Create efficient temporary kitchens with our essential equipment checklist, covering everything from cooking lines to washing stations. Understand power requirements, space allocation, and workflow optimisation for seamless service.

Running a temporary kitchen for an event comes with its own set of challenges. Whether you’re catering for a wedding, a corporate away day, a food festival or an outdoor celebration, having the right setup is crucial for smooth service. The key is sourcing catering equipment hire that is safe, efficient and easy to set up – allowing you to focus on delivering great food rather than worrying about logistics.
Understanding your temporary kitchen needs
Every event is different, and so is the kitchen setup required to cater for it. A small outdoor wedding with a three-course plated meal will have very different needs to a bustling food festival where multiple vendors are serving hundreds of customers in quick succession. Regardless of the scale, one thing remains the same: everything must be temporary, safe and compliant with food hygiene regulations.
With catering equipment hire, you can build a fully functional kitchen in almost any location. From outdoor marquees to back-of-house corporate dining setups, hiring equipment gives you access to top-quality appliances without the long-term investment. And with propane gas-powered cooking equipment, you can create a reliable and powerful kitchen setup even in locations without direct electricity access.
Cooking equipment: The backbone of your kitchen
The heart of any catering operation is its cooking equipment. If you’re serving hot food, you’ll need a reliable cooking line that suits your menu. Gas ovens, burner rings, griddles and fryers are all essential, providing you with the flexibility to cook a variety of dishes quickly and efficiently. Propane-powered equipment is particularly useful for outdoor events, as it offers high performance without relying on unstable or limited electrical supplies.
When planning your catering equipment hire, it’s also important to think about capacity. If you’re catering for a high-footfall event like a food festival, you’ll need larger or multiple cooking appliances to keep up with demand. A corporate away day, on the other hand, might require a more compact setup that prioritises efficiency and mobility.
The good news is that easyEventhire not only provides gas-powered cooking equipment but also supplies the propane gas cylinders you need, ensuring everything is ready to go from the moment you set up.
Washing & hygiene: Meeting health & safety standards
Food hygiene regulations have become stricter in recent years, and councils now require proper handwashing and dishwashing facilities at temporary food service areas. It’s not just about keeping your kitchen clean – it’s a legal requirement to prevent cross-contamination and maintain food safety standards.
Portable sinks and hand wash basins are now essential items for any outdoor kitchen setup. With catering equipment hire, you can access hot water sinks that allow staff to wash hands and utensils properly, ensuring your operation meets all hygiene requirements. These units are designed for easy transport and setup, making them ideal for pop-up kitchens.
If you’re handling large amounts of crockery or utensils, it’s also worth considering a dishwashing station. While some events use disposable tableware, many premium catering setups require proper washing facilities to keep service running smoothly.
Space & workflow: Planning for efficiency
A well-planned kitchen layout can make all the difference in how smoothly your operation runs. It’s not just about cramming all your equipment into the space – you need a logical flow that allows chefs, servers and kitchen staff to work efficiently.
Think about how food will move from preparation to cooking, plating and service. There should be clear zones for raw ingredient storage, cooking, plating and dishwashing to avoid cross-contamination. Catering equipment hire allows you to tailor your setup to fit the space available, ensuring everything is positioned for maximum efficiency.
For outdoor events and festivals, space is often at a premium, so portable prep tables, storage racks and refrigeration units can help keep things organised without taking up too much room. Refrigeration is especially important for keeping ingredients fresh, particularly in warm weather or for extended events.
The benefits of catering equipment hire
Setting up a temporary kitchen is a big task, but catering equipment hire makes it much easier. Instead of investing in expensive appliances that you may only use a handful of times a year, hiring allows you to access top-tier professional equipment without the upfront costs.
At easyEventhire, we provide a full range of catering equipment, from gas ovens and burner rings to refrigeration units and hygiene stations. Our equipment is delivered clean, fully prepped, and ready to go, so you can set up quickly and focus on delivering high-quality food service.
Whether you’re feeding a small gathering or a large crowd, our catering equipment hire solutions ensure your pop-up kitchen is fully equipped for success. Get in touch today to find out how we can help you create a seamless and professional catering setup for your next event!
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