Installing a new church kitchen is a big decision, and no small undertaking. But Steelplan Kitchens can show you where to start

Churches come in all different shapes and sizes, which is why every semi-commercial kitchen is designed to fit each individual project. It’s important to find the right solution for your church, but before you can begin, we advise asking yourself the following three questions…

What will be its purpose?
From organising coffee mornings to catering big events or providing a welcome cuppa to your local community, a new kitchen can open many possibilities for your church. But it’s important to find the right purpose for you and your team. For example, if you’re planning to feed the five thousand with a fully-equipped kitchen, your church will need to meet different requirements to a congregation-only café.

To start with, think about the space – is it accessible, and does it affect what you can do? Whether you want a full kitchen, or even just a hot drinks area, the size will be a deciding factor. At Steelplan Kitchens, we want your kitchen to realise its full potential, so understanding what you’re hoping to achieve will only make the end goal that much easier.

Can someone manage it?
Once you have decided what your kitchen will be used for, you might need to consider who your main point of contact is, and who will be stirring up some tasty meals in there! Many churches work with volunteers to make their soup kitchens run like clockwork, but if you’re planning to prepare many hot meals for a hungry community, it might be an idea to put someone in charge.

This way, you can feel confident that your kitchen, and its volunteers, are in safe hands. Plus, the running of the kitchen will become more streamlined. Of course, for kitchens offering hot drinks and cake, a head caterer isn’t always necessary.

How big is your project?
Are you planning a complete renovation or just an update on your current space? If you’re dreaming of an extension but your church is a listed building, it’s important to understand the restrictions to the type of work that can be carried out. You also need to consider your budget and what space you are realistically working with – will a small kitchen be fit for purpose, or is a larger area the only solution?

Also think about the practicalities, particularly ventilation, electrics, water supply and drainage – if you want to relocate or enlarge your kitchen, you will need to add these costs to your budget.

As experts in planning, designed and creating your kitchen, we know that every church is different. Size, requirements and budgets – we’ve got the know-how. Contact us on 0844 809 9186 to find out more about our semi-commercial kitchens.