Question

We are involved in a project where the client wants part of the service counter to have round ice cream tubs inset into a marble top. They have seen this at ‘Flatiron’ in London. Ice cream is scooped into cones then rolled in chocolate, hand shaved onto the marble top.

I am told that the insulated lift-out ice cream ‘buckets’ are standard but also that the undercounter is refrigerated in some way too to prolong the life of the ice cream.

Is anyone aware of this kind of display? Would refrigeration under be bespoke? Or is there no refrigeration at all and the tubs keep the ice cream usable for an extended period?

Any information (tubs or refrigeration) gratefully received!

Replies

1. Try Silver King. They have a drop in square freezer client could then put a circular collar around – https://www.silverking.com/project/skdi-drop-in-freezer/
2. http://www.ifi.it/en/display-cases-and-pozzetti via Carpiagiani
3. I’d say it’s a Bespoke Item and would therefore contact Counterline or Precision – so they can build to the clients specification
4. I think IFI do something like this – Just remove the lids – http://www.ifi.it/en/bellevue-panorama-technology.html
5. Nemox supply these or Framec they are ice cream freezers. 

Question

We are trying to find a supplier to replace the ceramic hot plates within this servery counter for a good client of ours.

Counter was originally manufactured by EMH. I have tried a couple of other servery counter suppliers who can’t help out. Site location: Guildford.

We are looking for a supplier who can remove existing and dispose, supply and install new ceramic plates to match. Size of hot plates and images below.

ceramic insert
all together 181cm/51cm as one piece
60cm/51cm each one individually.

Replies

1. 1. Contact CED to see if they know where the distributor could get the same plates from and then get service agent to fit them. The counter manufacturers won’t want to do it but CED might know what make plates they used?
   2. Contact Stuart Russell, Sales Director at CED Fabrications Ltd – Stuart.Russell@cedlimited.com Mobile: 07917303122
   3. What about Storer, 0115 9200329 they make the carvery decks for Mitchells & Butlers or you can buy them in from Hawco as one assembly and replace themselves they are usually only bedded in heat resistant silicone around the edges Hawco sell all that is required to do yourself.
   4. Contact Greg Swift – gregs@cateringfabrications.com
   5. This would be something AGGORA Projects could assist with. We would need to undertake a site survey before providing any costs, so would be grateful if you could forward our details to your member, that would be much appreciated. AGGORA Group, Centech House, Centech Park, North Moons Moat, Redditch, Worcestershire, B98 9NR. Office: 0845 1177 555 ext: 132 www.aggora.com
   6. We have purchased these before from spares company CCS. BUT they can be an odd size. You can un-silicone the pad off the bottom of the ceramic plate then re fit a new pad.Not the best job but okay for a good engineer…
   7. I believe First Choice can supply the parts.
   8. I believe the ceran plates and heater pads would have come from Hawco at 600 x 500mm each and they should be able to be installed and replaced as a set.It’s worth also checking the controller system EMH would have used as you may have to replace everything from controllers to the plates to ensure a correct installation.
   9. I would suggest that these will be Ceran Hotplates. These can be purchased complete with the Heater Mats fitted however the standard sizes are 500mm x 600mm each so look like the size detailed. When fitted they will also require the Black Heat Resistant Sealant. We cover this area and could carry out the works if required.
   10. The best person to sort this out is Stuart Russell, CED. He was EMH. Contact: Stuart.Russell@cedlimited.com 07917 303122
   11. One of the best ‘cut and carve’ companies with specialist servery abilities I’ve ever known are Essex Fabrications in Basildon, and reasonably close geographically.
   12. Try Hawco
   13. What about Storer, 0115 9200329 they make the carvery decks for Mitchells & Butlers or you can buy them in from Hawco as one assembly and replace themselves they are usually only bedded in heat resistant silicone around the edges Hawco sell all that is required to do yourself.
   14. They look like standard Ceran hotplate sections? But try Comet Catering in Enfield – they are a high-end fabricator we know well and have a lot of experience in a wide range of weird and wonderful bespoke countering! Julian Webb 0207 804 4779 – let him know that Fulcrum suggested Comet and he should be glad to assist.

Question

A ceda Member has requested recommendations and contact details for solicitors that have been used by fellow ceda Members, specifically on legal issues for ventilation.

Replies

1. I have previously taken advice from Ward Hadaway Solicitors. Fortunately, the issue we had was resolved amicably without the need for further legal assistance but one of their partners (see below) specialises in construction and associated engineering, so he may be able to advise on ventilation. Contact: Paul Reekie – Partner/Contruction & Engineering Unit Email: Paul.Reekie@wardhadaway.com Tel: +44 (0) 191 204 4331
2. Contact Rob Bywell, he’s a solicitor.
3. I would suggest that you contact Build UK as they should possibly be able to help or they may possibly be able to recommend a specialist solicitor. If you call Build UK and say that you are a ceda member you can ask for their advice with regards to your enquiry: https://builduk.org/ Tel: 0844 249 5351
4. Contractual and Legal (England and Wales) – Wedlake Bell – One hour’s free advice per year on construction law, contracts, dispute resolutions and retentions if you say you are a ceda Member. Tel: 0844 249 9871

Question

Whilst we always will attempt to gain direct client orders we have had to accept the JCT Sub-contract route for a current London project.

I have scrutinised the Main Contractors special amendments, which can be a minefield, but have also been required to provide Professional Indemnity Insurance for the Sub-Contractor’s Designed Portion (£10,000,000 for 12 years).

Have any other members:

A. Found a good source of cover for this PI

B. Argued successfully against it (and on what specific grounds) NB: in this instance we have not been the sole designer, both our client and architects have modified our original design significantly. This argument however falls on deaf ears with the head client and their consultants.

C. Dealt with main contractor Jerram Falkus and have any pointers on sub-clauses created by them which have been found to be particularly onerous

Replies

1. For professional indemnity we would suggest that you contact Jelf Clarke Roxborough. Contact Darren Cronin – Tel: 01527 405433, Mobile: 07971 065317
2. 1. A. Jelf Darren Cronin
   2. B. No – basically ensure they sign off current design and record any objections you have on design issues where they have changed it.
   3. C. No – Negotiate each point
3. Chris wheatley@jelfgroup.com is the man. He is also ceda approved supplier.
4. We hold £1m PI and have done for many years. We have always managed to persuade the client to accept it on the grounds that £1m should be sufficient for our portion of the works. There has only been one exception where the main contractor would not change their requirement even though we kept telling them it was a £50k care home. They insisted on £2m but we convinced them to pay for it and have it only for 1 year, which we all know completely defeats the purpose of PI. The QS just needed to tick a box. £10m for 12 years is extremely onerous and expensive especially where the design has been a joint effort. We buy our PI through Jelf who are known to CEDA.
5. I managed to persuade them that it wasn’t suitable for the kitchen element of the project and finally it worked – so can only advise persistence. The reply we received was ‘We have had a break through and had confirmation from Lend Lease that £1m PI is acceptable!! Can you come back to me on the Terms and Conditions please ASAP and hopefully we can put this to bed.’
6. I have argued successfully against P.I. We only do drawings for the convenience of our clients we have no qualification to allow us to take responsibility for these drawings, Nor do we make a charge for design. Quite simply we do not have PI insurance because we do not take any responsibility. We simply delete this paragraph from the contract when we send it back, there is usually a bit of argument but in the end, they have always excepted it. I remember one contract we crossed out about 2/3 of the contract clauses and it was accepted. If they want someone to take responsibility, they need to engage a consultant.
7. There are lots of companies out there, but we use Jelf Clarke Roxburgh. We always argue against it on the basis that what we are doing is relatively small and low risk and have always got the to agree to £1mill to date

Question

A member has been asked about fire protection for cold rooms and it was intimated that it would have to comply with BS9999 (2017).

Has any member any experience with similar questions or related issues?

Replies

1. 1. I usually supply and install PIR fire rated panels for cold rooms where fire rating is required – which can be sourced via any cold room supplier such as Fosters who would typically use Kingspan. They can also do fire rated doors but these are not always required and if required are very expensive
   2. We did have this on one job a while back. I remember that getting fire-rated panels was achievable but involved a special order from the manufacturers in Germany (with associated costs and effects on lead-time). It was either Celltherm or Coldplan. Like a lot of projects, it will come down to how heavily regulated that particular site chooses to be – if the architects/consultants have set the safety bar that high and require such compliance, in our experience it has been pointless trying to argue against it.

Question

We are currently in the closing stages of the order process for a couple of large projects and the subject of collateral warranties has reared its head.

Are there any likely pitfalls that you are aware of, and are we obliged to sign up for this in the first place?
Your help is much appreciated as ever.

Replies

1. Collateral Warranties are a necessary evil I’m afraid and form part of the JCT process. You may find that if you do not sign up to these that the contract may be let to a third party.The key thing is to read them carefully and ensure that you have the relevant cover in place for claims that could be made in the years to come.
2. Firstly are they involved in any forms of design for the contracts they are undertaking if yes then CW’s are a norm these days with most builders and clients.My advice is to ensure they get copies of the CW document completed in their company names and details not just a blank version then run it by their own insurers to make sure that the insurance cover request in the CW fall within their own coverage and that their insurer is aware of the contract and duration.In most cases it’s the value of insurance that needs to be clarified only before they can sign, also most builders will accept you amending the insurance value to your limitations.
3. It seems more and more common.I think you will have to sign up to it. You will need professional indemnity if you don’t all ready have it and it is quite costly. It will need to be in place for the term of the warranty often 12 years.For professional indemnity we use Jelf Clarke Roxborough. Contact Darren Cronin – Tel: 01527 405433, Mobile: 07971 065317
4. These are very complicated. I suspect they are there to protect the client from future defects. Your enquirer doesn’t state what the projects are, have they carried out any structural alterations etc. I would suspect there are some very dangerous pitfalls and would get advice from a lawyer who specialises in contractual law.
5. We are regularly asked to complete these where there is a 3rd party involved in the transaction. Mainly main contractor driven and of a fairly standard format.They exist to ensure that the responsibilities and warranties within the project can be legally passed on to the end client.The responsibilities should be no more than what is in place with the client.One thing which I always check and often need to challenge is the professional indemnity level. Often the level in the collateral warranty be higher than the level in the initial contract, just because the parties haven’t “joined up” this bit. It’s important that this is checked as it can have a big implication, not least in cost.
6. If you call Build UK and say that you are a ceda member you can ask for their advice with regards to your enquiry: https://builduk.org/ Tel: 0844 249 5351

Question

DIGITAL DISPLAYS: Do you know anyone that has a system for the TV’s in our restaurant. We need a system, so we can put our menus/marketing on the screen.

Replies

1. There is a company that brewery Wadworth & Co Ltd use in any of their sports pub fit-outs – Chantry Digital Ltd in Westbury, Wiltshire – 0800 373246.
   They deal with digital signage as well as TV’s and I’ve met Neil Hawker neil@chantrydigital.co.uk at a few site meetings – seems to know his stuff when it comes to AV.
   I’ve just called them and they would be able to create digital menu displays.

Question

We supplied and installed a Lincat Q90 island cooksuite in 2014 and are having ever greater problems in finding spare parts since Lincat decided to terminate their relationship with the Giga factory in Italy. Does anyone know where there is a reliable source for Q90 spares? Lincat, Middleby and First Choice have not been able to help us.

Replies

1. Try Euro catering – 01455 559969.
2. Try GEV or LF Spares…
3. Try GEV or LF Spares…
4. I can help to some degree, many of the components in figs Q90 were changed by Lincat and don’t always correspond.  However with right info I can help out.  I have a good relationship with the Italian factory.Kind regards,Amjad AlikhanGeneral Catering Ltd
   Unit 6 Croft court
   Doncaster
   DN3 1QL
   Tel: 01302 340742
5. E mail the factory in Italy for UK agent, google will translate?
   Try Commercial Catering Spares possibly .
6. Contact Richard Fordham – 07968426302info@cuisine-europe.com
7. Try GEV 01476 583922. I would also be asking Lincat what they propose to do about it.
8. They could try cater parts, they are not always thought of as spares partners for catering equipment but they do have a tie in with the Italian manufactures and do a lot of Italian kit , both washware and catering or possibly LF spares again they are big on the Italian front and have a very good web site

Question

Could you ask if any other CEDA member has been asked to provide the following when doing a kitchen refurbishment (this is a one off not part of a full building refurbishment)

2.1.1.1.          Provide an electronic signing-in system that monitors and measures staff attendance levels as detailed in supplier’s tender submission.

2.1.1.2.          Provide a web based quality monitoring and reporting system in which client can access reports through a self-service portal as detailed in [insert name of successful supplier’s] tender submission.

I know Mace and other main contractors do this, but for a simple Kitchen house for a £100k kitchen it’s a bit ‘sledge hammer – nut’ – unless this IS what’s being asked and how do other CEDA members provide this?

Replies

1. As far as I’m aware we’ve never been asked, if this is through a main contractor could they “piggy back” on their system ?

Question

We are doing the kitchen and servery consultancy for a new build and as part of the tender have been asked for a “statement of non-compliance”.

Could any of the members help as Lendlease has not explained anymore detail on what we need to put in the statement?

Replies

1. I think this would possibly need someone with legal knowledge.
2. I would imagine that this is a statement of where the supplier has quoted an alternative specification (ie has not complied with the tender specification)
3. I have had a conversation with our ISO adviser and we would suggest the following:What to Include in a Non-conformance StatementThe statement of non-conformance should be concise, self-explanatory, and related to the process. It should not restate the audit evidence. Instead, it should record the requirement against which the non-conformance was detected.A non-conformance statement should include three distinct parts:
   • Non-conformance: Clearly define and document the systemic failure within the non-conformance.
   • Objective evidence: Quote the appropriate standard clause, work instruction, procedure or process requirement.
   • Stated requirement: What objective evidence is/was used to indicate a non-conformance existed? What record, document, procedure was used to verify existence of a non-conformance?

   I would suggest that the member would respond by stating that any areas of non-compliance will be:

   Statement

   • Any non-conformance will be Clearly defined and documented.
   • The appropriate standard, clause, work instruction, procedure or process requirement will be stated.
   • Records, documents and procedures that were used to verify existence of a non-conformance will be listed.