Keep Food Hot Without Sacrificing Quality
It’s happened to us all. You were dining out, anywhere from a restaurant or buffet to a catered event, and you ran into a food that was woefully overcooked. Rubbery chicken, gray steaks, biscuits hard as hockey pucks, and mushy foods often trace back to one thing: improper holding. When managed correctly, hot holding is a powerful tool for foodservice operators. Preparing food ahead of time for serving during busy periods is smart. It makes efficient use of available labor, simplifies workflows, and improves service. How do you ensure that proper temperature is maintained at all times, food remains safe to eat, and the quality is up to your standards? How hot is too hot? According to USDA and food safety experts, bacteria multiply the fastest in foods between 40° and 140°F (aka the Danger Zone), doubling in as little as 20 minutes. For hot foods, a holding temperature range of 150-190°F is a safe bet. It’s hot enough to keep food safely above 140°F, but not so hot that it wil...