Open kitchen in the restaurant: the show goes on stage
In recent years, the open kitchen concept has spread to Italy, adding an element of showmanship to catering. The preparation of food has become a show in itself, enhancing the visual component. However, before making this choice for your restaurant, you need to weigh up the pros and cons, the type of clientele, the menu on offer and all the rules and regulations. The open kitchen is not just a design choice, it is a real statement of principle.
The pros and cons of an open kitchen
In an open kitchen, chefs become performers, called upon to display their personality as well as their technical skills in front of the restaurant’s customers. Dining becomes more dynamic and intriguing, enriching the experience for guests who can directly observe the various stages of food preparation, cooking and serving. In addition, the open kitchen creates greater transparency. Customers are reassured about the hygiene and quality of the food being served.
On the other hand, being in the public eye requires more care and attention. In fact, the kitchen brigade has to move in a coordinated and harmonious way, without confusion and without making too much noise. Workbenches must also be kept clean and tidy at all times. The equipment must be not only functional but also attractive, as it is in the public eye and no longer just for the kitchen staff.
The rules to follow in an open kitchen
Designing an open-plan kitchen requires precision in the choice of equipment and furniture. As well as being aesthetically pleasing and of high quality, they must also comply with regulations.
In particular, EC Regulation 852/2024 deals with food safety and imposes the obligation to
- a clear demarcation between the kitchen and the dining room, which is why open-plan kitchens very often have a glass partition separating the two areas;
- install extraction systems for fumes from cooking and heating food;
- provide equipment appropriate to the activity and position it in such a way as to ensure cleanliness and hygiene of the premises and equipment.
In an open plan kitchen, lighting also plays an important role in highlighting the spectacular nature of food preparation and hiding any weaknesses.
Choose Desco for your open kitchen
Desco is dedicated to the production of functional and high quality equipment for professional kitchens. It is also an ideal partner in the design of customised open kitchens. It offers a wide range of products for food preparation, cooking, refrigeration and dishwashing. Desco’s professional tools make it possible to create the right layout and optimise the space available. The constant search for new technologies and more efficient, easy-to-use solutions helps chefs and kitchen staff to manage all their activities. Desco can also help with the design of the open kitchen and the right choice of equipment.