Catering supplies for the perfect Platinum Jubilee celebration

The Platinum Jubilee will be celebrated across the country with street parties, civic events and other celebrations in schools and workplaces. They'll be taking place during a double bank holiday from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th June, with an estimated 10 million people getting involved

What makes a good paring knife?

Any good commercial or home kitchen needs the right tools for every job. This is never truer than when buying knives, as choosing the right blade for a specific purpose can make individual tasks far easier. The devil can often be in the detail, and at times like that, a good paring knife can be your best friend in the kitchen

What advantages do OXO Pop storage containers offer?

You might be a professional chef managing a restaurant kitchen or just an amateur with a passion for cooking, but either way, how you store your foodstuffs is important. Finding the right storage solution isn’t always easy. Since it launched 30 years ago with a non-slip grip vegetable peeler, OXO has gone from strength to strength creating world-class cooking equipment including storage containers

What is the best way to cook potatoes?

The potato. The humble spud. Red, white, yellow, purple, sweet, or fingerling – there are so many types and species of potatoes; each a little different, and each more delicious than the last.Potatoes have been enjoyed by humans since about 8000BC when they were first cultivated by the Incas. They’ve since been cooked and prepared in thousands of different ways, and nearly every country in the world has a national potato dish. But what is the best way to cook potatoes

Why are they called tapas?

Tapas is a versatile menu option for any bar, restaurant or even home. There is a dish for everyone and the small size makes them tempting even to those that don’t think they are hungry. Offering a tapas selection is a brilliant way of not only raising revenue but delighting customers too. Who can resist a small bowl of patatas bravas!

What is induction cooking?

Induction cooking has increased in popularity in recent years, as more and more people recognise the benefits this style of cooking can bring. But, what is it exactly, and why should you make the switch

Restaurant bins (who knew there were so many types?)

One important aspect of owning a restaurant, cafe or bar is that you collect and store waste correctly. What you may be surprised to know is that there are many different types of bins that can be used in the restaurant setting. They can be found in the kitchen, front of house area and in outdoor seating areas. So what bins do you need to keep your restaurant safe, clean and tidy? Below we explore the different types of bins that are available for use in restaurants

Which frying pan to buy?

We all know that a good frying pan should be sturdy enough to use daily and easy to clean. But not all frying pans work for every cooking task - and not all frying pans are the quality you need! So which frying pan do you need for which task? Read on to find out what is the best frying pan to buy for you

What is melamine crockery and is it safe?

Quality modern melamine products have the look and feel of china. Melamine is one of the most durable dinnerware materials available and will outlast crockery made from ceramic and porcelain. It is versatile, chip-resistant and perfect for indoor and outdoor use

Is food presentation more important than ever?

Modern consumers are savvier and more demanding than their predecessors. They are very aware of their buying power and their right to enjoy personalised products and services, as well as their ability to post negative reviews online! This can make food presentation more important than ever for caterers and hospitality venues

Time for the perfect coffee: A complete how too on cafetières

For most of us, a cup of coffee, whether it's that first caffeine kick of the morning or an after-dinner treat, is all about the ritual of making it. It's in this aspect that the cafetière (known more commonly in America as the 'French Press') pulls way ahead of the competition. It's a hands-on and suitably old-school way of making the perfect cup and an ideal way of serving coffee from upmarket bistros to your home breakfast bar

Your questions answered on disposable aluminium foil food containers.

Whether you're a food business offering food for takeaway or an individual who loves to cook, disposable aluminium foil food containers can be indispensable. But are they safe? Why are they so popular? And what are they used for? Read on to have all of your questions about disposable aluminium foil food containers answered

Restaurant Cleaning Supplies (The best professional cleaning products)

If you run a busy restaurant, you'll know that investing in high quality, robust cleaning equipment is essential. With tough health and hygiene standards to meet, restaurants face the daily challenge of effective cleaning. However, having the right cleaning products can make running your business so much easier and will prevent harmful viruses and bacteria from spreading onto food

What is a Balti Dish?

Found in several different languages including Hindustani and Bengali, the word Balti, meaning 'bucket', was originally derived from “balde”, the Portuguese word for 'pail' or 'bucket'. According to scholars, the word Balti can be traced back to Northern Pakistan’s Baltistan, where a cast-iron pan similar to the woks used by the Chinese is employed for cooking traditional dishes

How to Cook Perfect Pasta (A How Too Guide)

Pasta is a food that is loved by many across the globe. It's famous for being a cuisine from Italy, although it has interesting origins that actually come from China. Nowadays, it's served everywhere - from New York to New Dehli - as a popular Italian dish. But not all pastas are created equal! Here's a bit more about pasta and how you should make it

Wonderful Winter Warmers (Britains Favourite Winter Dishes)

Though the weather outside is frightful, the food inside is absolutely delightful. Yes, winter has arrived and along with it comes a wonderful selection of wholesome dishes. For us, this chilly season is all about the food. From classic beef stew to homemade soup, it's time to stop watching that waistline, and indulge in some hearty British fare instead

Containers to Go - Keeping Britain’s food industry moving

This year has made a lot of us think twice about how we can best serve our community and keep going ourselves. It has been an especially challenging time for those in the food service industry. Whether you work in a restaurant, a pub or a takeaway, you will have felt the repercussions of Covid 19 restrictions

English Breakfast Day

Who doesn’t love a deliciously traditional English breakfast? Whether your favourite part is succulent sausage, perfectly crispy bacon or a side of tasty toast with a smidge of marmalade, everyone enjoys this classic spread. Otherwise known as a fry up, we celebrate this true national treasure of a dish on 2nd December – which is officially English Breakfast Day!

Flavoured Oil - the Perfect Gift

Flavoured oils are an exciting and simple way of adding an extra layer of yummy goodness to dishes. They can be used during the cooking process, to add flavour whilst frying ingredients to ensure that they are infused throughout the dish, or alternatively can be provided on the table, allowing dinner guests to add an extra kick to their meals, with the freedom to use as much or as little as they please depending on their own personal tastes

7 Tips for a Successful Cafe Takeout Service

Many businesses are now finding that they have to adapt their brand and way of delivering these services because of the Covid 19 pandemic. So, what does this mean if you run an independent coffee shop or cafe in your local town or village? Well, one answer is that if you don't already offer a takeout service, then you could branch out into the takeaway sector. Below we explore 7 tips for starting a successful cafe takeout service

Covid safe with Cooksmill

Here at Cooksmill, we know how important your business is to you - and that you want to keep your staff and customers safe and happy in a friendly environment. Here are some ways you can ensure your business is Covid compliant and safe

The Ultimate Guide to Indian Spice Boxes

No matter if you are a budding chef, own a restaurant or are just looking to spice up your kitchen, your cooking space will not be complete without an Indian Spice box. Originally called a Masala Dabba, Indian Spice Boxes are made from stainless steel containers and usually have seven compartments to hold the most widely used spices

The need for takeaways is not diminishing. Its growing!

If the COVID-19 pandemic has proven anything, it’s that the UK's hospitality industry will find ways to adapt and survive in the toughest of circumstances. Since the country went into lockdown back in March, restaurants, pubs and cafes up and down the country have found ways to transition to takeaway and delivery services in order for their businesses to survive

Which Kitchen Thermometer? (Cooking the professional way)

In any professional kitchen, the tools you use are of vital importance. These might be the freshest ingredients, the best cookers, and importantly the perfect kitchen thermometer to make sure that every single dish you create is up to the desired temperature. When it comes to choosing a kitchen thermometer, there are many different types and styles to choose from - so it can be hard to pinpoint exactly what piece of equipment you need in a professional environment

Everything you need to know about Tawas

A Tawa – also know as a Tava, saj, or tapa – is the name for a cooking pan similar in appearance to a wok. They are commonly used across Asia, but can also be found in the cuisine of the Balkans and even the Caribbean.Read on to learn more about the uses for these wonderful pans, how they are made, and how to care for them

Guide to Safely Handling Vegetables During Covid-19

Fresh fruit and vegetables are a concern for restaurants, cafes and any catering business during the covid-19 outbreak. Where meats and poultry will be cooked to remove any germs many fruits and vegetables are eaten raw. How can you make sure that you have taken every precaution to keep yourself and your customers safe

Restaurants, Cafes and Pubs In a Covid-19 World

Many restaurants, cafes, pubs and other food outlets have been thrown a lifeline during the coronavirus crisis by diversifying into the takeaway and delivery sector.Driving revenue during the current public health emergency has required a shift in focus. It has meant equipping your business with what’s needed to quickly switch from dine-in to takeout along with a healthy dose of creativity

Cooksmill Is Now Open

Cooksmill is pleased to announce they are opening their stores. The safety of both our valued customers and staff are at the forefront of our minds. As such we have carefully considered safety precautions in place

Covid 19 Statement

Cooksmill have taken the difficult decision to temporarily close both our online shop and our stores due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic

Buyer’s Guide To Restaurant Cutlery From The Experts At Cooksmill

Owning and operating any restaurant or cafe entails lots of different buying decisions, and this guide helps inform restaurateurs, hoteliers, and cafe owners about the types of stainless steel and the way cutlery is manufactured. Choosing cutlery to suit your establishment will mean making value decisions, as it's generally a good idea to pair cutlery with the type of menu on offer

Sizzler Plates and Bases (Get Sizzling with Cooksmill)

Preparing and serving meals is one of the great joys of both the professional and amateur kitchen. We all want our food to look and smell wonderful. When it is presented to us on a sizzler plate then it becomes all the more appealing and appetising. Food is steaming hot, you get the full and fragrant aroma of the dish, and you hear that wonderful sizzle when a steak has been prepared. Above all, you want to eat the food

Jam Making Equipment List

Don’t be blinded by all the expensive jam making equipment on the market – this list covers the essentials you need to start making jam at home

Beautiful Cake Stands for Every Occasion

Why are cake stands such a key part of special occasions? Surely it's the cake that counts most for your customers? This isn't entirely correct: cake stands make a huge difference to how the cake is perceived and received. Let's have a look at exactly why they matter so much

How Water Baths can Save You Money!

A water bath, otherwise known as a "sous-vide", is a fantastically efficient way of cooking that has been growing considerably in popularity over the last few years. It's easy to dismiss as a fad; however, the water bath has been an invaluable tool in professional kitchens for decades - and with good reason!

Aluminium Cookware: Chefs’ Delight!

Everyone knows that chefs tend to have their very own knives that they look after with care and attention, washing and keeping them sharp themselves. What is less well-known is that truly dedicated chefs have their own preferred sets of cooking pots and pans. These pots and pans can help the chef to correctly gauge cooking times, portion control and much more: but how does a chef go about selecting that all-important set of pots and pans in the first place

Unique Food Service Ideas To Thrill Your Customers

Eating out at our favourite restaurant or bar should always be an enjoyable experience. Not only should the food be cooked to perfection, but it should also be served with loving care. The way in which food is presented and served to us at the table can really make that dining experience memorable

Which pizza pan is the best option for me?

There are few things more satisfying than a delicious, pizza fresh from the oven. Still, there’s always that tense moment as you cut into the pizza, waiting to hear that crunch that tells you the crust is cooked to perfection. The best way to ensure this is to use a top-quality pizza pan. Here’s our guide to choosing the perfect pizza pan

Holiday Opening

Everyone at Cooksmill would like to wish all our customers a happy holiday and a happy new year. Over the holiday period we will have the following opening and delivery times

Italy’s Toschi Cocktail and Coffee Syrups Available in the UK

From sweet and sumptuous cherries, light and delightful coffee syrups, to rich and creamy dessert toppings, Toschi is a great Italian gourmet brand steeped in tradition, culture and history. Explore the wide range of treats offered by this fantastic brand and find their products now available from Cooksmill

Professional Kebab Skewers for Restaurants & Take-Aways

Tandoori dishes have become a ubiquitous dish on the menus of British restaurants. Exotic and appetising, tandoori marinated meats and vegetables are rich, spicy and tender. Skewers are an essential part of cooking tandoori dishes. The metal skewers used in restaurants conduct heat from the fire below and ensure the meat, fish or vegetables are cooked inside as well as out

What size is a Gastronorm Pan?

Gastronorm is a standardisation system used to normalise and classify the dimensions for containers and trays used in the food industry. In this article, we take an in-depth look at the Gastronorm system – its origins, meaning and purpose

Why would you use a pressure cooker? (3 Simple Reasons Why)

You may remember a pressure cooker in the distant past screeching away in the kitchen and, if you shudder at the very thought, it’s not difficult to understand why. However, the stovetop pressure cookers of today are a world away from their old-fashioned ancestors and could transform the way you prepare meals, helping you to cook delicious food that oozes with flavour and nutrients

Cooksmill: The One Stop Shop for Pizza Shop Equipment

Pizza has become one of the most beloved foods throughout the world, with it being available in most countries around the world. From its humble origins in Naples to having frozen pizzas at home, one thing has remained the same and that is centuries of economic, technological and social change being baked into every slice

Why should you choose Inker coffee cups?

One of the reasons Inker cups and saucers should be appearing on a shelf near you is that they can be colour matched to your café, coffee shop, tea room or restaurant with ease. The range comes in a brilliant array of sharp colours, covering its “Luna” cups, and “Mocca” mugs, with matching saucers

Are commercial microwaves better?

Commercial microwaves can be a considerable investment for smaller businesses, which can lead many to be tempted into buying a microwave designed for domestic use. The question is whether or not a commercial microwave is a wise investment, compared to a domestic one. A domestic microwave may be cheaper in the short term, but there are multiple reasons why a commercial microwave can offer much better value for money

Indian Restaurant Equipment Essentials

Starting a new Indian restaurant? Read our ultimate list of Indian kitchen equipment essentials. An authentic Indian restaurant experience requires traditional Indian cookware to deliver scrumptious food!

The Secret to Making Fresh and Succulent Fried Chicken

Chicken is an incredibly versatile meat that can taste mouth-wateringly good when cooked correctly. If you own a takeaway or restaurant, you'll understand that chicken is a popular meat for Britons and it's incredibly important to get the recipe and cooking method right

Is it the end for plastic straws?

In a bid to help cut down pollution in the world's oceans, the UK government has pledged to introduce new controls for all single-use plastic items in 2020. The measures will cover plastic straws, as well as plastic drink stirrers and cotton buds, and they will apply to England from April 2020. What will happen with plastic straws

June Food and Drink Events

The British summer starts here and if the forecasts are to be believed Britain is going to be having a 6 week heat wave. No one wants to be sat inside on a lovely day so it’s a great time for café and restaurant owners as people are out on the streets. Cooksmill bring you loads of great opportunities in this month’s food and drinks event guide

Cooksmill’s Guide to Food Labelling | Infographic

What if we told you that you could boost your profits, reduce your food waste, protect your customers and help the environment all with just a simple peel and stick? You would be right to be sceptical, but you would be surprised to hear that all that can be achieved in a matter of seconds

May Food and Drinks Events

Spring is sprung and May brings us two bank holidays in one month. Bank holidays are a brilliant boost to all kinds of catering businesses from restaurants to mobile caterers as people see the bank holiday as an excuse to treat themselves. Be prepared for an increase in customers and make sure your fridges are stocked up

April Food and Drinks Events

Don't miss out on exciting food and drink events happening across Yorkshire, Manchester and the big events from across the UK. Spring is here and hopefully the sun will be shinning, it's time to get out and about to sample some tasty treats and maybe find some new inspiration for your business

The Ultimate Guide to Chef’s Clothing

Buying chef’s clothing can be a minefield of different styles, colours and uses. With more choice come more questions. For instance, what will look the best in my establishment? Do I need double breasted jackets or a bib apron? And what on earth is the difference between a trilby hat and a chef’s hat

March Food and Drinks Events

Want to know what food events are coming up? We have everything you need to know about the food and drink events you might want to attend this March. This month sees amongst it’s highlights the Manchester Irish Festival, the Harrogate Fine Food Show and the London Coffee Festival

5 Things Every New Coffee Shop Needs

Looking to start a coffee shop? Here are 5 essential products you need to stock up on. From coffee cups and teapots to syrup mixers and cake displays, Cooksmill sell everything you need to get started

Kilner Jar Gifts: 4 Thoughtful & Handmade Ideas

Sometimes, creative gift giving can be a nightmare. Read about 4 thoughtful and homemade Kilner jar gift ideas that won't break the bank! We've handpicked our top 4 ideas to help you create that perfect handmade gift! Read more

Ultimate Guide to Colour Coded Chopping Boards

Possibly the best plastic colour-coded chopping board guide on the web! What are the chopping board rules? Learn about low vs high density chopping boards. Reduce the risk of cross-contamination in your kitchen, cafe or restaurant. ??Get a FREE A4 wall chart poster for your kitchen or food prep area

5 Basic Cooking Hacks | Infographic

No need to use spoon while serving ice cream in a party anymore because you can serve it fast with a knife. All you have to do is to put the knife on a stove top for a minute and two and then use that hot knife to slice the ice cream

Kilner Jars: Classic Designs with Many Uses

Kilner as a business was first established in England in the year 1842, by John Kilner. The business produced glass jars and bottles to begin with, and it was not until the end of the century that the very first official Kilner jar was invented. That original jar design remains as successful and popular in 2016 as it was over a hundred and twenty years ago

Battle of the Cocktails!

This week, debate has divided the team here at Cooksmill. As we start to get into the swing of summer, the conversation turned to cocktails – what we like, what we don’t. Everyone has an opinion. Everyone has a favourite. Nobody can agree. Battle lines have been drawn. Sides have been chosen. Friendships have been put to the test

Chefs Essentials

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a newly-qualified chef or a veteran, it can be frustrating if you don’t have the right tools. The best food is prepared by the best equipment. Therefore, in today’s blog, we’re going to list what we consider to be the essential equipment for any top chef in any kitchen – all of which are available here at Cooksmill

Summer is here!

That’s right, we’re fast approaching the seasonal joys of of overly long school holidays, god-awful panama hats and dare I say…socks with sandals.On the flipside, BBQs and some much promised sun. So it ain’t all bad.At Cooksmill, we’re stocked and ready to cater to all your summer needs – grills for the ace barbecutionist in all of us, cocktail mixers for those garden parties and the uber-fashionable Kilner jars

I.O SHEN Knives

We are proud to announce that we are now official stockists of I.O. SHEN knives. I.O. SHEN knives are truly some of the best knives around and we are very excited to now stock these in store

Funkin Cocktails

As we are now in the run-up to Christmas (yes I know it is still the end of November whilst I write this) we thought we would share with you some of our favourite recipes for our favourite part of Christmas…. Cocktails!

New Biodegradable Range

For those who haven’t heard about it yet, we are now stocking Vegware products! For those who don’t know too much about Vegware let us explain to you just how great they are!

HACCP Explained

If you have not yet come across HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point), it is a science based system that ensures hygiene, health and safety is maximised within the food industry

A rational explanation

This week we have been lucky enough to have two demo sessions from a Rational development chef on their new SelfCookingCentre 5Senses. Rational were keen to show our customers and staff how this exciting piece of kit works, and we can see why!

Chefsware - A Checkered History

When we imagine chefs clothing we think of a gleaming white suit, the favoured choice of many professionals, however in the 1980s the uniform began to evolve to meet the needs of modern chef’s

Gustav Emil Ern Knives & Their History

Knives are unarguably a chefs most important tool, no matter what cuisine is being served up. Professional knives have definitely come a long way since the caveman days of hacking at food with a sharpened piece of rock

World Pasta Day

Saturday 25th October celebrates one of the worlds most loved dishes; pasta. We know there’s a day to celebrate almost everything (even squirrels) but World Pasta Day means that we have an excuse to eat mountains of Italian food without feeling guilty!

Bonkers About Baking

The UK has gone baking mad. In the past 12 months the number of people obsessing over how to avoid a dreaded soggy bottom has rocketed. Baking is now a popular hobby amongst people of all ages. We have officially gone bonkers for baking!

So Who Are Cooksmill?

First and foremost, thank you for visiting the Cooksmill website. It has been a long road up to this point but now is the part we've all been excited about - serving businesses up and down the UK with top quality catering equipment

Terms and conditions agreement

Please read our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy.*

X