In this modern age, aside from aesthetically enhancing the presentation of gourmet food to make it more delectable and fascinating, a restaurant’s dinnerware is also playing a vital role in conveying the place’s theme and overall ambience. A lot of homeowners collect a unique range of dinnerware sets for personal use but for restaurateurs and chefs, it is a different story as ending up with the wrong dinnerware might affect their food presentation and restaurant theme, impacting their potential revenue in the long run.
The market has a plethora of options when it comes to dinnerware sets but restaurant owners have to be knowledgeable about the essential factors to consider to end up with the right ones. If you are planning to open your restaurant, read on; this article is for you…
Factors to Consider in Buying Your Dinnerware Sets
Price vs. Your Budget
When it comes to dinnerware shopping, the most vital factor to consider is the dinnerware set’s price and assessing whether it is still within your budget. If you are clear enough of how much you are willing to pay for every dinnerware set, then this will help narrow down your options at the earliest time possible. Here’s the thing, though: most of the dinnerware sets appropriate for restaurant use are quite more expensive than casual ones which are famously collected at home. They are priced not only based on their designs but also based on the materials they are made up of. Durability is a constant factor of this as dinnerware pieces for restaurants are expected to hold out against heavy use. Also, the more premium a dinnerware is, the more it will demand a special variant of dishwashing compound which will be a potential additional expense on your part.
Material and Durability
Another factor to consider when buying dinnerware sets for your restaurant is the material used as this will likewise determine their durability. On this note, the options are almost limitless when it comes to dinnerware material but the most popular ones include porcelain, bone china, glass, melamine, slate, and earthenware. Unless you are an expert at these, do note that there are a number of factors to consider in determining which material is best for your type and purpose of use. The material of dinnerware can affect its design. It can either enhance or limit it. That said, you have to make sure that the material will not be a hindrance to defining your restaurant’s ambiance.
Moreover, the dinnerware’s material can give you a clue as to whether it can withstand restaurant wear-and-tear or not. There are also materials that you should avoid if you plant to stack the plates in your storage area when they are not in use. If you are looking for a long term investment, you might have to sacrifice a bit on the design to ensure durability.
Lastly, also remember that the material has to be compatible with the type of food your restaurant will be serving. If you are serving your food hot, you might want to avoid dinnerware sets made of stoneware and earthenware materials.
As every material has its own pros and cons, you will want to do your research to be able to select the right dinnerware sets that fit your needs and preferences.
Style
There are quite a number of factors in the list when choosing your dinnerware sets but another factor that should matter as significantly as the dinnerware’s cost and material is its style. You also have to see who will be using the dinnerware, for instance, if you are buying it for your kids, you must consider kids bamboo dinner set.
Regardless of which class your target market belongs, they will all be keen about every minute detail about your restaurant and that can go as far as evaluating the coasters, and style of plates and glasses your restaurant uses. The shape, color, size, and design of your dinnerware sets vitally matter if your aim is to impress them not just through your food but through all aspects.
As you have a wide range of dinnerware to choose from, you have to have a presence of mind in choosing: prioritize the ones that will match with your restaurant’s overall theme and aesthetic. They should be able to help portray the style that you want to be portrayed.
To ease your buying experience, here are a few helpful tips from the experts:
Tip #1: Finalize the number of dinnerware sets you will need to purchase. The safest number will be your maximum number of guests plus a half more. That way, a shortage of dinnerware will be prevented.
Tip #2: Dark-colored dinnerware sets are universally safe for all restaurant themes. Whether yours is industrial, modern, minimalist, fine, or casual dining, a dark-colored slate will always look and feel great. It will depend then on the style.
Tip #3: The size of the plate matters not just to your customers but also to your storage. Make sure they will fit perfectly in your cabinets and microwave oven should the latter be necessary.
Tip#4: You can start by investing in two dinnerware sets: one casual and one formal. When looking for casual dinnerware, prioritize durability. Meanwhile, for formal themed ones, do assess the materials used. Between the two, the latter is, of course, costlier hence you will want to ensure that the material they are made of can withstand any environment and degree of usage.
Tip #5: Your dinnerware sets are a representation of your restaurant’s style. That said, it always pays to choose carefully. Unless time is of the essence, do make sure that every essential factor is already taken into account before buying.
As for the maintenance, unfortunately, commercial dishwashing detergents do not work at all times in eradicating spots and stains. But there are hacks you can find on the web regarding this. For instance, for stains and fork marks, just have some baking soda rubbed over the area. And for the stacking, to prevent friction-related damage, one effective hack would be to put a piece of fabric or a pad in between spaces.
Choosing the right dinnerware sets for your restaurant will help improve its overall appeal. It will help provide your guests with a truly memorable experience. So, consider the factors and tips mentioned above. It will pay off once you see the smile on your guests’ faces.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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