Inside the Mind of an Independent Caterer: Lessons Learned and Money Made
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Inside the Mind of an Independent Caterer: Lessons Learned and Money Made

After working the nightclub scene in Houston for decades, I moved to sunny San Diego to follow my dream of owning a business. I filled my days with running and growing my own catering company. By the time I sold it 9 years later, I had learned a lot about what to do, what not…

Help Restaurants Win with Small Dinnerware Upgrades During the Post-Recession Lag
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Help Restaurants Win with Small Dinnerware Upgrades During the Post-Recession Lag

As a seasoned sales rep helping restaurant operators put their best tabletop forward, you’ve likely heard the same excuses time and again from restaurant clients reluctant to upgrade their tableware. Many operators mistakenly think doing so is either too expensive or not a critical factor to their overall success. We get it. Battle-wounded chain operators…

Melamine Plates vs. China Plates: Do Your Restaurant Customers Really Care?
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Melamine Plates vs. China Plates: Do Your Restaurant Customers Really Care?

Okay, dealer sales reps out there, tell us if you’ve heard this one before: I can’t use melamine plates in my restaurant because my guests expect & demand china. A thousand times? A million? Probably more than you can count.  In reality, however, these operators are wrong. Most restaurant guests do not care whether they’re…

Cost of Melamine vs China Dinnerware: Which is More Expensive?
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Cost of Melamine vs China Dinnerware: Which is More Expensive?

When searching for commercial food service dinnerware to buy, the “Cost of Melamine vs. China Dinnerware: Which is More Expensive” question gets asked a lot. Because of the variety of options for both melamine and china dinnerware, this is a tough question to answer. However, let’s discuss some general pricing guidelines and realistic price ranges for what…

Which Is Better for Catering: Chafing Fuel vs. Induction Heat
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Which Is Better for Catering: Chafing Fuel vs. Induction Heat

On-site and off-site caterers need reliable heat sources to effectively serve their clients’ guests. With indoor and outdoor event sites and varying restrictions on open flame, it’s a good idea to build in some nimbleness to your catering operation. Chafing fuel is an old go-to for caterers. But induction heat has enjoyed popularity growth recently,…

Custom Design Decal on Melamine Dinnerware: Benefits and Cost
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Custom Design Decal on Melamine Dinnerware: Benefits and Cost

One of the easiest ways to bring personality or add your brand’s messaging to your melamine dinnerware is to apply a custom decal – a thin food safe paper with a graphic which is compressed on top of melamine plates and bowls during the manufacturing process. In this post, I will share some ideas on why you should consider personalizing your…

Stainless Steel & Aluminum Uses in Foodservice Operations
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Stainless Steel & Aluminum Uses in Foodservice Operations

Imagine a commercial kitchen with no stainless steel or aluminum. It’s hard to do, isn’t it? That’s because stainless steel and aluminum are the most commonly used metals in foodservice. Stainless is a bit more popular than aluminum, but they’re both used in countless front-of-the-house applications. But what’s the difference between the two metals? Why…

Replacement Rate for Commercial Dinnerware: China vs. Melamine
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Replacement Rate for Commercial Dinnerware: China vs. Melamine

When considering dinnerware options for a commercial foodservice business, the replacement rate is a crucial factor and cannot be overlooked. Let’s review the suggested replacement rates for both china, which we’ll sometimes also refer to interchangeably as porcelain, and melamine dinnerware, and discuss what you can do to maximize the longevity of your tableware.

Which Kind of Metal Basket Coating is Best for Foodservice Operations?
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Which Kind of Metal Basket Coating is Best for Foodservice Operations?

Metal baskets are a familiar item in foodservice. They’re versatile, durable, and come in a plethora of shapes, sizes, and designs. They’re used for fried appetizers, bread baskets, shared dishes, and entrŽes. But with so many choices out there, how do you even know where to begin looking for the right metal foodservice basket for…

Melamine Dinnerware Finishes: Cost and Benefits Comparison
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Melamine Dinnerware Finishes: Cost and Benefits Comparison

With many options to choose from for selecting a dinnerware finish for your melamine tableware, how do you go about selecting a finish that fits not only your restaurant’s personality, but your operation as well? In this article, not only will I give you cost comparisons for melamine dinnerware finishes, but I will also discuss the…

Cast Iron: Natural vs. Coated for Foodservice Applications
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Cast Iron: Natural vs. Coated for Foodservice Applications

When you think of cast iron, you may imagine antique potbelly stoves or cooking by the campfire. Cast iron is a wonderful metal for cooking, as evidenced by its centuries of use. It’s just as effective today, but it isn’t quite as versatile as stainless steel and aluminum – the two most common foodservice metals….

How to Serve Pasta: Plates vs Bowls?
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How to Serve Pasta: Plates vs Bowls?

Here at G.E.T., our customers are always asking us what is better for pasta serving, a bowl or a plate? This is a great question, and like most questions, when it comes to selecting the correct tableware, the answer varies depending on multiple factors. Some of those factors are operational, but in many cases, it’s personal preference. Like food,…