Kitchen design is instrumental in club and resort á la carte kitchens. Proper flow creates maximum efficiency. Having the right kind of equipment in place lends to kitchens that can accommodate the ebb and flow of efficient dining operations.
In country clubs and resorts, á la carte kitchens typically service member-dining areas that offer extensive menu items intended for quick service. Member dining areas may service golfers looking for a quick lunch before their tee time or after they’ve played 18-holes and are rushing off to pick up their children. Ditto for casual dining spaces geared toward the whole family. In some clubs, this kitchen also services a more formal dining space. And in many clubs, this one kitchen serves all three (and maybe more).
Menus generally include several different salad choices, burgers and sandwiches, simple steak and fish entrees, and pasta choices. The “line”—or the stations in a kitchen where the cooking is done—is set up with various pieces of equipment. Each piece of equipment dictates a station on the line.
The sauté station is the station in which all or components of steak and fish entrees are executed. Additionally, the sauté station will also be responsible for all pasta choices as well as certain types of proteins to complement salad items.
The sauté station will consist of a multiple-burner gas range capable of executing multiple dishes simultaneously and quickly. The sauté station will also have its own refrigerated tabletop prep area that will include refrigeration below for additional prep items.
Usually in close proximity to the sauté station is the grill station. The grill station will consist of a char-broiler and/or a flat top grill. Main proteins and burgers are the most typical items that come out of this station. The charbroiler and/or the flattop grill will also have its own dedicated refrigeration unit for storing steaks, chops, fish fillets, and burgers.
A steam table is also a standard piece of equipment in á la carte kitchens. The steam table is used to hold daily soups and sauces hot for quick pick up.
Deep fryers are also standard in á la carte kitchens. Having multiple deep fryers is ideal for high volume á la carte kitchens. The fry station is responsible for many side items, children’s menu items, and finishing components to entrée items. Placed adjacent to the fry station is a dedicated freezer unit to properly store convenience items like chicken tenders and french fries.
Heat lamps complete the hotline set up. Either hanging heat lamps or pick-up windows with built-in heat sources are needed to keep finished plates hot until they are picked up for service.
Multiple sandwich prep tables and coolers make up the pantry station. Tabletop refrigeration will have ample storage space for back up produce. The tabletop cooler unit will house multiple pans of freshly prepared produce items for quick pick up of salads, appetizers, sandwiches, and even desserts in many operations.
