0812 46 37 27
The open kitchen model is a trend in the restaurant industry in Vietnam. The particular feature of this model is that customers can observe the food preparation process right before their eyes. Although open kitchen restaurants have many benefits, they also have their drawbacks. Let’s find out what an open kitchen is and how to apply it in the following article with Kamereo!
What is an open kitchen restaurant? What is a Show Kitchen?
An open kitchen, also known as a Show Kitchen or Open Kitchen, is a popular model in the restaurant industry, especially in Western countries. In traditional restaurants, the kitchen area is designed completely separate from the cashier counter and the customer seating area. This helps to limit odors and smoke during cooking that could affect the customer experience.
However, chefs often prepare food directly at the customer’s table or in an open space in the Show Kitchen model. This allows customers to directly observe the food preparation process as a performance.
In Vietnam, the open kitchen model is quite popular in some sushi restaurants and has received positive reviews from customers. This stems from their ability to better understand the cooking process and feel more confident about food safety and hygiene issues in the kitchen.
Advantages of the open kitchen model
Currently, the Open Kitchen model is no longer unfamiliar to restaurants, including customers. The reason why this model has become so popular is because of the following advantages:
Increase interaction with customers
During the chef’s food preparation process in the open kitchen area, customers can observe each step openly and transparently. Moreover, to make this process more remarkable, chefs often demonstrate special cooking skills for customers to admire. This creates a positive interaction with customers as they can ask questions and be explained about the food preparation by the chefs.
Optimize restaurant space
Instead of dividing the space into clearly defined and separate areas like in traditional restaurants, the open kitchen model usually places the kitchen area right within the customer service space. This helps save space, suitable for small to medium-sized restaurants.
However, to prevent customers from being affected by smoke and food odors during the chef’s food preparation process, restaurants should equip powerful exhaust systems.
Create peace of mind for customers
Customers witness the entire process from using ingredients to the finished product in the kitchen. This gives them peace of mind about the quality of the food and food safety issues.
Read more: 10 Golden Principles in Safe Food Processing
Generate excitement for chefs
If food is considered an art, then chefs are the artists who complete this masterpiece. The open kitchen model provides an opportunity for chefs to showcase their skills to customers who can follow along. Sometimes, they will receive enthusiastic support, creating motivation and interest in their work.
Demonstrate the professionalism of the restaurant
The open space kitchen allows customers to see all the modern equipment in the restaurant. This helps them understand that to meet food preparation requirements, the restaurant has heavily invested in kitchen equipment to ensure safety and hygiene. Therefore, the image of the restaurant will become more professional and prestigious.
Disadvantages of the Open Kitchen model
Although there are many advantages, the open kitchen model still has some limitations if not carefully prepared:
Open space is a double-edged sword
During peak hours, continuous orders pouring into the kitchen can lead to overload. At this time, the open kitchen space will become more chaotic, causing noise during the food preparation process. This can affect the dining experience of customers.
In addition, unexpected situations may occur in the kitchen area. Any minor mistakes or hygiene issues can negatively affect customers’ impressions of the restaurant. Therefore, they may feel uneasy during the dining experience.
Time-consuming cleaning
Hygiene is the most important factor that the open kitchen model needs to focus on and ensure. After completing the cooking process, cleaning the kitchen is a top priority. Cooking utensils need to be thoroughly cleaned, dried, and neatly arranged. In addition, kitchen equipment also needs regular cleaning to avoid oil and dirt buildup.
Cost of investing in kitchen equipment
To make a good impression on customers, the open kitchen needs to be equipped with the latest modern equipment. In addition, investing in a powerful exhaust system is essential to ensure that customers are not affected by smoke and food odors in the restaurant space.
Require professional chefs
Chefs at open kitchen restaurants need to develop additional presentation and communication skills with customers alongside cooking skills. Therefore, a friendly and polite chef will quickly create a positive impression on customers. This helps provide the best experiences for customers when enjoying meals at the restaurant.
Should restaurants apply the open kitchen model?
Operating according to the open space kitchen model is not suitable for every restaurant. Therefore, restaurant owners need to carefully consider the advantages, disadvantages, and their own strengths to make a decision on whether to apply this model or not. Here are some tips for you:
- The open kitchen model is most suitable for restaurants specializing in a particular dish such as: pizza, sushi, sandwiches, fast food, etc.
- Consider opening the entire or part of the food preparation process of the restaurant for customers to observe.
- Transparent glass panels can be used to prevent customers from being affected by odors, smoke, and noise during the food preparation process.
Conclusion
Above is all the information about the open kitchen model that is being widely applied in many restaurants. Although it has many advantages, this model is also a double-edged sword if not carefully prepared. If you need to purchase quality ingredients for your restaurant, please contact Kamereo via hotline 0812 46 37 27 for professional advice. Also, don’t forget to follow the restaurant business experience section for more useful information!
Read more:
