Operational activities

Operational activities in a kitchen environment are simply any task, job or process that takes place in the kitchen, which contributes to the safe and effective preparation and service of food to customers. By identifying the operational activities that take place in the kitchen, this will determine the way in which work needs to flow through the kitchen, which in turn helps to determine the layout that is required!

Think first

Can you think of any examples of operational activities that take place in a kitchen? Type some ideas into the box below before you move on.

Now click through the slide panel below to explore some examples.

  • Stock and storage activities

    • Receiving deliveries
    • Storing food and other materials
    • Checking stock
    • Ordering supplies

  • Cleaning and maintenance activities

    • Washing up dishes and utensils
    • Cleaning equipment
    • Checking equipment for faults and making repairs
    • Cleaning walls and floors

  • Health and safety activities

    • Checking that food temperatures are at safe levels – such as temperature of food stored in freezers and refrigerators, temperature of cooked food and temperature of food on display
    • Checking that equipment is safe and is being used safely
    • Checking that equipment is operating at correct temperatures (including ovens, freezers and refrigerators)
    • Ensuring correct storage and removal of refuse and waste
    • Monitoring health and safety requirements and making sure that the kitchen is following health and safety legislation (carrying out risk assessments, reporting accidents, etc)

  • Administration and planning activities

    • Paying bills (suppliers, maintenance workers, etc)
    • Filling in forms
    • Planning menus
    • Organising staff rotas/shifts

  • Food preparation activities

    • Preparing ingredients and ensuring that enough ingredients are ready to fulfil customer orders (for example, washing, peeling, trimming, slicing vegetables, etc)

  • Food production activities

    • Cooking food (including steaming, roasting, boiling, grilling, etc)
    • Plating up food
    • Finishing food before it is served to customers

As you can see, there are a lot of different activities going on in a busy kitchen! Let’s move on to the next page and see how these activities contribute to the overall work flow in the kitchen.