Tableware for staff canteens, cafeterias and camp catering

What high-volume kitchens need

• Durability under daily use and frequent washing
• Stackable shapes that store compactly and move quickly on trolleys
• Plain, standard designs that are easy to replace with the same item later
• A small number of standard sizes, so portions stay consistent
• Light weight, for staff carrying full racks and trays

A typical item list

• Dinner plates and side plates
• Soup plates or deep plates
• Rice bowls and small bowls for sides
• Divided plates or trays where a full meal is served together
• Serving trays, ladles and serving spoons for the counter
• Spoons, forks and, where needed, knives
• Cups and tumblers

Choosing materials

• Stainless steel does not shatter, which suits trays, bowls, tumblers and cutlery. For cutlery, 18/0 stainless steel is an affordable option suited to dining halls, and medium-weight cutlery is common in cafeterias and other institutional settings.¹
• Melamine is light and available in many shapes, including divided dishes. The US FDA advises against heating food in melamine dishes in a microwave oven.²
• Opalware suits plated meals where glass is acceptable and breakage risk is manageable.

Planning replacement stock

In high-volume kitchens, pieces go missing and get damaged as a normal part of service. Keep reserve stock of every item in use, record what you replace each month, and reorder the same item names or codes so new pieces match the old ones. A regular reorder rhythm is easier to manage than emergency orders.

Ordering canteen tableware from FAMES

FAMES supplies catering companies, hotels and restaurants from Dubai, with delivery within the UAE. Send us the items, sizes and quantities you need, and how often you restock, and we reply with a quotation. See hotel, restaurant and catering supply.