New School Kitchen at OŠ Zalog and Other Schools – Projects in 2021
In 2021, OŠ Zalog in Ljubljana underwent a comprehensive renovation, including the refurbishment of the school kitchen, an extension of the library and an enlargement of the small gymnasium.
OŠ Zalog was built in 1973/74. As needs changed and the number of meals prepared increased, the building had become too small, outdated and technologically obsolete. This was one of the main reasons the school decided to undertake a comprehensive renovation.
A renovated, modernized and technologically advanced school kitchen
The renovation of the school kitchen and its associated areas included structural modifications, the replacement of installations and energy-efficiency improvements. As part of the renovation, the kitchen was also equipped with completely new professional equipment, covering all stages of the workflow – from storage and food preparation to the cooking area, food distribution and final dishwashing.
School snacks and lunches are of great importance to children’s everyday well-being, which is why their preparation requires high standards. High-quality, technologically advanced professional equipment plays an important role in this process, providing kitchen staff with the right conditions for preparing nutritious and delicious meals.
In recent years, we have equipped numerous kitchens in schools and kindergartens. In 2021, these included OŠ Zalog, OŠ Milojka, Sapramiška Kindergarten, Kranj Kindergartens, OŠ Rihard Jakopič, OŠ Grm, Zavod Dornava, Postojna Kindergarten and others.
Choosing the Right Equipment for a School Kitchen Matters
Over the past 10 years, there has been significant progress in equipment for large-scale professional kitchens, with a strong focus on digitalization and technological advancement. When developing new equipment, manufacturers increasingly focus on three key areas:
Environmental responsibility: minimizing energy and water consumption and reducing environmental impact.
User-focused design: equipment is designed to minimize lifting and physical strain while providing convenient and ergonomic operation adapted to the specific tasks performed.
Multifunctionality: with the development of digital technologies and new processes, modern machines can perform more tasks than ever before. They are more precise, faster and offer more functionality, helping kitchen staff achieve better and more consistent food quality.
When selecting the right equipment, we work with more than 50 suppliers, allowing us to find the most suitable solution for each customer and their specific requirements. Customers can also receive training and hands-on demonstrations to become familiar with the equipment before putting it into everyday use.
Food Trends: Healthy and Varied Food Is Essential
Schools increasingly recognize that healthy, varied and locally sourced food plays an important role in children’s development. At the same time, however, they often face the challenge of making a diverse diet appealing to children, who may be more inclined to choose unhealthy, repetitive and quickly prepared food.
Food preparation should therefore follow nutritional guidelines and focus on nutrient-rich meals that support children’s health. With the pace of modern life often making it difficult for parents to prepare a shared family lunch during the week, the school lunch is frequently the main meal of the day for many children.
At OŠ Zalog, children are encouraged to eat more fresh salads and vegetables. A new salad bar has therefore been introduced in the central dining area, allowing children to choose the type and quantity of salad themselves.
Another growing trend in school catering is the provision of special dietary meals, which also needs to be taken into account when planning and designing a school kitchen.
Project Support from Start to Finish
To prevent unnecessary complications, we remain involved throughout the entire project. We also coordinate the installation of the equipment with other works taking place on site, ensuring that everything is ready before the equipment is brought in.
Once the project is completed, we provide staff training to ensure that the equipment is used correctly and efficiently. Our cooperation does not end there – we remain available to the customer after the project has been completed, providing professional service and maintenance support.
Planning to renovate your school kitchen? Contact us for advice at info@kaza-sistemi.si.
