IN-LINED WARE WASH AND FOOD PREPARATION SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

A combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device has a frame, a food preparation table top portion and a multi-sided tub. The food preparation table top portion is supported upon the frame and defines a substantially horizontal food preparation surface. The tub has an upper opening for moving wares into and out of the tub and a spray system for cleaning. The tub is configured to receive and hold food preparation wares such as cutting boards, bowls or food preparation utensils, and is movably supported on the frame for movement between a closed position in which the upper opening is completely beneath the food preparation table and an open position in which the upper opening is at least partly exposed beyond a perimeter of the food preparation table. In the open position side portions of the tub aid in inhibiting any liquid from escaping the tub arrangement.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to commercial and institutional food preparation areas and, more specifically, to food preparation method and system that enhances efficiencies based upon ware wash positioning and utilization.

BACKGROUND

A typical commercial or institutional (e.g., K-12 schools) food service establishment includes a front of house area at which food is served and a back of house area at which food is prepared and wares are handled. In current practice of ware wash, the washing of wares (pans, cutlery, plates etc.) is not well integrated into the food preparation process. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the back of house area 10 includes a food preparation location 12 that includes various cooking units 14A-14C and a food preparation table 16 in proximity to the cooking units. A separate ware handling location 18 is also provided, and includes ware cleaning equipment 20A, 20B and a ware drying and storage station 22. The basic food preparation process involves cooking personnel working back and forth between the food preparation table and the cooking units 14A-14C to prepare and plate or, in the case of a typical institutional establishment, place the food items into serving trays or pans (e.g., per arrow 1). When a food item is trayed or panned, it is carried to a serving table 24 in the front-of-house area 26 (e.g., per arrow 2). In some cases, the food item may actually be prepared and cooked in the subject tray or pan itself, while in other cases the food item may be cooked in one ware and then transferred to a tray or pan for serving. When serving is complete (e.g., all food in the tray or pan is gone or otherwise), the tray or pan is carried back to the ware handling location 18 where the tray/pan is cleaned (e.g., per arrows 3 and 4, using sink 20A and or ware wash machine 20B). When the tray/pan is clean, it is moved to the drying and storage area 22 (per arrow 5) until it is needed again, at which point it is moved to the food preparation table 16 (per arrow 6) so that it is available for use by the chefs. Similarly, food preparation wares used at the food preparation table 16 must be transferred to the ware handling location for cleaning, drying and storing, and later transferred back to the food preparation location for use in preparing food items. The foregoing arrangement and process is not efficient and tends to overburden the ware wash machine 20B at certain times (e.g., end of a day or end of service), driving up overtime/labor costs for the establishment.

What is needed is a system and method that improves employee productivity and simplifies the clean-up process.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a streamlined food preparation and food receptacle handling process involves: retrieving at least one preparation/cooking receptacle from a storage device located at a first location; transporting the at least one preparation/cooking receptacle to a preparation table located at a second location; preparing at least one food item at the preparation table, the food item on or in the preparation/cooking receptacle; transporting the at least one food item on or in the at least one preparation/cooking receptacle to a cooking device located at the first location; cooking the at least one food item at the cooking device; transporting the at least one food item on or in the at least one preparation/cooking receptacle from the cooking device to a serving table located at a third location; transporting the at least one preparation/cooking receptacle from the serving table to a washing device located at the first location; and washing the at least one preparation receptacle in the washing device.

A key to the streamlining effort is to integrate or in-line the washing device with the cooking device or equipment in proximity to the cooking device.

For example, the process may involve utilizing a ware cleaning device (washing device) configured to handle one or more specific food receptacle types, the ware cleaning device integrated in proximity to the cooking device (at the first location) that is used to cook food items using the one or more food receptacle types, such that the ware cleaning device is alongside or below the cooking device and has a profile that is consistent with a profile of the cooking device. In this arrangement, the process involves retrieving a food receptacle from the ware cleaning device in proximity to the cooking unit; preparing a food item for cooking in the food receptacle at a food preparation table spaced from the ware cleaning device and cooking unit, producing a food item and receptacle combination that is ready to be cooked; transferring the food item and receptacle combination to the cooking unit; cooking the food item at the cooking unit, producing a cooked food item and receptacle combination; transferring the cooked food item and receptacle combination to a serving table spaced from the ware cleaning device, the cooking unit and the food preparation table; upon completion of serving, transferring the food receptacle back to the ware cleaning device; and washing the food receptacle at the location alongside or below the cooking device in preparation for next use.

In another aspect, a commercial kitchen unit assembly for enabling food preparation activity and food preparation ware cleaning activity to be integrated into a common location within a commercial kitchen environment is provided. The assembly includes a combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device with a frame, a food preparation table top portion and a multi-sided tub. The food preparation table top portion is supported upon the frame and defining a substantially horizontal food preparation surface. The multi-sided tub has an upper opening for moving wares into and out of the tub and a spray system for cleaning of wares. The tub is configured to receive and hold food preparation wares such as cutting boards, bowls or food preparation utensils for cleaning, and is movably supported on the frame for movement between a closed position in which the upper opening is completely beneath the food preparation table and an open position in which the upper opening is at least partly exposed beyond a perimeter of the food preparation table. In the open position side portions of the tub aid in inhibiting any liquid from escaping the tub arrangement.

In one implementation of the assembly of the preceding paragraph, the combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device is between about 40 inches and about 140 inches wide and between about 24 inches and 48 inches deep, and the food preparation surface is between about 32 inches and about 38 inches high, and the tub is supported on the frame such that a space of between about 4 inches and about 8 inches below the tub and above a bottom of the frame is accessible for cleaning.

In one implementation of the assembly of either of the two preceding paragraphs, the tub is a pivot type tub, a pull type tub or a pull and pivot type tub, and the tub includes a lower drain outlet that moves when the tub is pivoted, pulled or pivoted and pulled from the closed position to the open position.

In one implementation of the assembly of the preceding paragraph, the drain outlet leads to an outlet conduit that is at least one of a flexing conduit, a sliding conduit or a flexing and sliding conduit to facilitate movement of the drain outlet.

In one implementation of the assembly of the preceding paragraph, the outlet conduit is connected to the drain outlet or a pump is connected to the drain outlet and the outlet conduit is connected to the pump.

In one implementation of the assembly of any of the five preceding paragraphs, the ware cleaning device includes a control system within a control compartment alongside the tub.

In one implementation of the assembly of any of the six preceding paragraphs, the combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device includes one or more of shelving and or hooks above the food preparation surface for storage of food preparation wares after cleaning and removal from the tub.

In one implementation of the assembly of any of the seven preceding paragraphs, the combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device includes an integrated scrapping zone, the scrapping zone includes an upper surface portion that is aligned with or is an extension of the food preparation surface, the upper surface portion including an opening through which food scraps can be delivered during scrapping operations.

In one implementation of the assembly of any of the eight preceding paragraphs, the frame is configured to provide a space below the opening in the upper surface portion, the space accessible from a side of the combination food preparation and ware cleaning device to enable a capture bin to be placed beneath the upper opening in the upper surface portion to receive scraps delivered downward through the upper opening.

In another aspect, a method of preparing food and handling one or more food cooking wares such as trays, pots or pans or food preparation wares such as cutting boards, bowls or food preparation utensils is provided. The method involves: utilizing a ware cleaning device configured to handle one or more specific ware types, the ware cleaning device located proximate to a cooking device that is used to cook food items using the one or more food receptacle types, such that the ware cleaning device is alongside, above, below or otherwise near the cooking device; retrieving a food cooking ware or food preparation ware from the ware cleaning device in proximity to the cooking unit; preparing a food item for cooking using the food cooking ware or food preparation ware at a food preparation table located proximate to the cooking device; and washing the food cooking ware or food preparation ware using the ware cleaning device that is alongside, above, below or otherwise near the cooking device in preparation for next use.

In one implementation of the method of the preceding paragraph, the ware cleaning device is one of: a door-type ware machine integrated below a combination oven; or a door-type ware machine integrated below a convection oven; or a door-type ware machine integrated below a hybrid oven; or a drawer-type or door-type ware machine integrated below a mini-rack oven; or a pull-out drawer-type ware machine integrated beneath the food preparation table; or a drawer-type ware machine integrated below a rotisserie oven; or a drawer-type ware machine integrated beneath a steam sink; or a top-door type ware machine integrated alongside a stove top unit.

In one implementation of the method of either of the two preceding paragraphs, the ware cleaning device is integrated with the food preparation table and comprises a multi-sided tub that is one of a pivot type tub, a pull type tub or a pull and pivot type tub.

In one implementation of the method of the preceding paragraph, the integrated ware cleaning device and food preparation table is located alongside the cooking device, while in another implementation the integrated ware cleaning device and food preparation table is located in an opposed relationship to the cooking device.

In one implementation of the method of either of the two preceding paragraphs, the tub includes a lower drain outlet that moves when the tub arrangement is pivoted, pulled or pivoted and pulled from a ware cleaning closed position to a ware access open position, and the drain outlet leads to an outlet conduit that is at least one of a flexing conduit, a sliding conduit or a flexing and sliding conduit to facilitate movement of the drain outlet.

In one implementation of the method of the preceding paragraph, the outlet conduit is connected to the drain outlet or a pump is connected to the drain outlet and the outlet conduit is connected to the pump.

In one implementation of the method of any of the four preceding paragraphs, a control system for the ware cleaning device is located in a control compartment alongside the tub.

In one implementation of the method of any of the five preceding paragraphs, the integrated ware cleaning device and food preparation table includes one or more of shelving and or hooks above a food preparation surface for local storage of food cooking wares or food preparation wares after cleaning and removal from the tub.

In on implementation of the method of any of the six preceding paragraphs, the integrated ware cleaning device and food preparation table includes an integrated scrapping zone, the scrapping zone includes an upper surface portion that is aligned with or is an extension of the food preparation surface, the upper surface portion including an opening through which food scraps can be delivered during scrapping operations, wherein the frame is configured to provide a space below the opening in the upper surface portion, the space accessible from a side of the combination food preparation and ware cleaning device to enable a capture bin to be placed beneath the upper opening in the upper surface portion to receive scraps delivered downward through the upper opening.

In one implementation of the method, in the retrieving step a food cooking ware is retrieved; in the preparing step an uncooked food item and food cooking ware combination is produced, the method further includes: transferring the uncooked food item and food cooking ware combination to the cooking device; cooking the uncooked food item at the cooking device, producing a cooked food item and food cooking ware combination; transferring the cooked food item and food cooking ware combination to a serving table spaced from the ware cleaning device, the cooking unit and the food preparation table; and upon completion of serving, transferring the food cooking ware back to the ware cleaning device for the washing step.

In another aspect, a commercial kitchen cooking arrangement adapted to aid in reduction of labor and time associated with cleaning, transport and storage of food preparation wares used to prepare food items for cooking is provided. The arrangement includes multiple cooking devices located side-by-side within a commercial kitchen to define a row of cooking devices that are each accessible for cooking operations from a first side of the row. A combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device has an elongated shape and extends substantially parallel to the row of cooking devices. The combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device includes a frame, food preparation table top portion supported upon the frame and defining a substantially horizontal food preparation surface, and a multi-sided tub having an upper opening for moving wares into and out of the tub and an internal spray system for cleaning of wares. The tub is configured to receive and hold food preparation wares such as cutting boards, bowls and food preparation utensils during cleaning, and is movably supported on the frame for movement between a closed position in which the upper opening is completely beneath the food preparation table and an open position in which the upper opening is at least partly exposed beyond a perimeter of the food preparation table, wherein in the open position side portions of the tub aid in inhibiting any liquid from escaping the tub. The combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device is located to the first side of the row, wherein a distance between the row of cooking devices and the combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device is between about 30 inches and about 60 inches to provide a working space that facilitates kitchen personnel preparing food products atop the combination food preparation and ware cleaning device and then readily transferring such food products to one of the cooking devices for a cooking operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a prior art kitchen arrangement;

FIG. 2 shows on embodiment of an in-lined kitchen arrangement;

FIGS. 3A and 3B show one embodiment of a ware cleaning device integrated below an oven;

FIGS. 4A and 4B show one embodiment of a ware cleaning device integrated below an oven;

FIGS. 5A and 5B show one embodiment of a ware cleaning device b integrated below an oven;

FIGS. 6A and 6B show one embodiment of a ware cleaning device integrated below an oven;

FIG. 7A-7C shows one embodiment of a ware cleaning device integrated below a food preparation table;

FIGS. 8A and 8B show one embodiment of a ware cleaning device integrated below an oven;

FIGS. 9A-9C show one embodiment of a ware cleaning device integrated below a steam/sink table;

FIGS. 10A and 10B show one embodiment of a ware cleaning device alongside a stove unit;

FIGS. 11A and 11B show embodiments of drain outlet conduits;

FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of a combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device;

FIG. 13 is an exemplary kitchen layout including a combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As seen in FIG. 2, by integrating the ware wash device with the cooking device (per 30) reduces the steps involved in the combined food preparation and cooking and receptacle cleaning process.

The integration process is useful for both food preparation wares (e.g., cutting boards, bowls and knives or other food preparation utensils) and food cooking wares (e.g., pots and pans or, in some cases, food cooking wares that are transported to the serving station with the cooked food), as will be seen below.

In certain embodiments, such as those of FIGS. 3-6, 8 and 10, the ware cleaning device is actually integrated with the oven (e.g., above, below or alongside the oven). In FIG. 3, a ware cleaning device 50 (e.g., a batch-type or door-type machine) is shown integrated below a combination oven 52, with the oven and the ware cleaning device having similar machine handle arrangements, interfaces and profiles and/or footprints. In FIG. 4, a pair of convection oven 54 and ware cleaning device 56 combinations are shown, where the ware cleaning device is a door-type ware wash machine, and where the ovens and the ware cleaning devices have similar profiles and/or footprints. FIG. 5 shows a hybrid oven 58 atop a door-type ware cleaning machine 60, again with both oven and ware cleaning machine having similar profiles and/or footprints. FIG. 6 shows a mini-rack oven 62 atop a drawer-type or door-type ware cleaning machine 64, again with similar profiles and/or footprints. FIG. 8 shows a rotisserie oven 72 atop a drawer-type ware cleaning machine 74. FIG. 10 shows a stove unit 80 with a to-door type ware cleaning machine 82 alongside, the machine having hooks for pots and pans that are used on the stove unit.

These examples generally utilize a method of integrating a ware cleaning device and a cooking device that involves: utilizing a common frame structure; mounting the cooking device to the common frame structure; and mounting the ware cleaning device to the common frame structure and below or alongside the cooking device. The ware cleaning device may be mounted below the cooking device and the ware cleaning device and the cooking device have similar profiles and appearances. The method is facilitated by producing the cooking device and the ware cleaning device with a common footprint.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the ware cleaning device is integrates with a steam/sink table 76, where the ware cleaning device 78 is beneath the table and is formed by a drawer-type ware wash machine.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, a pull-out drawer-type ware cleaning machine 68 is integrated beneath a food preparation table 66, with machine controls 70 hidden beneath the table when the machine is closed. A control system of the machine may also be located in a compartment 72 that is located alongside the wash chamber of the machine. The combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device includes a frame 100 that supports food preparation table top portion 66, which defines a substantially horizontal food preparation surface 102. A multi-sided tub 104 has an upper opening 106 for moving wares into and out of the tub and a spray system for cleaning of wares. An internal spray system 108 is formed by one or more spray nozzles located in one or more spray arms 110, which may be fixed or rotating, with a spray recirculation system formed by a pump and associated recirculation line as is typical in ware wash machines. The tub 104 is configured (e.g., with internal racking etc. or slots to receive utensils such as knives) to receive and hold food preparation wares such as cutting boards, bowls or food preparation utensils for cleaning. The tub is movably supported on the frame 100 for movement between a closed position (illustrated in FIG. 7A)) in which the upper opening 106 is completely beneath the food preparation table and an open position (shown partly in FIG. 7C) in which the upper opening 106 is at least partly exposed beyond a perimeter of the food preparation table 66. Notably, wherein in the open position side portions of the tub aid in inhibiting any liquid from escaping the tub arrangement. This is advantageous in the cooking environment. An electromechanical lock may be provided to keep the tub in the closed position during washing operations.

Typically, the combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device is between about 40 inches and about 140 inches wide and between about 24 inches and 48 inches deep, and the food preparation surface is between about 32 inches and about 38 inches high. The tub 104 is, in the illustrated embodiment, supported on the frame 100 such that a space 112 of between about 4 inches and about 8 inches below the tub and above a bottom of the frame is accessible for cleaning.

As indicated by arrow 113, the tub is a pull type tub that is moved laterally inward and outward. However, the tub could also be a pivot type tub or a combination pull and pivot type tub. The tub includes a lower drain outlet 114 that moves when the tub is pivoted, pulled or pivoted and pulled from the closed position to the open position. The drain outlet 114 leads to an outlet conduit that is at least one of a flexing conduit, a sliding conduit or a flexing and sliding conduit to facilitate movement of the drain outlet. By way of example, referring to FIG. 11A, a flexible outlet conduit 116 is shown (e.g., having a bellows-type portion 118 that facilitates elongation of the conduit per arrow 12). In the example of FIG. 11B, a pump 122 is connected to the drain outlet and a sliding outlet conduit 124 is connected to the pump 122. The outlet conduit 124 has an inner tube 126 capable of sliding within an outer tube 128, with suitable seals 130 preventing leakage.

The ware cleaning device could operate as either a high temperature rinse machine or a low temperature machine. The frame 100 is configured with internal space to hold chemical containers as necessary. In order to reduce steam escaping into the food preparation location when the ware cleaning device is opened, an internal condensing system may be incorporated to remove moist air at the end of a cleaning cycle. A suitable air blower and heating element or other heater device may likewise be incorporated for drying wares at the end of the cycle.

Referring to FIG. 12, another embodiment of a combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device 140 is shown, where the combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device 140 includes one or more of shelving 142 and or hooks 144 above the food preparation surface for storage of food preparation wares after cleaning and removal from the tub 104. The device 140 also includes an integrated scrapping zone 146 that includes an upper surface portion 148 that is aligned with or is an extension of the food preparation surface. An opening 150 is provided, through which food scraps can be delivered during scrapping operations. As shown, the frame 100 is configured to provide a space 152 below the opening in the upper surface portion 148, the space 152 accessible from a side of the combination food preparation and ware cleaning device to enable a capture bin 154 to be placed beneath the upper opening 150 to receive scraps delivered downward through the upper opening. A hot air exhaust path 160 is shown, which can be used to exhaust air above and away from the work surface, and with which a heat exchanger may be integrated to recover energy from the hot moist air that is in the tub at the end of the wash cycle.

FIG. 13 shows an example kitchen layout in which multiple cooking devices 170 are located side-by-side within a commercial kitchen 172 to define a row 174 of cooking devices that are each accessible for cooking operations from a first side 176 of the row. A combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device 140 extends substantially parallel to the row of cooking devices, and is located to the first side of the row. A distance D between the row of cooking devices and the combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device is between about 30 inches and about 60 inches to provide a working space that facilitates kitchen personnel preparing food products atop the combination food preparation and ware cleaning device and then readily transferring such food products to one of the cooking devices for a cooking operation.

Generally, integrating the ware cleaning device with the food preparation table, and locating the combined device alongside or in opposed relation to cooking devices, provides advantages such as increased speed from dirty to clean for wares, as the wares do not have to be sent off to another part of the kitchen for cleaning, labor savings due to the elimination for the need transit of dirty ware and clean ware back and forth between cleaning and food preparation locations, ware can be cleaned as soon as possible, convenience is improved such that the ware will be always local to the workstation and not be misplaced or in transit, and less ware needs to be in circulation in the kitchen since there will be less ware in transit. The ware cleaning device can be used in an on-demand basis.

It is to be clearly understood that the above description is intended by way of illustration and example only, is not intended to be taken by way of limitation, and that other changes and modifications are possible.

Claims

1. A commercial kitchen unit assembly for enabling food preparation activity and food preparation ware cleaning activity to be integrated into a common location within a commercial kitchen environment, the assembly comprising: a combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device including: a frame;a food preparation table top portion supported upon the frame and defining a substantially horizontal food preparation surface;a multi-sided tub having an upper opening for moving wares into and out of the tub and a spray system for cleaning of wares, the tub configured to receive and hold food preparation wares such as cutting boards, bowls or food preparation utensils for cleaning, the tub movably supported on the frame for movement between a closed position in which the upper opening is completely beneath the food preparation table and an open position in which the upper opening is at least partly exposed beyond a perimeter of the food preparation table, wherein in the open position side portions of the tub aid in inhibiting any liquid from escaping the tub arrangement.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device is between about 40 inches and about 140 inches wide and between about 24 inches and 48 inches deep, and the food preparation surface is between about 32 inches and about 38 inches high;the tub is supported on the frame such that a space of between about 4 inches and about 8 inches below the tub and above a bottom of the frame is accessible for cleaning.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the tub is a pivot type tub, a pull type tub or a pull and pivot type tub;the tub includes a lower drain outlet that moves when the tub is pivoted, pulled or pivoted and pulled from the closed position to the open position.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein: the drain outlet leads to an outlet conduit that is at least one of a flexing conduit, a sliding conduit or a flexing and sliding conduit to facilitate movement of the drain outlet.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein: the outlet conduit is connected to the drain outlet or a pump is connected to the drain outlet and the outlet conduit is connected to the pump.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the ware cleaning device includes a control system within a control compartment alongside the tub.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device includes one or more of shelving and or hooks above the food preparation surface for storage of food preparation wares after cleaning and removal from the tub.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device includes an integrated scrapping zone, the scrapping zone includes an upper surface portion that is aligned with or is an extension of the food preparation surface, the upper surface portion including an opening through which food scraps can be delivered during scrapping operations.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the frame is configured to provide a space below the opening in the upper surface portion, the space accessible from a side of the combination food preparation and ware cleaning device to enable a capture bin to be placed beneath the upper opening in the upper surface portion to receive scraps delivered downward through the upper opening.

10. A commercial kitchen unit assembly for enabling food preparation activity and food preparation ware cleaning activity to be integrated into a common location within a commercial kitchen environment, the assembly comprising: a combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device including: a frame;a food preparation table top portion supported upon the frame and defining a substantially horizontal food preparation surface that is between about 40 inches and about 140 inches wide, between about 24 inches and 48 inches deep and between about 32 inches and about 38 inches high;a multi-sided tub having an upper opening for moving wares into and out of the tub and a spray system for cleaning of wares, the tub configured to receive and hold food preparation wares such as cutting boards, bowls or food preparation utensils for cleaning, the tub movably supported on the frame for movement between a closed position in which the upper opening is completely beneath the food preparation table and an open position in which the upper opening is at least partly exposed beyond a perimeter of the food preparation table, wherein in the open position side portions of the tub aid in inhibiting any liquid from escaping the tub arrangement,wherein the tub is supported on the frame such that a space of between about 4 inches and about 8 inches below the tub and above a bottom of the frame is accessible for cleaning;wherein the tub is a pivot type tub, a pull type tub or a pull and pivot type tub;wherein the tub includes a lower drain outlet that moves when the tub is pivoted, pulled or pivoted and pulled from the closed position to the open position;wherein the drain outlet leads to an outlet conduit that is at least one of a flexing conduit, a sliding conduit or a flexing and sliding conduit to facilitate movement of the drain outlet;wherein the outlet conduit is connected to the drain outlet or a pump is connected to the drain outlet and the outlet conduit is connected to the pump;wherein the ware cleaning device includes a control system within a control compartment alongside the tub;wherein the combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device includes one or more of shelving and or hooks above the food preparation surface for storage of food preparation wares after cleaning and removal from the tub;wherein the combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device includes an integrated scrapping zone;wherein the scrapping zone includes an upper surface portion that is aligned with or is an extension of the food preparation surface, the upper surface portion including an opening through which food scraps can be delivered during scrapping operations;wherein the frame is configured to provide a space below the opening in the upper surface portion, the space accessible from a side of the combination food preparation and ware cleaning device to enable a capture bin to be placed beneath the upper opening in the upper surface portion to receive scraps delivered downward through the upper opening.

11. A method of preparing food and handling one or more food cooking wares such as trays, pots or pans or food preparation wares such as cutting boards, bowls or food preparation utensils, the method comprising: utilizing a ware cleaning device configured to handle one or more specific ware types, the ware cleaning device located proximate to a cooking device that is used to cook food items using the one or more food receptacle types, such that the ware cleaning device is alongside, above, below or otherwise near the cooking device;retrieving a food cooking ware or food preparation ware from the ware cleaning device in proximity to the cooking unit;preparing a food item for cooking using the food cooking ware or food preparation ware at a food preparation table located proximate to the cooking devicewashing the food cooking ware or food preparation ware using the ware cleaning device that is alongside, above, below or otherwise near the cooking device in preparation for next use.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the ware cleaning device is one of: a door-type ware machine integrated below a combination oven; ora door-type ware machine integrated below a convection oven; ora door-type ware machine integrated below a hybrid oven; ora drawer-type or door-type ware machine integrated below a mini-rack oven; ora pull-out drawer-type ware machine integrated beneath the food preparation table; ora drawer-type ware machine integrated below a rotisserie oven; ora drawer-type ware machine integrated beneath a steam sink; ora top-door type ware machine integrated alongside a stove top unit.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein: the ware cleaning device is integrated with the food preparation table and comprises a multi-sided tub that is one of a pivot type tub, a pull type tub or a pull and pivot type tub.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the integrated ware cleaning device and food preparation table is located alongside the cooking device.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the integrated ware cleaning device and food preparation table is located in an opposed relationship to the cooking device.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein: the tub includes a lower drain outlet that moves when the tub arrangement is pivoted, pulled or pivoted and pulled from a ware cleaning closed position to a ware access open position, and the drain outlet leads to an outlet conduit that is at least one of a flexing conduit, a sliding conduit or a flexing and sliding conduit to facilitate movement of the drain outlet.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the outlet conduit is connected to the drain outlet or a pump is connected to the drain outlet and the outlet conduit is connected to the pump.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein a control system for the ware cleaning device is located in a control compartment alongside the tub.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein the integrated ware cleaning device and food preparation table includes one or more of shelving and or hooks above a food preparation surface for local storage of food cooking wares or food preparation wares after cleaning and removal from the tub.

20. The method of claim 13 wherein the integrated ware cleaning device and food preparation table includes an integrated scrapping zone, the scrapping zone includes an upper surface portion that is aligned with or is an extension of the food preparation surface, the upper surface portion including an opening through which food scraps can be delivered during scrapping operations, wherein the frame is configured to provide a space below the opening in the upper surface portion, the space accessible from a side of the combination food preparation and ware cleaning device to enable a capture bin to be placed beneath the upper opening in the upper surface portion to receive scraps delivered downward through the upper opening.

21. The method of claim 11 wherein: in the retrieving step a food cooking ware is retrieved;in the preparing step an uncooked food item and food cooking ware combination is produced, the method further includes: transferring the uncooked food item and food cooking ware combination to the cooking device;cooking the uncooked food item at the cooking device, producing a cooked food item and food cooking ware combination;transferring the cooked food item and food cooking ware combination to a serving table spaced from the ware cleaning device, the cooking unit and the food preparation table;upon completion of serving, transferring the food cooking ware back to the ware cleaning device for the washing step.

22. A commercial kitchen cooking arrangement adapted to aid in reduction of labor and time associated with cleaning, transport and storage of food preparation wares used to prepare food items for cooking, the arrangement comprising: multiple cooking devices located side-by-side within a commercial kitchen to define a row of cooking devices that are each accessible for cooking operations from a first side of the row;a combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device having an elongated shape that extends substantially parallel to the row of cooking devices, wherein: the combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device includes a frame, food preparation table top portion supported upon the frame and defining a substantially horizontal food preparation surface, and a multi-sided tub having an upper opening for moving wares into and out of the tub and an internal spray system for cleaning of wares, the tub configured to receive and hold food preparation wares such as cutting boards, bowls and food preparation utensils for cleaning, the tub movably supported on the frame for movement between a closed position in which the upper opening is completely beneath the food preparation table and an open position in which the upper opening is at least partly exposed beyond a perimeter of the food preparation table, wherein in the open position side portions of the tub aid in inhibiting any liquid from escaping the tub;the combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device located to the first side of the row, wherein a distance between the row of cooking devices and the combination food preparation table and ware cleaning device is between about 30 inches and about 60 inches to provide a working space that facilitates kitchen personnel preparing food products atop the combination food preparation and ware cleaning device and then readily transferring such food products to one of the cooking devices for a cooking operation.

23. A method of integrating a ware cleaning device and a cooking device, the method comprising: utilizing a common frame structure;mounting the cooking device to the common frame structure; andmounting the ware cleaning device to the common frame structure and below or alongside the cooking device.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the ware cleaning device is mounted below the cooking device and the ware cleaning device and the cooking device have similar profiles and appearances.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising: producing the cooking device and the ware cleaning device with a common footprint.