Mplus, a UAE property maintenance services provider, recently announced the further expansion of its range of services with the launch of its total commercial kitchen maintenance solutions. With over 12 years of experience offering comprehensive home and property maintenance services, this latest addition caters to the maintenance requirements of commercial kitchens of all sizes across the UAE, one of the world’s most popular leisure, tourism and business destinations. Home to some of the world’s most famous hotels, unique tourist destinations and experiences, and a rapidly growing number of diverse and popular restaurants, the UAE welcomes a large number of tourists and visitors each year. Global Media Insight stated that Dubai, one of the most popular emirates for tourists, recorded 14.36 million visitors in 2022. Between January and September of 2023, the emirate reported 12.4 million visitors and the number of total visitors in 2023-2024 is expected to further increase during the UAE’s peak tourism period between November and March, due to more favourable weather conditions, making it a prime travel season for visitors.
According to Dubai Economy and Tourism’s 2022 Gastronomy Industry Report, Dubai has over 13,000 food and beverage (F&B) outlets catering to tourists and residents, making it the F&B capital in the Middle East and North Africa. These outlets and restaurants operate using commercial kitchens, which are professional-grade culinary facilities specifically designed and equipped to efficiently prepare large quantities of food for commercial purposes. Commercial kitchens must ensure they operate at high levels of capacity while adhering to the required health and safety standards to support the city’s growing number of tourists and residents visiting restaurants throughout the year, especially during peak periods.
For commercial kitchens to operate successfully year-round, especially during the busier periods, facilities must meet hygiene standards that adhere to the UAE’s rigorous health and safety guidelines. Kitchen equipment must be cleaned to the highest standards using the correct materials and procedures to ensure food is prepared and cooked hygienically without the presence of any bacteria. An unclean kitchen can harbour harmful bacteria, potentially leading to food contamination and the risk of food borne illnesses, posing a threat to customers and kitchen staff’s health and safety. An unclean kitchen that is poorly maintained can attract rodents and pests, creating an unsanitary environment, which increases the risk of customers contracting food poisoning, stomach infections, and other related health issues. This would result in a commercial kitchen’s closure until the necessary sanitary measures, pest removal and comprehensive cleaning procedures are implemented, and it is deemed a safe and hygienic environment for food preparation and service.
During peak periods, it is integral to ensure the uninterrupted flow of commercial kitchen operations, maintaining efficient cooking processes to meet customer demands without compromising the quality or timeliness of service. This involves meticulous planning, sufficient staffing, streamlined workflows, and effective communication among kitchen staff to sustain a smooth and consistent level of service while managing increased demand. Kitchen equipment may break down or require prompt maintenance and immediate repairs during high-demand periods due to over-usage, which can cause a significant interruption in service continuity. Depending on the kitchen’s location, obtaining a permit for a company to carry out the required repairs may be challenging. To avoid this, commercial kitchens may stock essential spare parts for quick equipment repairs. However, the absence of a qualified technician readily available on-site remains a potential obstacle to resolving an equipment breakdown issue swiftly.
Commercial kitchens and facilities can use a total kitchen services provider, such as mplus, to guarantee operational efficiencies, implement comprehensive maintenance schedules, and gain immediate access to skilled technicians. Commercial kitchens can operate efficiently, especially during peak times, by utilising a range of services designed to optimise kitchen functionality, minimise disruptions, and ensure seamless operations. mplus offers year-round tailored commercial kitchen solutions for restaurants, cafes, food catering facilities, central, hospital and hotel kitchens. Facilities can uphold consistent operational standards and maximise equipment lifespan by properly maintaining heavy-duty cooking, catering and service equipment tailored to each commercial kitchen’s needs and requirements.
mplus’ total commercial kitchen solutions provide industry-leading preventative maintenance services due to their pivotal role in equipment’s operational reliability, minimising downtime and delays in service capabilities, and elevating the overall efficiency of F&B facilities. Kitchen equipment needs to be regularly maintained to ensure functionality, and staff should be aware of how to properly use and clean equipment to increase its lifespan and functionality. Routine equipment inspections mitigate malfunctions and expensive breakdowns, and by adhering to a well-structured preventative maintenance programme, commercial kitchens can safeguard against unexpected disruptions while optimising equipment performance.
Commercial kitchens can ensure future readiness and planning for peak periods by involving a total kitchen solutions provider to handle their equipment maintenance, service and cleaning requirements. These providers can implement proactive maintenance schedules, conduct routine inspections, and clean and service kitchen equipment, which will help prioritise and prevent any potential issues in equipment functionality. Additionally, they guarantee immediate access to skilled technicians who can swiftly resolve any breakdowns during critical times, including peak operational periods. Professional commercial kitchen solutions providers can develop and maintain essential spare part inventories and utilise preventative maintenance techniques to facilitate faster repairs and preemptive maintenance, which helps significantly reduce a facility’s downtime. Finally, a provider can assist with staff training sessions on proper equipment usage and cleaning procedures, which helps minimise equipment issues.
Maintaining efficient commercial kitchens is crucial as the UAE’s hospitality sector and number of restaurants continue to rise. Partnerships with total kitchen solutions providers who offer preventative and reactive maintenance and swift technician support help ensure uninterrupted operations during peak periods. Their preventive approach minimises downtime, while staff training fosters equipment reliability and proper usage. Adopting these services prepares facilities for peak tourism and visitor periods and maintains the UAE’s exceptional hospitality standards within its thriving F&B landscape.