Hygiene focus: Temporary solution can bring permanent benefits

More pubs than ever are considering kitchen refurbishments at the moment, as food sales become more important to trade.

For many businesses, shutting down during a refurb simply isn't an option, particularly if the competition will be targeting your customers while you're closed.

A temporary kitchen may be the answer to tide you over, ensuring that both food quality and food hygiene standards are maintained.

CKS (Container Kitchen Systems) is one of the UK's leading suppliers of temporary catering facilities and the company reckons some pubs are missing a trick - the temporary kitchen could be a blueprint for the new kitchen.

Mark Kingston of CKS says: "Most caterers naturally choose equipment that they are used to for their temporary unit, which makes good sense if you're going to go back to more or less the same kitchen.

"But not if you're refurbishing extensively or building a new kitchen. In that case, we recommend customers consider duplicating their new kitchen in the temporary unit, not their old one. That way, the eventual change over to the new kitchen is easier and causes less disturbance."

CKS can plan the temporary kitchen with pretty much whatever type of equipment is wanted, so it's rarely a problem to duplicate the kit that will be in the new kitchen. "It becomes a blueprint for staff to train with, and also get the used to new hygiene and food safety h. The opening of the new kitchen is bound to be a big event; planning it this way allows chefs to get used to the new ovens, combis and so on in advance, when there's less pressure."

There are a wide range of models in the standard CKS range, such as a variety of production kitchens, prep kitchens and dishwasher units, as well as storage rooms, including refrigerated and freezer coldrooms. So whatever your refurbished kitchen will feature, CKS should be able to mimic it.

In addition, the company offers units designed for food service or self-service, dining areas and washroom facilities. All units comply with, or exceed, food and hygiene regulation requirements.

For more information call 0845 812 0800 or visit www.cksltd.co.uk.