Outside Catering for Restaurants: Expand with Hire Equipment

Expo Hire helps UK restaurants expand their services by providing reliable event equipment hire for outside catering. Venturing into private parties and corporate events can be a profitable move, but sourcing the right kitchen equipment for off-site locations presents a significant logistical challenge. Hiring equipment from Expo Hire removes this obstacle.

Building a Mobile Commercial Kitchen

Running a successful outside catering operation means replicating the functionality of a fixed commercial kitchen in a venue that may have no existing infrastructure. The specific equipment you need will depend on your menu and the number of guests you plan to serve. However, most outside catering setups require a combination of cooking equipment, preparation surfaces, handwash facilities, and hot holding equipment.

Expo Hire offers an extensive range of both LPG and electrical catering equipment to meet each of these requirements.

Essential Cooking Equipment for Events

Our cooking equipment range for outside catering includes:

• Ovens: Blue Seal Turbofan convection ovens provide high-volume hot food service. These ovens offer consistent temperature control, crucial for dishes requiring precise cooking times.
• Fryers: Thor single and double basket fryers are ideal for producing large quantities of chips, seafood, and fried starters quickly. A double basket fryer can significantly increase your output per hour.
• Griddles and Hot Plates: Flat-top cooking surfaces are perfect for burgers, bacon, and breakfast items at large outdoor events. Their large surface area allows for simultaneous cooking of multiple items.
• Induction Hobs: Electric induction units are a safe choice for use under marquee canopies and at venues with gas restrictions. They offer rapid heating and precise temperature control.
• Chafing Dishes and Bain Maries: These are vital for holding hot food at the correct service temperature across buffet and banqueting services, maintaining food quality and safety throughout the event.
• BBQ Hire: Cinders commercial barbecues are robust units suitable for outdoor events, product launches, and large private parties. They offer a distinct flavour profile for grilled items.

LPG equipment is supplied with the correct hose and regulator for standard bayonet fittings on your gas cylinders. Gas Safe engineer certification is available on request for your peace of mind.

Preparation and Hygiene Equipment for Food Safety

Maintaining the same high food hygiene standards as a fixed kitchen is paramount for off-site events. Our hire range covers the practical requirements to ensure compliance:

• Preparation Tables: Stainless steel work surfaces provide a hygienic and durable area for all your food preparation tasks. We offer various sizes to suit your space.
• Hand Wash Units: Self-contained units with a water supply are essential for compliance at outdoor events, allowing staff to maintain hand hygiene effectively.
• Sinks: Single and double bowl sinks are available for washing and rinsing utensils, ingredients, and equipment, ensuring cleanliness throughout the event.

Refrigeration and Chilling for Ingredient Safety

Keeping ingredients at safe temperatures during outdoor events is non-negotiable. Our cold equipment range includes counter-top refrigerators, under-counter fridges, and cool boxes suitable for event use. For large outside catering operations, we can supply multiple units to maintain food safety across all temperature-sensitive ingredients.

When ordering refrigeration equipment alongside your cooking equipment, confirm the power requirements at the venue in advance. LPG cooking equipment can be used without a mains power supply, but refrigeration units will require access to electricity. We can advise on the power draw of each unit to help you plan your generator needs.

Planning Your Outside Catering Equipment Hire

To ensure a smooth operation, consider the following when planning your equipment hire:

• Menu Analysis: Break down your menu item by item to identify the specific cooking, holding, and preparation equipment needed for each dish.
• Guest Numbers: Accurately estimate the number of guests to determine the capacity and quantity of equipment required. For example, a 100-guest buffet will need more chafing dishes than a 50-guest event.
• Venue Assessment: Understand the power and water availability at the venue. This will dictate whether you can use electrical equipment or if LPG is a necessity, and if you need to hire water storage solutions.
• Space Constraints: Measure the available space for your kitchen setup. We offer a range of equipment sizes to fit different footprints.

By partnering with Expo Hire, you gain access to a comprehensive inventory of professional catering equipment, allowing you to confidently expand your restaurant's reach into the lucrative outside catering market. We deliver reliable, high-quality equipment, enabling you to focus on delivering exceptional food and service to your clients.