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Also known as the brigade de cuisine, a kitchen brigade system is a framework that restaurants use to hire and organize their kitchen staff. The procedure introduces a system where everyone has a specific and dedicated role with a purpose. As a result, your kitchen can maximize its efficiency and run more smoothly.
On average, an entire brigade can make up more than 20 different types of kitchen jobs. These include positions such as executive chefs, line cooks, sous chefs, and many more. As such, it’ll be essential to know the best ways to streamline this system to boost productivity.
6 Efficient Ways To Improve Your Kitchen Brigade System
Implementing a kitchen brigade system can be highly valuable and beneficial to your restaurant. However, while you can create an efficient way of running your kitchen, it’s essential to know how to execute the strategy correctly. As such, here are five significant factors that can help you with your kitchen brigade system.
Define clear roles and responsibilities
The kitchen brigade system works with an established hierarchy network. Each kitchen staff is assigned a specific role. Each staff member will need to carry out particular tasks in the kitchen. After defining the assignments, everyone can understand their roles better, leading to less confusion and mistakes.
A few examples include the different types of chefs you can find in the kitchen. The head chef controls and directs the activities in the kitchen, while the sous chef assists the head chef in all management and kitchen duties. Followed by this are the line cooks who hold different responsibilities, such as creating soups, sauces, and other parts of the dishes served.
Implement a system for communication
A kitchen brigade system can have over 20 different positions in your restaurant. With a large team, you will need to build effective communication within your team. Without it, your workflow cannot run smoothly, messing up orders, upsetting customers, and losing profit.
A few ways you can improve your communications system is by relying on tools that can deliver messages quickly. Examples include digital messaging platforms, walkie-talkies, tablet networks, and many more.
Invest in human resource
A competent and dedicated workforce is crucial for a successful and effective kitchen. The best kitchen brigade can only be hired and trained with time and money from management. The personnel will work hard for you and remain devoted to you if they believe you will support them in becoming great at what they do.
Your staff must possess the necessary certifications and formal culinary training. They may also have a varied culinary history. An aspiring chef should meet these criteria:
passionate about cooking
self-motivated
works well in a team
manages stress
b certified in food safety
have relevant experience
Use technology to your advantage
Modern technology has come a long way and can help you in every aspect of your life. With the help of different electronic tools and software, you can build a system that helps streamline your kitchen work. Best of all, you can modify your system to fit your kitchen needs and goals best.
Some examples of modern tools you can use to gain an advantage in the kitchen include kitchen display systems, restaurant management software, and inventory monitors. You can also combine it with other aspects of your restaurant to ensure your business runs smoothly.
Train your staff properly
While you may have an existing kitchen brigade system, it makes no difference if your staff remains untrained. You should establish proper training programs for your staff to ensure that your operations align with your goals. Otherwise, the risks of making mistakes and hindering your team can become more likely.
Do use practical staff training that can build good habits in the kitchen. Some examples include performing hands-on practice and regular refresher courses, especially when involving new team members.
Continuously evaluate and improve
Even when the kitchen brigade system has already improved your operations, striving to improve is essential. As such, your team should conduct regular evaluations to determine where your strengths and weaknesses lie. Doing so will allow you to improve your system further and give you more opportunities to adjust your strategies as necessary.
One way to improve your operations is to gather data on how your staff vs. your customers feel. You may collect feedback and suggestions from surveys and use them to see where you can improve.
Grow Your Business With Brigade System Kitchen Jobs
Setting up a kitchen brigade system can be one of the best ways to boost the productivity of your kitchen staff while gaining maximum efficiency. They also allow your workers to become more synced with each other thanks to the type of hierarchy you established. As a result, they can work and coordinate better as a team.
While adopting this strategy is ideal, there are five core steps you need to take note of for it to work successfully. These include defining each job role, optimizing communications, and training your staff accordingly. Some may also rely on new kitchen technology in their restaurants to continuously improve the quality of their work.
