Katom > Buyer's Guides > Catering / Buffet Equipment and Supplies Buyer's Guide

The catering / buffet equipment section of the KaTom website features all of the supplies you will need to run a successful catering or buffet type business. This section is broken down into smaller categories that will help to refine your search. This guide will explain each of the 34 sections.

Chafers

The chafers section is broken down into 4 smaller categories. Buffet griddles are great for serving foods in a buffet style setting that need to be gently cooked while they are waiting to be eaten. Chafer tote n store products are the easiest way to transport chafers securely. Chafer accessories include all of the products you will need to use your chafer properly. Chafing dishes are a kind of portable grate that is typically raised on a tripod or base, and is used for foods that require gentle cooking away from the direct heat of flames.

Insulated Drink Dispensers

Insulated drink dispensers keep drinks either hot or cold, whichever they are supposed to be, until they are ready to be served. These units are available in various shapes and sizes to fit your specific needs.

Catering Containers

The catering containers section is divided into two smaller sections. Cater coolers are great for storing any cold item for transport. Catering food bags are the best way store numerous food containers for transport. Food bags can maintain both hot or cold food products at their respective temperatures until they reach their destination.

Steam Pans & Covers

The steam pans & covers section is divided up into 9 smaller categories, each of which contain steam pans and covers of different sizes. Roast pans are also available in this section.

Tabletop

The tabletop section of the KaTom website contains all of the items that could be found on a commercial or residential tabletop. This section is divided into 13 smaller categories, each holding items that you will need for your business, but that are often overlooked. Tabletop items are the products you see in the front of a restaurant, typically on tables, that help to make a great first impression on customers as they enter your business.

Coffee & Tea Equipment

The coffee & tea equipment section provides any and all types of coffee and tea products you will need to create the perfect, rich and aromatic cup of coffee each time. Commercial coffee makers are available in many different varieties to meet the demands of any volume business. Tea brewers & dispensers can also be purchased to supply all the tea demands your customers may have as well. Coffee percolators & urns, percolating brewers & urns, and high volume coffee systems offer high volume coffee production to meet the needs of even the most demanding business. Coffee grinders are a perfect way to allow your customers to grind their own coffee, which will be the freshest way to brew coffee. Home coffee makers can even be purchased for brewing coffee in your home. Espresso machines are available to create creamy espresso drinks, which are becoming increasingly popular every day. Coffee brewer accessories, hot water dispensers, beverage & coffee service carts, & teapots & creamers are all accessories you will need to ensure your coffee pot is running efficiently. Specialty drink dispensers can create frozen, hot, or even juice type drinks for your customers.

Serving & Buffet Series

Serving & buffet series serving items are various types of plates and other dinnerware items that allow you to serve customers in an elegant fashion. There are 24 different types of serving & buffet wear to choose from in a myriad of colors and styles.

GET Food Pans

GET food pans are solid-color laminated pans that are both durable and easy to clean. These unique pans are stain and mark-resistant as well as heat-tolerant. These units come in a variety of sizes to meet all of your needs and are great for cold or wet-heat aplications up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Melamine is dishwasher safe but not recommended for microwave use.

Polar Ware Buffetware

The Polar Ware Buffetware section contains all of the Polar Ware products you will need to use in your buffet business. Knives, pie servers, ladles, serving spoons, and buffet forks can all be found in this section.

Dinnerware

The dinnerware section is dived into 6 categories of dinnerware to fit in with various types of restaurant settings. Plate covers are frequently used when meals will be sitting for any length of time or are being prepared and transported to make sure that nothing contaminates the food. Restaurant china is elegant looking dinnerware that provides an appealing look for your plates and cups. Break resistant SAN dinnerware is tough enough to withstand being dropped or even thrown, yet remains intact with its classic look. Glass dinnerware is an ideal line of glassware for serving food to your customers, yet is more easily broken than the break resistant versions. Polycarbonate dinnerware is a type of dinnerware that is frequently seen in schools and hospitals. These units are extremely durable and generally provide years of service. Meal delivery systems are trays that can be covered or uncovered and used to transport food from one location to the other.

Trays & Tray Stands

The trays & tray stands section is divided into 13 smaller categories. Chrome serving trays & platters provide an elegant look for any dinner party or event. Compartment trays are typically seen in schools with separate sections for different foods. Dietary trays, fast food trays, plastic trays, and market trays are all flat, colorful trays that can be used for nearly any purpose. Display trays & covers are the perfect way to display your foods while keeping them covered to ensure that unwanted contaminates do not reach your food. Festival trays are uniquely designed trays that add a little flair to any serving occasion. Aluminum serving trays & platters are provide a clean look for your serving area, while stainless steel serving trays & platters provide the same type of look, and allow you to clean these quickly. Melamine trays are both durable and easy to clean. Waiter / waitress trays have a cork type surface that allow servers to carry multiple plates of food without concern of them slipping. Tray stands are great for placing a tray on while the plates are being removed and given to customers.

Buffet Stands & Risers

Buffet stands & risers allow you to display all of your food products eloquently on racks designed specifically to enhance the appearance of your products. Stands and risers are great for catering events or in your own restaurant.

Serving Utensils

The serving utensils category holds all of the utensils you will need for serving food properly. Various types of servers & turners are available in this section

Serving Items

Serving items are the items that are either placed or taken to the customer's table that hold some type of food, condiment, or beverage. This section has 11 different items that are used for serving food products. Molcajetes are frequently used for food or even food cooling items, depending on the size of the molcajete used. Store N serve food pans are variously sized pans that allow you to both store and serve the food on the same platter. Serving & buffet series serving items are various types of plates and other dinnerware items that allow you to serve customers in an elegant fashion. Serving crocks & platters are great for serving small items or items that can be snacked on before the actual meal arrives, such as tortilla chips. Rarebits / Au Gratin dishes are stainless steel, elegant looking dishes that are perfect for serving gourmet foods. Sizzling platters are great for dishes that are to be served hot, and can be placed on another item, such as a wooden dish, to keep it from burning your employees or customers. Ceramic serving platters, tulip dishes, and serving bowls are great for casual dining type settings. Salsa, chip, and tortilla servers are frequently used in restaurants serving Mexican food, while wooden dishes can add a splash of accent to this, or any, type of decor.

Certain types of serving items are more frequently used for serving condiments and other items that are used to help enhance the flavor of foods. Condiment jars are ideal for holding and serving just about any type of condiment you can imagine. These jars come in various sizes and are available with or without a cover. Cruet sets are most often used to present and pour oils, vinegar, or syrup. Glass jars are an extremely versatile type of serving items because it can hold any product necessary. Gravy boats are an elegant way to hold and serve gravy to your customers. The long pouring lip of the gravy boat helps to ensure drip-free pouring. Butter servers and warmers are the perfect way to warm and melt butter, making it easier for your customers to spread on their desired product. Ramekins & sauce cups offer a casual look, and can be used to serve sauces and other types of condiments.

There are 4 types of serving items that are best used for beverage pouring. Coffee & tea service items include any type of product from decanter to cups that are capable of holding and serving a coffee or tea beverage. Beverage decanters & carafes can be used to hold your beverage of choice and are available with or without a stopper. Pitchers hold large amounts of product and are great if you have a large table that needs frequent refills. Wine & beverage servers are graceful looking servers that are most often used to serve great-tasting wines to your customers.

Carving Stations

The carving stations section features numerous carving stations that are the ideal ways to extend food holding times during serving periods. These units are great fold holding baked and fried foods as well as side dishes.

Food Pans & Accessories

The food pans & accessories section is separated into 8 smaller sections based on pan size. Ninth size pans are divided into 9 compartments to hold different types of foods. Sixth size pans are divided into six sections for different foods. Fourth size pans have larger holding compartments and are only divided into 4 sections. Third size pans have even larger compartments since they are only divided into three sections. Half size pans have 2 large compartments that can hold large quantities of food. Half size long pans are also available which are divided into 2 sections, but are divided into long compartments. Full size pans are large, open pans that can hold large quantities of food. Refrigerant filled food pans are also available to keep cold foods chilly until they are ready to be served.

Storage Containers & Food Bar Crocks

The storage containers & food bar crocks section contains 11 smaller categories. Each of these categories hold containers and crocks that will hold your food and keep it fresh and ready to eat.

Countertop Buffet Warmer

Countertop buffet warmers allow you to have a buffet on nearly any countertop. These countertop buffets create extra food presentation space anywhere you need it. These handy units help to maximize profit even in an area with limited space.

Beverage & Chocolate Fountains

Beverage & chocolate fountains are extremely useful for large scale events such as weddings, family get-togethers, or business conferences. Fountains are widely used by caterers to create a high-class, exciting presentation that will keep customers calling back for their service more often. Chocolate fountains are ideal for dipping fruits and other foods in warm, melted chocolate. Beverage fountains are an elegant way to present a beverage while allowing customers to self-serve.

Ice Sculpture Molds

Ice sculpture molds are an ideal way to create an elegant and classy look for any event. Ice sculpture molds can be used to create various types of ice sculptures for nearly any type of event.

Food Bars & Accessories

The food bars and accessories category holds 6 smaller categories, all of which related to the necessary items for having a cold or hot bar, or countertop buffet warmer in your restaurant. This section of the restaurant equipment page shows all the equipment that is needed for a salad bar or hot bar for hot food items, such as freshly cooked meats. This section contains necessary sanitary items for your cold bars or hot bars, such as sneeze guards, tray slides & end shelves, and food bar accessories.

Portable Sink & Prep Carts

Portable sink & prep carts provide an instant handwashing facility wherever you need it. These units typically include a paper towel holder and soap dispenser to increase ease of use. Portable sink & prep carts are both durable and easy to clean.

Cocktail Units & Ice Bins

  Cocktail units & ice bins are a great piece of bar equipment to have in your bar. These compact units have an area for ice in the middle where you can either store products that need to be kept cold or use the ice to put in mixed drinks. The sides of the unit have space to store bottles that hold the products you will need for your mixed drinks. This unit keeps all of your products close together.

Portable Bars

Portable bars are great for any bar that needs an extra bar section or for any business that is in need of a small bar. These units come in a variety of different sizes and styles, from 5'-9' long, with professional to Hawaiian themed bars.

Cooling Tubs

Cooling tubs are the perfect way to keep your cold items cold while presenting a pleasing visual display. These units allow you to place individual tubs on each table, fill them with ice, and let each table have their own cold products to enjoy.

Commercial Microwaves

Commercial microwaves are an essential part of any commercial kitchen or catering / buffet business. Microwaves are great for cooking or warming precooked food products. Commercial microwaves can also be used for defrosting purposes as well. Convection microwaves are becoming increasingly popular due to the fact that these units have a fan that circulates air through the unit, cooking and heating food evenly. Touch pad and dial type microwaves are available for you to choose from.

Carts

The carts section is broken down into 3 smaller categories. Each of these categories holds a certain type of cart or accessories. Food prep carts are the perfect way to transport food that is already on a tray. These units are commonly seen in hospitals and schools. Utility carts are idea for holding and moving any type of product you will be using in your catering or buffet business. These carts are capable of holding between 50-500 lbs. Cart accessories are also available in this section. Silverware bins and refuse bins that can be easily attached to a cart can be found in this category.