Food Holding and Serving Equipment

Holding and Serving Equipment

Holding equipment are those which keep the cooked food either hot or cold as needed and are important for serving food for large number of people at a time.

1. Hot Holding Cabinet

A heavily insulated cabinet designed to hold food hot either in pans or racks in the interior. A thermostat controls the tem-perature. Hot cupboards may be heated by gas, electricity or steam. The tops of most cupboards are used as serving counters and should be heated to a high tempera-ture than inside.

2. Bain-Marie

The term ‘Bain-marie’ refers to both the water bath and the inserts that hold food above the water bath. Hot water bath keeps food items warm. It heats food evenly. It can also be used as a steam table to hold hot foods.

3. Steam Table

It is an open top table with heated wells filled with water to keep foods hot for service. Foods are placed in hot pan and the pans are placed on the top of the table. A pan made of stainless steel is used to cook, serve and hold food. Foods should be covered to prevent heat loss.

4. Utility Carts

Utility carts make the transporting of food, equipment or other items from one area to another easier and faster. They are of stainless steel equipped with heavy duty wheels.

5. Insulated Carriers

It is an insulated container made up of heavy poly urethane or plastic material designed to hold pans of hot and cold foods.