Ever-Evolving Kitchen Trends Are A Roller Coaster Ride

Efficient automation is a leading trend for commercial kitchens.

Trends in commercial kitchen design and construction are ever-changing. Commercial kitchens must constantly evolve to ensure the safe and efficient production of delicious food, so hiring the best design experts to navigate these trends is essential.

Mark Wallace, VP of Sales with Canadian Restaurant Supply (CRS), heads an experienced commercial kitchen design team that has successfully executed projects nationwide. This group deeply understands the newer, mandatory elements for modern commercial kitchens, influenced by both regulatory requirements and market dynamics.

“On the legislation side, we see things like refrigeration components changing as they have to meet certain criteria,” explains Wallace. “You used to be able to install a walk-in cooler in a room with just drywall on it, but federal regulations have changed that.”

Many of the new rules are an effort to guard against the overuse of utilities and to protect the environment.

“Another trend that will likely be enforced is the ‘electrification’ of the kitchen,” says Wallace. “We’re seeing it with new publicly-funded projects that require all restaurant equipment to be electric, not gas.”

Progressive technology plays a pivotal role in modern kitchens, with induction technology gaining traction for its speed, efficiency, and safety. Smart cooking has been rising for years, featuring iCombi Ovens that combine convection and steam for faster results. Add user-friendly smart panels that can be programmed; a perfectly cooked chicken is just around the corner.

“Once a recipe is programmed, no matter who is in the kitchen, all they have to do is press the ‘chicken’ button and follow the oven’s instructions on the screen,” smiles Wallace. This technology is paramount in commercial kitchens where staffing is an issue.

Enhanced safety trends are also at the forefront. More hand sinks are being required, and designated sinks for their specific uses ensure proper hygiene.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a fresh and exciting trend that will make life easier in commercial kitchens once the technology has been finessed.

“AI is definitely going to be a factor,” says Wallace. “From a design standpoint, it will do some of the work for us,” referring to the accuracy that AI will provide for the layers of technical drawings that are required for a kitchen creation.

It's only a matter of time before we witness the automation of a substantial portion of the tasks currently performed by human workers in commercial kitchens. The CRS team has already observed these impressive robot demonstrations at various industry trade shows.

“One of them, it’s only job was to make fries,” says Wallace. “It picked up a basket, put it over a freezer that automatically dumped fries, then took it to the fryer and dropped it into the fryer. It picked that basket back up at a specific time and took it to the fry landing zone.” Another robot made a perfect pizza.

While robots are not mainstream in a commercial kitchen yet – just imagine the perfect dishwashing robot! - Wallace is certain: “When we talk about the future, that’s where the future is headed.”

Trends move fast, so having an experienced commercial kitchen designer working with you is critical.

“Ours is one of the few industries where we have clients with little or no food service experience,” he explains. “We have a client who is an engineer, and he opened a pizza restaurant. Why? Because he wanted a pizza restaurant. It was his life's dream. It’s our job to take it from a dream to reality.”

If you're ready to explore your restaurant dream and see it come to life, trust CRS's expert commercial kitchen team to guide you every step of the way and reach out today!

Keep it cool and confidently nail the refrigeration needs of your kitchen. Work with the very best in commercial kitchen design services and supplies, and reach out to the CRS team today for expert advice and guidance!