It’s a Roast: What’s Wrong With The Honeymooner’s Kitchen?
May 1, 2019Welcome to our new series, “Roast and Toast”! Each month we’ll feature one kitchen that we love and one that… well, could use improvements.
The kitchens we feature can come from anywhere – TV, films, popular culture, you name it. We’ll talk about what we love and what we don’t like so much.
This month’s roast is the kitchen from Honeymooners. Alice was somehow able to keep Ralph well-fed despite a few kitchen supplies in one of the worst kitchens we’ve seen. (As an aside, did you know that Alice and Ralph were the inspiration for Fred and Wilma Flintstone?)
Here’s what we’d roast about that kitchen!
A Complete Lack of Kitchen Supplies
I think the size – or lack of it – is the first thing I notice here. I mean, there was one small sink, a two-burner stove, and a tiny icebox crammed into one corner of a room.
There’s no counters. There’s no cupboards. There’s absolutely no place to put any kitchen supplies whatsoever. In fact, I think that kitchen table is larger than any space she has to cook.
The kitchens lack of size and space certainly was representative of most kitchens in the 1950’s, but it was intended to show a more gritty and unfiltered way of life. Perhaps that’s why poor Alice had to work in one of the worst kitchens to ever hit TV.
Violates the Proper Work Triangle
What’s the “work triangle” in a kitchen? It’s the concept that connects the three primary work areas of a kitchen, which are the stove, sink, and refrigerator. These areas should be between four and nine feet apart, with the total distance adding up to between 13 and 26 feet.
If the work triangle is too small, you’ll feel cramped and have a very hard time getting your cooking done. If it’s too large, you’ll have to walk around a lot to get your supplies and the whole cooking process will be a hassle.
Obviously, Alice doesn’t have a triangle. All she really has is a cramped corner. All three of her work areas are next to each other and there’s barely room to breathe, much less work effectively.
It’s Missing Key Safety Standards
OK, I get that no one is calling the housing authority about fictional kitchens, but that poor kitchen is a disaster waiting to happen.
It’s not just that there’s no space for kitchen supplies. It’s that the whole setup is unsafe. Not having cabinets between appliances is inconvenient and dangerous. You also need to have countertops on either side of a stove to avoid someone getting burned on the hot range.
There’s no way that kitchen would pass any kind of inspection. In real life, you’d have a fire or burn before you can say, “BANG! ZOOM! Straight to the moon!”
Ready to Outfit Your Home Kitchen?
It’s great that none of us have to deal with the type of tiny kitchen that poor Alice did on the Honeymooners. But do you have all the kitchen supplies you need?
In today’s modern world, there are all kinds of smallwares and neat cooking equipment you can use. If you’d like to get some at a great price, Tipton Equipment can help. Contact us for a quote to see what we can do for you today!
Choosing the Right Sink for Your Restaurant
There are many, many pieces of kitchen equipment that are vital but often taken for granted. The kitchen sink is one of them. This workhorse of the back of the house handles a lot of jobs. Sinks give you running water as well as a place to wash either food or dishes....
Restaurant Supplies You Need to Add Delivery
Delivery services are becoming more and more popular, and that’s generally good news for restaurants. The ability to order online and receive food in the comfort of home drives up sales and that’s good for revenue. And when these sales don’t require additional tables,...
Should You Add a Salad Bar to Your Restaurant?
New Year’s is a prime time for resolutions – and one of the most common is to eat healthier and lose weight. In fact, for 2018 45% of Americans said they wanted to lose weight or get in shape for the new year. The new year might have you eyeing new options for your...
How to Overcome the Seasonal Rollercoaster
Are you tired of having huge swings in your business throughout the year? Do you wish you could just have consistent, easy-to-predict income? If so, it’s time for you to get off of the seasonal rollercoaster. You might think there’s nothing you can do to overcome the...
The Restaurant Supplies and Strategies You Need in 2019
Are you ready for the new year? If you’re like many restaurant owners, you’re thinking about how to get through the holiday rush – both in your restaurant and in your own life. However, you can’t overlook planning for the future. It’s vital to make sure you have the...
2018 Cooking Equipment Holiday Gift Guide
Do you know someone who loves to cook? Or are you looking for a new, special piece of cooking equipment for yourself? Whether you’re interested in home cooking or you run a restaurant, you can benefit from these gift ideas. These great cooking items will thrill...
Accommodating the Keto Diet at Your Restaurant
The keto diet – a low-carb, high-fat combination – has been gaining a lot of traction in the last couple of years. As a restaurant, it’s vital that you are able to accommodate your diners’ needs. More than that, having popular options on the menu can help bring people...
Restaurant Supplies You Need to Prepare for a Power Outage
It happens to all of us. You’re going on, doing just fine, and suddenly…Dark. The power is out. And of course, you have no idea how long it will last. Fortunately, you have the restaurant supplies and process in place to weather the storm without losing your...
Considerations when Converting a Food Truck to a Restaurant
Your food truck has been successful, and you have a loyal following. So loyal, in fact, that you struggle to serve them all each day. Customers have started to ask you when you’re going to open a restaurant. It started as a teasing suggestion, but it’s become more...
How to Incorporate Curbside Service in Your Restaurant
Are you looking for creative ways to grow your business without also growing your expenses? Are you interested in strategies that can start making a difference today, not just a year from now? If so, then
Tips for Great Plating & Why it Matters
You may have heard that we “eat with our eyes” before we physically eat food. That’s why pictures are so important – on menus, in cookbooks, online, and more. It isn’t just a gimmick – the truth is that the way food looks and smells actually changes our experience of...
Be Proactive: Assess and Address Risks in Your Restaurant
As a restaurant owner or manager, you have a lot on your mind. You want employees to show up on time and ready to give great service. You want your food to be well-stocked, high quality, and ready to use. You need cooks to be attentive and customers to be clear in...
How to Reduce Noise From Restaurant Equipment and More
Having a popular restaurant is wonderful. You have a lot of guests, tables turn over quickly, and you and your employees make a lot of good money every night. However, sometimes popular spots can get low ratings for a simple reason – they’re too loud! It’s not an...
Foodservice Equipment Gone Wrong: When the POS Crashes
The point of sale (POS) system that you have helps you keep your restaurant running smoothly. It helps you track inventory, sales, and revenue. It allows your staff to create checks, swipe cards, and keep tables turning. The POS is a lifesaver – until it isn’t. Maybe...
Preventing Dine and Dash in Your Little Rock Restaurant
There’s nothing more frustrating to a server – and a manager – than realizing that a table has left without paying for their meal. It costs everyone money, and it can be insulting as well. Sometimes dine and dashers are young people who think it’s a funny prank. Other...