any foodies out there? looking for some creative solutions to difficult food service problem.?

Question

I work at a hotel, and we need to add food service for late-night arrivals. The problem is, we don't have true cooking facilities. We have a microwave, a panini grill, and could get something else if it made sense, as long as it didn't require actual pots, pans , etc. The front desk staff would be the ones responsible for preparing and plating the food, so it would have to be something "idiot " proof, since they are not food service people. We would be looking to provide about 4-5 items, some hot, some cold, and a vegetarian option. Does anyone have any good ideas? Also, it woudl be great if the food had a little shelf or freezer life, since we would not go through a huge amount of orders a night. Maybe 3-5 requests a night, sometimes more, sometimes less. I really need help with this one!

Answer 1

Since you don't have a kitchen, you also do not have a license from the health department to prepare food. This simplifies things quite a bit because since you don't have a license to prepare food, you cannot sell prepared food legally.

I'm sure the owner of the establishment would not look fondly on a fine from the health department or a big writeup in the local newspaper about how your hotel has gotten in trouble for selling food without a license.

In addition to a license from the health department, the preparation of food requires all your front desk staff to be certified to serve food by ServSafe or whatever program your health department offers.

What little equipment you do have will also have to pass local health department requirements for commercial food service equipment in addition to any pertaining fire codes.

Long story short; for a hotel, the trouble involved in preparing food onsite is not worth the trouble for the small amount of additional income it will bring in.


Does this mean you can offer late night food service for your customers?

No.

Talk to your purveyor about ready to eat, or heat and eat packaged products.

Without a license you cannot prepare food on site. You can't even heat food for your customers, but you can sell prepackaged food to your customers and provide the tools for them to heat their own food.

For some good ideas on what is available to sell that doesn't require pre-heating or preparation, visit some local convenience stores. Every major purveyor offers a line of cold and heat-and-eat sandwiches. You can also buy items such as Lunchables and other packaged items to sell.

For more details, check with your local health deparment and clerks office in your city government to see if there are any other restrictions or necessary licenses required to sell food items inside your hotel.

Brandon O'Dell
O'Dell Consulting
Restaurants / Retail / Bars
[phone]
[e-mail]
http://www.bodellconsulting.com

Answer 2

I'm a former long-time restaurant and food consultant. What you are looking for can be found through a food distributor in your area. U.S. Foodservice and Sysco are the 2 most prominent and have the widest variety. Technology has come so far now that there are many solutions for you. I could give you a few, but it's best to contact one of them and have a representative come out and discuss your best options. They will also provide samples of the products, so you can try them out. All you have to do is ask.

Things not to do:
Don't buy your food at the grocery store. A million reasons for that.
Don't make the decision yourself or among your friends or employees.
Don't jump around with different suppliers. You're too small to do that and if you want loyalty from them, then you give them loyalty and they'll help you anytime, especially when you are in a bind.

One last thing. Go ahead and show this response to whatever foodservice company you choose and they'll agree to the max.

Answer 3

Hope you have a fridge! LOL
Salads are always good. Pair up with poached or grilled chicken.
Poaching can be done in the microwave. Poached chicken freezes very well.

Loaded Nachos are always a good treat. All of the ingredients can be heated up in the microwave. For the meat you can substitute Cincinnati style chili(frozen or canned), red beans are canned, cheese, sour cream, jalapenos, are all refrigerateable.

Instant (minute)rice can be made with boiled water from the microwave. Add some butter and dried herbs/seasonings to the hot water for more flavor.

Green beans, strips of bell peppers, snow peas, egg plant, can be seasoned with some garlic (powder too) and a bit of oil then put on the panini grill to make a vegetable side.

Panini deli sandwiches are a winner as well.

For breakfast eggs can be poached in microwave. Bacon is microwaveable. Waffles can be made in toaster. With some butter and fruit preserves.

For dessert, brownies can be made in the microwave. Top off with hot fudge and ice cream. Yum! They can be frozen too.

I suggest looking at http://www.recipezaar.com ...the BEST site for all kinds of recipes. Good luck.

Answer 4

Sounds like it may be easier to find a business in your area to provide this service. It might be wiser to have one of the staff go and pick up the desired meal.

If you try what you are suggesting, and I was the receiver of a bad meal, I would rethink my stay the next time I was in your area.

Most people would rather have no service as bad service. One more than one occasion, we have stopped and got carry out to take back to the hotel.

Answer 5

Set up some chafing dishes and put out a nice selection of bite sized nibblers, or a pre cooked pasta dish, (from your vendors or Smart and Final - if you have one) along with some easy accompaniments. Sometimes its better to go with the comfort foods for weary travelers. Spaghetti, bread, zucchini, and an antipasti, along with some sweets, etc.. (and self serve- just like home!)

Answer 6

Using the grill u cud make some grilled veg + chicken. this can be stuffed into toasted pitta bread and served with a salad. both pitta bread and the grilled veg can be frozen. keeping some cheeses in the fridge is also a good idea. at night people dont feel like eating much anyway. you cud also make a few dips like a cheese dip yogurt dip and a carrot dip and serve with some toasted bread hope this helps!!

Answer 7

I'd keep three loaves of bread in the freezer- rye, seven grain, and cotton type whole wheat. I'd stick with sandwiches- peanut butter, cheeses, lunchmeats, maybe tuna salad. Some jelly to go with the peanut butter, some mayo and mustard to go with the other things, and you're set.

Answer 8

PB&J cup of soup? TADA!!!