Food -Sandwich Fillings

[Fantebo]

Hi All,

I am in the process of purchasing a traditional cafe.

However, one of the things I want to introduce to it, will be a wide range of sandwich fillings that could be used in sandwiches/baguettes/rolls etc.

Can somebody point me in the right direction, on how these fillings are made.

Im sure I could purchase them, which I now is an option, but making them myself may be a cheaper option.

So for example how would you make Italian chicken?

Do you boil the chicken first and then add everything else.

A few recipes may be good also

Your thought and views will be most welcome.

 

[MorrisChesterfield]

Must have chicken & Bacon Mayo!!!! its the best!

Best thing is to go round other cafes/sandwich bars and see what they do.

You might be able to buy pre-cooker chicken. try brakes bro's or holdsworths if your in derbyshire area!

Good luck!

Ben

p.s as a sandwich buyer when i am out, it must have loads of fillings, i dont mind paying money aslong as i get something for it.

 

[JoyDivision]

Slightly off topic but I can only eat sandwiches which are made fresh in front of me so I can choose the fillings. I actually hate Mayo it makes me sick so that is 90% of pre made sandwhiches of the list.

I would have thought for salad and stuff it is far cheaper to buy it ready cut as they are made in factories, it would be cheaper to buy the stuff raw but it will be too labour consuming to prepare it all.

 

[J.D. Landscaping]

Buy in pre cooked frozen chicken and prawns etc and then add pre made sauces from companies such as Rich sauces etc, easy peasy, you also wont have to worry if you have the chicken etc cooked correctly.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

You're buying a cafe and have no idea how to make sandwiches?

 

[Richie N]

Why not contact some other local sandwich bars, perhaps ask them if you can do a days trial to get an insight in to how it is run etc.
You need to do your market research here, what is the best selling items for your competitors, what do they offer, what can you offer which will seperate you from them.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

vvaannmmaann,

just what I was thinking.

It is difficult enough running a sandwich bar/business, but when you can cook/prepare the basics, sadly, I can only see one result!

 

[Snowrider]

hmm, you worry me .... I'm not sure I would like to eat at your place. I could give you some recipes but I am not sure you would be able to make them. Sorry but catering is real trade and if you don't have an idea about food - because it's chemistry!!!! I would suggest you get first trained. You can try by yourself but these days real food is a must. I wouldn't give anybody mayo from a jar! The best sauces are home made, when you start to do a real mayo, aioli, andalouse etc then you will now what I mean.

 

[Richie N]

hmm, you worry me .... I'm not sure I would like to eat at your place. I could give you some recipes but I am not sure you would be able to make them. Sorry but catering is real trade and if you don't have an idea about food - because it's chemistry!!!! I would suggest you get first trained. You can try by yourself but these days real food is a must. I wouldn't give anybody mayo from a jar! The best sauces are home made, when you start to do a real mayo, aioli, andalouse etc then you will now what I mean.

You know your food then
Definitely agree though, you do really need catering knowledge as it's not as easy as some may think.
Just look at the restaurant program, when peeps think they can run a restaurant but know nothing about it.

 

[MrsPWN]

Don't forget to do your HACCP as well.

 

[patientlady]

Please let me know where you are opening! This has got to be a wind up....

 

[JoyDivision]

Give the lad a break. I am sure Alan Sugar knows nothing at all about Z80 assembly code but he still made a fortune making computers which featured a Z80.

He asked for advice. There is nothing wrong with constructive cristim but some of these posts seem a little hurtful.

 

[Beachcomber]

He asked for advice. There is nothing wrong with constructive cristim but some of these posts seem a little hurtful.

True.
Catering is a real trade and skill - but to be sucessful in catering you do not need to be a good caterer - you just need to be good at running a business that employs good caterers!

Off the shelf sauces / product will be faster but if you mean to set yourself ahead of teh competition then it may be worth investing time in making your own product from scratch.

Not only may it be a little cheaper but if you get your recipe just right and stick to it you will become known for the best sarnies in town.

In making your sandwiches you are representing your brand - what do you want your brand to say about your business?

 

[gessoandgold]

I hate to disillusion you all but very very few places these days cook from scratch. Most buy prepackaged and frozen, which is why you find lots of people in an area offering the same stuff at the same times.

Speciality places might buy in, say, cakes from a local place, but they're unlikely to actually cook the rest of the menu. When 'home made' appears in a menu it can mean only one item.

 

[Snowrider]

Some points I would like to raise
- for the one, I do not eat ZX80's and AMSTRAD is it! We are talking about food!
- yes you can employ EXCELLENT caterer - from the original post - I don't think there is enough money to do that (I would like to be wrong on that)
- I don't like the "home-made" (even If I started that discussion) but really made food (and believe me I know what I'm talking about) with good, quality first class product (Oh yes even for a sanny - have you tried Poivre et Sel in Paris - a sandwich restaurant?) they use only fresh, baked and cooked in-house.... believe me "once tried-never forgotten"
- I love people believing in what they do - and asking for good advice - but then you must accept the "hurtful comments" sometimes they will help you ... to take consideration and move your venture 3 months back to be really prepared!

 

[gessoandgold]

I wish you lots of luck in this venture. One good tip I heard is to remember who people are, smile at them, chat to them (just a little, enough so they feel like they're welcome) and play a part in the local community. A friend of mine made a good living buying up cafes and turning them them into roaring successes doing exactly that. Mind you, she only dealt in small towns.

 

I am really concerned that you are buying a cafe and do not have the basic understanding of how to make a sandwich. I think you have got to be kidding right?

(I hope so for your sake)

 

[Connections_Media]

The one question after reading this discussion I am left with is where is this cafe going to be and who will your main customers be.

As if it it going to be a local cafe in a working class area mainly serving brickies then I am sure (From experience) they will not be looking for al a carte just a nice deep filled greasy sarny.

Where as if your foot traffic is a more up market custom then I would be looking at much more decent food and spending more time and obviously you can spend more on the ingredients as the customers will be willing to pay more for the sarny.

As far as half of you people posting about a man starting a business without knowing how to make a sandwich then I am quite sure he is capable of making a sandwich but I think what he wanted to know is would it save him money by creating the ingredients himself.

 

[Bri]

Give the lad a break. I am sure Alan Sugar knows nothing at all about Z80 assembly code but he still made a fortune making computers which featured a Z80.

He asked for advice. There is nothing wrong with constructive cristim but some of these posts seem a little hurtful.

...you are right he asked for advice, just rewatch the first episode of the Restuarant again to remind you of how incapable people can be and the idealism they have, opening a tin with a carving knife???

The advice the poor lad is really being given, dont make a fool of yourself before you start your business, research your chosen path well and be an expert in it before you open.The internet is a wonderful tool, he found this forum, so I could easily find a recipe for Italian Chicken.AlAn Sugar reference is right about the Z80, however he's a shrewd businessman and knew his market.

As for his question about suppliers of fillings, now that was a pertinent question and request.

My particular favourite which my baguette shop makes for me is Chicken with Brie & Cranberry. mmmmmm, fancy one right now.

 

[JoyDivision]

One thing I will say depending on your market is area is make sure the food is good quality. I know most people will pay a bit extra if they know its good qualility stuff.

 

[mpen]

Hummmm the trick to making money in this game is to produce and
utilise ALL your by products as much as possible, the more ready prepared products you buy the less profit you will make,the few good ones are very expensive,
people love to see their food being constructed before them.

Getting some experience in the industry would be very helpful for you.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

OP has gone very quiet?

 

[Fantebo]

Guys,

Thanks for all the comments, even though I felt some were a little over the top.

But maybe I should of clarified the stuation a little better.

Yes I am in the process of purchasing a cafe, where I will have hands on training prior to purchase a month or so before completion.

There is obviously food made there, as it is a running concern.

My question was based on the ingredients/process of making made to order sandwiches/rolls etc. This was not based on the run of the mill sandwiches you can pick up.


Its just that I have been to many cafe/ sandwich bars in London , and yes there are a number of vaieties placed out front. I was just curious how these are produced.

Some of the post s have been helpful to the point of pointing me in the right direction.

At the end of the day, i have worked in the corporate world making to much money for the guys up top, and have decided to go out on my own.

And yes for all the knockers, I have carried out the neccesary research.

But once again, thanks for the direction.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

I'm still not sure what it is you are asking about?

 

[Bri]

Guys,

Thanks for all the comments, even though I felt some were a little over the top.

We all work on honesty here, we're not trying to sell anything so we dont have to dress anything up. You came here for advice, with all our collective experience we can save you looking a fool or better still tell you its the best thing since sliced bread(by he way, what was the best thing before sliced bread?)

But maybe I should of clarified the stuation a little better.

Yes I am in the process of purchasing a cafe, where I will have hands on training prior to purchase a month or so before completion.

Shouldve said that in your original post.

There is obviously food made there, as it is a running concern.

ditto

My question was based on the ingredients/process of making made to order sandwiches/rolls etc. This was not based on the run of the mill sandwiches you can pick up.

Perhaps tell us a bit more about the running?? going concern and the staff who run it and their experience, surely they or the existing owners will have an idea about this or are you planning to have a coup d'etat.


Its just that I have been to many cafe/ sandwich bars in London , and yes there are a number of vaieties placed out front. I was just curious how these are produced.

Dont be afraid to ask owners how they do it and where they get their supplies.m Go far enough from your own location and you wont be seen as a threat, as you've seen on here people love to talk.

Some of the post s have been helpful to the point of pointing me in the right direction.

Good.

At the end of the day, i have worked in the corporate world making to much money for the guys up top, and have decided to go out on my own.

As long as youve prepared yourself to go without and have enough money to live off for the next couple of years are going to be tough. Its a cut throat world is the sandwich business, whatever margins you have forecast, ask existing owners again.

And yes for all the knockers, I have carried out the neccesary research.

But that didnt come across in your original post, you didnt sound vague, you just sounded inexperienced and if it felt like members pounced on that they didnt. We have a tendency to read and digest what you say and sometimes warning signs and alarm bells go off.

But once again, thanks for the direction.

Good luck in your venture, I say that from all the members who bothered to answer your original post and keep us informed. If you look back through the threads one prospective Sandwich entrepeneur went through the mire on here and last week posted photos and progress of his shop and what a successful first day he had.

 

[Philip Hoyle]

Buy in pre cooked frozen chicken and prawns etc and then add pre made sauces from companies such as Rich sauces etc, easy peasy, you also wont have to worry if you have the chicken etc cooked correctly.

It all depends on the scale of your operation. If it's going to be very small scale, i.e. just one shop counter you could well survive with buying everything fresh and doing the prep yourself with your shop assistants. A couple of hours pre-opening to do the time consuming stuff, and then doing the rest of the prep on the hoof in front of the customers, but it will be tough as most of your customers will all come at once between 12 noon and 2 pm.

If you're going to be a bigger operation, i.e. selling to other shops as well, doing outside catering for lunch meeting buffets, or are going to be very busy at lunchtime needing several serving staff, then you're going to have to buy most things in ready-prepared as mentioned above.

You'd be surprised at just what you can buy "ready prepared" - cooked chicken seems the most popular - you can get it breasts, diced, wings, strips, etc and can even get it ready prepared in sauces etc. You can even get boiled eggs ready-cooked and peeled.

If you are in the North of England, I know of a firm that do a very wide range of ready-prepared sandwich fillings - literally dozens of different fillings, all coming in tubs ready for use straight out of the tub.

When you consider the time cost of preparation and these days the power costs of cooking, then the costs of waste disposal, etc., it is very cost-effective to buy in your ingredients ready-prepared so you just open the packs and make the sandwiches!

 

[Findermonkey]

Well good luck with your venture, I'm sure if you work hard you'll be a success. For me one thing that is sometimes overlooked in Cafes is the quality of the bread that is used. We are lucky in this part of South Leeds that we have two bakers who also sell sandwiches, the bread is so nice, the queue for both these shops is always massive.

Good Luck

 

[dan_1985]

It is definitely all about the bread for me - you could have the best filling in the world but if you get it served in a couple of slices of 2 day old white warbutons then forget it!

 

[which_08]

Sounds to me like this guy is actually asking for inspiration , I agree give him a break we come on here to share ideas right ? Learn new things ? be inspired ? I am sure he can make a cheese and tomato but i am guessing from his post he wants to see what other fillings are out there.

Good on you for being proactive !

I am really concerned that you are buying a cafe and do not have the basic understanding of how to make a sandwich. I think you have got to be kidding right?

(I hope so for your sake)

 

[trustme]

It is far cheaper to produce as much of your own as you can, you will have a much better product in the end. I have been a chef for over 10 years and have opened and run a coffee shop. A lot depends on;

What type of cafe it is, cappuccino or tea urn?
Who are your market? builders or pushchair mums?
What cooking facilities does the cafe have?
I could go on, PM me if you like, and good luck. I started with no experience.

 

[Brad Naylor]

One thing I will say depending on your market is area is make sure the food is good quality. I know most people will pay a bit extra if they know its good qualility stuff.

Distressingly, this is not necessarily so.

There was a little cafe/sandwich shop near my previous premises and I'd sometimes pick up a bacon butty. I avoided the sausages though, as they were the usual pink paste sweepings off the floor type sausages that are disgusting in every way.

One day however, I went in and noticed that the sausages on offer looked quite appetising. I took a chance and ordered a couple on a barmcake.

They were delicious - nice meaty texture and properly spiced. Top class bangers!

The following day I went in for another sausage butty. To my horror the old ones were back! The owner explained that he had run out the previous day and bought some off a local butcher to keep him going.

He had had nothing but complaints from his regular customers about the 'horrible' sausages. They had 'lumps' in them.

This illustrates the uncomfortable truth. The majority of people in this country are completely ignorant about good quality food. Cheap and bland kids' food appears to be what most people want. Can anybody explain any other reason for the existance of 'mild cheddar' that tastes of nothing?

Or the success of McDonalds and Subway?

If I ran a catering business I would want to offer good fresh tasty food. That is why I will never run a catering business...


...because I'd go bust!

 

[Connections_Media]

Distressingly, this is not necessarily so.

There was a little cafe/sandwich shop near my previous premises and I'd sometimes pick up a bacon butty. I avoided the sausages though, as they were the usual pink paste sweepings off the floor type sausages that are disgusting in every way.

One day however, I went in and noticed that the sausages on offer looked quite appetising. I took a chance and ordered a couple on a barmcake.

They were delicious - nice meaty texture and properly spiced. Top class bangers!

The following day I went in for another sausage butty. To my horror the old ones were back! The owner explained that he had run out the previous day and bought some off a local butcher to keep him going.

He had had nothing but complaints from his regular customers about the 'horrible' sausages. They had 'lumps' in them.

This illustrates the uncomfortable truth. The majority of people in this country are completely ignorant about good quality food. Cheap and bland kids' food appears to be what most people want. Can anybody explain any other reason for the existance of 'mild cheddar' that tastes of nothing?

Or the success of McDonalds and Subway?

If I ran a catering business I would want to offer good fresh tasty food. That is why I will never run a catering business...


...because I'd go bust!

Is there any chance your from Manchester or near by....

 

[Bes]

Please just offer GOOD coffee!

It is so incredibly hard to find decent Coffee in this country- Starbucks and all the other chains do awful coffee, and even most independent places serve Cappuccino, Macchiato, etc in bucket- sized cups- bloody horrible!

 

[winchester]

i bought a sandwich shop five years ago, no experience at all in that area, (although a manager at cadburys for twelve years previous) all we made were bog standard tuna cheese, ham ect. but with gaining experience and ringing around, found quite a few places which sold sandwich fillings ect. gaining confidence you start to create youre own fillings by copying and adapting recipes from the big boys, believe me a lot cheaper.
A good one is mexican chilli cheese ( MATURE cheddar, peppers, red onions, chilli powder, cayenne pepper and mayo) brilliant in a sandwich, jacket potato, pasta ect. GOOD LUCK in the future, BE DIFFERENT FROM YOUR COMPETITION AND LOTS OF SMILES AND CHEEKY BANTER. and dont forget to source really good bread baguettes ect. if you need any more help just pm me.