Types of kitchens Flashcards
What is a centralized kitchen?
A kitchen where meals are prepared and plated in a central location before distribution.
List advantages of centralized kitchens.
Reduced food waste, better portion control, batch cooking efficiency, and improved menu variety.
Name one disadvantage of centralized kitchens.
Increased pressure on staff during meal periods due to centralized service.
What is a decentralized kitchen?
Food is prepared in a central location but transported to satellite locations for assembly and service.
What are the benefits of decentralized kitchens?
Fresher food, flexibility for individual needs, and improved employee motivation.
Describe a semi-centralized kitchen.
Food is plated centrally, transported to satellite kitchens, and reheated before service.
What equipment is essential for decentralized kitchens?
Heated/chilled trolleys, insulated containers, and temperature monitoring devices.
What is the key feature of a centralised kitchen in food service?
Assembling plates or trays of food in a central area close to the production facility.
Why is standardisation of portions an advantage in centralised kitchens?
It ensures consistent meal quantities, uniform presentation, and reduced waste.
Centralised kitchens eliminate ___ by assembling food in one area, which helps maintain quality and reduce contamination risks.
Double handling
A disadvantage of centralised kitchens is ___, which can lead to logistical challenges and disruptions.
Staggered meal hours.
Centralised kitchens are like factories on a conveyor belt. Why does this comparison work?
Because they produce meals in a standardised and efficient manner, reducing waste and ensuring uniform quality.
A hospital struggles with meals arriving cold and unappealing due to long distances between the kitchen and wards. What disadvantage of centralised kitchens does this highlight?
The impact of physical ward location on meal aesthetics and temperature.
Imagine a kitchen workflow with batch cooking, portion control, and insulated trolleys. What type of kitchen does this describe?
Centralised kitchen.
List the steps involved in plating and transporting food in a centralised kitchen.
Assemble meals → Use insulated plates/trays → Transport in heated/refrigerated trolleys → Deliver to wards.
What is a decentralised kitchen?
Food is prepared centrally, then transported in bulk to satellite locations for assembly and distribution.
How does a decentralised kitchen enhance flexibility for dietary needs?
By accommodating last-minute substitutions and individual preferences at satellite locations.
In decentralised kitchens, ___ food is transported in trolleys or containers to satellite locations for service.
Bulk.
A disadvantage of decentralised kitchens is the risk of ___ due to uncertainties in demand or handling during transport.
Food wastage.
Decentralised kitchens are like catering events. Why?
They transport bulk-prepared food to serve smaller groups closer to the consumer.
A corporate office cafeteria prepares meals in a central kitchen but serves them fresh in various satellite locations. What type of kitchen system is being used?
Decentralised kitchen.
Picture bulk food being stored in insulated containers, transported in heated trolleys, and served at multiple sites. What does this represent?
Decentralised kitchen system.
What are the steps in food transportation for decentralised kitchens?
Prepare food in central kitchen → Store in insulated containers → Transport to satellite locations → Serve fresh.
What is a semi-centralised kitchen?
Food is plated centrally and distributed to satellite kitchens for reheating and service.
Why are specialised trolleys essential in a semi-centralised kitchen system?
They ensure food stays at safe temperatures during transportation.
Semi-centralised kitchens are commonly used in large-scale operations such as ___.
Hospitals, schools, and military facilities.
Central tray settings in semi-centralised kitchens include a ___ with main, side, and dessert.
Complete meal.
Semi-centralised kitchens are like food delivery services. Why?
They prepare and portion food centrally, then transport it for reheating closer to the consumer.
A military base serves meals reheated in nearby satellite kitchens after being plated at a central facility. What kitchen system does this describe?
Semi-centralised kitchen.
Imagine a tray containing a full meal, transported in an insulated trolley, and reheated before serving. What kitchen system is this?
Semi-centralised kitchen.
Outline the steps in a semi-centralised kitchen.
Prep & portion centrally → Plate meals → Transport to satellite locations → Reheat & serve.
