Pequeños Tapas & Wine Bar Saves Thousands with Ventless Kitchen
Nestled in the heart of Urbana, Ohio, Pequeños Tapas & Wine Bar has achieved unparalleled food quality, boosted efficiency, and significant savings by choosing to create a ventless kitchen with two stacked Vector® H2H multi-cook ovens . Founded by Bryan Thompson, Jeramiah Stocksdale and Head Chef Jonathan Kouse, the restaurant brings authentic Portuguese and Spanish cuisine to the community.
“We saved at least $70,000 by not needing to install a ventilation system or add gas lines, which alone would have cost $8,000,” Head Chef and Co-Owner Jonathan Kouse said. “The hood would have been costly and noisy, given our kitchen’s proximity to the bar. Not to mention the ongoing maintenance it would have required.”
The elimination of a hood also provides Pequeños more flexibility in their kitchen.
“The fact that our Vectors are plug and play is great,” said Chef Jonathan. ” As a restaurant operator, if you don’t own the building and invest in a hood system, you’re investing in someone else’s property. With this solution, if you aren’t pleased, you can move without losing your investment.”
Innovation in the Kitchen
The Vector ovens feature independent oven chambers, allowing Pequeños to simultaneously cook four different food items at different temperatures, fan speeds, and cook times—with no flavor transfer.
“The Vector ovens were a game-changer,” Chef Jonathan said. “I looked at some of the other ventless options out there, but they didn’t have the capacity to cook more than one thing at a time, or it was a combination microwave oven that didn’t provide the quality I desired.”
Maintaining Quality and Efficiency
The versatility of the Vector ovens has allowed Pequeños to maintain impeccable food quality while minimizing waste and ensuring consistency. During slow periods, the team can shut down one oven, start cooling and cleaning it, and save energy. This flexibility is crucial for efficient operations, especially in a restaurant with tight profit margins.
Further maximizing food quality, Pequeños purchased a 300-S holding cabinet. Featuring gentle, radiant Halo Heat® technology, the restaurant is able to hold food for hours at the highest quality until service.
A Place That Feels Like Home
Jonathan is the creative force behind Pequeños —embedding his wealth of industry experience as a chef and consultant into the design of Pequeños in 2023. As a designer, he drew up the layout concepts and created the menu that was inspired by his wife’s Portuguese heritage. His journey began with an idea and determination to bring authentic Spanish and Portuguese dishes and wine pairings to the Urbana community.
“I wanted to create a place that felt like home, where people could come together and enjoy food that tells a story and evokes food memories,” Chef Jonathan said. “Our customers tell us all the time that our food and ambiance make them feel like they’ve traveled back to Spain or Portugal. And we’re able to do it all out of the Vector ovens.”
Unique Menu Offerings
The use of ingredients to evoke food memories is a cornerstone of Pequeños’ approach.
“Chefs are in the memory business,” Chef Jonathan said. “Ohio has a rich agricultural heritage, and we wanted to honor that by embedding some familiar ingredients like beef, potatoes, and corn.”
He also wanted to provide food experiences that differentiated their tapas and wine bar for other restaurants in town.
“No one can say they can get grilled octopus at a better price or quality down the road,” Chef Jonathan said. “If you have something different, people are going to associate your restaurant with that item. That helps with creating memories.”
Helping Others Succeed
Chef Jonathan’s dedication extends beyond his restaurant. Through his consulting company, Chef Therapy Group, he helps other restaurants achieve success by designing kitchens and restaurants around the menu—not the other way around.
“I believe in sharing knowledge and helping others succeed,” Chef Jonathan said. “It’s about creating a thriving foodservice community.”
As Pequeños Tapas & Wine Bar continues to grow, Chef Jonathan remains committed to innovation and excellence. Plans for expansion include introducing new menu items and exploring additional revenue streams, all while maintaining the high standards that have made Pequeños a beloved dining destination.
