The Villeroy&Boch and WMF brands are considered among the most expensive and prestigious; the products of these manufacturers are used in premium class establishments.
The products of Guy Degrenne, a company specializing in the production of cutlery and metal accessories for bars and restaurants, are also distinguished by their high quality. Thanks to varied design Cutlery from this brand is suitable for a wide variety of restaurants.
The products of the American company Oneida, which owns the famous Sant Andrea brand, suitable even for five-star hotels and expensive, elite restaurants, are also very popular among Russian restaurateurs.
Products from Italian manufacturing companies Giorinox and Broggi have a good price-quality ratio. Italian collections, as a rule, are updated every year and therefore fully correspond to all modern trends, and series usually include about twenty items. Italian cutlery from Svanera is also distinguished by its excellent quality and relatively affordable price.
High-quality cutlery suitable for intensive use in the restaurant sector is produced by German Hep.
Products of medium price level and good quality also include cutlery produced by MerxTeam AB (Sweden), Eternum (Belgium), Pintinox (Italy).
Affordable restaurants and bars also use domestically produced cutlery (Pavlovsky plant, Elektrostal, Trud Vacha, Nytva plants).
Villeroy&Boch cutlery is a symbol of quality and prestige. Alloy used for production of stainless steel, consisting of 18% chromium and 10% nickel. A special advantage in silvering Villeroy&Boch devices is the use of silver in a concentration of 120g, compared to other manufacturers who use a concentration of 90g.
Lifestyle, Service".
WMF products are a traditional guarantee of the highest quality, characteristic of products from German manufacturers, designer execution of collections and a fairly wide range.
WMF offers more than twenty cutlery designs in different styles: romantic, classic, modern, minimalist, etc. The company's assortment will allow you to select cutlery according to individual taste and preferences. The complete WMF line consists of 43 items + additional serving programs - for serving salad, meat, tongs, etc.
WMF cutlery is characterized by ultra-resistant silver plating thanks to the use of a special Cromargan alloy, so even with intensive use the cutlery does not wear out or lose its appearance.
Today Guy Degrenne owns the following trademarks: Guy Degrenne, Berndorf, Letang-Remy, Seed.
The company's cutlery includes 50 designs (the full line consists of 38 items). The Guy Degrenne company produces a series of cutlery for both 3-4 star hotels and hotels themselves. high category. For the production of devices Guy Degrenne uses: steel 18 (18% chromium) or steel 18/10 (18% chromium and 10% nickel). At Guy Degrenne factories, cutlery is produced both by stamping and hot forging.
For the production of knife blades, hardened steel 13/0 (i.e. containing 13%) is used with the addition of molybdenum, which enhances the cutting properties of the steel, making it especially strong and hard. All knife blades are hardened, knife handles can be cast or hollow. Steel for spoons and forks contains 18% chromium. For the production of cheaper lines of devices (thickness from 1.0 mm to 3.0 mm) steel 18/0 is used, for more expensive lines (thickness from 1.8 mm to 7.0 mm) - steel 18/1 0 (nickel allows it should be whiter, stronger and more wear-resistant).
Guy Degrenne uses 2 categories of silver plating:
- category 1 (silvering of at least 33 microns);
- category 2 (silvering of at least 20 microns).
Taking into account the trends existing in the market, Guy Degrenne produces, in addition to classic designs, and appliances in Art Nouveau style.
Guy Degrenne cutlery also stands out for its high quality raw materials, good thickness and length of products and high-quality processing of teeth. The entire production process of cutlery, from the selection of raw materials to packaging, is subject to strict controls, including both electronic and visual. Guy Degrenne provides a 10-year warranty on its appliances (and 25 years on silver-plated products), which require little care during use and are dishwasher safe. Each device must have a company mark, which is a guarantee of quality.
The American company Oneida is number one in the world in production and sales of cutlery. The company offers cutlery under the Oneida and Sant Andrea brands. Appliances under the Oneida brand (mainly aimed at mid-level establishments), with high quality and variety of designs, are significantly cheaper than products under the Sant'Andrea brand (they are intended for the highest class establishments and are classified as luxury appliances), although some the series of these brands are very similar in design. Considering that the Sant’Andrea brand series includes more items, you can combine products from a more economical line with the necessary serving items from a more expensive series.
In the company's assortment you can find cutlery of various designs: modern series (for example, Du Parc, Flight, Aero), classic (Maderno, American Harmony, Easton, etc.), series with decor (such as Chateau, True Rose, Dover).
The surface treatment of devices can be mirror or matte, and products with silver or gold plating are also offered.
In addition, the company offers a large selection of accessories for serving a buffet, spice racks, oyster dishes, as well as sommelier knives, cigar scissors, fruit and bread baskets.
The Italian company Giorinox has a wide selection of devices. The company is distinguished by its professional approach to the production of cutlery: impeccable appearance, full compliance with all hygienic standards, material strength and ergonomics. A wide range allows you to choose cutlery both at high prices (with matte polishing or gilding) and at the most affordable ones.
The series differ in design, steel thickness (from 2 to 2.5 mm) and number of items. For example, the more expensive Edera series includes 26 devices, and the more economical Pegaso - only 5.
Another Italian company Broggi offers cutlery made of nickel (12 collections) and stainless steel (15 collections) with silver plated.
The collections are made in classic style(Medici, Palio, etc.), in a modern design (for example, Stilleto, Gaia, Vip), as well as with the use of decor (for example, the Bermini, Excelsior, Visconti lines).
The Italian factory Svanera specializes in the production of cutlery, kitchen utensils and serving items. Products manufactured by the Svanera factory have gained popularity due to the optimal ratio of low price and excellent quality.
In the Svanera assortment you can find various lines - from inexpensive cutlery to higher priced products with gold and silver trim. Each line contains 12-15 items. Three main lines - Sabrina, Stefania, Bravo.
Main material products – stainless wear-resistant steel 18/12.
Hepp is the oldest German factory, founded in 1863. At this time, when there was no industrial production cutlery and servingware for hotels and restaurants, Hepp became a pioneer in this field. From that moment on, the concept of Nerr silverware became synonymous with the highest quality in Germany. The company's partners are the largest hotel chains in the world.
Despite his commitment to tradition, Nerr actively takes advantage of the achievements of progress. Nerr produces cutlery and serving utensils from steel 18/8, 18/10, and silver plated. The Nerr assortment allows you to choose products from very affordable and simple in form and design to sophisticated and luxurious. All devices are distinguished by high quality polishing. In addition, Nerr also offers special machines for polishing devices.
The Swedish company MerxTeam AB presents a wide range of cutlery: from products with thick silver plating to economy class series. Most of MerxTeam AB's products are made from 18/10 corrosion steel, which allows them to maintain their original appearance for a long time even when washed in dishwasher. The thickness of cutlery is 2.5 - 3 mm, and some models are up to 9 mm. It is especially worth noting the table knives from the Swedish manufacturer. They are typically made from 18/0 steel, which has undergone additional heat treatment, making them very sharp. The knives are carefully balanced, so they are comfortable to hold and cut food easily. They never leave marks or scratches on porcelain and are easy to process.
The Belgian company Eternum offers good cutlery from various collections that harmoniously combine classic and modern design. The Eternum assortment is quite wide and includes both cheap collections and quite expensive ones. The price of the cheap collection is comparable to the prices offered by the Russian plant Elektrostal.
The Italian factory Pintinox has its own design studio, which develops cutlery models of the most different forms, from classic to avant-garde. High-quality cutlery made of 18/10 steel has a perfect polish, which allows the cutlery to always look very attractive. Among the variety of Pintinox cutlery series, you can choose from any price category. Mid-range products include, for example, series such as America, Gamma and Sirio. Expensive lines of this company include Bramante Pallaptum and Baguette.
The Russian plant Elektrostal produces several lines of cutlery for hotels and restaurants of various designs.
The range of lines is quite diverse and includes a large number of items including caviar knives, ice cream spoons and spread forks. The disadvantages of cutlery from this manufacturer include the low quality of polishing - the products quite quickly lose their shine and presentation, become dull, wear out, however, thanks to affordable price The plant's products are still in stable demand.
Inexpensive cutlery is produced by the Pavlovsk plant of artistic metal products. The plant's assortment includes a wide selection of serving items, numbering more than 25 items. As a rule, the products of the Pavlovsk plant are made in the best Russian traditions and are decorated with blackening, deep embossing, artistic painting and this is why they are sometimes not suitable for restaurants - they are not very dishwasher safe and do not always meet strict hygiene standards.
Products produced by the Nizhny Novgorod plant Trud (Vacha) are an excellent alternative to expensive products from Western companies that produce cutlery.
The plant's products are made from modern high-quality materials and have excellent performance characteristics. A wide product range and modern design allow these devices to be used for serving the most sophisticated tables. The plant offers cutlery in the middle price group, as well as in the premium and economy categories.
Collections presented in the middle price group have a classic European design, a wide product range and are made of 18/10 steel. An even glossy polish, smooth rounded edges of the products, a deep working surface, a sharp knife blade - all this indicates the high quality of the products. During production, a German polishing complex is used, which has no analogues in Russia. Strict classic design, as well as good quality products have already gained popularity among buyers of the plant's products.
The high quality of products is confirmed by awards from a series of international exhibitions and competitions. OJSC Trud also produces a product line for bars and restaurants: bar spoons, compliment spoons, chill molds, napkin rings, tongs and much more.
One of the largest and most famous Russian manufacturers cutlery - Nytva plant. His cutlery is made of high-quality nickel steel using imported equipment, and due to the fact that the design of the cutlery was developed by Italian specialists, they fully comply with international standards.
Cutlery is of considerable importance in serving not only festive table, but also on ordinary days. You simply cannot do without them. In addition, they complete the look and decorate the dining table.
When choosing tableware, the housewife should pay attention to the following points:
We present to your attention short review the best manufacturers cutlery, which, in our opinion, is worth paying attention to when choosing.
Nice design. Reasonable price
Country Russia
Rating (2018): 4.5
A domestic company that produces cutlery. The product of this company will please housewives perfect combination prices and quality. You can purchase both universal gift sets of cutlery and individual products. The company also produces souvenir devices. For example, on the eve of the World Cup, spoons with appropriate symbols were released. It is worth noting that the design of domestic serving items is not inferior to foreign premium brands.
Housewives online are happy to share their impressions of Nytva cutlery, claiming that these are time-tested accessories that do not wear out. Particularly noteworthy are devices with a “gold” coating, which does not wear off even with aggressive cleaning. Spoons, forks and knives are tough and durable; you can use them to pick up hard food without fear of them bending.
Best wear resistance
Country: UK
Rating (2018): 4.6
If you want an elegant and expressive set of cutlery that is worthy of being on the table of the most discerning housewife, then we present to your attention the Robert Welch company. The British brand has a long history and today has achieved the perfect balance between classic and modern. Cutlery from this company can be seen in museums of modern art in Britain and the USA. This company was the first to make premium cutlery from polished stainless steel rather than silver.
Serving utensils from Robert Welch can be purchased at prices starting from 4,000 rubles. A set of cutlery from this manufacturer for 6 people from the Iona Bright series will cost the buyer approximately 25 thousand rubles. This is far from a cheap brand, the quality of the product fully corresponds to the stated price. The brand rating was reduced due to high cost, in other respects he is truly the best and deserves to occupy a leading position.
High quality. Convenient stand
Country: Belgium
Rating (2018): 4.7
If you want to buy an inexpensive product, then you should avoid cutlery from BergHOFF. This is a well-known brand that is famous for its uncompromising German quality and refined taste. The tableware itself is distinguished by its sophistication and unusual design, they are difficult to confuse with products from other manufacturers, BergHOFF is immediately visible. In addition, it is worth noting the original stands designed for storing devices; they are also very durable and will last a long time. There are sets for every taste, from children's to premium.
You can find many reviews about BergHOFF devices on the Internet. Housewives note that the devices themselves are very comfortable to hold and use, they are moderately light. The knives quickly accomplish their intended purpose, that is, you don’t have to cut a piece of steak, the blade cuts food well. The stands are easy to clean, all the hooks are easily removed and do not fall off when devices are hung on them. In general, BergHOFF deservedly takes its place in the ranking of the best manufacturers.
The largest product catalog
Country Russia
Rating (2018): 4.9
Lara cutlery is a premium domestic product. The manufacturer took care not only of quality, but also of the aesthetic side of the issue, which is why Lara continues our short rating. Their product will be an excellent gift or a pleasant purchase for the hostess to serve the holiday table. The material from which these cutlery is made is stainless steel. It is worth noting that the Lara company is not limited to the production of cutlery. In the catalog you can find other kitchen utensils and accessories. They are also different beautiful design and practicality.
The cutlery business will be relevant at any time. After all, every person cannot imagine eating without using these table setting items. Organizing such a business is quite difficult; the main key to success is the high quality of goods, ease of use and, of course, original design. Below in the article we will look in detail at how to organize a successful production of cutlery and earn decent capital from it.
When organizing a business, the simplest and most convenient option will be an acquisition ready-made enterprise or a famous franchise. However, if this is not possible, then you must go through a complex registration procedure.
Before you start producing cutlery, you need to register your business. To do this, you should contact the tax office and obtain a taxpayer certificate. Due to the fact that the products will need to be sold not to end consumers, but to enterprises Catering or in outlets, V in this case the most acceptable organizational and legal form would be a limited liability company.
Produced cutlery is subject to mandatory certification in accordance with international standards ISO 9001. In addition to obtaining a certificate, it is necessary to issue a declaration that confirms the fact that the products comply with GOST. To carry out settlement transactions with clients, suppliers and government agencies You should open a bank account.
The production of cutlery should be as automated as possible, otherwise the business will not be profitable. For this purpose, it is necessary to purchase appropriate equipment and special molds, which are designed separately for each type of product.
Please pay attention to the following nuances:
The main type of raw material for the production of cutlery is special stainless steel. The most durable and high-quality material is chromium-nickel steel. When making more expensive products, devices are coated with silver or gold.
In addition to steel, the following are also used:
The main suppliers of the workshop are steel smelting plants.
Finding the right partner can take more than one month; during the search process, you can try raw materials from several suppliers, negotiate working conditions and prices, and then choose the most profitable options. The larger the volume of purchased products, the correspondingly lower the price. The metal is supplied to the production workshop in the form of bundles or solid sheets.
The process of making cutlery includes many operations and requires special equipment. Production includes:
The production technology and the material from which eating utensils are made must ensure:
Although manufacturing process Almost completely automated, it is impossible to do without hired employees who will work in the production workshop. It is believed that the more manual labor was used in the production of eating utensils, the higher the price of the product.
In addition to the employees who will be directly involved in the manufacture of products, the following personnel will be required:
For a small enterprise, at first it is necessary to hire at least 10 - 15 employees.
Depending on the type of cutlery, an effective sales system should be built. Cutlery is divided into two types:
Professional products are much more expensive than conventional ones, since they are subject to higher requirements regarding product quality, wear resistance, and they have a wider range.
Besides household appliances include:
Household cutlery can be purchased at any large supermarket or specialty store. Therefore, it is necessary to organize the sale of such goods directly to retail outlets, carry out advertising events, place POS materials at points of sale, and develop a system of discounts for regular customers.
Professional devices should be offered to hotel complexes and directly in public catering establishments:
In this case, it is advisable to conduct presentations of manufactured products, provide free sets of cutlery to familiarize yourself with the quality and functionality, and enter into contracts for sale in large quantities at special prices.
Organizing such a business requires enormous investments, the bulk of which will be spent on purchasing equipment and raw materials. But with provision High Quality products, originality of design and packaging, competent organization of the production process and efficiency of sales and advertising channels - financial success is guaranteed.
To launch a small workshop for the production of eating utensils, an investment of at least 2,000,000 rubles is required. At first, without having a lot of capital, you should limit yourself to the production of cheap products; gradually increasing the quality, you can move on to the production of professional devices.
Monthly expenses may include:
It is difficult to calculate the exact amount of monthly profit, because everything depends on the region, suppliers, production specialization, and initial investment. On average, a workshop can bring the owner from 100,000 rubles per month, excluding wages employees.
The payback period depends on the business owner’s ability to effectively build a work process, set up a sales system in a short period of time and, most importantly, offer the client an original product that will be different from other manufacturers.
The minimum payback period is 18 months.
The production of cutlery is a very profitable line of business, the investments made have enough short term payback. The success of a business lies in the entrepreneur’s great desire to develop in this area, improve the quality of the product, introduce innovations into the production process and constantly offer something new to its consumers.
Our regular readers often contact us with questions about how to implement this or that idea presented on the “1000 Ideas” portal. Therefore, we decided to launch a new series of articles that talk about how to Russian conditions It is possible to implement many projects that work successfully abroad.
It's hard to imagine life without cutlery. It seemed that a fork, spoon or knife was such a small thing that we rarely pay attention to. However, we cannot do without them completely. Cutlery has a long history. But the main qualities of modern forks, knives, spoons and other table serving items are, first of all, ease of use and elegant appearance.
There are two main groups of cutlery - professional (made specifically for hotels, cafes and restaurants), and household. Professional cutlery is more expensive, as they are designed for more intensive and long-term use, as well as for cleaning with special chemicals in the dishwasher. Almost every manufacturer has cutlery in various price categories.
European manufacturers dominate the domestic market for professional cutlery. In particular, the products of Rosenthal, WMF, HEPP (Germany), Fortuna (Austria), Barenthal (France), Robert Welch (Great Britain), Abert, Morinox (Italy) are in great demand. Some companies specialize in certain types of tableware items. For example, the Spanish company Arcos, owners brands Gude, Wuesthof, Boker (Germany) produce mainly knives. Among the Russian factories that produce a wide range of cutlery are VSMPO-Ural, OJSC Nytva, Virazh-Pavlovo, OJSC Trud, Ashinsky Metallurgical Plant, etc.
The main buyers of cutlery are enterprises that operate in the HoReCa segment (cafes, restaurants, hotels, canteens, etc.). The average restaurant, as a rule, has a fairly wide selection of cutlery: table and snack spoons, forks and knives, dessert cutlery, tea and coffee spoons, butter knives with a dull blade and special tools for various dishes. The range of cutlery in a high-end restaurant is even more diverse. It includes special devices for fish and meat, fruits and desserts, knives and forks for cheese, forks for oysters, snails and crayfish, spoons for sauces and salads, pouring spoons for soup, tongs for pastry, chocolate, ice, asparagus, sugar, lobster, spatulas for cake or fish, etc.
The production of modern cutlery is a fully automated process, which, however, requires direct human participation. Moreover, the more expensive the products produced, the higher value has a human factor.
One of the most the best materials for the manufacture of such products, chromium-nickel steel grade 18/10, also called AISI 304, is considered. Chromium in its composition (18%) gives this alloy strength and stainless properties, and nickel (10%) protects products from aggressive food acids. The same component gives the devices a noble silvery shine. This steel has properties such as strength, corrosion resistance, and hygiene.
AISI 420 stainless steel is usually used for the production of knives. This steel differs in chemical composition from other alloys: it is more durable and has good cutting properties. Knives that are supposed to be sharpened during use are pre-hardened, which is only possible when using 18/10 steel with a higher carbon content.
AISI 430 steel (18/C, 18/0) is used for the manufacture of budget-class cutlery and tableware. Even a non-specialist can distinguish between products made from these alloys: devices made from 18/0 steel are attracted to a magnet, while devices made from the more expensive 18/10 steel are not magnetized. AICI is an international brand whose name is an abbreviation for the American standard American Institute of Steel and Iron.
In addition to steel, cutlery is also made from nickel silver, brass or cupronickel, which are often plated with silver or gold. Contrary to popular belief, pure silver is practically not used for the production of tableware, since they are not strong enough, too expensive, heavy and inconvenient to use.
Steel is purchased from steel mills and supplied in the form of coils (for the production of cutlery) or large sheets(for the production of trays). Blanks are cut from a solid polished metal sheet with a thickness of 2 to 6 mm (the thicker the sheet, the more expensive the product). Then the handle and working parts are rolled. All parts are cut, cleaned and polished. If necessary, patterns, drawings are applied to them, and inserted additional elements. To increase the hygiene of the devices, all teeth are carefully rounded, and the surfaces between the teeth and in the slots are additionally polished. This is what the cutlery production process looks like in brief. Most often it is carried out “cold”, which means that all phases of production are carried out without heating the workpieces.
Technological stages include the stage of sheet stamping (cutting) of the form; the rolling stage, as a result of which the bowl of a spoon or the tine of a fork becomes thinner; the stage of sheet stamping (cutting) a cup of a spoon or a tine of a fork; degreasing stage to remove oils after stamping; the embossing stage to give shape and design; polishing stage using abrasive paste; a washing step to remove any remaining paste and, in some cases, a gold or matting step.
Knives are often more expensive than other cutlery, as they are made using different, somewhat more complex technologies. There are three types of knife production. Stamped products are produced through a cold stamping process like other cutlery. To produce forged knives by “hot” processing, a metal rod made of AISI 420 stainless steel is used. A knife is modeled from a hot rod. First, the rod is cut to specified sizes, then heated. First, the handle is forged, and the blade is lengthened and thinned by hot rolling. Then a profile is cut to give the blade its shape. The blade is cooled, ground and sharpened. During the first polishing with abrasive pastes, plaque is removed after cooling. Then, to remove any remaining abrasive paste, the surface of the product is degreased. At the next stage, the cut of the handle is minted without heating, then the knife is polished again using an abrasive paste, degreased, marked and packaged.
Knives with a vacuum (empty) handle are considered the most expensive. Their blades are made using the same technology and from the same material as forged knives, but the handles consist of two steel shells welded together by cold hammering. They are then connected to the blade with a second fastener or attached using a special adhesive. Finally, the product is polished, degreased and packaged.
Knives are usually differentiated by the type of blade, which can be hardened or unhardened. The former are stronger and more durable, while the latter type of knives may become stained and bend over time. The cost of the product is also affected by the quality of polishing, which can be either matte or mirror-like. The former are more expensive than the latter, since initially the surface of all knives is mirror-like, since they are made from a polished sheet. To achieve a matte effect, it is additionally processed using small balls or sand.
Solid knives are hardened during manufacturing, which allows them to be sharpened and protects them from corrosion. Knives with attached (or attached) handles are more expensive, since assembling and polishing such a product and the joints of individual parts is a labor-intensive and time-consuming process. After inserting the blade to the middle of the handle, both parts are connected using special porcelain cement.
High-quality cutlery and kitchen utensils must be certified for compliance with the international standard ISO 9001. A declaration of conformity to GOST is also issued for them.
To organize the production of cutlery, you will need special equipment (usually made in Europe) and molds (variing in the number of places).
You can open production from scratch or purchase one already ready business. For example, an operating plant for the production of cutlery will cost 25-30 million rubles. The production capacity of such a plant is up to 80 kg, the staff of the enterprise is 15-20 people.
Despite the fact that not all Russian companies operating in this segment survived the crisis, the production of cutlery of various price categories for the HoReCa segment is profitable business. Restaurants, cafes and hotels purchase these products regularly, not just once. Cutlery is often lost, often stolen by visitors and staff of establishments, so replenishing their supplies is a significant expense item for such public establishments. However, in order to survive in this highly competitive market, it is necessary to strictly monitor the quality of products and establish a sales system.
As a rule, catering establishments and stores sell goods individually (approximately 80% of the total volume of products produced). Sets of forks, knives and spoons (tea and table spoons) are in much less demand, which must be taken into account when planning the assortment.
Also for the success of your company great importance has a range of tableware that you offer to your customers. Many manufacturers produce spoons and forks in the same quantities, but knives are made in half the size. Experts note a growing interest on the part of consumers in devices of unusual innovative shapes, but at the same time, unusualness should not come at the expense of the ease of use of the product. But still, the greatest demand among Russian restaurants and cafes is for classic cutlery of an elegant shape, without decoration or decoration, with a smooth surface. There is also interest in matte appliances and products that have an aged surface effect. Large manufacturers produce limited editions of devices using titanium coating, which gives the product a beautiful gray-granite color, as well as imitation copper or gold surfaces.
However, if you don't have enough starting capital To open your own production of cutlery for cafes and restaurants, you should pay attention to related areas. For example, in the West, designer collections of cutlery for various target audience. These include, for example, a series of functional toys from designer Luke Salmon. These Cutlery designed specifically for babies who are just learning to feed themselves. Forks and spoons are designed in such a way that the child cannot get hurt while eating and does not lose their contents on the way to the mouth. All dishes in this series are made from a new generation of material that prevents the formation of pathogenic bacteria.
There are even edible cutlery, the production of which requires very little money. Such spoons are produced, for example, by an Indian company that supplies its products to hotels, pastry shops, public and school canteens. Edible cutlery is made from a special flour made from the Sorghum grain. These disposable spoons are not only convenient, but also useful, since sorghum is considered an important source of nutrients.
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Devices were transformed and adapted to new products brought from one continent to another. Modern products are focused primarily on “manufacturability” and ease of use.
Middle class restaurant, as a rule, has such utensils as table and snack spoons, forks and knives, tea and coffee spoons, dessert cutlery, dull butter knives, as well as special tools for unusual menu items.
At a higher class restaurant guests will be offered cutlery:
Understanding all this diversity is not so easy. To ensure that the guest feels comfortable and can ask the waiter for help, special attention is paid to staff instruction.
Like other items made for hotels and restaurants and designed for long-term and intensive use and cleaning with special chemicals in the dishwasher, they are more expensive than household appliances. At the same time, the range of manufacturing companies today includes both economical and luxurious serving options.
On Russian market cutlery manufacturers the most widely represented are European brands, including HEPP, Rosenthal, WMF (Germany), Abert, Morinox (Italy), Fortuna (Austria), Robert Welch (Great Britain), Barenthal (France). They specialize in knives from Arcos (Spain), Gude, Boker, Wuesthof (Germany) and others.
Japanese titanium knives Kasumi and Yaxell, Chinese cutlery Topchoice, HaiGeLei, WNK, and American Oneida are popular. Among Russian manufacturers are Trud-Vacha, VSMPO-Ural, which uses titanium in production, Virazh-Pavlovo, Nytva and others. Some manufacturers can apply silver or gold plating to devices upon customer request.
Chromium-nickel steel grade 18/10 is recognized as one of the best materials for making cutlery. Chromium provides strength and nickel protects against aggressive food acids
Production of modern cutlery– a high-tech automated process that nevertheless requires active human participation, especially if we're talking about about high-quality products.
Chromium-nickel steel is recognized as one of the best materials for the manufacture of devices. 10/18. Chromium (18%) gives the alloy strength and stainless properties, and nickel (10%) protects devices from aggressive food acids and gives them a beautiful silver shine.
The characteristic properties of such steel are: strength, hygiene, suitability for intensive use and dishwasher washing, corrosion resistance.
Cheaper devices are made of 18/0 steel. The difference is that 18/0 alloy products are attracted to a magnet, while 18/10 steel products are not magnetized.
Knife blades differ slightly in chemical composition. They must be more durable and have good cutting properties, some knives need to be sharpened - for this, the knives undergo hardening, which is possible for 18/10 steel with a higher carbon content.
Devices are also made from cupronickel, nickel silver, and brass, which can be plated with silver or gold; New materials, including composite ones, are constantly being searched for. Pure silver devices, if they remain, are more likely as a tribute to tradition: previously extremely common, they are not strong enough, heavy and inconvenient to use, not to mention the high cost of this metal.
Quality cutlery today, they are typically made from solid, polished sheet metal. A blank is cut out of it, followed by rolling the handle and working part, cutting, cleaning, polishing, applying patterns and other operations. Special attention paid to rounding the teeth and polishing the surfaces between the teeth and in special slots (on skimmers, spatulas, etc.) - this is necessary to increase the hygiene of the devices.
Much more Professional knives are difficult to make, which inevitably affects their cost. Knives come with hardened and unhardened blades: the former are elastic and durable, the latter can bend, age and become stained over time, and therefore cost about a quarter less.
The quality of polishing of the product is also very important. It can be matte or mirrored. The surface of all knives is initially mirror-like, since they are made of polished sheets, their matte finish is achieved through special treatment with sand or small balls - today matte shine is especially fashionable. Special technologies are also used when attaching the blade to the knife handle. These overhead, or attached, handles consist of two parts.
After inserting the blade to the middle of the handle, these parts are connected to each other with special porcelain cement. Assembling and grinding the knife and joints is a labor-intensive and costly process.
Solid knives, usually used as a regular cutlery, from which exceptional sharpness and strength are not required, however, during manufacture these knives are also hardened, which makes them possible to sharpen and protects them from corrosion.
When choosing cutlery you should pay attention to the design and quality, whether the forks, spoons, knives and spatulas correspond to the level and kitchen of the establishment, whether they are suitable for the textiles used and the class of utensils with which the table is set. In some ways, a restaurateur can only rely on his own taste. But there are also objective indicators of the quality of cutlery.
As we mentioned above, chromium-nickel steel 18/10 or 18/0, 13/0, 15/0 for knives is most often used for production. The thickness of table forks and spoons should not be less than 2.5 mm.
Particular attention should be paid to the quality of processing of seams and edges - there should be no scratches or burrs either along the edges or on the edges between the teeth of the fork. Strict classic or fashionable minimalistic design of devices is often a good indicator of their quality: intricate design and complex patterns will not only make it difficult to clean the appliances in the dishwasher, but will also hide defects in grinding and polishing.
Professional cutlery have a brighter and more expensive shine than spoons and forks used in everyday life, mainly, due to chromium added to the alloy. Any turbidity is not allowed on the surface of the devices. Another thing - fashionable spoons and forks with an aged effect: being completely new, they resemble noble antique silver.
Quality of forks and serving knives It is often recommended to test it on a rare steak. For chef knives Manufacturers may provide a Rockwell hardness rating, usually between 50 and 60.
Let us also recall another widespread tradition associated with restaurant forks and spoons: It happens that guests take them home as souvenirs, and compact teaspoons are especially popular. Professionals recommend purchasing devices with a margin of up to 20%, so as not to subsequently upset visitors with items of different sizes.
Professional cutlery requires some care: By following simple rules, you can preserve their appearance for a long time. So, devices should not be left in water for a long time: they will fade. Acids, salt, vinegar, spicy foods also negatively affect steel, causing cloudiness. If it is not possible to wash the dishes immediately, you should at least rinse them with hot water.
You should handle devices with decorative handles made of wood, ceramics, or porcelain with caution - they need to be washed at a temperature of 40-45 o C; at higher temperatures, the metal begins to expand and the handle will crack.
Most professional dishes today are washed in dishwasher ma tires, and here the instructions must be strictly followed, especially regarding detergents and rinse aids. At the same time, special cassettes should not be packed too tightly; it is also not recommended to lay out spoons and forks strictly in order - being in some chaos, they will be washed better.
Knives should be washed separately from other cutlery., since chrome steel requires more gentle processing conditions. Before serving, wipe the cutlery with a dry cloth.
Cutlery should be beautiful and comfortable. It would seem that everything is simple. However, if these conditions are not met, the impression of lunch or dinner will inevitably be spoiled. Many manufacturing companies and distributors of cutlery today offer an almost unlimited selection of spoons, forks, tongs, spatulas, and knives. And only by choosing the right cutlery can you truly complement the table setting and allow the guest to fully appreciate the dishes on offer.
Asian manufacturers have problems with stamping: for example, spoon depth less than 5 mm. Eating with such spoons is extremely inconvenient. The depth of a tablespoon that can be comfortably used should be from 6 to 10 mm.
Also, when purchasing cutlery, you need to pay attention to the cleanliness of the surface treatment between the tines of the fork. Cheap manufacturers leaving these hard-to-reach surfaces untreated, with sagging and jagged edges. A sophisticated client will immediately notice such a defect, not to mention the fact that this reduces the level of hygiene.
Increasingly in demand innovative forms of the device, but provided that creativity does not come at the expense of convenience. Preference is still given to devices that fit well in the hand. Purchasing cutlery– not a one-time expense for a restaurant. Their replenishment is a significant expense item. Cutlery is often thrown away along with leftover food. Sometimes guests and staff secretly take the devices home.
Consolation for restaurateur may be the idea that if devices are stolen, it means that someone likes them. Among modern series, we can recommend the manufacturer EME (for example, the Joli and Fuoco collections). Joli is distinguished by a variety of treatments (silver, gold, blackening, etc.), and Fuoco is distinguished by a deliberate roughness of processing, which will suit many conceptual establishments.
At the right fork or spoon the bend is made thicker, since it should in no case be deformed when pressed hard. Very tough requirements apply to knives as well. The file on the blade should be hidden - when serving such a knife, the blade is turned to the left, and the file should not be visible. Quality knives should have a balanced blade and handle.
As a novelty, I can note the PVD coating - made from an alloy of various metals. It is applied to stainless steel appliances and gives them the appearance of gold, black or copper. This coating is applied to its products Italian manufacturer Broggi.
For an inexpensive restaurant It is worth purchasing affordable devices, for example, Fortuna. Their quality is higher than the price. For higher level restaurants I can recommend the English brand Robert Welch.
Quality cutlery all surfaces and edges must be polished and side surface– absolutely smooth. The quality of processing can be easily determined by eye by its even glossy shine; the surface should not have clouding or scratches.
Smooth, elegantly shaped cutlery, without unnecessary decoration or embellishment, is in great demand among Russian professionals. Some people show particular interest in matte appliances and products made from metal with an imitation of an aged surface.
Recently, some large manufacturers have begun to develop new series using titanium coating(devices of gray-granite color), as well as with imitation of gold and copper. For example, new products from the Italian manufacturer Morinox– Stilo Black and Unika Gold series.
Our company recommends paying attention to Italian manufacturers cutlery Morinox And Abert. Most Popular series of cutlery, meeting all the requirements, today are Elegance, Serena, Arcadia, Bagett.
