Setup Hub Guide

Overview

The Setup Hub is your central location for configuring everything in SmartChef. Think of it as the control centre for your digital food safety system.

SmartChef offers two ways to complete your setup:

Guided Mode

When you first log in after creating your account, SmartChef automatically starts you in Guided Mode. This walks you through each setup section one at a time.

How Guided Mode Works

1. Follow the steps

   Complete each section in order, or skip sections you want to return to later.

2. Track your progress

   A progress bar at the top shows how much of the setup you've completed.

3. Use the navigation buttons

   Click "Continue" to move to the next section, or "Back" to return to the previous one.

4. Switch to Direct Mode anytime

   Click "View All Sections" to see all setup options and jump to any section.

Business Details

Start by entering your business information. This appears on reports and helps identify your records.

What to Enter

• Business Name

  Your restaurant, cafe, or food business name.

• Address

  The location where you're using SmartChef.

• Contact Information

  Phone number and email for your business.

Suppliers

Add your delivery suppliers so you can quickly log deliveries. When recording a delivery, you'll select from this list rather than typing the supplier name each time.

Adding a Supplier

1. Click "Add Supplier"

   Opens the new supplier form.

2. Enter the supplier name

   E.g., "Musgrave", "Sysco", "Local Butcher".

3. Add contact details (optional)

   Phone number or email for reference.

4. Save the supplier

   The supplier is now available when logging deliveries.

Equipment

Add your fridges, freezers, and other temperature-controlled equipment. This is essential for recording daily temperature checks.

Adding Equipment

1. Click "Add Equipment"

   Opens the new equipment form.

2. Enter a name

   Give it a clear name like "Walk-in Fridge", "Prep Freezer", or "Display Chiller".

3. Select the type

   Choose Fridge, Freezer, or other equipment type.

4. Set temperature range

   SmartChef will alert you if readings fall outside this range.

5. Save the equipment

   It's now available for temperature recording.

Recommended Temperature Ranges

Food Items

Add the food items you cook that require temperature monitoring. These are used when recording cooking temperatures to ensure food reaches safe temperatures.

Adding Food Items

1. Click "Add Food Item"

   Opens the new food item form.

2. Enter the item name

   E.g., "Chicken Breast", "Beef Burger", "Fish Fillet".

3. Set the target temperature

   The minimum safe cooking temperature for this item.

4. Save the food item

   It's now available when recording cooking checks.

Common Safe Cooking Temperatures

Temperature Probes

Register your temperature probes in SmartChef. This is required for probe calibration records and helps track which probe was used for each reading.

Adding a Probe

1. Click "Add Probe"

   Opens the new probe form.

2. Enter a name

   Give it a name like "Kitchen Probe 1" or "Blue Probe".

3. Add the serial number (optional)

   Found on the probe or its packaging. Useful for warranty and records.

4. Save the probe

   It's now available for calibration records and temperature logging.

Hot & Cold Hold

Set up hot holding and cold holding check lists. These are used when holding prepared food at temperature before serving.

What is Hot & Cold Holding?

When you prepare food in advance and hold it at temperature (like a carvery, buffet, or deli counter), you need to monitor temperatures throughout the service. SmartChef makes this easy with customisable check lists.

Creating a Hot/Cold Hold List

1. Click "Add List"

   Opens the new list form.

2. Enter a name

   E.g., "Lunch Service Hot Hold", "Deli Counter Cold Hold".

3. Select the type

   Choose Hot Hold or Cold Hold.

4. Add items to check

   Add each food item that will be on this holding list.

5. Set check intervals

   How often temperatures should be checked (e.g., every 30 minutes).

Required Holding Temperatures

Cleaning Schedules

Create cleaning schedules to track daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning tasks. SmartChef helps ensure nothing gets missed.

Setting Up Cleaning

1. Create a schedule

   E.g., "Daily Kitchen Clean", "Weekly Deep Clean", "Monthly Equipment Clean".

2. Add cleaning items

   List each area or item to be cleaned (e.g., "Prep Surfaces", "Floors", "Fryer").

3. Set the frequency

   Choose how often each item should be cleaned.

4. Add instructions (optional)

   Include specific cleaning methods or products to use.

Team Members

Add your team members to SmartChef. You can give them their own login to record checks, or simply list them for record-keeping purposes.

Adding Team Members

1. Click "Add Team Member"

   Opens the new team member form.

2. Enter their name

   Their full name as it should appear on records.

3. Choose their access level

   Decide whether they can log in or are just listed for records.

4. Send login invitation (if applicable)

   They'll receive an email to set up their password.

Access Levels

Notifications

Set up push notifications to remind your team about important tasks throughout the day. Never miss a temperature check or cleaning task again.

Setting Up Notifications

1. Set your timezone

   Ensures notifications arrive at the right local time.

2. Choose working days

   Select which days your kitchen operates.

3. Enable preset notifications

   Quick options for common reminders like morning/afternoon temperature checks.

4. Create custom notifications

   Add your own reminders for specific tasks at specific times.

Finishing Setup

Once you've completed all sections (or skipped the ones you want to return to later), you'll see the Review screen. This gives you a summary of what you've set up.

After Completing Setup

• You'll be taken to the Dashboard

  Your home base for daily operations in SmartChef.

• Setup Hub switches to Direct Mode

  You can return anytime to update settings or add new items.

• Start recording checks

  Your equipment, suppliers, and team are all ready to use.

Next Steps

Now that your Setup Hub is configured, here's what to do next: