Kitchen Operations Checklists

This article features the following:

• What are kitchen operations?
• Who is responsible for all of the kitchen operations?
• What does a kitchen manager do?
• Crucial kitchen procedures you should be monitoring;
• Technology to help you streamline your kitchen operating processes; and
• Free, downloadable kitchen operating checklists.

What are Kitchen Operations?

Kitchen operations is the overall management of the kitchen. It covers areas such as food quality, safe food handling, kitchen cleaning, staff hygiene, customer service, and inventory. Part of kitchen operations is the supervision of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for preparing menu items as well as for opening and closing the kitchen or restaurant.

Who is Responsible for All of the Kitchen Operations?

The executive chef is responsible for all of the kitchen operations. However, all members of the kitchen staff have a share in that responsibility. In some cases, the executive chef may also have an assistant who acts as the kitchen manager whenever the executive chef is busy with food quality and safety concerns.

What Does a Kitchen Manager Do?

A kitchen manager is tasked with overseeing the four crucial kitchen procedures: kitchen opening, food or kitchen service preparation, kitchen cleaning, and kitchen closing. Kitchen managers are also in charge of ensuring that the staff is following these procedures. Some additional duties may include ordering ingredients, storing food properly, and dividing other tasks among the staff.

Crucial Kitchen Procedures You Should Be Monitoring

Running a commercial kitchen can involve numerous procedures and hundreds of tasks that need to be regularly performed by staff. Knowing where to focus can be daunting. Here are the top 4 procedures you should prioritize to ensure a smooth kitchen operation:

1. Kitchen Opening

The kitchen opening is one of the most crucial procedures as it heavily affects how the other succeeding procedures are performed. Kitchen opening tasks include:

• Turning on basic utilities (e.g., lights, ventilation, etc.)
• Pre-heating kitchen equipment (e.g., ovens, broilers, griddles, etc.)
• Checking and logging temperatures of refrigerator and freezer units
• Inspecting the whole kitchen area to check if closing procedures were properly initiated during the previous shift. (e.g., cleanliness, equipment malfunctions, proper storage, and waste disposal)
• Receiving and proper storage of food supplies (e.g., labeling, indicating dates, proper wrapping, and storage)

2. Food/ Kitchen Service Preparation

Food safety should be a top priority in every kitchen. Focusing on food safety protects consumers from foodborne illnesses and businesses from getting sued or shut down. Restaurants, hotels, and other commercial kitchens should take preventative procedures such as ensuring that kitchen staff adhere to all hygiene and safety procedures. Dishes should also be prepared according to standard recipes and served in a timely and appealing manner.

3. Kitchen Cleaning

Kitchen facilities should be clean and well maintained to pass health department requirements. Keeping a clean environment within the facility promotes food safety and boosts the productivity and efficiency for the kitchen staff. Cleaning should be conducted daily during opening and closing of the kitchen, and even in between shifts. Monitor all items and areas that need to be cleaned using a kitchen cleaning checklist and use it to implement a kitchen cleaning schedule.

4. Kitchen Closing

Similar to the kitchen opening procedure, kitchen closing is also crucial as it involves proper overnight storage of leftover food and ensures the security of the facility before leaving. Overlooking a simple step such as turning off ovens or stoves may lead to fire and other potential risks. Kitchen closing tasks include:

• Double-checking if any perishable foods have been left out
• Checking if all refrigeration equipment are working and locked
• Locking of cabinets and proper storage of keys
• Shutting off all heating equipment and other utilities
• Activation of alarm system
• Locking up the facility

Standardized Kitchen Operations with iAuditor

Easily keep track of kitchen operations by using a digital checklist. You can use iAuditor by SafetyCulture, a digital inspection solution, to deliver clear and concise instructions to your staff and also monitor if duties are being performed according to standard. Perform paperless kitchen inspections using your mobile device and:

• Generate on-site reports
• Take photo evidence of compliant and non-compliant items
• Indicate corrective measures, assign to a team member, and set priority and the due date
• Share reports within the organization instantly
• Save reports online and keep them safe in the cloud