes chefs will create food options that may require plating in vessels with non-standard sizes. In all these cases, using a plate dispenser that can accommodate different sizes can be extremely helpful.

It is also not uncommon for a dish manufacturer to discontinue certain plate styles or collections and replace them with sizes that are slightly different from the originals. Sometimes another dinnerware manufacturer will offer a higher quality product that is more cost-efficient, creating a situation in which an operator may want to change manufacturers. The problem might be those dinnerware sizes are different than what was previously used. Again, this is where Adjust-A-Fit® can help.

Adjust-A-Fit® plate dispensers provide serving options that can accommodate multiple sizes of plates and bowls throughout the unit’s life. The dispensers are available in heated and non-heated styles and demonstrate the necessary flexibility to harbor solutions for virtually any china sizing issues that may arise. For instance, if the foodservice operator has not yet ordered China and does not know what the specific sizes will be, or if the service is to the type that requires frequent changes of styles or brands of China, the Adjust-A-Fit® plate dispenser can easily make the necessary changes for plate height and diameter without the use of tools.

The Right Plate Dispenser for Different Plate Sizes & Service Requirements

Adjust-A-Fit® plate dispensers are available in heated and non-heated styles. All models are easy to transport and make the task of dispensing plates less stressful for staff. Adjustable, detachable springs make dispensing easy, and no tools are required. They come with welded stainless steel cabinets with bottom corner bumpers that protect the outer cabinet and nearby doors and furniture. They come with the Easy-Glide® design that provides for smooth and quiet operations with its self-leveling mechanism, and a thermostatic control comes with a single stack heated design that provides temperatures between a minimum of 100 F (38 C) and 175 F (79 C) maximum temperature settings.

When it comes to a buffet and self-serve foodservice, or any other type of foodservice operation that uses china in varying sizes, there exists the perfect solution for any unique challenges that can present themselves during a given service event. Our Adjust-a-Fit® design allows for flexibility in your foodservice operations.

Adjust-A-Fit® Available for Mobile and Drop-In Dish Dispensers

Our Adjust-A-Fit® design is available in select models of both our Mobile Plate Dispensers and our Drop-In Plate Dispensers. Learn more about which type of plate dispenser would work best for you here. Whether you plan to keep your dish operations stationary with a counter drop-in dispenser or take your plates for a ride from location to location, the Adjust-A-Fit® design allows for the ultimate flexibility!

Posted on August 16, 2022October 10, 2022 by

Crack the Code to Finding Your Perfect Drop-In Plate Dispenser

Trying to determine which plate dispenser is right for you can be like a complex game of formulaic choices and solutions. Simply put, it’s like cracking a code, and achieving the overall goals of the operation can depend on a few simple questions and answers. The good news is we’re familiar with those decisions, and we’re happy to walk you through them here.

Let’s take a step-by-step review of selecting the proper plate dispenser.

To Heat or Not to Heat

The first part of the code is to consider the menu being served. Whether it’s a self-serve buffet or a staff-served meal, if part of that service will include heated, center-of-the-plate type options, a heated plate dispenser can help those foods maintain temperature and provide an overall better experience for diners. Serving on a heated plate is generally recommended if heated food is served.

On the other hand, if heated foods aren’t part of the equation or will be a less-frequent method of service, standard plate dispensers might work best, especially considering they can be the more economical option for operators.

Heated drop-in dish dispensers from Lakeside can accommodate different plate sizes and counters of varying heights. In addition, units are available to meet ADA height requirements.

Open or Shielded

When using a non-heated model, drop-in plate dispenser wells come in two options: open or shielded. Shielded models have a covering surrounding the stack of plates similar to the appearance of a heated model, while open units do not. The shielded models can offer greater protection for China and dinnerware when compared to the open models, but shielded models aren’t always a necessity for operators.

Like the heated models, both open and shielded non-heated units come with the ability to accommodate different plate sizes depending on the options selected. They can also fit both standard size counters, as well as ADA-compliant counter heights.

Pick Your Plates

As mentioned, both options come with the ability to accommodate different plate sizes – or not. For operators who know the exact plate and bowl dimensions that will be used, a regular plate dispenser might be the best option, especially if China will remain consistent throughout the lifespan of the service. For operations that wish to accommodate different sizes, though, or if China might frequently change, using an Adjust-A-Fit® unit from Lakeside is the way to go.

The final aspect to cracking the code for your drop-in plate dispenser is what shape your plates are that the dispenser will hold. We have options for circular, oval, and square plates so you’ll be sure to find one that fits your needs.

**Need more information on selecting your drop-in plate dispenser? Check out the options available from Lakeside.**

Posted on August 2, 2022October 10, 2022 by

The 3 Types of Mobile Plate Dispensers

When it comes to buffet and self-serve foodservice, it all begins with the plate. Whether it’s corporate dining or an all-you-can-eat restaurant, most self-serve consumers will be influenced by the size and storage temperature of dinnerware, and that’s why it’s important for operators to consider the different types of plate dispensers and the benefits that come with each.

In many types of operations, it’s also important to be able to move foodservice from one area of a property to another. As a result, considering a mobile plate dispenser could be the right option, so let’s dig into the different types of units and why one might work better over another.

Regular, Express-Heat or Convection: Which Plate Dispenser Is Right for You?

Understanding a few basic factors before selecting a plate dispenser is critical to choosing the right one. As we mentioned, it’s important to know where plates will be dispensed, as this could factor into whether a mobile dispenser is needed. Operators should also consider things like plate size and whether or not plates will be heated.

REGULAR PLATE DISPENSERS

Regular plate dispensers from Lakeside deliver heated or non-heated plate options with economical flexibility. Each unit can be modified to accommodate different dispensing levels without the use of any complicated tools, and a smart, durable design makes Lakeside’s regular plate dispensers suited for day-to-day use in a wide range of operations including hospitality, healthcare, corporate dining, and more. With Lake-Glide casters, units move across surfaces quietly and without sticking on surfaces.

EXPRESS HEAT™ PLATE DISPENSERS

Lakeside’s award-winning Express Heat plate dispensers use forced air to decrease the amount of time it takes to heat up a collection of plates while continuing to offer the classic Lakeside component of mobility for easy transport and plate distribution. With these units, plates are heated to 150ºF in about 90 minutes while still accommodating different dispensing levels with spring tension. Express Heat units are ideal for banquets and on-demand meals where less time is provided for set-up and the heating of plates.

CONVECTION PLATE DISPENSERS

For operations that require high-volume dispensing applications, the Convection Plate Dispenser is the ideal solution. Designed to evenly transfer heat to all plates within the cabinet, convection dispensers ensure faster, consistent, and efficient plate heating with a single control that operates two or three dispensers in a single cabinet. Self-leveling dispensers are self-lubricating for smooth, accident-free operation. With Lakeside’s convection options, it’s also possible to take advantage of Duo-Therm™ options to heat both plates and pellets within the same unit providing the ultimate in flexibility.

Looking for more information on plate dispensers to meet your unique challenges? Talk with an expert at Lakeside.

Posted on June 28, 2022August 3, 2022 by

Are Ghost Kitchens Here to Stay?

The foodservice industry has changed quite a bit in recent years. One of the more recent trends is the increasing popularity of ghost kitchens. Ghost kitchens existed in the food service industry before the COVID-19 pandemic, but they’ve taken on a life of their own since the early days of 2020, as many restaurants and foodservice operators adopted ghost kitchen models as they sought to adapt to the new realities of foodservice. Simply put, restaurants were forced to close dining rooms, and they needed new ways to get in front of their customers. The result was a drastic increase in off-premise dining, which speaks directly to the ghost kitchen model of foodservice.

Let’s start by discussing what a ghost kitchen is and how it operates.

What Exactly Is a Ghost Kitchen?

People may think of something spooky when they hear the term ghost kitchen, but it is quite ordinary. A ghost kitchen is an operation that doesn’t include a parking lot, dining room, or waiters. Simply put, a ghost kitchen is a restaurant that has essentially no public presence at all. It provides touchless ordering via an app or online menu, and meals are either delivered or picked up on location.

Ghost kitchens can be found in a variety of food delivery services. These services include DoorDash and GrubHub. Customers may see a restaurant listed on DoorDash or GrubHub that makes food in a ghost kitchen without even recognizing it. Ghost kitchens are quite important for food delivery services.

What Are the Benefits Of Ghost Kitchens?

Ghost kitchens provide a number of benefits. One of them is the fact that ghost kitchens have minimal overhead costs. Whoever runs the ghost kitchen doesn’t have to worry about front-of-house expenses since those expenses don’t exist for a ghost kitchen.

Additionally, ghost kitchens allow owners to operate without customizing the building for the convenience of dine-in customers or hiring servers. Also, a ghost kitchen provides the possibility of outsourcing delivery to services such as GrubHub and DoorDash. It is important to realize that one has to pay commission fees in order to outsource delivery to these services.

Another benefit of ghost kitchens is that they are quite flexible. One can quickly adapt them due to customer demand and new market trends. Everything about the ghost kitchen is online and one can alter it quickly across every platform they use. This provides those who run ghost kitchens with more leeway to test different approaches during the beginning stages of the business. After all, if one approach fails, it is fairly simple to pivot to another approach and go from there.

Will Ghost Kitchens Remain in the Foodservice Industry in the Long Term?

The easy answer is, yes. Given how the foodservice industry has changed in recent years, it seems likely that ghost kitchens are here to stay. They provide a variety of benefits compared to traditional food preparation operations. They can save a restaurant money it would have spent on overhead costs. With all this being said, one would expect that ghost kitchens will remain a part of the foodservice industry moving forward.

New Equipment Helps With Ghost Kitchen Operations

Another reason why ghost kitchens sprang up is to meet off-premise demand. New equipment can make ghost kitchen operations easier. Carryout food carts and curbside food carts are two examples of such new equipment.

These carts are durable and include all-swivel casters so that they are easy to move. Additionally, these carts make sanitation and cleaning easier, since their construction makes it easy to clean and sanitize them. Carryout food carts and curbside food carts also include an all-weather cover to protect them from the elements.

Posted on June 7, 2022August 3, 2022 by

How Meal Delivery Presentation Impacts Your Bottom Line

Here’s a little puzzle: What part of the body does a person first use to eat? The answer might not be obvious at first, but people first eat with their eyes. Whether that’s in a fine dining restaurant when a plate is placed in front of the guest or when people are at home enjoying the convenience of delivery, presentation that appeals to the eyes by being attractive is an essential part of customer satisfaction and operator revenue. Presentation draws people to food and entices them to select it.

Defining Meal Delivery Presentation

More specifically, the way the food is arranged, the photographs and designs that are on the package, the color and shape of the food, and so much more — all those elements definitely are part of meal delivery presentation. Just as importantly, the cart or other equipment and supplies on which food is served also contribute to happier customers and more successful operators.

There are some key reasons why food presentation and appearance are so important. For one, when food is attractive, it communicates the message that the restaurant or operation offers quality. Also, meal delivery presentation influences what food customers select. People gravitate toward food choices that are pleasing to the eyes. In addition, presentation enhances customer perception of the food they are getting. Ultimately, all of those affect the bottom line as a result of increased sales.

Meal Delivery Carts

Meal delivery carts can be the perfect solution for successful meal delivery, while at the same time matching the preferred aesthetic. That includes unique colors, designs, and configurations. Various carts from Lakeside are available for hospital room service, steam tables, tray delivery carts, tray starter stations, and curbside & carry out. Those carts provide a great way to conveniently and stylishly deliver many types of food and beverages. Even better, Lakeside’s units are sturdy, fast, efficient, and quiet.

Many Foodservice Environments

Lakeside’s team understands and serves all types of foodservice environments, including K-12, colleges and universities, B&I, healthcare, hospitals, assisted living communities, nursing homes, rehabilitation homes, and more. The company helps by providing innovative, sustainable, and efficient food service equipment combined with extensive online resources to ultimately help enhance customers’ experiences and so much more.

For any business, the goal is to boost the bottom line. There’s no doubt about the fact that meal delivery presentation increases sales and improves the bottom line. With so many appealing choices available when it comes to meal delivery carts, there is a smart solution to meet any meal delivery presentation need. The challenge is narrowing down from all those excellent options and choosing the perfect configuration.