Watermelon has attended ADNOC Group Food Sustainability Forum

Watermelon has attended ADNOC Group Food Sustainability Forum

We attended ADNOC Group Food Sustainability Forum yesterday at Abu Dhabi Energy Center, where the company highlighted its progress towards its AED1 billion local food catering agreements for 2022 to 2027.

We are a proud partner supporting ADNOC’s push to locally source its food to create a sustainable food supply chain. So far, ADNOC is meeting its 2023 targets, spending over AED110 million on 11 food categories from January to July 2023.

Over 50% of the food across these categories was sourced in the UAE and Watermelon will continue to support ADNOC’s ICV initiative to #localizetodecarbonize and ensure food security across the UAE.

Omar AlShamsi: The sustainability champion using technology to transform the food industry

منصة “واترميلون” الرقمية تدعم مبادرة “استدامة المزارع الوطنية” عبر خفض التكاليف وزيادة الإنتاجية

بموجب اتفاق بين المنصة ووزارة التغير المناخي والبيئة

منصة “واترميلون” الرقمية تدعم مبادرة “استدامة المزارع الوطنية” عبر خفض التكاليف وزيادة الإنتاجية

دبي، الإمارات العربية المتحدة، …. يونيو 2023: تقدم منصة “واترميلون” الرقمية التابعة لشركة “واترميلون هولدنغ ليميتد” –  رائدة البرمجيات والمنصة تفاعلية عبر الإنترنت لشراء الأغذية والمشروبات – العديد من سبل الدعم التقنية لتعزيز مبادرة”استدامة المزارع الوطنية” التي أطلقتها وزارة التغير المناخي والبيئة بهدف جعل مزارع المواطنين مورداً رئيسياً للعديد من المحاصيل الزراعية والمنتجات الغذائية لكبرى شركات توريد الأغذية العاملة في دولة الإمارات.

ويأتي ذلك بموجب اتفاقية تعاون تستمر لخمس سنوات تم توقيعها بين شركة “واترميلون هولدنغ ليميتد” ووزارة التغير المناخي والبيئة مؤخراً، حيث تقوم الشركة بالمساهمة في تمكين المعنيين من الشركاء ضمن مبادرة تعزيز استدامة المزارع الوطنية من التسجيل في المنصة الإلكترونية المتكاملة الخاصة بها، وذلك لتسويق المنتجات الغذائية والزراعية الخاصة بالمزارعين.

وتوفر شركة “واتر ميلون هولندنغ ليمتد” منصة إلكترونية متكاملة لتسويق وعرض وبيع المنتجات الغذائية بالإضافة إلى منتجات أخرى، كما أنها متخصصة بإدارة سلسلة توريد الأغذية والأطعمة والتي يمكن لأي شخص من خلالها بعد تسجيل دخوله، والتواصل مع موردين بهدف القيام ببيع أو شراء أو توزيع أو توصيل لأي نوع من أنواع البضائع والسلع.

ومن جانبه، قال سعادة المهندس محمد موسى الأميري، الوكيل المساعد لقطاع التنوع الغذائي في وزارة التغير المناخي والبيئة: “يمثل الأمن الغذائي أهمية كبرى لدولة الإمارات بسبب ما نواجه من تحديات تتعلق بندرة المياه وقلة الأراضي الصالحة للزراعة، وهو ما يدفعنا نحو تعزيز الإنتاج المحلي وفق أحدث تقنيات الزراعة الحديثة، وتسهيل كامل سلسلة القيمة الغذائية. ويأتي دعم المزارعين المحليين ضرورة قصوى من أجل بناء قطاع زراعي وطني مرن يساهم في كامل منظومة دولة الإمارات الاقتصادية”.

وأضاف سعادته: “تأتي مبادرة استدامة المزارع الوطنية لتجد حلولاً لتمكين المزارعين المحليين من زيادة إنتاجهم وإيجاد سوق لمنتجاتهم بشكل أكثر سهولة ومرونة بالتعاون مع كافة شركائنا في دولة الإمارات. ونحن سعداء بالتعاون مع شركة واترميلون من أجل توفير منصتها الرقمية لتسهيل تلك المهمة، ونتطلع إلى المزيد من التعاون مع الشركة في هذا الإطار”.

وقال عمر الشامسي، الرئيس التنفيذي لشركة”واترميلون”: “ستدعم هذه الشراكة الزراعة المستدامة وبناء مجتمعات أقوى. نحن متحمسون للتعاون مع وزارة التغير المناخي والبيئة لتعزيز الممارسات المستدامة ودعم المزارعين المحليين. من خلال العمل معاً، يمكننا إحداث فرق حقيقي في بناء مجتمعات أقوى ودعم الزراعة المستدامة والمساهمة في الأمن الغذائي في دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة “.

وبناء على هذا التعاون، تقدم شركة”واترميلون” كل سبل الدعم من خلال منصتها الرقمية من أجل تعزيزالمزارعين المحليين وتمكينهم عبر خفض التكاليف وزيادة الإنتاجية بما يتوافق مع أهداف الوزارة الرامية إلى تعزيز الأمن الغذائي لدولة الإمارات وفق أسس مستدامة وإشراك المزارعين المحليين في منظومة متكاملة تهدف لإدماجهم بشكل أسرع في سوق الغذاء.

ووفقاً لـ “مبادرة استدامة المزارع الوطنية”، تم الاتفاق مع مختلف الجهات الحكومية وكبرى شركات التوريد من تعزيز مشترياتها من المأكولات والمشروبات والفواكه والخضروات الطازجة والبروتينات المنتجة بواسطة المزارع المحلية.

وتم اختيار “واترميلون” في مارس 2023 كمنصة معاملات إلكترونية تفاعلية لمشتريات مختلف الجهات الحكومية لمنتجات المزارع الوطنية في الإمارات. ومن خلال العمل مع وزارة التغير المناخي والبيئة، ستقوم”واترميلون” بتسجيل المزارع التجارية والجهات الحكومية وتقديم بيانات في الوقت الفعلي إلى الوزارة. ستكون هذه البيانات مؤثرة في المستقبل لتقليل الفاقد ومطابقة العرض المطلوب في التخطيط الوطني للأمن الغذائي.

تُحدث “واترميلون” ثورة في كيفية تواصل موردي الأطعمة والمشروبات والمشترين من خلال توفير منصة تبسط عملية الشراء. من خلال منصتها المبتكرة والتزامها بالاستدامة، تعد “واترميلون” مصدراً أساسياً للشركات في صناعة الأغذية والمشروبات. ويأتي هذا التعاون مع وزارة التغير المناخي والبيئة شهادةً على التزام الشركة بتعزيز الممارسات المستدامة ودعم المزارعين المحليين.

لدى “واترميلون” أكثر من 50 مزارعاً محلياً مسجلاً لديها، بما في ذلك “غراسيا” و”منبت”. وتعمل”واترميلون” بنشاط على زيادة عدد المزارعين المحليين على المنصة كجزء من المبادرة. علماً أنه يوجد أكثر من 900 مزرعة مسجلة في دولة الإمارات.

The Watermelon digital platform supports the National Farm Sustainability initiative by reducing costs and increasing productivity

Under an agreement between the platform and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment

The Watermelon digital platform supports the National Farm Sustainability initiative by reducing costs and increasing productivity

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – June 2023: Watermelon Holdings Limited, a leading software provider and interactive online food and beverage purchasing platform, is proud to announce its collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment in support of the National Farms Sustainability initiative. This initiative aims to establish local farms as key suppliers of various agricultural crops and food products to food supply companies operating in the UAE. The Watermelon digital platform will play a crucial role in providing technical support and fostering sustainable farming practices, thereby reducing costs and increasing productivity.

Under the five-year cooperation agreement signed between Watermelon Holdings Limited and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the company will leverage its expertise to empower farmers and bolster the food and agriculture sector. Watermelon Holdings Limited offers a comprehensive electronic platform that enables efficient marketing, display, and sale of food products, as well as streamlined delivery of goods and commodities.

Speaking on the significance of the partnership, His Excellency Eng. Mohammed Musa Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Food Diversity Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, said: “Food security is of great importance to the UAE because of the challenges we face related to water scarcity and lack of arable land, which prompts us to enhance local production according to the latest modern agricultural technologies, and facilitating the entire food value chain. Supporting local farmers is an absolute necessity in order to build a flexible national agricultural sector that contributes to the entire economic system of the UAE.”

His Excellency added, “The National Farms Sustainability Initiative aims to  find solutions to empower local farmers, enhance their productivity, and facilitate easier market access for their products in collaboration with our partners throughout the UAE. We are delighted to cooperate with Watermelon and leverage its digital platform to streamline these efforts, and we look forward to further collaboration with the company in this regard.”

Omar Al Shamsi, CEO of Watermelon, said: “This partnership will support sustainable agriculture and build stronger communities. We are excited to collaborate with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment to promote sustainable practices and support local farmers. By working together, we can make a real difference in building stronger communities and supporting Sustainable agriculture and contribution to food security in the United Arab Emirates.”

Based on the collaboration, Watermelon is dedicated to providing comprehensive support through its digital platform to strengthen and empower local farmers, in line with the Ministry’s goal of enhancing food security in the UAE based on sustainable principles. This integrated system aims to facilitate the integration of local farmers into the food market by reducing costs and increasing productivity.

Under the National Farms Sustainability Initiative, various government agencies and major supply companies have committed to increasing their procurement of food, beverages, fresh fruits and vegetables, and proteins from local farms.

In March 2023, Watermelon was selected as the interactive electronic transaction platform for government agencies’ purchases of national farm products in the UAE. Working closely with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Watermelon will register commercial farms and government agencies, providing real-time data to the ministry. This data will play a pivotal role in reducing waste and aligning the supply with the national food security planning.

Watermelon revolutionizes the communication between food and beverage suppliers and buyers by simplifying the purchasing process through its innovative platform. With a strong focus on sustainability, Watermelon serves as an indispensable resource for companies in the food and beverage industry. The collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment exemplifies the company’s commitment to promoting sustainable practices and supporting local farmers.

Currently, Watermelon boasts a roster of over 50 registered local farmers, including Gracia and Manbat. As part of the initiative, Watermelon actively seeks to expand the number of local farmers on the platform, considering there are over 900 registered farms in the UAE.

Why should restaurants use the order management system? Top 5 benefits

Why should restaurants use the order management system? Top 5 benefits

Maintaining a successful restaurant is easier said than done. For restaurants, one of the biggest challenges has always been seamless procurement. Regardless of how popular your restaurant is or how many customers you have, everything will go in vain unless you have a strong supply backbone and seamless supply order management backing your restaurant up.

And this is precisely where an order management system comes into play. With a state-of-the-art order management system in place, you can enjoy plenty of benefits like,

  • Managing several branches seamlessly.
  • Complete control over your supply orders
  • Better insight on your purchases.
  • Real-time updates on supply orders.
  • Seamless communication with your long-term suppliers.

And so much more.

An order management solution like watermelon, will offer you plenty of benefits that will help you take your business to a new height. Let us look at why restaurants should use the order management system and what it brings to the table.

An all-inclusive solution to manage orders

Are you tired of jumping from one place to another to manage your orders? Well, not anymore. With an order management system, restaurant businesses can now thrive and manage every aspect of their supply orders on one single platform.

Whether it is smart invoices, keeping real-time track of all the data, or finding new suppliers, everything can now be done in a single platform like Watermelon.

You can contact all of your dependable suppliers to place orders with the use of a Watermelon order management solution. Moreover, you can also compare pricing to obtain the best offer.

As only the most reputable and trustworthy suppliers are listed on the platform, you can relax knowing that you are acquiring supplies for your restaurant at the most reasonable prices.

Manage supply orders across several branches

Another big challenge that almost every restaurant business with several branches face is managing the supply across all branches. One branch just might run out of one ingredient while the others need something else.

Watermelon order management enables you to create multiple accounts in the platform and give specific control to each user across the branches to make supply management efficient.

Better insight into your expenditure

  • Most restaurants put aside a monthly spending budget to cover the cost of all of their inventory. That said, it can be challenging to correctly track where this money flows without a good order management system in place.

    Additionally, it’s frequently necessary to place last-minute orders. With the right order management software, restaurant owners can easily monitor how their budget is being used, which guarantees better financial management.

    On top of that, having all the records in one place reduces the chance of supply order errors, which can save hours of additional labor in the long run.

    Without Watermelon order management, your orders can now be tracked in real time, and you can keep track of all your purchases, invoices, and ingredients in one location.

Simplification of the order process

You won’t need to switch from one place to another to keep track of all your purchases if you have order management that keeps all of your suppliers in one location. Additionally, you will benefit from unified communication on a single platform, which will make it simpler for you to manage all of your purchases.

It speeds up the entire process because you can access all of your suppliers and the wholesale market in the UAE and enjoy one single checkout.

Make better purchasing decisions based on data

Information is power. And this holds true even for the restaurant business.

With a strong order management system in place, you can develop more effective procurement strategies and make wiser purchasing decisions thanks to real-time insights into all of your purchase reports. You can also check out your order patterns and all the analytics on a simple dashboard enabling you to minimize overspending and supply wastage.

Final thoughts

Restaurants can now save money, deal with less inconvenience, gain greater insight into their expenditures, make better purchasing decisions based on data, and grow their business with the help of order management software.

So the next time you wonder why restaurants should use the order management system, recall what you learned from today’s article.

A Watermelon order management system is the ideal entry point for growing your company and bringing in steady revenue as you have never experienced before.

So join in today and take your restaurant business to a new height.

A complete business plan to open a small café

A complete business plan to open a small café

Creating a new café business plan from scratch might not be everyone’s cup of tea. But if it’s yours, we have got your back.

Do you intend to start a café? Have you wanted to accomplish it for a while and are now in a situation to finally turn your dream into a reality?

No matter how much time you spend developing your idea and studying the market, your restaurant is certain to fail without adequate preparation.

A complete business plan to open a small café or cafeteria will offer a framework that helps you plan and forecast all aspects of managing and operating a cafe, including the menu, location, competitive analysis, market research, sales, finances, employee development, and much more. 

This solid groundwork aids in turning your café concepts into a reality.

Continue reading for examples, advice, and all the information you require to open a café business and draft your first café business plan.

Ingredients for a perfect Café business

Up to 60% of all café business closes in their first year of opening. And the main reason for this is inadequate experience in business planning. In the early days, the hidden ingredient of running a successful café business was all about the perfect location. 

But now, there is plenty more to go on. Here are some of the things that you must ensure to get more customers and turn them into regulars.

Coffee products

Quality first: The secret to café business success is quality. You need to ensure,

  • Top-notch ingredients.
  • The most excellent brewing recipes.
  • Consistency.
  • Fresh and appetizing sweet.
  • Savory varieties.

Product selection: Offer the best-selling goods on the market along with something distinctive that sets you apart. Get in touch with consentient suppliers from a marketplace like Watermelon to stay consistent with the menu you offer.

Seasonality:

Use seasonal items and events to your advantage. All year long, coffee is relevant. Keep in mind the benefits of cold brew as well! Be creative with seasonal events and adjust your menu accordingly.

Café service and your Barista

  • It is a tremendous blessing to have talented baristas on staff! Another is to have them committed. Training your staff, encouraging their professional growth, and ensuring they are familiar with your items are crucial.
  • Customer service can either be excellent or terrible. The customer is able to interpret your attitude, mood, and body language. This is just as significant as the product knowledge the barista may provide. Speak in the clients’ tone, get to know your regulars, and influence the buying decision!
  • Additionally, addressing the consumer while being productive and present at the same time can sometimes end badly. Be quick yet not frantic! When speaking with a customer, put down the phone and stop conversing with a coworker.

Customize the customer journey

  • One receives a lot more than simply a cup of coffee when they buy one. It’s better to plan the service design thoroughly than not at all. Visiting your cafe is never only about making a purchase or paying money; it’s always about having a good time.
  • Does the outside of your coffee shop attract customers? What about interior features like lighting, colors, music, acoustics, and lovely elements to view, touch, and explore?
  • Make a checklist for each shift’s cleanup, and be sure to mention the condition of the restrooms!
  • From door to the table, the customer experience should be seamless. It can sometimes be beneficial to put yourself in their shoes and move independently. Are there any obstacles in the way of a smooth journey? Are the products presented attractively and clearly? Do you get a warm greeting from your barista every time?
  • The machinery and equipment should be realistic and able to handle the volume, menu, and baristas’ skill levels. If the workspace is not well-planned, it might affect service in addition to ergonomics and safety.

Don’t forget about the Location

Even though the location is not the only thing that ensures success for a café business, it sure does make a significant impact.

To find the best location for your business, here are some key factors that you should take a look at.

  • Demographic.
  • Competition.
  • Nearby Businesses.
  • Traffic time.
  • Living cost.

Demographic

Let’s start by discussing the “who” your cafe should be catered towards. You must research the locals in the location you are contemplating. There are certain persons who are more likely to seek out coffee than others.

As a result, you should search for a place where there are more of the folks we’re talking about. Students, parents, consumers, and a variety of workforces are examples are the best examples of your target demographic.

So your café can be located around,

  • College campus.
  • Shopping centers.
  • Business centers.
  • High schools.

Competition

It is crucial that you understand the level of competition in the area you are considering. If you create a cafe or other coffee-related business in a highly competitive area, your chances of success will be substantially reduced.

Here are some locations that you should avoid,

  • Near Big café chain store.
  • Near locally owned coffee shops.
  • Near cheap coffee alternatives.

Nearby Businesses

So, we just discussed a few specific coffee shops that you should aim to avoid locating your business next to. Let’s now discuss companies that, if you’re nearby, can truly aid boost your sales. These establishments are situated in areas where you should be conducting business.

  • Gyms.
  • Libraries. (You can not find a better duo than books and coffee)
  • Businesses that have a wait time, like Grooming and transportation stations.
  • Family fun activities like zoos, aquariums, and playgrounds.

Traffic time

You must take into account both the location you select and the hours of the day when the area will be busiest. Not every venue is crowded at once. If you intend to keep your business open exclusively during specific hours, you must choose your location depending on the amount of traffic during those hours.

Living cost

You must also consider the budget when selecting a venue. There will be price differences between different places. The amount you may charge for the products on your menu will also be influenced by the living cost in the region.

The business plan to open a café business

A coffee shop business strategy is fundamentally a description of your company’s idea and its strategy for success. It provides answers to queries like what it will cost to open a business, how all those expenses will be covered, and how much revenue you anticipate from your café. 

Details about your competition, target audience and price structure are all included in a coffee shop business plan. You can get valuable data from websites like Restaurant.org to get things started for your plan.

When complete, your strategic plan can be presented to potential backers, partners, investors, and anyone else who can assist you in opening your café.

Here are the main parts of your business plan that should be included:

  • Executive summer.
  • Business concept.
  • Financial planning.
  • Operations.
  • Costings
  • Digital marketing plan
  • Menu
  • Staff strategy and cost
  • Location
  • Layout of your Café.
  • Service planning.
  • SWOT analysis.

You can check out the following business plans to take inspiration from.

Executive summer tips

The executive summary will be the first thing a reader can understand when they view your business plan. This provides a general summary of every section of your business strategy. Reading examples will help you gain a sense of how the executive summary is phrased and how all of the material is presented. A strong executive summary will open doors for you.

Determine who will see your strategic plan, just like you did when you considered the clients who will frequent your soon-to-be-opened café, and write the introductory paragraphs with that reader in mind. Your executive summary serves as the most crucial marketing resource your café has as you are ready to start.

Pro tips on writing an executive summary:

  • Make sure your summary stands on its own and can be used as a condensed version of the overall plan.
  • Include research data and cite the research on the plan.
  • Only focus on the positive. The risk and challenges can be introduced in the body of the business plan.
  • Start things off with a BANG. Offer inspiring quotes or an intriguing stat to get your reader’s attention.

Cost of running a café

The secret to effective company planning is to visualize your anticipated costs. This might assist you in determining what you must spend and how you will do so. Don’t forget that there are other options besides mere cash on hand to pay for these expenses, such as loans, grants, and leases.

A good rule of thumb is to start with working capital of 200000 AED to start your business. This capital will take care of all your initial costs, including,

  • Your shop rent for the quarter.
  • Inventory purchases for the first quarter.
  • three3 months of salary for your staff members
  • Decorative costs ( Can vary significantly depending on your goal)
  • Kitchen equipment including, fryer, coffee machine, freezers, etc.
  • Utility bill for the quarter.
  • Leasing costs.
  • Licensing costs.
  • Both physical and digital market costs prior to the initial opening.

What license do you need to open a Café business?

The sort of license needed for a café primarily relies on the services you intend to provide. For a better understanding, look at the list below.

• A trade license, which you’ll require after your business is registered.

• Food license – These licenses are needed to handle, produce, and process food.

• Liquor license: The police department often issues liquor licenses.

• A letter of no objection from the Municipality may also be required.

• Construction license – This is only relevant if you intend to launch your firm in a brand-new structure that will be constructed specifically for the enterprise.

How to get a trade license for your café?

In order to get your hands on the trade license, you need to collect all the documents mentioned below and apply.

The required documents are,

  • DED’s initial approval letter.
  • A complete and thorough business plan.
  • Tenancy agreement for premises.
  • Restaurant’s floor design and blueprints.
  • Memorandum of Association.

Menus and designs for your Cafe

You undoubtedly have grand plans already and envision your café operating. Set the objectives you have for your café and the ambiance you wish to foster. To get ideas for just how your café should look, the cuisine you’ll serve, or how you want your guests to feel once they walk through the door, start gathering images, brochures, and design concepts.

Having a clear idea will make it easier for you to be persistent when making decisions on the brand, the decor, the menu, the coffee, the mugs, and the way you’ll interact with clients.

Once you have a clear vision and brand image in mind, here are some tools that you can use to create stunning menus.

Design Hill alone has over 120 thousand customers with a 98% customer satisfaction rate. So, make sure to utilize this tool when creating your menu.

All your menu design must be,

  • Divided into logical sections like sides, coffee, sweets, add ons, and such.
  • Use eye-catching illustrations.
  • Try not to emphasize the currency sign.
  • Use typography that resonates with your business.
  • Try using light and relaxing colors as the base and dark and less vibrant colors for the highlight.

Must have equipment for a café business

Cafes are much more than just efficient espresso makers and a skilled baristas. To make your espresso and light meals, various other tools are required.

This includes,

  1. Ovens.
  2. Espresso machine.
  3. Cold brew toddy.
  4. Grinders.
  5. A wide range of ranges and grills.
  6. Microwaves.
  7. Ice makers.
  8. Food prep equipment.
  9. Safety equipment.
  10. A robust POS system.
  11. Kitchenware.

Final thoughts

Instead of leaving everything to chance, make sure to have a solid plan that will carry your business to success. Even though it may seem complicated, making a complete business plan to open a small cafe or cafeteria is a crucial step you should follow before opening a café.

A well-written business plan demonstrates both to your investors and to yourself why your café is capable of success.

Stay tuned for more updates, and good luck with your new Café Journey.

10 Golden Rules for Restaurant Cost Control

10 Golden Rules for Restaurant Cost Control

The moment we hear the term “restaurant,” our mouths start to water. Even though the restaurant’s big appeal is its cuisine, other important aspects like atmosphere, service, and price also serve to entice new customers or foodies.

While having all the amenities and serving delicious cuisine can increase business, turning a healthy profit is not always easy. Actually, it is by far one of the highest-risk business models available, and the overwhelming majority of would-be restaurateurs end up incurring significant financial losses.

Therefore, it would be helpful if you managed your spending to get the most out of it.  With that in mind, we have come to you with 10 golden rules for restaurant cost control.

So without any further ado, let us check it out.

Inventory management

The first step in attempting to manage costs is monitoring and controlling the inventory. To keep track of your daily stock-ins and stock-outs and track the costs, you must be proactive. 

To stop all additional stock waste, the difference between the current inventory and the optimal inventory shouldn’t be greater than 3-5%. Reorder just the necessities to reduce the chance of waste and overordering.

To take the hassle out of your hand, you can use a solution like WatermelonThis enables you to control all your supply procurement and manage every aspect of your supply order and inventory from one dashboard.

So in short,

  • Utilize the inventory management solution to forecast your stock requirement.
  • Keep the variance between your current and optimal inventory within 5% maximum.
  • Keep track of food supplies that are being used daily.

Utilize credits for the purchase

By opting for fewer money transfers and making all of your expenditures using the restaurant’s accounts on a credit term, you can keep your restaurant spending under control. The raw resources you buy in cash are typically less abundant and more expensive than when you acquire them in larger quantities.

You can also get the best deal by comparing all the best prices in the watermelon marketplace to cut down on the cost.

Managing your yield

By paying close attention to a little but crucial factor that is frequently ignored, notably yield management, you may execute restaurant cost control & considerably lower your cost of food.

In order to limit food costs, yield management is crucial since it helps you estimate how many raw materials will be required to create a specific food item. The yield of the finished goods should be considered while ordering and purchasing the raw materials.

Another big aspect of managing the yield is table management. Get data on whether your restaurants attract more singles, couples, or larger groups and optimize your table accordingly.

Waste management

Almost 10 percent of food products are wasted before they reach the customers. Diners also leave 17 percent of their meals uneaten due to the lack of portion size planning.

Food waste results from eating and offering oversized servings that are unneeded and result from excessive production. The meal looks good and costs less when it is plated properly and in sufficient, appropriate servings.

 Keep a watch on the elements that are deemed waste, such as burned food, rejected food, spilled food, and portions that are thrown away. Having a professional chef in the kitchen can aid in lowering them significantly.

  • Avoid overbuying stock.
  • Store food correctly.
  • Maintain the First in, First out rule with ingredients.
  • Change your menu to adjust to the leftovers.
  • Recycle as much as possible.

Control the labor cost

The main goal of every restaurant should be to keep their labor cost below 30% at all times. That means for every 100 dollars a restaurant earn, the cost of employees should be below 30 dollars.

A significant amount of money is required when hiring restaurant employees, beginning with the recruitment process and continuing with proper training. However, if any employee resigns from your business after just a few weeks, all the money you spend on hiring the worker is lost.

Therefore, when employing new staff for your restaurants, your main priorities should be quality hiring and creating a welcoming environment to encourage them to stay for a longer period of time. Take your time while hiring and thoroughly evaluate the profile of the applicants.

Additionally, make sure your dining crew has a fair wage structure and receives recognition and awards so that they will want to stay on as employees.

Here are some notes you can follow to control the labor cost.

  • Control employee attrition rate.
  • Work on an appropriate salary structure.
  • Cross train the team.
  • Get employ part-time help.
  • Invest in automation for requitement.

Automate as much as you can

Accounting and order placement has always been seen as labor-intensive tasks. Manually performing it opens the door for human error and takes time. The amount of human resources needed to carry out these duties is decreased by a supply management system that streamlines the whole ordering and billing process, through fast invoicing.

A system that includes a table management system will also significantly minimize your reliance on manual labor, which will lower your labor costs.

Here is a list of things you can automate in a restaurant.

  • Digitalized menus
  • Self-ordering kiosks
  • Inventory and order management using a software solution like Watermelon.
  • Table reservation.

Staff performance evaluation

It’s crucial to track and evaluate the performance of your kitchen personnel to determine where they excel and where they have room for improvement. Establish the KPIs for your restaurant workers and closely monitor them to determine whether they are performing their tasks in accordance with expectations.

A restaurant management solution with a staffing feature would make it easier to keep track of your crew’s performance and give you the information you need to improve their training and efficiency. Your revenue will consequently increase, and the expenses will be justifiable.

Here are some tips that will help you with the whole evaluation process.

  • Provide clear and concise remarks.
  • Keep the evaluation meeting a two-way conversation.
  • Hold multiple evaluations in a year.

If you feel as if the employee is not feeling comfortable opening up, you can ask them questions like,

  • Which one of your accomplishments during the review period gives you the most satisfaction?
  • Which area do you believe has shown the biggest improvement since your last assessment?
  • Which areas, in your opinion, require the most improvement?
  • How may I help you achieve your objectives?

Regular reporting

Another crucial bit of wisdom is to regularly monitor your entire restaurant operation. In this situation, real-time reporting is highly helpful. You may maintain tight oversight over your company, find an area of income leakage, or keep an eye on sales-purchase records by keeping a record of the figures and submitting regular reports.

Depending on the scale of your restaurant, the purchases-sales record should be reviewed every week or every two weeks.

Additionally, you must keep an eye on the monthly sales report, which provides information on how well each menu item is performing in terms of sales. In order to decrease waste, you should ideally periodically remove the menu items with poor sales and high food costs.

Tracking KPI

There is no way to figure out whether you are doing better when it comes to your business’s finances without tracking KPI. Here are the typical KPIs that will provide you with the highest insights.

  • Net profit.
  • Gross profit margin.
  • Sales history.
  • Time per table turn,.
  • Number of guests served per hour
  • Overhead margin.
  • Average check per table.

Supply order management

Due to real-time visibility into all of your purchase reports and a powerful supply order management system, you can create more efficient procurement strategies and make more informed purchasing decisions. You may reduce overpaying and supply waste by viewing your order trends and all the information on a straightforward dashboard.

Watermelon is one of the leading supply order management systems that is completely free to use and enables you to control your restaurant cost like never before.

This will enable you to have better control over restaurant costs by,

  • Allowing you to Manage and track your orders
  • Offering insights into your finances and inventory
  • Ordering directly from your suppliers or connect with new ones.
  • Save time and money from the tedious paperwork.

Guide on the different types of industrial chicken

Guide on the different types of industrial chicken

Choosing the right poultry for your restaurant is one of the biggest factors for your success. As chicken is one of the most popular forms of protein globally, incorporating it into your restaurant menu is a must. 

However, there is more to chicken meat than meets the eye. So, in order to get the most out of your chicken, we have come to you with an in-depth guide on different types of industrial chicken and how to buy the freshest one. So without any further ado, let us dive right in.

How many different chicken breeds are there?

Although it might seem like a straightforward question, the variety of chicken species is unclear.

Breeds within each nation are also recognized by other standards, including the British Poultry Standard and the Australian Poultry Standard, and much more. The “genuine” breed’s genetic integrity is preserved thanks to the standards set by these nations.

However, many other kinds have been created by backyard or subsistence growers all throughout the world that goes beyond these standards.

What Are the Different Breeds of Chickens?

In order to enhance specific traits deemed useful for human use, chickens are carefully bred. Chickens are frequently kept as pets or bred for their meat or eggs. Some breeds are more economically advantageous for farmers because they grow rapidly while consuming relatively little food. Other breeds lay larger or more eggs without showcasing much physical growth.

A cross between the Plymouth Rocks and the Cornish hens is the go-to breed of chicken bred for meat.  Bigger pectoral muscles, or the prized white breast meat, are produced by these hybrids thanks to careful breeding. These are the kind of white-feathered birds with red wattles that appear in cartoon commercials for well-known chicken restaurants.

The layer chickens that are typically observed on factory farms are basically hybrid White Leghorns. When used in industrial settings, these hens can lay up to 300 eggs during their first year, which is typically the bird’s lifespan. That being said, in the wilderness. these chickens can live even up to a decade.

Which is the tastiest chicken?

Contrary to popular belief, not all chicken breast types have the same flavor. In fact, some claim that chickens kept in pasture or of heritage breeds have distinctive flavors.

There’s also something to be said about how a chicken is bred, even though the taste differences between breeds aren’t always apparent. All of this suggests that some chicken breeds, such as the Bresse, are praised for their exquisite flavor.

Therefore, if you’re searching for something fresh, do some research and find out what other local experts have to say about raising delectable chicken breeds.

However, opting for a Cornish cross hen or Rangers is always a safe bet.

Things to consider for buying a chicken

The better option than water immersion cooling is air chilling. Chickens are moved through a succession of chill tunnels cooled with pure cold air as part of the USDA Certified Pure air chilling process, never being exposed to chemicals. The final outcome is juicy chicken that cooks more evenly and has a fresh, unadulterated flavor. Additionally, the skin cracks up to a wonderful golden-brown color because it is not soggy.

The process of chilling

Avoid purchasing chicken if the package has excess liquid sitting in it. The excess liquid usually results from the conventional method of immersing chickens in water to chill them to an appropriate temperature. These liquids are expelled by the chicken once it is in the tray, which weakens the flavor and results in a mushy texture.

Trim

In order to avoid contaminating kitchen surfaces and equipment while trimming and deboning chicken at the restaurant, careful food safety procedures must be followed. Choose chicken that has already been cut to eliminate this problem.

Be aware of the antibiotics

Because chicken might be labeled either as antibiotic-free or grown without antibiotics, understanding the label jargon for antibiotics use can be challenging. 

The USDA mandates that producers follow a waiting period to guarantee that antibiotics are no longer functional before chicken can be labeled as antibiotic-free. The assurance that the hens were never given antibiotics during their entire life can only be said if they were raised without them.

NO GMO

This seal can be seen on chicken that has been produced and fed according to the Non-GMO Project’s standards for certified organic and non-GMO diets. A nonprofit organization called The Non-GMO Project offers third-party certification and labeling for non-GMO products and foods. Programs that are certified as organic must use non-GMO grains.

Flavor enhancer

This word denotes that a solution was injected into or left on the chicken during preparation. A flavored liquid, such as saltwater or diluted chicken broth, is sometimes injected into the chicken during processing. These modifications may include nitrates, nitrites, and MSG; they also frequently increase the sodium content and mask the chicken’s natural flavor.

4 Characteristics of good quality chicken

A good quality chicken will have the four qualities listed above. So, if your chicken meat has the qualities listed below, know that you are using nothing but the best chicken quality from a reputed chicken breast supplier.

Looks

Verify the color of the chicken meat, paying special attention to any gaps like the thigh and the area under the wings. If the chicken is pink, it is fresh. The chicken has probably been lying for a while if it seems translucent or grey.

Texture

Pick chicken that is firm and springy, as this indicates that it is probably fresh. If the chicken’s flesh is excessively rigid or doesn’t return to its former shape after being squeezed with your finger, don’t buy it.

Juiciness

The quantity of water that is kept in a cooked type of meat determines how juicy it is. The juiciness can make or break your experience with a chicken burger. Juiciness enhances flavor, assists in softening meat to make it easier to digest, and encourages salivation in the mouth. Juiciness is determined by lipid content and water retention. Water is held in by marbling and fat all-around the borders.

Flavor

Chicken Flavor is a flavor made from yeast extract that imparts chicken flavor to organic products. It has a modest salt content and includes real chicken broth. Packaged foods, frozen dinners, gravies, stews, stews, sauces, and soups can all use this product.

How chicken meat is processed?

The technique of poultry processing entails cleaning, plucking, removing paws, and other procedures that prepare the chicken carcass to be used in other processes.

Only the carcasses or flesh sections with bones that are the most essential for the creation of semi-finished goods are left. Every carcass is carried to the conveyor before being placed on moving tips that look like trays.

The labor force transports them away from the conveyor, where they then travel to the cutting area to be separated into the required components. Production technology accounts for the requirement for hygienic cleaning,

The next task performed by workers is cutting off pieces from carcasses.

First, the wings are severed using the specified technological procedure.

This enables precise and error-free cutting off of each wing. The following group of workers remove the legs and breasts and transfers the body without halting.

They are also terminated in the designated order. Tendons join the bones of chickens. It’s simple to separate the bones with a knife if you do it correctly, but if you don’t, you risk wasting a great deal of time and even ruining the food.

Additionally, the industrial chicken breast is immediately examined for any remaining bone fragments after the cutting procedure.

The breast then drops onto a conveyor belt that has been properly made. When the wings are divided, they also drop onto a conveyor belt. Since the shoulder portion has more meat than the other parts, it will be divided. The wing tips and central portions can also be separated.

Final thoughts

As long as there is a continued need for low-cost eggs and chicken ordering on a worldwide scale, factory farms will continue to breed chickens. If you are a restaurant owner looking for the best chicken quality to serve your customers the juiciest tender chicken meals, then sign up on Watermelon today.

With a curated collection of the most reputed chicken breast supplier on the platform, all your poultry needs will be taken care of without any worry about quality.

The top Benefits of eating vegetables and Fruits

The top Benefits of eating vegetables and Fruits

You have probably been advised to consume your vegetables and fruits your entire life. It has been shown over time that opting for a vegetables diet is really good for your health.

But why don’t we still do it?

Only one in ten people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adds the recommended quantity of vegetables and fruits to their everyday diet. When you take vegetables and fruits on a routine basis, you obtain the minerals and vitamins that your body needs to function effectively.

Fruits and vegetables definitely aren’t your notion of a delicious snack unless you’re vegan. So it’s challenging to modify your eating habits instantly, but there are a number of strategies to increase your intake of fruits and vegetables without significantly changing your daily routine.

The simplest modifications in lifestyle can occasionally have a big impact on future health and nutritional outcomes.

Vitamins and minerals found in Fruit and vegetable

Numerous healthy vitamins and minerals can be found in fruits and vegetables. Several of these are antioxidants and may lower the risk of developing a variety of diseases.

  • Folic acid.
  • Vitamin A.
  • Magnesium.
  • Vitamin C.
  • Zinc.
  • Phosphorous.
  • Vitamin E.

Homocysteine, a chemical that could be a big risk factor for early coronary disease, may be decreased by increasing the level of folic acid in the blood.

According to research, ingesting these nutrients naturally—in fruits and vegetables—rather than as supplements is better for your health.

Protection against various harmful diseases

Another big reason why you should get your hands on fresh vegetables in UAE from a reputed vegetable supplier is its ability to protect you from several harmful diseases. Fresh vegetables and fruits will contain various kinds of phytochemicals and beneficial antioxidants. 

According to various research, consuming some kinds of fruits or vegetables daily can reduce the risk of,

  • Cardiovascular diseases.
  • Lowers cholesterol level.
  • Type 2 diabetes.
  • Stroke.
  • Hypertension.
  • Stomach and bowel cancer.

Help with eyesight

If you look at a computer or phone all day, which might strain your eyes, you may want to pay special attention to your eye health, based on the research done by the American Optometric Association. Eat more veggies if you intend to safeguard your eyes; you should also take breaks from your screen and visit an eye specialist.

Two carotenoids called lutein and zeaxanthin, aid in the prevention of macular degeneration (AMD). Basil, corn, red peppers, greens, and cabbage all contain them as well as other eye-protecting carotenoids. So if you want to keep your eyes at their maximum potential, opting for a vegetable-based diet is mandatory.

Increases fiber intake

Naturally packed with fiber, fruits and vegetables promote a healthy digestive system. Your body will remove waste and poisons from your body more efficiently the more frequently you have bowel movements. Reduce your reliance on fiber-fortified cereal and the over fiber pills and consume more fiber naturally from fruits and vegetables.

Improving your skin health

In addition to drinking plenty of water and getting enough sleep, you may take good care of your skin by watching what you eat. Lycopene, which is found in tomatoes, can really help shield your face from UV (sunscreen is vital also). Avocados and kale on the other hand, can maintain the elasticity of your skin. Numerous veggies, including celery and cucumbers, are high in water and can help you achieve your hydrating goals for radiant skin.

Blood pressure

Consuming fruits and vegetables might also assist you in keeping your blood pressure in check. According to one research, “a meal plan rich in fruit and vegetables, low-fat dairy foods, and with lowered saturated fat can significantly lower blood pressure.” Subjects who consumed more vegetables and fruits than the power diet experienced positive changes on par with those seen with blood pressure medications.

Foods high in potassium are mostly responsible for these heart rate advantages. The best fruits for lowering blood pressure are,

  • Bananas, 
  • Peaches,
  • Melon,
  • Sapote, 
  • And jackfruit.

Potassium-rich vegetables includes,

  • Sweet potato 
  • Soybeans
  • Lentils
  • Kidney beans
  • White beans
  • Tomato
  • Acorn squash

Etc.

Daily allowances of fruit and vegetables

Nutrient content varies among fruits and vegetables. According to the Australian Dietary Guidelines, adults should consume at least 5 different types of vegetables and 2 different types of fruit per day.

The World Health Organization (WHO) advises adults to consume at least 400g, or 5 servings, of vegetables and fruits each day to lower their risk of illness. This recommendation excludes potatoes, sweet potatoes, and other starchy vegetables. In addition to ensuring adequate fiber consumption, this quantity of fruits and veggies also has the potential to lower daily sugar intake.

Only 6.8% of people consumed the required quantity of veggies, according to a nationwide nutrition survey undertaken, while slightly over half (54%) exceeded the guidelines for daily servings of fruit.

Due to their rapid growth and development, children and adolescents have unique nutritional requirements. Additionally, they require more energy so they can play and be more active. Children cannot eat the very same serving amounts as adults since they have smaller stomachs than adults despite having greater energy needs. It would help if you nonetheless urged your kids to consume a wide range of fruits.

Your kids will have the stamina they require to play, study, concentrate better, sleep better, and have healthier bones and teeth if they eat healthfully. Proper protection of a balanced diet throughout their lives can also be provided by developing good habits early in life.

Like snacks and meals at home, child care and school lunches should keep the 5 dietary groups in mind and exclude indulgent items.

The shift of restaurants towards healthy food trends

Getting fresh products for restaurant from reputed Fruits supplier and offering a healthy meal is becoming the next big trend in the F&B industry.

Regarding customer demand for healthy food, the food and beverage business has seen a significant change over the past ten years. This generation prioritizes health and lifestyle, in contrast to preceding generations who were unlikely to ever be seen working out. People use their gadgets to track their daily activities and steps, and they keep meticulous records of their meals. 

We became curious about the recent movement in consumer preferences toward healthier foods, and we looked into how restaurants are responding to the trend.

Innovative menu to gain attraction

The organic players have been drawn in fairly heavily by the rising trend. A growing number of restaurants are starting to include organic cuisine, vegan options, and many healthier items to their menus. The restaurants are concentrating on improving the aesthetics of food presentation in addition to introducing new meals.

The restaurant sector has been significantly impacted by millennials’ rising disposable money and they’re growing desire to lead active lifestyles. Millennials are willing to spend more money on their nutritious meals, and this has marginally influenced the menus of restaurants.

According to statistical evidence, by 2024, the global market for healthy food items is expected to reach $2.4 trillion. With the shift in the menu toward healthier options, it is anticipated that sales of houses and cloud kitchens will increase.

Final thoughts

So if you want to make the most out of the latest trend and try to offer the best healthy food items for your customers, now is the time.

Join the watermelon marketplace as a restaurant today and enjoy a curated collection fresh product for restaurant only from the most reputed suppliers in UAE.

Everything you need to know about cooking Frozen Seafood

Everything you need to know about cooking Frozen Seafood

Even though fish straight from the dock has the best taste and texture profile, most home cooks and restaurants just cannot achieve this. In the seafood restaurant industry, “catch of the day” is a huge deal since fish lose quality as soon as they are captured and killed.

However, since most industrial boats flash-freeze fish within moments of catching them, frozen Seafood supply is frequently considered to be fresher than raw seafood. But do you prepare this frozen fish after it defrosts, or do you prepare it straight from the freezer? Many elements must come together for a satisfying frozen fish meal.

With that in mind, we will go through everything you need to know about making a delicious dinner out of frozen seafood.

The best way to thaw frozen food

After learning the ins and outs of frozen food, you may be asking what the safest thawing procedures are. Food defrosting is a sensitive operation that needs to be done carefully. You can properly cook meals that are frozen solid in one of three ways:

  • Freezer thawing: Thawing in the freezer allows for a slow, secure thawing of food. Make careful to set the seafood on a platter or sizable dish if you decide to defrost them in this manner. This will lessen the likelihood of juices leaking onto other foods.
  • Cold Water Thawing: Put frozen seafood for restaurant in a zero-leak plastic bag and dunk them in a sink of cold tap water to thaw more quickly. To maintain the ideal temperature, replace the water in the container after 30 minutes, and cook the food right away after thawing. 
  • Frozen cooking: With multipurpose ovens, meals may also be prepared from frozen, saving crucial time.

Defrosting frozen seafood ‍

It is quick and simple to transform frozen seafood into a fresh and well-prepared meal. Seafood doesn’t need to be pre-thawed in the fridge as beef or chicken do. There are only a few easy steps to perform when it comes to thawing the seafood, so do them prior to you preheating your oven or skillet.

Take your salmon or any other seafood out of the container as soon as possible. Put everything inside under cool tap water.

Pro tip: There is no need to open a vacuum-sealed container if your seafood is inside.

Pour the cold water over the seafood for no more than a few minutes,. The timing will depend on the size, shape, and size of the seafood that you are using. The seafood should then be rinsed off, and any ice crystals or pieces that may have developed around it should be removed.

To preserve freshness and the best flavor, prepare and consume your seafood immediately after it has thawed.

Pan-steaming your frozen seafood‍

Pan steaming is a very popular method of seafood restaurant that many high-end seafood restaurants loves. And here is how to do it.

Rinse to get rid of any ice, then simmer an inch’s worth of water or other seasoned liquids on medium-high heat. Put the seafood inside the pan skin-side down ( if it is a fish). Then slowly bring the liquid back to a simmer while lowering the heat to prevent boiling.

After five minutes of cooking with a tight lid on the pan, switch off the heating. Now let the seafood rest in the fluid for a further five minutes, Once that is done, serve with a sauce of your choice or a squeeze of citrus juice from a lemon.

Pan-steaming your frozen seafood‍

If you are thinking about poaching, you must make sure to get your products for a reliable Frozen seafood supplier. Check out Watermelon Marketplace to get in touch with the best frozen seafood UAE suppliers.

Now once you have your hands on your desired seafood, it’s time to start poaching.

A great seafood dish can be prepared quickly and deliciously by poaching frozen fish. Place your cleaned, frozen fish in a combination of water, vinegar, or vegetable broths. Bring to a simmer after seasoning with herbs and spices, including dill, anise, citrus, bay leaves, and peppercorn.

Once it begins to boil, lower the temperature, cover the pan, and cook your fish until it has defrosted and can be easily flaked with a fork.

Before putting the fish, you may pre-simmer some veggies in the broth, such as carrots, shallots, celery, cucumbers, or scallions, for a few minutes. Then, boil everything together until it has a tender texture. Depending on the size, fish should cook more quickly using this approach; for fillets, the time should be around 5 and 8 minutes.

Using frozen seafood in soups

Nobody wants to struggle to finish a meal of tough, rubbery seafood. Start with frozen crabs, clams, or fish & add to soup or broth for a little discretion to prevent overcooking. By adding your primary ingredient in the final ten minutes, you can cook and thaw your food at the same time at a gentle simmer.

Remember that introducing cold ingredients can lower the temp of your stew. So, bring it back to a simmer and finish cooking it fully before adding some lime and herbs.‍

How long can seafood be frozen?

Approximately 1 to 2 days can pass before preparing or freezing raw shellfish and fish in the fridge (4.4 °C or even less). Seafood should be refrigerated for three to four days after cooking. Most frozen fish or shellfish is always safe to cook and eat, but after prolonged storage, the taste, Flavour, and texture will deteriorate.

 For the greatest quality, freeze cooked fish for up to three months at a temperature of 0 °F or -17.8 °C. It is advisable to use frozen raw fish between 3 to 8 months and shellfish between 3 to 12 months.