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APS
In Stock
Commercial Stainless Steel Serving Tray | Vintage Style | 255x160mm | APS FE973
£22.94
/ exc vat
£27.53/ inc vat
- Antique-Effect Finish
- Strong Stainless Steel
- Stackable by Design
- Dishwasher Safe
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Product Overview
Thinking of giving your food presentation a bit of a lift? This isn't just any old platter. The APS FE973 is a beautifully crafted commercial stainless steel serving tray with a distinct, antique-effect finish. It’s designed to bring a touch of rustic charm and vintage character to your table, making your dishes look even more appealing without you having to change a single recipe.
Perfect for gastropubs, bustling cafés, boutique hotels, or any eatery that wants to create a warm, authentic atmosphere. Whether you’re serving up hearty sharing boards, delicate canapés, or a signature dessert, this stainless steel platter provides the perfect backdrop. It’s built from tough stainless steel, so it’s more than ready for the demands of a professional kitchen, handling heavy loads and high temperatures with ease.
Combining rugged durability with an effortlessly cool vintage aesthetic, this tray is also stackable and dishwasher safe, making it as practical as it is stylish. It’s a simple switch that makes a huge difference, helping your food stand out and creating a memorable experience for your customers. Ready to make your presentation pop?
Key Features and Benefits
- Antique-Effect Finish: Gives your table a wonderfully rustic and on-trend look.
- Strong Stainless Steel: Built to last and reliably carry your heaviest dishes.
- Stackable by Design: Saves you precious storage space in a busy kitchen.
- Dishwasher Safe: Makes post-service cleanup quick, easy, and totally hygienic.
- Versatile Size: At 255x160mm, it's ideal for appetisers, sides or desserts.
- Lightweight Build: Easy for your waiting staff to handle, even when busy.
- High Heat Resistance: Safely holds hot food fresh from the oven or pass.
- Enhanced Presentation: Instantly makes your food look more artisanal and appealing.
Technical Specifications
- Brand: APS
- SKU: FE973
- Dimensions (External): 30(H) x 255(W) x 160(D) mm
- Weight: 0.37kg
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Colour: Silver (Antique Effect)
- Max Temperature: 400°C
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Stackable: Yes
Expert Review and Insights
The APS Vintage range really hits the mark. It taps into that desirable rustic, industrial aesthetic that so many venues are after, but does it with the reliability of stainless steel. It feels sturdy in your hands, not flimsy, and the distressed finish is consistent. It’s a smart, affordable way to elevate your service without overhauling your entire crockery collection.
Emily Hart – Tableware Expert View Profile →
- Pros: The unique finish makes food 'pop' and looks fantastic in photos.
- Cons: The distressed look may not suit venues with a sleek, modern decor.
Case Study: Real Business, Real Results
The Old Forge Eatery in Ironbridge wanted to enhance their tabletop appeal to better match their historic location's vibe. They needed servingware that was both stylish and tough enough for a busy lunch service, so they invested in the APS Vintage serving tray range.
"Our customers love the new look. The trays make everything from a simple sandwich to our signature steak pie look a bit special. They're strong, easy to clean, and have really helped tie our whole theme together."
Robert Davies – Head Chef
The result? They noted a significant increase in customers photographing their food for social media, providing valuable free marketing.
Installation and Maintenance Guide
Setting It Up
- Give the tray a good wash with warm, soapy water or run it through the dishwasher before its first use.
- Check for any labels or packaging and remove them completely.
- That's it! It's ready to start making your food look fantastic.
Keeping It Going
- This tray is fully dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze.
- To preserve the unique finish, avoid using abrasive scourers or harsh metal utensils on the surface.
- The trays are designed to stack neatly, helping you save valuable shelf space when not in use.
- Dry thoroughly after washing to prevent water spots and keep it looking its best.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the antique finish on this stainless steel serving tray food-safe?
A: Yes, absolutely. The tray is made from food-grade stainless steel and the finish is completely safe for direct contact with all types of food.
Q: Can I put this tray in the oven?
A: Yes, the stainless steel construction is heat resistant up to 400°C, so it's perfectly safe for use in commercial ovens to heat or finish dishes.
Q: Is the vintage finish a coating that might chip off?
A: No, it's not a coating. The steel itself is treated to create the distressed, vintage look, so it won't flake or peel off into food.
Q: Will the pattern be exactly the same on every tray?
A: The nature of the antique-effect process means there will be slight, subtle variations from tray to tray, which adds to their unique, rustic charm.
Q: Is the tray heavy to carry?
A: No, it's designed to be strong yet lightweight, weighing just 0.37kg, making it easy for staff to carry even when loaded with food.
Q: How do I prevent scratches?
A: While durable, we recommend avoiding the use of sharp metal utensils like knives directly on the surface to best preserve the finish. Soft-paddled spatulas are ideal.
Q: Is it suitable for serving acidic foods like tomatoes or vinaigrettes?
A: Yes, high-quality stainless steel is non-reactive, so it's perfectly fine for serving acidic foods without any risk of tainting the flavour or damaging the tray.
The APS Advantage: Presentation That Lasts
Choosing APS for your tableware is about more than just getting a good-looking product; it’s an investment in German-engineered reliability. With decades of experience, APS has built a reputation for creating products that understand the pressures of a commercial environment. This APS vintage serving tray isn't a flimsy, trend-led item destined for the bin after one season. It’s a workhorse, crafted from high-grade stainless steel to withstand the daily cycle of high heat, fast washing, and constant handling. This long-term durability means fewer replacements and a lower overall cost of ownership for your business. By investing in quality presentation pieces like this, you’re not just buying a tray; you’re buying consistency, reliability, and an effortless way to enhance your brand's image, one perfectly presented dish at a time.
Explore more from APSMore Than a Finish: The Power of 'Antique-Effect' Steel
You might see 'antique-effect' and think it's just a style choice, but it’s a clever tool for shaping customer perception. This isn't a coating that will peel off; the stainless steel itself is treated to create a unique, distressed look on every single piece. Think of it like a great pair of worn-in jeans versus a brand new pair – one has character and a story, the other is just standard.
This 'story' translates directly to your food. Serving a slice of cake on a standard white plate is fine, but serving it on this APS food presentation tray makes it feel more rustic, homemade, and special. It creates an instant impression of authenticity and care, which can make customers feel they're getting a more premium, crafted experience, all from one simple, durable tray.
Who Should Buy This?
- Gastropubs & Bars: Ideal for serving up Ploughman's lunches, gourmet burgers, or rustic sharing boards with authentic character.
- Independent Cafés: A perfect way to display fresh pastries on the counter or serve a stylish afternoon tea.
- Boutique Hotels: Adds a touch of curated, vintage elegance to room service trays or continental breakfast buffets.
- Event Caterers: A durable and stylish choice for presenting canapés and appetisers at weddings and corporate functions.
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