1. What savoury additions can be added to the afternoon tea menu to make it more substantial?
Adding savoury items to an afternoon tea menu can make it more substantial and appealing to a wider audience. The RATIONAL iCombi Pro combi steamer is ideal for preparing savoury tarts and quiches, as well as savoury scones such as cheese or tomato and basil. Operators can ensure the consistency of pastries and mini pies with iProductionManager, which advises on what can be cooked together and even suggests time- or energy-optimised orders. Whether dealing with frozen goods, fresh dough or small pastries, the iCombi Pro's intelligent precision and control ensure that food items are cooked consistently every time.
2. How can recipes be successfully adapted to cater for residents who are gluten and/or dairy free?
Adapting an afternoon tea menu to be gluten or dairy free involves substituting traditional ingredients with gluten-free alternatives while still offering a variety of delicious options. There is a wide range of gluten-free flour alternatives and dairy free milk such as soy almond or even coconut which can be used available to ensure the menu remains diverse and inclusive.
The RATIONAL iCombi Pro's stringent cleaning capabilities help avoid cross-contamination. Its iCareSystem intelligently assesses the current level of grime and provides a cleaning recommendation. Furthermore, the ultra-fast 12-minute interim clean option is perfect for quick turnarounds when preparing allergen-free items.
RATIONAL combi-steamers incorporate features that align seamlessly with Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles. These principles are essential for identifying and managing potential food safety risks. The ConnectedCooking digital network solution facilitates the documentation and tracking of HACCP-related data, simplifying adherence to food safety regulations. This ensures a safe and efficient kitchen environment, essential for maintaining high standards when preparing gluten-free afternoon tea menus.
3. What is your favourite tea time treat?
Savoury Cheese Scone
300g Self Raising Flour
100g Cold Butter
150g Red matured Cheddar
120ml Full Fat Milk
6g Baking Powder
25g Grain Mustard
25g Chopped Chives
2g Maldon Sea Salt
Cheese for post bake to garnish.
Neil McKay
Regional Corporate Chef
RATIONAL UK
4. What ready-made options represent the best value?
Ready-made options that represent the best value for care home caterers typically include those that balance cost, quality, and nutritional value while being easy to prepare and serve. Options such as pre-cooked meats, bread and bakery products, and ready-made desserts, which are popular and easy to serve, from cakes to puddings, can offer significant convenience to caterers. As technology in manufacturing has improved and the quality of development chefs has advanced, the value for money in ready-made or convenience options has also increased.
