Many small shops in the catering business got their start in the home, or in a shared commissary kitchen. First jobs were small parties for friends… and then the small jobs turned into bigger and bigger ones.
At a certain point in every catering company’s growth, it’s time to reassess your catering equipment. We’re not talking about chafing dishes and induction cooktops, but rather the commercial kitchen appliances that do the heavy lifting behind the scenes.
If you’re looking for ways to make your operations more efficient by increasing batch sizes, speeding prep time, and cutting food waste, Hamilton Beach Commercial equipment can make it happen.
BigRig™ family of immersion blenders
An immersion blender is a crucial piece of kitchen equipment for any catering business. But if you’re using a regular household model, you’re missing out.
True to their name, BigRig™ immersion blenders are big, with interchangeable shafts up to 21”/ 53 cm. They’re strong, too, with a 1-Hp motor that’s the most powerful in its class. “Shockingly powerful,” one buyer recently wrote in a 5-star review. “This thing is a beast.”
For all that power, BigRig™ blenders are also shockingly easy to use. The ergonomic handle can be held with two hands in multiple positions. The trigger control reduces fatigue. And the ThumbDrive™ variable speed dial enables precise adjustment.
Why do catering businesses need a BigRig™ blender? In a word: Volume. The largest BigRig™ model has a blending capacity of up to 42 gallons/159 L. That’s approximately 672 8oz servings of soup or 1,344 4 oz servings of marinara. That’s enough sauce or salsa for thousands of guests.
It also gives you versatility. The shafts (sold separately) range from 12” to 21” (30.5 cm to 53 cm) to blend batches big and small. They’re interchangeable and dishwasher-safe. The new HMI009, with a 9” (23 cm) shaft, is petite and portable, allowing you to chop, blend, emulsify and purée a la minute.
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PrimaVac™ line of vacuum packaging machines
There are a few challenges that catering pros constantly grapple with, including:
- How can I prevent over portioning?
- How can I make a serious dent in losses from food waste?
- How can I handle last-minute changes in diner headcount?
- How can I cut food expenses?
- How do I accommodate allergies and prevent cross-contamination?
- How can I ensure food safety?
A single piece of commercial kitchen equipment can help solve all these catering challenges: an in-chamber vacuum sealer.
The PrimaVac™ line of vacuum packaging machines removes 99.9% of air from an internal chamber, then securely seals food in a pouch. Unlike suction vacuum sealers, which suck air out of the side of the pouch and can only seal dry ingredients, a chamber vacuum packaging machine can seal liquids, marinades and moist foods as well.
In a catering business, a commercial vacuum sealer can be used to preserve flavors, prevent contamination, speed prep work, and ensure accurate portions. Add the AcuVide™ 1000 immersion circulator, and you can cook meals sous vide as well.
Let’s say you’re catering a plated banquet for 120 people. The menu is simple: soy-ginger chicken with stir-fried vegetables and rice. Except that 15 guests are vegetarian, 5 are gluten-free, two more are both… and 10 guests decline at the last minute.
PrimaVacTM can take away your stress by allowing your team to prep with confidence. They can measure each protein portion and seal it in a pouch with the marinade. The GF and vegetarian servings are individually sealed as well and labeled to avoid mix-ups. These portions can be precisely cooked sous-vide, prepared another way, or frozen for future use.
One note: it’s essential to follow food safety guidelines and train kitchen staff in safe handling practices when you’re working with vacuum-sealed food, to avoid the growth of anaerobic bacteria. Check the food handling regulations in your area to confirm your operation's compliance.
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Hamilton Beach Commercial 90-Cup Rice Cooker/Warmer
The extra-large capacity Hamilton Beach Commercial rice cooker is an essential piece of catering kitchen equipment, because of it's for more than just plain rice. Make other rice varieties and flavors, such as Spanish rice, dirty rice, and other seasoned rice dishes. Plus, you can make macaroni and cheese without babysitting it (yes, you can make it right in the rice cooker!)
One of the best things about a commercial rice cooker is that it doesn’t need attention. It automatically shifts to “keep warm” mode after cooking, so your kitchen team doesn’t have to give it a second thought. It can hold food at temperature, or switch to “heat/simmer” mode to keep food hot without boiling over for up to 4 hours.
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Why choose Hamilton Beach Commercial for your catering business? Because our kitchen equipment works as hard as you do. Every product is powerful, intuitive, and built with the legendary durability we’re known for.
Browse our full line of commercial foodservice equipment solutions.
