The strategy focuses on enhancing kitchen workflow by optimizing efficiency and reducing food preparation time. The first strategy, "Organise kitchen stations," involves creating designated areas for tasks like chopping and plating. For example, installing modular shelving allows for flexibility, while labeling shelves aids quick identification of ingredients. Additionally, having staff clean as they go helps maintain order.
The second strategy, "Streamline food preparation process," emphasizes pre-preparing ingredients in bulk and using standardized recipe cards to ensure consistency. Utilizing time-saving equipment such as mandolins, assigning tasks as per skills, and conducting regular training can significantly reduce prep times.
The third strategy, "Enhance communication systems," highlights the importance of real-time messaging and daily briefings. Installing a kitchen display system provides efficient order tracking, while implementing clear terminology and hand signals facilitates smooth communication.
The strategies
⛳️ Strategy 1: Organise kitchen stations
- Designate specific areas for chopping, cooking, and plating
- Label shelves and drawers for easy identification of tools and ingredients
- Install additional shelving to increase storage space for unused equipment
- Ensure all necessary utensils are in proximity to their respective station
- Schedule regular reviews of station organisation to maintain order
- Invest in modular shelving to accommodate different cooking practices
- Encourage staff to clean as they go to maintain station tidiness
- Assign a staff member to monitor and restock stations between shifts
- Create flowcharts of station arrangement for staff induction
- Place frequently used items, such as salt and oil, at reachable distances
⛳️ Strategy 2: Streamline food preparation process
- Prep common ingredients in bulk in advance of peak times
- Implement standardised recipe cards for consistency
- Use time-saving equipment such as mandolins and food processors
- Assign specific prep tasks to team members based on skillset
- Establish a checklist for prep completion before service starts
- Schedule regular training sessions on efficient prep techniques
- Create batch cooking routines for high-demand dishes
- Reduce steps in preparation by integrating multiple processes
- Track preparation times to identify bottlenecks
- Rotate prep assignments to cross-train staff
⛳️ Strategy 3: Enhance communication systems
- Install a kitchen display system for order tracking
- Hold daily briefings to discuss workflow improvement
- Use headsets or communications applications for real-time messaging
- Establish clear terminology for order status and issues
- Schedule regular feedback sessions to discuss communication updates
- Implement a whiteboard for listing daily specials and changes
- Create hand signals for common requests during service
- Review incident logs to identify communication breakdowns
- Encourage open dialogue and feedback among staff
- Develop a communication protocol guide for new staff
Bringing accountability to your strategy
It's one thing to have a plan, it's another to stick to it. We hope that the examples above will help you get started with your own strategy, but we also know that it's easy to get lost in the day-to-day effort.
That's why we built Tability: to help you track your progress, keep your team aligned, and make sure you're always moving in the right direction.
Give it a try and see how it can help you bring accountability to your strategy.
