Proper lighting is essential for a functional commercial kitchen in terms of speed, safety, food quality, and staff fatigue. The intent is very clear: plenty of bright light, uniform light directly over workspaces that doesn’t cast shadows or cause glare.
Utilising task lighting (not just ceiling panels) is a good place to begin.
The main lights allow you to get up and around, but the work is done on prep benches or cook lines, at the pass.
High-performance prep areas also require focused task lighting for staff to see knife work clearly.
Keep the pass well-lit for plating and checks pre-service.
Do not place lights directly in front of the staff when they are at benches (it casts shadows).
Protective and easy-to-wipe-down surfaces should be considered.
Opt for sealed, shatter-resistant fittings (or diffusers) to mitigate contamination.
Choose easy-to-clean fixtures that won’t attract grease.
Place the lights in locations that are easy to maintain without interfering with your operational flow. For Commercial Kitchen Installation, contact targetcatering.co.uk/commercial-kitchen-designers
Reduce glare and flicker.
Glare makes it difficult to work fast, which can lead to headaches.
Seek out LEDs that have low-flicker – especially those around rotating equipment.
If reflections are problematic, think about matte finishes on surfaces nearby.
LEDs are generally the best type of light to use in a commercial kitchen, due to their longer life span and lower running costs compared with halogens or incandescents; they also produce much less heat.
Employ zoning (prep, cook line, storage, wash-up) so that you are not lighting the entire kitchen at full power all day, but only areas you need.
Place occupancy sensors in stores, corridors, and staff areas.
When you are renovating, make lighting work part of the process. Proper setup allows for the kitchen to be calmer, safer, and quicker.
