Cafe kitchen

A cafe kitchen is a commercial food preparation area in a coffee shop or similar venue, typically with lower drainage loads than a full restaurant kitchen but still classified as commercial under trade effluent rules. Across Greater London, cafe kitchens are common on every high street, particularly in Camden, Islington, Hackney and Westminster. Drainage characteristics often include a small undercounter grease trap, two or three bowl sinks for dishwashing and food preparation, coffee machine waste with high temperature water and milk residues, and a small WC for staff and customers. Common issues include grease and milk fat blockages from coffee preparation, undersized waste branches struggling with weekend trade, and inappropriate disposal of coffee grounds. Cafes should investigate trade effluent consent requirements with Thames Water and arrange routine grease trap servicing to prevent blockages.