In order to preserve the quality of your food and keep product safe, it is critical that proper food storage guidelines are followed. Keeping storage areas clean and rotating stock are important food safety musts. Different guidelines apply for storage of refrigerated, frozen, and dry food. Labeling products is a food storage process necessary to ensure proper quality and safety of food.

Products that require time and temperature control in order to ensure safety (TCS products), should be labeled if they are more than 24 hours old. The name of these prepared, ready -to-eat  foods and the date the food should be thrown out should be clearly noted on the label. This food should be stored at 41 degrees F or lower for no more than 7 days. Bacteria can grow to unsafe levels after a week, so food must be thrown out once it has been stored for this long. If using products previously cooked, such as ground beef in spaghetti sauce, the sauce should be labeled with the expiration date of the previously cooked food- in this case, the ground beef.

A common term used in restaurants is FIFO, which is an acronym for first in, first out. Just like with serving prepared meals to customers in the dining room in the order they are prepared, FIFO is also a critical practice used when storing food. Food must be rotated on shelves by expiration date with the oldest product in front. When new products are stored, they should be placed in the very back of the shelf. Older products in the front on the shelf should always be used first. Making a schedule to throw out expired foods is a great practice, and after food is thrown out, the containers should be cleaned and sanitized.

Maintain proper storage temperatures when storing food. Checking temperatures of stored foods at the beginning of a shift is a good way to ensure proper food temperatures. Be sure that food is stored only in food containers that are durable, leak proof, and can be sealed or covered. Never use chemical containers for food or vice versa. Food, linens and single use items should be stored 6 inches above floor and away from walls.

All storage areas should be kept cleaned and sanitized. This includes floors, walls, shelving, carts, and trays. Containers should be regularly washed and sanitized. Dirty linens should be stored in clean, washable containers. This will help to prevent contamination of food.

The following products discussed in this post are available at US Foods Culinary Equipment & Supplies:

• Food Safety Labels
• Food Containers
• Shelving

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food safety is a critical issue and causes unneccesary costs each year to foodservice operations. Foodborne illnesses cost our country billions of dollars a year and many are preventable. According to the National Restaurant Association, one outbreak of a foodborne-illness can result in thousands of dollars in cost to foodservice operations and can result in their business being closed down.

We will be offering two food safety tips each month, and we're starting this week. Today is just a preview, a sample of posts to come, including two later this week. In each ensuing month, we will offer two new food safety tips or informational pieces during that time frame. As you will see, food safety covers a variety of topics, and the more you know about food safety, the better off both your establishment and your customers will be! We'll also be showcasing products that we can offer to assist you in your food safety efforts.

 

This week we will be discussing food rotation and safety labeling. Next month, our posts will include food storage guidelines, and safe cooking temperature information. Future posts will cover such topics as major food allergens and proper handwashing, cleaning and sanitizing guidelines. As always, we at U S Foods Culinary Equipment & Supplies would love for you to share your stories and comments with us, so if you can better help us to illustrate the importance of this information, please do share!

 

At US Foods Culinary Equipment & Supplies we have assembled a group of products that we feel are essential to the success of foodservice operations. We created this group late last year, and are pleased to announce that we have currently doubled the amount of products in this group. These products will be available to be delivered to US Foods customers with their food orders, as all US Foods locations will now stock these equipment and supply core essentials! You can also order these great products online and expect to recieve them in 3 to 4 business days, as they are also stocked in our four nationwide restaurant supply warehouses.

When considering the purchase of a grill, many things need to be considered. Crown Verity is a major manufacturer of outdoor grills, and they have provided some useful tips to consider before making a grill purchase. Once you have read this and done your homework, you can purchase your new Crown Verity grill at US Foods Culinary Equipment & Supplies!

Things To Consider When Purchasing a Grill

 1) What type of material is the unit made of? Is it stainless steel, painted metal, etc. Depending on where you are located and the type of environment the grill is going to be placed in will be a determining factor on what type of material the grill should be made of to withstand the environment it is going to be placed in. Any grill placed near salt water, or in an area exposed to wetness, should be stainless steel.

 2) Does the unit come assembled or is assembly required? If the unit is not assembled it will cost additional time and money (if you are paying someone to assemble it) to assemble the grill and that should be taken into consideration when considering what grill to buy. Grills that require assembly are seldom, if ever, as durable as a grill that comes assembled. Grills that arrive assembled are put together at the factory by factory trained technicians who use the proper equipment and tools to assemble the unit correctly.

 

3) What type of warranty does the unit have and what does it cover? Many warranties are a limited warranty that work on a prorated basis. The longer you own the grill the less the warranty is worth when it comes time to replace something that has worn out. Warranties typically are one year or less and normally only cover the body of the grill and not parts like the cooking grids, burners, wheels, or igniter. Premium companies like Crown Verity offer a 10 warranty on its cooking grids and burners, which is not prorated, because of the stainless steel materials they use and the confidence they have in their product. These are two parts of a grill that many times are not covered by the manufacturers warranty at all as they know they will fail rather quickly.

 4) Can I get parts for the grill if needed and how much will they cost? Many of the cheaper grills on the market that sell for less than $300 are basically made of consumable parts. The cooking grids, burners, igniters, and gas valves will need to be replaced at usually within a few years of being purchased depending on how often the grill is used. When it comes time to replace these parts they are often difficult, or impossible, to locate so the unit ends up being disposed of as it is no longer useful. Better made grills by reputable manufacturers that use stainless steel in the body of the unit and the interior and exterior components will last indefinitely. Higher end products that are sold by companies like Barbecues.com also offer parts for their units that are sold on their web site.

 5) How is the grill going to be used? If you plan on doing a lot of entertaining and would like to use your grill for more than just grilling consider a grill that can also be used as a griddle or steam pan holder. Consider adding side burners or side shelves if you need some extra space to work. Good rule of thumb is one foot (144 square inches) of grill space for every 4-5 people you are cooking for.

6) How easy is the grill to clean? This is often an overlooked aspect of purchasing a grill. Whether the grill is gas or charcoal will it be easy to clean? Does the grill have a grease pan or better yet a water pan? If the grill does not have a water pan the grease is going to end up in the bottom of your grill making a difficult mess to clean up. Crown Verity makes all of their gas grills with water pans in the bottom of the units. Fill the water pan up with water and when drippings from the cooking grid fall to the bottom of the grill they end up in water. When filled with water the pans prevent grease fires from occurring and make clean up a snap as all the grease is suspended in water. The pans even have a drain so the water can be drained out prior to removal to ease handling.

 7) Will the grill be built-in? If the grill is going to be built-in to an outdoor kitchen consider if it can be easily removed for cleaning and maintenance. Make sure it has a grease tray, or better yet water pan, that can be easily removed from the front of the unit. Many homeowners are building very nice cooking areas in the backyard of their homes. As these cooking areas are very nice they are not transportable, when it comes time to move all of your hard work stays with the house. An option to the built in outdoor kitchen is a transportable cooking area. Companies like Barbeques.com offer a variety of transportable grills and a number of transportable kitchens that allow the homeowner to have a beautiful outdoor kitchen and the ability to take it with them when they leave. Check out Crown Verity's new Cooking Island that is featured on their web site. It includes a built-in grill, refrigerator, and a granite counter top all built into a transportable wood cabinet.

 8) Options/Accessories. When making a grill purchase it is important to consider additional options and accessories you may want for your grill. Does the manufacturer offer the things you are looking for like a rotisserie, bun rack, side burner, side shelves, griddle adapter, steam pan adapter, outdoor cover, and maybe a smoker box. If you decide to purchase any of these items at a later time are they easy to put on the grill and are they readily available? Searching on the dealers web site or the manufacturers web site is an effective way to determine if they have what you are looking for. With an email or phone call to the dealer and/or the manufacturer you can usually have answers to your questions very quickly. This is also a good way to determine what kind of service you would most likely receive from the dealer and the manufacturer if you purchased your grill from them.

 

9) Cooking performance. Many grills look nice but perform poorly. Depending on the size of the grill it is important to check to see what the BTU rating of the grill is. A BTU (British Thermal Unit) is a measure used by the gas association to measure gas products. A BTU is the amount of heat it will take to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. A good rule of thumb is for every 12" x 12" (144 square inches) of grilling space there should be approximately 20,000 BTU's. Grills that are properly designed will have a very even bed of heat on the cooking surface. Grills that are not properly designed will have varying beds of heat on the cooking surface. Better designed grills use straight burners that run front to back in the unit, are evenly spaced, and have separate gas controls for each burner.

 

 10) Is the unit transportable? If your grill may be used in various areas of your yard, transported to sporting events, or wheeled around the neighborhood it is important to consider if the grill you are looking at is truly transportable. Does the unit have handles on it for lifting? Does the unit have wheels that are large enough to allow it to roll over grass? If lifted does the unit come apart in sections or can it be handled completely assembled? For gas units does the gas tank(S) attach to the unit?

 

 

At US Foods Culinary Equipment & Supplies, we recognize the importance of restaurants and foodservice operations having ample supplies on hand to facilitate their volume of business. Glassware is an important component of these supplies; they need to be aesthetic, functional and durable.With the Libbey Duratuff glassware line, you get all three.

Libbey Glassware is recognized worldwide as a leading manufacturer of commercial glassware. Their Duratuff glassware has super strength, and comes in a variety of patterns, including Gibraltar, Winchester, Everest, and Inverness. Many different styles of glasses are available in each pattern, and all of the Libbey glassware we offer is stocked in our four distribution centers, located nationwide.

In stock, Libbey glassware from US Foods CES is available to ship by the next business day, and generally arrives within 3 to 4 business days at your doorstep. Choose from thousands of choices featured in our online glassware section.

For more information on why you should choose Libbey Duratuff as your glassware choice, click here to watch video.

 

 

 

Spring is officially right around the corner, and now is the time to check out the great savings at US Foods Culinary Equipment & Supplies! Our Spring Sale showcases a variety of foodservice equipment and supply products, and many are available wiith sale pricing.

 

We are featuring equipment such as Superior private label convection ovens, and supplies that include an assortment of smallwares supplies. Choose from thermometers, food storage containers,and disposable plastic drinkware for your catering needs. Save now on steam table pans and turners for the griddle.

Outdoor furniture is showcased during our Spring Sale, which runs through April 7. Order now so that your patio can be outfitted with the outdoor furniture collection that's just right for your establishment!

 

 

As we move into the second week of March, we'd like to announce that the US Foods Culinary Equipment & Supplies monthly Super Deals are now on display on our website. Each month we showcase every day products, marked down to save you money! These products are handy tools necessary in the day-to-day operations of foodservice establishments.

This month, you can choose from flatware products, kitchen and food prep smallwares, and bar supplies. Featured products include pocket digital thermometers and probe wipes, cheesecloth, and bar towels. Since these products are currently available at discounted prices, now is the time to buy! In stock and ready to ship, these products should arrive 4-5 business days after ordering.

You can also take advantage on our current free shipping offer. If your order totals over $50 of in-stock items, you will receive free standard shipping. So, stock up on Super Deals, spend $50 and save on the cost of the products and the shipping! You can't beat that!

 

 

Great news for pizza lovers! Due to the competetive nature of the pizza industry with all of the choices consumers have to choose from, it is reported that pizza prices may only increase between 2 and 3 percent this year! There are few consumers that can say that pizza is not a staple or occasional visitor in their diet, so this is really good to hear. Of course, if prices were to go down, this would be even better, but what's the likelihood of that these days?

According to an online article on Nation's Restaurant News (NRN) website by Paul Frumkin, "Pizza Operators Aim to Minimize Price Hikes". His article is based on results of a report published by market research firm Mintel. To read more, click here.

 

At US Foods Culinary Equipment & Supplies, we offer pizza equipment and pizza supplies. We offer countertop frozen pizza ovens, and full bake pizza ovens to accomodate all volumes of pizza business. Supplies include a large selection of pizza pans, pizza screens, delivery bags,and pizza tools such as pizza knives. So if you're look for anything associated with pizza, look no further!

 

 

The 330M Heritage Prosciutto Slicer manufactured by Berkel, now available at US Foods Culinary Equipment & Supplies, is your answer to your custom slicing needs. This powerful piece of equipment is great for those specialty jobs such as slicing tissue-thin prosciutto. Hot or cold meats and cheeses can be sliced with consistency up to 3/16" thickness.

 

An optional stand with casters (3888419) is also available to accomodate this slicer. These ship directly from Berkel and generally take no more than 3 weeks to receive shipment. Be sure to check out our website for all of your food prep and foodservice equipment and supply needs.

 

 

View the video below for a demonstration and more details of the Berkel 330M (3888864).

 

At US Foods Culinary Equipment and Supplies, we offer many choices in our foodservice equipment and supplies collection. Different equipment works best for different operators, so it is important to establish what your needs in the kitchen are, and then purchase the right equipment to do the job properly for you. When it comes to food processing, make the right choice when you purchase slicers.

When purchasing a slicer, consider what foods you are slicing, and in what quantities. Slicing harder cheeses requires a higher horsepower model. The size of the blade is important as well. A 12" full-size blade will get most slicing jobs done properly; smaller blades on compact slicers can be used for infrequent slicing jobs.

 

Fully automatic slicers have carriages that are motorized, automating the process of moving the food over the blade. Meat portions can be automatically measured and sliced on advanced models. Other features available on high-end slicers are automatic indexing carriages that are great for thinly slicing meat, and computerized controls to customize slicing shapes and sizes.

 

Safety and sanitation are also critical considerations when purchasing a new slicer. Select a slicer that can be taken apart easily so that parts can be cleaned. Safety features such as ring guards mounted around the blade help prevent accidents that could be disasterous!

Be sure to visit our slicer pages online, and choose from the many different slicers we have available. 

We now have Superior private label sandwich grills available exclusively at US Foods Culinary Equipment & Supplies! These high quality commercial grills are available in both 10" x 10", and 14" x 14" sizes, with either a smooth or grooved surface for grilling. These grills are stocked in our 4 nationwide distribution centers, and are ready to ship out within one business day after order is placed.

Some of the features of the Superior Sandwich Grills include:

• Stainless Steel Construction
• Heavy Duty Cast Iron Griddle Platens
• Removable Drip Tray
• Easy lift, durable adjustable tension hinge system
• Temperature settings of 150 to 570 degrees F
• UL, Certified to NSF Standard 4
• Exclusive two year repair/replace warranty

 

So, it's time to start thinking of warmer weather, and all the great sandwiches you can make with these quality restaurant equipment products. Spice up your menu with quesadillas, burritos, and paninis. You can make these easily and affordably with these great new Superior Sandwich Grills, now available exclusively at US Foods Culinary Equipment & Supplies!

 

US Foods Culinary Equipment & Supplies offers over 12,000 products sitewide, many of which are stocked in our four restaurant supply warehouses located nationwide. Orders for in-stock products are usually shipped out within one business day, arriving at your establishment generally in 3 to 5 business days. We offer many lines of professional commercial cutlery from such industry leading cutlery manufacturers as Dexter-Russell and Wusthof.

 

One product line manufactured by the United States' largest manufacturer of professional cutlery Dexter-Russell, is the i-cut line. We are pleased to be able to offer 18 different products in the i-cut line. These products are in-stock and ready to ship. The i-cut series has a clean, modern look that appeals to many chefs. Comfort and control are key qualities of the stain-free high carbon forged knives.

 

Choose from our extensive selection of cutlery and other kitchen and food prep products. We have cutting boards, worktables, sandwich prep units, and much more to outfit your kitchen. The i-cut would be a great addition to your set of culinary creation tools.

 

 

 

An article on the Nation's Restaurant News (NRN) website details some of the key points that came out of the 52nd annual International Franchise Association (IFA) convention that took place in Orlando, Florida earlier this month. Mark Brandau writes in his February 14 article entitled "Operators face challenges in 2012", that franchise operators need to "adapt to remain competetive in a challenging business environment where consumer confidence has yet to fully rebound to levels seen before the economy fell into recession". Adaptation and flexibility are key to staying afloat in these trying economic times.

One key point raised in the article was the necessity for operators to communicate better with their local legislators about laws that are detrimental to business growth. The need to find better access to obtaining capital was also discussed. To read more about the IFA Convention takeaways, click here.

READ FULL ARTICLE

image courtesy of: http://www.franchise.org/convention.aspx

US Foods Culinary Equipment & Supplies wants to support the growth and prosperity of all types of foodservice establishments, including franchises. With more than half of our over 12,000 products sitewide stocked in our four national restaurant supply warehouses, we offer a great selection and fast shipping times.

 

US Foods Culinary Equipment & Supplies is now featuring an exciting new line of glassware from Libbey. We are happy to announce that the Fizzazz line is now available. These glasses help market the sales of beer, champagne, and other carbonated drinks by accelerating the release of Carbon Dioxide, to create a bubbling "fizzy" display.

 

These laser etched glasses also promote head retention when serving beer. So your glass of suds will stay sudsy longer! Available in 9 different styles, these Fizzazz glasses are sure to be a hit at your bar or restaurant. In addition to the Fizzazz selection, be sure to visit our website and peruse the many other Libbey glasses that we stock. Reaady to ship out within one business day, we offer one of the largest inventories of in-stock Libbey glassware online.

 

 

Complement your glassware selection with china, flatware, and table linens. Offering over 12,000 restaurant equipment and supply products on our website, we have plenty for you to choose from for your establishment. More than half of these products are stocked in our four restaurant supply warehouses located nationwide for faster delivery.

 

Have an outside seating area that you would like to secure from surrounding buildings, businesses  and parking lots? Want to control the customer traffic in your outdoor patio or seating area? We've got just the product for you!

US Foods Culinary Equipment & Supplies is now offering Steel Outdoor Fencing, available in both 4 and 6 foot sections. End posts and connecting posts are also available. These fences are easily installed and are a great addition to your outdoor seating area. Now's the time to start thinking about the busy warm weather season just around the corner. Order soon and you'll be able to start the season with these decorative and secure additions to your establishment. Watch for more outdoor seating products featured in our March flyer.

 

This fencing does take a few weeks to arrive after it is ordered as it comes directly from the manufacturer. Be sure to check out our website of over 12,000 products for all of your outdoor seating and restaurant equipment and supply needs. Many of our products are stocked in our 4 national distribution centers, and ready to ship out within one business day.

 

 

US Foods Culinary Equipment & Supplies now offers Venezia II Espresso Machines. These machines can add revenue to your operation by offering quality after dinner coffee options in all styles of restaurant and catering establishments. Available in single or double machines, these easy to operate espresso machines are a solid investment for your business. Offering espresso and cappucino drinks will help your check average by increasing sales of desserts as well. Who can pass up a nice chocolate dessert complemented by a hot, frothy, and delicious cappucino, latte', or mocha? Certainly not yours truly!

Here are some features of the Venezia II single and double espresso machines:

• Microprocessor technology allows for ease of use
• Touch pads and LED display
• Automatic functionality for single or double espressos or manual continuous flow
• Dual pressure gauge allows readouts for both dispensing water and boiler steam pressure
• Sight glass for monitoring water tank level
• Auto-cleaning function
• Hot Water dispensing valve

We've got some great accessories available to complement these machines. The espresso filter and accessory kit  (product 1720739) includes two stage filter, dump box, steam pitcher, tamper, measuring spoon, and cleaning pods. The espresso bean grinder (9664194) has a 3 lb hopper capacity with timer, adjustable grind setting, removable drip tray, and universal tamper.

 

 

Need an innovative dinnerware that can save you money and look great on your table at the same time? Well, US Foods Culinary Equipment & Supplies has got the right product for you! BambooMel is made by G.E.T. Enterprises, a trusted name in making break-resistant products for your foodservice establishment.


BambooMel dinnerware is made up of 30% bamboo cellulose and 70% melamine. This dinnerware is constructed for multi-use commercial applications and is dishwasher safe and break-resistant. The product is biobased and is reusable, so it will save you the cost of replacing expensive china pieces.

The collection includes wide rim plates in a variety of serving sizes, oval platters, and rimmed bowls. With a plain and simple pattern, it allows your culinary creations to light up your presentation to diners at your establishment.


Stocked in 4 national restaurant supply warehouses, BambooMel is ready to ship out within one business day. Visit our website and stock up now- we have a selection of over 12,000 affordable, quality foodservice equipment and supply products.

US Foods Culinary Equipment & Supplies offers over 12,000 products on our website and has everything that you need to outfit your restaurant, bar, or catering business. Along with featuring products from such industry leading manufacturers as True, Manitowoc, Pitco, and Libbey, we offer a selection of products exclusively branded for US Foods Culinary Equipment & Supplies.



Our private label products include Superior equipment, and Next Day Gourmet and Monogram smallwares. Only the finest equipment carries the Superior name: you can choose from ranges, refrigerators, broilers, and more! Most of these products are in stock and ready to ship out within one business day, usually arriving at your establishment within 5 business days. 








Next Day Gourmet Smallwares include china, flatware, kitchen food prep products, and pots and pans. Quality restaurant supplies at great prices are available to stock your kitchen and dining room. And these exclusive brand products are only available at US Foods Culinary Equipment & Supplies.




Monogram products include a variety of janitorial supplies to help keep your establishment clean and sanitized. We offer Monogram heating fuel for your catering needs. Our private label exclusive brands cover an array of product groups that will help keep your business running smoothly and profitably. 

We're featuring our monthly Super Deals specials at US Foods Culinary Equipment & Supplies now through March 3, 2012. These are everyday products sold at great prices. We stock these products in our four restaurant supply warehouses, so they ship out within one business day after you place your online order.

This month's selection includes our Quantum II fry pans and disposable pastry bags. Now's the time to stock up on anti-fatigue mats and thermometers! Get all of these restaurant basics now with our Super Deals pricing! Shop our website for a great selection of nearly 13,000 restaurant equipment and supplies!

In Boston, there is a movement that is pushing the greasy spoon out and opening restaurants serving breakfast made with organic ingredients. As consumers become more educated via the internet and cooking shows on television, fine dining is not only limited to dinner anymore.

Click here to read article from Nation's Restaurant News' website.

US Foods Culinary Equipment & Supplies has all the items that you need to perfect the meal that you are serving, whether it be breakfast, lunch, or dinner. We have nearly 13,000 products sitewide, and many are in stock and ready to ship within one business day.





Check out our private label Next Day Gourmet Quantum II Fry Pans now on sale, great for use for creating breakfast, lunch or dinner meals!