Cafés
Café Kitchen Countertop Zones for Cafés
Reserve practical work surfaces for preparation, appliances and serving instead of treating every counter length as interchangeable.
Explore the ideas
Plan in this order
- Mark the main preparation point near the sink and frequently used ingredients.
- Group small appliances where outlets and cleaning access are practical.
- Keep serving and cooling space clear of the primary chopping route.
Worked example
A toaster and coffee maker consume the only clear surface beside the sink.
Group appliances at one end near suitable outlets and reserve a separate uninterrupted chopping and serving area.
How to test it
Set out the largest regularly used appliance and a cutting board on the proposed plan.
Apply it to this space
- Layout
- Keep hot preparation adjacent to the pass and route used dishes toward wash-up on a separate side.
- Detail
- Use wipeable splash surfaces and task lighting at plating and wash stations.
- Trade-off
- A more complete kitchen increases menu flexibility but reduces front seating.
- Trace a food order and a dirty dish return
- Check appliance doors clear the prep route
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Details worth a closer look
