The amount of people who order a takeaway or delivery service in modern society has taken a dramatic surge. Even though people still enjoy visiting restaurants for a treat or to celebrate a special event the numbers of customers who simply dine in a restaurant for no particular occasion is becoming fewer. Whether this is accountable to the recession or due to seasonal changes etc. it appears that the public want restaurant quality food prepared and cooked with the choice to eat within the comfort of their own home. Of course, it is not just restaurants that have seen a surge in this area; fast food establishments have also noticed a change. Whatever area your business specialises in and whatever the reasons for the sudden public appreciation for this already popular service, you need to ensure that the food which you prepare is either taken away by the customer or delivered to them in line with the quality and standards that you would insist upon if the customer was dining in the premises.
The way in which you package the dishes can have a dramatic effect on the appearance, taste, texture and overall standard of the meals. It is not only businesses that offer takeaway or delivery services which this issue affects; catering businesses that need to transport their menu items safely and efficiently to the hosting venue without compromising on the final outcome of the dishes also need to choose the materials of their packaging wisely.
Assessing the type of food which you serve or wish to transport should always influence the choices that you make in regard to the method you use to store the food. Different containers are available manufactured from varying materials. Each material will have an effect on the overall perception and presentation of the dish to the customer, may alter the taste of certain ingredients as they react with the packaging and may also determine whether the food can be reheated safely as well as the protection that it offers the food items during transportation. The main materials for manufacturing takeaway, delivery or transport packaging for foods are aluminium, Styrofoam, cardboard or bio-plastic. Although you will need to take into account all the previously mentioned factors you also have a duty to the environment and should consider how the used packaging will have an impact on the planet when it is discarded of.
Aluminium
These containers are tougher than regular foil and are available in round, rectangular and square forms.
Advantages
- Ideal for retaining the temperature of heated food items.
- Can be transferred from the refrigerator directly to the oven for reheating.
- If used with lids, lightweight items can be stacked.
- Suitable for use with heavy duty items if required.
- It is recyclable and therefore good for the environment.
Disadvantages
- Aluminium containers are not supplied with lids so may need to be purchased separately.
- Packaging made from this material should never be put in the microwave.
Styrofoam
These containers are made from polystyrene and are extremely effective at offering insulation to heated menu items. They are durable containers and can hold heavy foods as well as lighter dishes.
Advantages
- Low purchase costs.
- Lightweight items can be stacked.
- Available with dividers to accommodate different meal components.
- Excellent insulation properties.
- Hard wearing and durable.
Disadvantages
- These containers should only be used for temporary storage.
- When the chemical, polystyrene is heated, chemicals can be transferred to foods.
- Not suitable for reheating foods whilst still in the storing package.
- Cannot be recycled and will take years to decompose making these containers very harmful to the environment.
Cardboard
Often these containers are associated with fast food items however can also be used for pastries and breads etc. Cardboard containers are extremely susceptible to leaks and absorb liquids so should not be used to contain any dishes that involve juice of any kind.
Advantages
- Low purchase costs.
- Can be recycled so, therefore is of benefit for the environmentally aware.
Disadvantages
- Does not act as a good insulator and food will cool quickly.
- It is not durable so is ideally suited to lightweight items.
- Cardboard containers are not suitable for stacking.
- Dishes must be transferred to appropriate dinnerware before being reheated.
Bio-plastic
These containers are strong, durable and reusable. A tightly sealing lid can offer an airtight aspect that means that bio-plastic containers can hold the majority of dishes and side orders.
Advantages
- Can be used to manufacture cups, plates and containers etc.
- Is extremely versatile.
- Durable and resistant to leaks making them ideal to transport juices.
- The strength means that these containers can be stacked regardless of the contents.
- Transparent so that the contents are easily identifiable.
- Can be recycled so is kinder to the environment.
Disadvantages
- Not recommended as a reheating container.
- Can be more expensive to purchase than other alternatives.
- Separate lids may be required depending on the bio-plastic design of the container i.e. some lids are attached to the main case whilst other lids are sold separately.
Once you have selected the appropriate materials for your transport packaging taking into consideration the purposes and the foods that will need to be carried you will need to ensure that you have the appropriate staff to handle orders that arrive. If you are offering a takeaway or delivery service alongside your dine in restaurant, extra staff will be needed to work solely on this area. Having too few staff allocated on to a shift will mean that the quality of your dishes and the service you can offer will be compromised. All food should be prepared and cooked as if it were to be presented to the customer on a plate in a dine-in restaurant and then transferred to the transport storage containers as such. If the ordered items will spoil if prepared and then not immediately eaten, each separate component should be packaged individually ready for the customer to complete the mixture of the ingredients and finish the perfect dish.
To make the most of a takeaway or delivery service you should always advertise well in the local area to make your potential customers aware of your business. If you currently own a thriving restaurant your customers will welcome the fact that they can enjoy the food that you offer within their home surroundings. If you are starting a business venture such as this from scratch you will need to employ leaflet drops to your local customer base, include advertisements in your local media and perhaps offer an introduction where customers can see and taste what you have to offer. Once you have the chance to prove yourself to the public, and you have shown the quality and high standards that you offer, you will soon find that you will build up a loyal and regular customer base. Once people find a takeaway or delivery business which they enjoy and receive consistently excellent dishes and service from they will tend to stay with that business and use it whenever they are looking to enjoy restaurant quality food in their own comfortable surroundings.
Choosing the right takeaway and delivery packaging or catering transport containers is vitally important and will have a dramatic effect on the finished product that the customer receives. By considering each material's pros and cons in relation to your own business circumstances will guarantee that you are able to offer your customers or clients a full and quality service with perfect food dishes, whether at a venue or in the comfort of their own home.