Ep. 12 - Cracking the Code to Purchasing School Foodservice Equipment

In this episode, Chef Robert Simmelink, Director of Culinary Services of Ignite Foodservice Solutions, discusses the importance of right school food service equipment and the benefits of test kitchens. He emphasizes choosing automation wisely and considering the hidden costs of only focusing on the price tag, especially with the availability of grants and rebates. Chef Robert shares a success story of implementing a cook-chill kitchen. And he advises school administrators to involve all stakeholders in decision-making and to research equipment options. Go to ignitefoodservice.com/ to explore Ignite Foodservice Solutions’ service area and see how they can help your equipment game. Takeaways Test kitchens help schools choose the right equipment, like test-driving a car before you buy. Plan for equipment replacements to stay ahead of needs. Cheaper equipment may bring hidden costs like inefficiency and maintenance issues. The right equipment can expand menu options. Research and gather feedback from other schools when selecting equipment.