Maintaining hygiene in your restaurant is non-negotiable. It’s either you do it, or you run the risk of getting a hefty fine. To ensure your restaurant is always safe and clean, take action. Today, not tomorrow. Firstly, assess the cleanliness of your kitchen. Would you feel confident allowing inspectors to check it now? Keep an eye out for any pests like roaches that only you and your staff know about. Next, consider the safety of your kitchen. Is it spacious and free of unusual odors?
If all your answers are no, then you have a big problem: a dirty kitchen. Thankfully, you can improve things. And you can start by ensuring your employees follow proper handling procedures. That includes wearing gloves and washing their hands. If you’re unsure how to do this, we’ve put together this article to make things a tad easier for you. Here are 3 tips you can use to keep your restaurant safe and clean:
1. Adopt Hygiene Practices
The first step in maintaining a clean and safe restaurant is to establish strict hygiene practices. You can do this by hiring dedicated staff responsible for thorough cleaning of every area. To ensure that your restaurant is spotlessly clean, have them clean the restaurant daily. Train all your employees on the significance of hygiene and make sure they uphold these standards at all times, even in your absence. Here are the key steps to follow:
- Purchase all necessary cleaning equipment to make it easy for your team to keep your restaurant clean at all times.
- Train your employees to wash their hands regularly. According to the EPA, a leaky faucet dripping one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water a year, so be sure your kitchen sink is leak-free.
- Conduct regular hygiene checks in both the kitchen and customer seating areas. Assign your restaurant manager to perform these checks when you’re not available.
- Ensure that your chef and their team wear proper uniforms that are always clean.
- Provide enough gloves for your kitchen staff.
- Establish hygiene rules that all team members must follow, such as prohibiting the wearing of jewelry in the kitchen.
2. Check Your Kitchen
Since all your food comes from the kitchen, it’s important to check it regularly. Start by checking the dishes and cutlery. Are they clean and properly washed after serving patrons? Also, make sure to inspect your kitchen appliances. This will allow you to know whether they are all in working condition. According to the Stove Dr, if you are burning more than 75 bags of fuel per season, you should have your stove professionally cleaned yearly. If something seems off, don’t hesitate to call a technician for immediate repairs. It’s better to address issues right away than to risk bigger problems later.
If you’ve recently added a new kitchen appliance that your staff isn’t familiar with, be sure to provide proper training. Regular maintenance and sanitation of appliances are also crucial to keep them in top shape and prevent bacteria from affecting your food. If you notice any leaking pipes in your kitchen, fix them promptly. Water on the floor can lead to slippery surfaces and accidents that could be costly. The statute of limitation for most personal injury cases in California is two years from the date of an accident or injury. When you keep an eye on these details, you’ll be in a better position to maintain a safe and efficient kitchen environment for your team and customers.
3. Keep Your Front Area Squeaky Clean
Next, it’s essential to keep your front area spotlessly clean, regardless of whether you offer takeouts or deliveries. This includes your lobby, cash register area, and main counters. If customers prefer to wait inside, especially in cold weather, their waiting area should also be clean and welcoming. Assign a dedicated staff member to maintain cleanliness in this area.
Ensure that anything customers leave on the table is promptly cleared and disposed of. Any items they forget should be safely stored until they can retrieve them. Installing cameras in this area can help ensure the safety of your patrons’ belongings.
Lastly, if your goal is to keep your patrons happy, it’s crucial to value their opinions. Introduce surveys that allow them to share what makes them happy or unhappy, and use this feedback to make improvements accordingly. While at it, don’t forget to budget to ensure that you purchase your cleaning equipment at the lowest possible price.