Food Presentation: How to Choose the Right Food Display Case

Display cases serve a variety of purposes. They entice customers to make a purchase, but they also make it easy to see what’s available or grab the items they want. No matter what type of food service establishment you run, it’s important to choose a display case that will meet your needs, budget, and space.

There are several factors that need to be considered when choosing food display cases.

Types of Display Cases

There are a few different types used in food service.

Non-Refrigerated Bakery Display Cases

They allow you to show off your creations while giving customers an easy way to make their selections.

Non-refrigerated models are ideal for displaying your freshly-baked items that shouldn’t be stored in moist climates, such as:

• Bread
• Bagels
• Some baked desserts

Refrigerated Display Case

These are a popular choice for restaurants, bakeries, and other food service establishments because they allow you to show off foods you wouldn’t otherwise be able to show in a dry box.

You have two options when choosing a refrigerated food display case:

Gravity coil: These units have a refrigeration coil at the top, so they can cool foods from above. They are ideal for seafood, deli products, meats, and salads.

Forced air: These use fans to circulate cold air throughout the unit. They’re the preferred choice for packaged products, bakery items, and some deli items.

Deli Case

It is designed to store and showcase meats, specifically cold cuts. They’re commonly found in delis, sandwich shops, and fast service restaurants. Refrigerated deli display cases maintain a temperature of about 40° F. They have multiple shelves to store a variety of meats and make it easy for customers to see what’s available.

Heated Display Cases

Just as there are display cases with refrigeration, there are also units with heaters to keep foods warm.

A glass food warmer display case can be used for a variety of applications, from countertop pizza storage to concession cases. They can be found with and without humidity to meet your food storage and presentation needs. They are also ideal for self-serve buffets and can also be a major time-saver in restaurant kitchens.

Materials

When selecting restaurant display cases, you’ll find that there are several types of materials to choose from. Glass, acrylic, and plexiglass are the most popular choices.

Glass Display Case

Many units are made with glass to provide a clear view of the food to customers. They are beautiful, durable, and versatile. The primary concern with this type of display cabinet is fragility. But there is a compromise — tempered glass.

Acrylic Display Case

When it comes to safety, acrylic display cases are generally the best option. It is more durable and less likely to break.

In addition to being stronger than glass, acrylic is also lighter and clearer. Glass has a subtle green tint that can alter the customer’s view of the food. That’s fine for meats and packaged items, but for bakery displays, acrylic is the more attractive option.

Plus, acrylic cases are more flexible, so you can find unique and attractive design options for your establishment.

Size

When selecting a food display case, size is another important and obvious concern. You need to make sure that it can hold everything you need without taking up too much space on the floor or in the kitchen.

Make sure that you measure your space carefully and have an accurate estimate of how much internal space you’ll need for your foods.

You may assume that you need a large one, but that may not necessarily. Most of the time, display cases are used to show off items with short shelf lives. However, if you run a deli that offers a wide variety of meats, cheeses, and prepared foods, you may need a larger unit.

Shelving and Lighting

The primary purpose of a display is to show off your food, so you want to choose shelving and lighting options that catch the eye. The right combination will depend on what you want to show.

Sandwich displays may only have a single shelf, whereas a salad display case will have multiple shelves to show off every possible topping option.

Most refrigerated food service display cases have lighting options. Some have specialized bulbs to enhance the colors of certain types of food products, such as pastries and red meat.

Style

Showcases come in a few different styles, primarily straight and curved models.

A curved display case may be a good option for countertop use or a bakery because it maximizes the viewing area.

A straight display case is ideal for a fresh meat display case or a deli. Customers can still see all of the available items, but you save on space.

Some final things to consider include maintenance, cleaning, and colors. Choose the one that matches your establishment’s interior and is easy for staff to clean.

Source: https://mcdonaldpaper.com/blog/choosing-the-right-food-display-case