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Module Overview
This module will give you the basic knowledge on the importance of the kitchen staffs, its
functions and responsibility in their respective station.
Module Outcomes
At the end of this module, you have:
1. Identified the kitchen personnel and their functions;
2. Enumerated the different positions in a kitchen brigade.
Introduction
Kitchen is a well-designed area in which food is prepared and cook for customers’ service. It is
also known as the HEART of the Food Service Operation.The word kitchen comes from the
French word “Cuisine” which means ‘art of cooking or food preparation in the kitchen.’ The
requirement of the kitchen has to be clearly identified with regard to the type of food that is to
be prepared, cooked and served. The space and types of equipment’s available most be fully
justified. At the same time, the organization of the kitchen personnel must also be well-planned.
The purpose of kitchen organization is to produce the right quantity and quality of food in its
best standard for required number of people by the most effective use of staff, equipment and
materials.
The way the kitchen is organized depends on many factors: -the menu, type of establishment
(Hotel, Institutional Kitchens, Hospitals, Catering, Quick service restaurants, etc.), Size of
operation (the number of customers and the volume of food served), Physical Facilities and
Equipment Available.
Plongeur (Dishwasher)
- Cleans dishes and utensils, and may be entrusted with basic preparatory jobs.
Marmiton (Pot and Pan Washer)
- In larger restaurants, takes care of all the pots and pans instead of the plongeur.
Boucher (Butcher)
- Butchers meats, poultry, and sometimes fish; may also be in charge of breading meat
and fish items.
Aboyeur (Announcer / Expediter)
- Takes orders from the dining room and distributes them to the various stations; may
also be performed by the sous-chef de partie.
Communard (Staff Server)
- Prepares the meal served to the restaurant staff.
Garcon de Cuisine (Literally “Kitchen Boy”)
- In larger restaurants, performs preparatory and “auxiliary” (back-up) work for support
Module Overview
This module will give you the ideas of a successful food service operation by choosing the right
person for the right position.
Module Outcomes
At the end of this module, you have:
1. Described the characteristics of a good kitchen staff.
Introduction
The success of a restaurant often rests on the quality of its kitchen staff. The staff plays a key
role in food preparation that ultimately determines one of the most important aspects of the
dining experience — the food. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job prospects
in this field are expected to remain good from 2008 to 2018, despite slow growth in new jobs.
High turnover rates can lead to exceptional opportunities.
Attention to Detail
Cooking is a science, so a chef needs to be precise. Every ingredient and measurement must be
exact. Chefs need to be precise in others ways as well: whether ordering food products or
figuring out what time to cook certain items, a chef needs to have an eye for detail.
Business Sense
A good chef is also a good businessman. He or she should always be thinking about how to
make delicious food while also being cost-effective.
Cleanliness
Chefs need to know how to keep the kitchen sanitary. This is very important in a restaurant,
where unsanitary conditions can affect the quality of the food, and can even force a restaurant
to shut down.
Creativity
Working in the food industry requires creativity. Chefs must be open to incorporating new food
items into menus and improving older recipes. Creativity and imagination will keep customers
coming back to a restaurant.
Culinary Expertise
The most important hard skill chefs need is an ability to cook, as well as knowledge of the
kitchen. This broad skill includes a variety of smaller skills, including knife skills and tasting
skills. Chefs need to be able to cook precisely and efficiently. They also need to be skilled at
recognizing flavors and judging the balance of seasonings.
A chef should be able to make decisions quickly and efficiently. The kitchen is a fast-paced
environment, and a chef has to make numerous decisions at once.
Motivational
A good chef will motivate those working in the kitchen. He or she should be able to keep
everyone working at a fast, efficient pace.
Multitasking
In the kitchen, a chef is always working on multiple tasks at once. He or she might need to
address staff issues while also working on several elements of a meal. A chef must be able to
complete all of these tasks at the same time, and efficiently.
Organization
Chefs must be very organized in the kitchen. Often, they have to work on a variety of tasks at
once and must do so while keeping the kitchen organized. They must create order and
structure in the kitchen so that the environment is not chaotic.
Team Player
A chef is part of a team and must be able to work well with others. Not only must he or she
work with the cooks in the kitchen, but he or she must also be able to work effectively with
staff and management.
Module Overview
This module will give equipped you with the information relating to the standard kitchen layout,
its type, and its actual set up.
Module Outcomes
Introduction
The kitchen is the most prominent and enclosed section or area in which edible food ingredients
are brought together, gathered, combined through proper processing and cooked by various
means of cooking methods for consumption. In simple terms, a kitchen is an area set aside for
preparation of meals. Small kitchen is referred by the term ‘kitchenette’.
The kitchen is the hub and center of activities to produce food in any establishment or
residential apartments. Chiefly concerned with food production activities, it is also associated
with cleaning, storing, mise en place (washing, peeling, and cutting), cooking, holding food
materials and dishes, plating, washing up, waste clearing, etc. The term ‘kitchen’ derives from
the Latin term cucina, cook food, where cook derives from the Latin word coquus or coquo
(meaning to cook, become ripe).
The world of kitchens has witnessed a huge change from its raw state to most refined kitchen
outlet, since the period of antiquity. It was the Romans who brought the tradition of creating
and establishing kitchens in ancient times, which was followed by all across the globe. The
kitchens at that time were octagonal in shape, with many provisions of fire places, no chimneys
but with a turret at the top on the conical roof of the kitchen to allow the smoke go out of the
kitchen.
The kitchens were located either near the toilets or caldariums (rooms containing warm water
for bathing), or they were mere hearth for cooking in open fires. But with the passage of time,
the invention of cooking ranges changed the dimension of the modern kitchen. Nowadays, the
kitchen is given due attention in terms of location, layout, space, incorporation of technologies,
and all other aspects. It is located strategically for easy, smooth and efficient functioning.
The renewal and upgradation of culinary arts have simultaneously upgraded and meliorated the
way the kitchen was conceptualized. In modern times, the kitchen has been equipped with best
amenities, state-of-the-art equipment and monitored by professional and adept kitchen
professionals.
Ergonomics
The study of efficiency in workplace concerning the arrangement of equipment in the most
efficient way so that time and energy are saved.
Work Triangle
• An invisible triangle formed by the sink, stove and refrigerator.
Types of Kitchen
Main Kitchen
The kitchen is essentially the space allotted for preparing and cooking food. The main kitchen is
located in the central part of the hotel where sequence of food receiving, storing, preparing,
cooking, serving and clearing areas are properly defined and managed accordingly. Logically
and technically speaking, it is known as the central kitchen which has been divided into many
sections and sub-sections. It covers a large area and has several sections like continental,
oriental, Italian, Japanese, bakery, Indian section – with tandoor and halwai as a subsection –
larder and so on. It caters to multi-cuisine cooking.
Á la Carte Kitchen
This kitchen is a section of the main kitchen where the order is prepared for an à la carte menu.
Generally, a section of the main kitchen, like the Italian section, can be an à la carte kitchen if
the order is prepared as per the à la carte menu. Here, the order is not prepared in bulk, but
mise en place is to be done for all the dishes in the menu card. It is a kitchen with a list of a
large number of dishes to be prepared.
Banquet Kitchen
This kitchen is also a section of the main kitchen where the order is prepared in bulk for buffet
services, for wedding parties, for large gatherings, etc. Here, the provision is made for bulk
cooking, and the equipment is installed accordingly. It is meant to cater to a large number of
customers with quantity cooking.
Satellite Kitchen
A new concept in the world of kitchen, satellites kitchen is constructed with the purpose to cater
in the particular area of the organisation, where the main kitchen cannot cater due to its
installation of being immobile in nature. It is used to cater an area which is far from the main
kitchen and hence a kitchen with minimal operating features is created by the name of satellite
kitchen. Nevertheless, it can organize many works in its own kitchen. It is heavily dependent on
certain things like preparation of sauces, stocks, gravies, desserts, etc. The prime preparation is
done in the main kitchen, and then the prepared items are carried to the satellite kitchen and
then the order is completed by reheating and garnishing. The preparation done is meagre in
quantity due to its location. The staff is for this kitchen shifted from the main kitchen
temporarily. It is equipped with basic equipment, and basic storage facility as well.
Display Kitchen
As the name suggests, a display kitchen is a kitchen in which food is prepared and cooked in
full view of the customers or diners, in order to create an appeal and to attract customers by
means of the sizzle and aroma of the food delicacies. It indeed is a pleasure for customers to
dine in such an environment where they can witness the showmanship of the chefs. The
sanitation, hygiene, decor and ambience all are given due importance to attract and delight the
customers. The customers are compelled by their senses to taste and order the delicacies
prepared in this kitchen. It is also called show kitchen.
Live Kitchen
This kitchen is more or less similar to the display kitchen as customers here are again exposed
to have a view of preparation thoroughly. It is decided tactfully, which part should be more
visible to the customer than the area which should be partially covered and not exposed to the
customers. Here, the orders are prepared at the request of the customers. The customers are
shown a list of items that are prepared in this kitchen, and customers place their orders by
referring to this list. Generally, a gueridon trolley is also used in this kitchen.
ADVANTAGES
• Suitable for small kitchen spaces. Limited
space means cheaper cost.
• Suitable for narrow kitchen.
• Good for small families and people who do
little cooking.
DISADVANTAGES
• Has the longest journey of working distance
because it does not have a work triangle.
• Sink has been centrally located so that the
efficiency of the kitchen is note severely
degraded.
B. U shaped
ADVANTAGES
• Efficient for a small, medium or large kitchen
space
• No through traffic to disrupt work zones
• Wide "U" can support a kitchen island
• Lots of cupboard space.
DISADVANTAGES
• Not efficient for large kitchens without an
island
• Bottom corner cabinets are difficult to access
• Unsuitable for narrow kitchens i.e. below 10” wide.
C. L shaped
ADVANTAGES
• Great for corner space
• Efficient for a small and medium kitchen space
• Can adjust to any length
• Can easily divide the kitchen into multiple work
sites
• No through traffic to disrupt work zones
• Can use one side of the kitchen as a wall divide
DISADVANTAGES
• The corner of the L can be problematic if the corner is taken up by a cupboard because
unless fitted by a special angled corner cupboard, the corner spaces will be inaccessible
and wasted.
• Not efficient for large kitchens.
D. Parallel wall
ADVANTAGES
• Excellent use of the kitchen triangle
• Lots of workspace and cabinets on either side
• Great for small apartments with limited space
• Great for small kitchens
• Great for one cook to move around
DISADVANTAGES
• Can be difficult for through traffic
• Needs good lighting as can be dark- lights may need to be added under overhead
cabinets
Clean/Wash
• Includes: Three-compartment sinks, pre-wash sinks,
dishwashers, etc.
• Location: Near kitchen entrance for dish drop off
• Wash area can be divided by specific activity – ex.
Tray/dish rise off area, drying racks, etc.
• A three-compartment sink is required for utensil
washing. Sinks must have adequate drain boards,
racks, or tables large enough to accommodate all soiled
Storage
• Includes:
o Cold Storage – refrigerators and freezers
o Dry Storage – shelving
• Location: Locate near delivery area
• Adequate refrigerated storage must be available for the
separation of raw and ready-to-eat foods.
• Refrigeration requirements are based on your menu.
Cooling of potentially hazardous foods will require
equipment that is capable of meeting cooling requirements
for PHF’s.
Service
• Includes: Food “drop off” area, warmers,
sneeze guards, etc.
• Location: Adjacent to seating areas if
applicable, food preparation
• Sneeze guards are required for displayed
foods such as buffet lines, salad bars, self-
serve foods, condiments, etc.
Delivery
• Includes: Inventory desk/computer
• Location: Ideal to locate near loading dock/delivery door and storage areas
• Size delivery door (and other doors) to allow adequate clearance for items
stored/transported (ex. palates, dish return carts, etc.) as well as for the installation of
new and future equipment.
Support Spaces
Toilet Rooms
• The food establishment permit holder must ensure that toilet rooms are conveniently
located within two hundred feet of the food establishment and accessible to employees
during all hours of operation.
• May be used jointly by patrons and employees, provided patrons accessing the toilet
rooms are excluded from food preparation areas and unpackaged food storage areas.
Janitor Room
• A mop/utility sink is required and must be located so foods are not contaminated.
• May include washer/dryer for linen laundering, mop sink, hot water heater,
cleaner/chemical storage, etc.
Other
• Provide storage area for employee’s personal items
• Provide area for disposal of garbage, recycling, etc.
Additional Information
• Hand washing sinks are required in all food preparation areas, service areas and
restrooms. Each sink must be equipped with hot and cold running water with a mixing
faucet, soap, paper towel dispensers, and hand washing reminder signs.
• Handwashing sinks must be sized to allow employee to wash hands simultaneously.
• Floor sinks required for equipment that requires indirect waste lines – three
compartment sinks, espresso machines, etc.
• Splash guards around sinks may be required to prevent contamination of foods and food
contact surfaces.
• All food equipment must be certified by an American National Standards Institute
(ANSI)-accredited certification program (i.e. NSF). No home-style equipment is allowed.
Schematic Diagram
Materials
Flooring
• Non-slip
• Cove base
• Smooth, easily cleanable, non-absorbent, and durable
Examples: Quarry tile, non-slip sheet vinyl
Walls
• Easy to clean
• Provide stainless steel finish behind ovens, grills, fryers and any other equipment that
emits high levels of heat.
• Provide ceramic tile/stainless steel/frp (fiberglass reinforced panels – most cost
effective) throughout kitchen if budget allows.
• If budget is a consideration, provide frp in wet areas and semi-gloss paint
• Use semi-gloss paint throughout
Ceilings
• Easy to clean
• Gwb w/ semi-gloss paint or mylar suspended ceiling
Countertops
• Smooth, easy to clean, anti-microbial
• Free of breaks, open seams, cracks, chips, inclusions, pits, and similar imperfections
• Free of sharp internal angles, corners, and crevices
• Finished to have smooth welds and joints
Example: stainless steel
• Not to be used: Copper, galvanized metal, wood
Sheila Mae V. Artajo, MHM
Margie Y. De La Cruz, Ph.D
Nenen N. Marquez, MBA
Instructors, CBM BSHM/BSHRM/HRST
Republic of the Philippines
State Universities and Colleges
GUIMARAS STATE COLLEGE
Buenavista, Guimaras
_________________________________________
Lighting
• Light Fixtures in food preparation areas to have protective covering over lamp.
• If menu boards are used and are not electronic, provide adequate light to illuminate
boards.
• Provide adequate light levels for the activities of the space.
REFERENCES
https://careertrend.com/list-7430794-kitchen-staff-duties-responsibilities.html
https://www.slideshare.net/MichelleWidner/intro-to-commercial-kitchen-design