Studley Castle

Studley Castle

TAG Catering Equipment UK Ltd

Studley Castle is a Grade II* listed building set in 28 acres of countryside in Warwickshire and is part of Warner Leisure Hotels. In 2016, they embarked on an ambitious £50m refurbishment project including a new link building between the stables and original house with catering facilities required to all areas. It would be Warner’s new and first, purpose-built hotel in almost 20 years.

As the flagship hotel for Warner, Studley was a substantial investment. Client expectations were understandably high as success depended on project delivery. Consequently, Warner had already terminated the appointment of three previous contractors for the kitchen project. TAG were appointed in the autumn 2018, only six months prior to completion, to provide eight new bespoke catering facilities including four bars, three kitchens and 1 servery to accommodate 500 covers in the main Market Kitchen Cabaret Restaurant. Furthermore, TAG inherited an array of historical complications that needed to be immediately resolved if the project was to be completed on time. Rapidly understanding the history, politics, and management hierarchy and project detail was vital!

Main Considerations:

  • Understand and operate under tight management and restrictions of BAM Construction the principal contractor, M&E consultants, installers and three interior designers;
  • Representing Warner’s interests with BAM and their subcontractors whilst navigating the complex relationship between both parties; mediating and facilitating project meetings;
  • Satisfying the needs of multiple stakeholder groups including F+B team, front-of-house team, management team, client appointed quantity surveyors and directors;
  • Immediately fulfilling and complying with BAM extensive CDM Regulations/procedures on a tightly controlled construction site;
  • Identifying/ considering logistical challenges/restrictions including lack of highway infrastructure, requiring complex delivery and consolidation phasing programs;
  • Review existing proposed drawings and specification providing/suggesting alternate improvements; providing efficient facilities and improving customer experience;
  • Review and revise existing mechanical and electrical (M&E) plans;

Client Satisfaction

“The refurbishment and new build extension of Warner Leisure Hotels – Studley Castle signalled a significant investment in the start of an exciting new era for Warner. As a result, it was an opportunity to re-invent our food and beverage offering, acting as a blueprint for existing and future hotels.

“As a result, the brief to TAG remained extremely fluid, even up until the weeks of installation, with multiple stakeholders requiring input into the final design. What’s more, TAG were directly employed by Warner Leisure Hotels but under the constraints of dealing with the main contractor.

“TAG remained extremely agile throughout the whole process, right through from initial discussions regarding specification to the on-site installation and project management of all catering equipment.

“Regardless of the challenge, whether flooded-site or part-occupied areas, TAG was able to adapt and manage the installation resulting in no further disruption or impact to the project programme.

“Thank you to Mike, Mark and the team at TAG for the exceptional delivery during what was a challenging and exciting time, with the exemplary follow-up service to ensure Studley Castle was able to open with fully operational food and beverage facilities to delight our guests.”

– Stuart Billington, Head of Property & Capital Investment at Warner Leisure Hotel

“My first full introduction to the quality of work that TAG can deliver was the planning, design & installation of the kitchens at Studley Castle. TAG worked closely with our Head Office specialists to create a fantastic suite of equipment that allows Chef and his team to continually delight our guests.

“Once installed and the hotel was up & running then the after sales service has been excellent.

“A key factor in any relationship is communication. Team TAG do this very well providing feedback and pro-active ideas to maintain the working environment they have created.

“In my experience TAG have provided high levels of service at every step in the process from planning to after sales. I would advise any business looking for top quality project management to contact TAG to discuss their requirements.”

– Greg Starks, Group Operations Chef

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Societe Generale

Societe Generale

Gratte Brothers Catering Equipment Limited

We received an Invitation to Tender from the Main Contractor (Canary Wharf Contractors). The documentation received included a Catering Equipment Package that had been prepared by Tricon Foodservice Consultants. There were multiple levels for the fit out that required delivering in a phased programme.

The Levels with commercial catering facilities included:

  • Basement 3 (Bulk Goods In / Storage)
  • Level 2 (Traders Deli)
  • Level 4 (Main Staff Restaurant)
  • Level 5 (Executive Restaurant)

Having recently completed numerous previous similar projects for Canary Wharf Contractors, we had a very good understanding of this project and how we could deliver it successfully.

Client Satisfaction

The Client, Consultant, Main Contractor, Contract Caterer and FM Company are all absolutely delighted.

Specialist training has been given from all leading manufacturers and GBCEL have an on-going commitment to provide further specialist training.
We are working closely with the operator and FM company to provide PPM maintenance advice during the warranty period.

For a project of this scope and scale there were relatively few snags. All snags were quickly closed out to complete satisfaction within 15 to 20 working days.

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Kendal College

Kendal College

Archer Catering Systems

ACS were approached by Richard from a referral from another company who couldn’t undertake the works due to the nature of what was involved. We attended a site meeting with Richard and he explained what he wanted us to carry out.

This involved taking two large cooking islands out from a college that was closing in Lancashire, these would be stored for a period, with the cooking islands came four electric grills and two combi ovens.

There was another large cooking island that was in position in a kitchen that belonged to the college however was not in use, this was a Promart Eco Chef complete with extraction canopy.

The fourth piece of the jigsaw was a teaching table that was in location within the college building, that would fit alongside the above three units this also housed a wash basin and has a combi oven on top of it.

Existing extraction canopies would need to be turned to suit the new layout.

All building works, electrical works and ceiling works would be by others but would need to be co-ordinated.

Straight away from the works that were being discussed and the nature of bringing four separate cooking islands/suites from other departments, even other colleges into a blank area, bearing in mind that these units had not been measured/built for this area.

This would create the largest challenge as we had a blank piece of paper and we would have to infill some very nice gaps with some very nice equipment.

Client Satisfaction

Both my direct client, Richard Axford, and the rest of the college staff were over the moon by what was delivered not just by ourselves but the whole team of contractors who worked on the project.

The Principal and Director of Kendal College were very happy and I think shared the same thoughts as all of us. They couldn’t quite believe what had been achieved and the full scope of works that had been carried out all on time and within the budget that Richard had been given.

I think it is fair to say that we have gained a customer in Richard and lots of friends in a short period of time working at Kendal College.

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Fortnum & Mason

Fortnum & Mason

Vision Commercial Kitchens

Vision Commercial Kitchens have been working with Fortnum & Mason for several years now and have completed numerous projects in this time. These projects consist of The Bar at Heathrow Airport T5, Cafe 181 (Staff Dining Facilities in F&M London), The Royal Exchange and most recently in 2019, St Pancras and work for Fortnum & Mason Hong Kong.

The Bar at Heathrow Airport T5 – Vision delivered the catering facilities for F&M’s first airport bar at Heathrow Terminal 5. Vision’s design included bespoke glass in case display boxes, a crushed ice crustacean display and various refrigerated and ambient displays.

Cafe 181 (Staff Dining facilities in F&M London) – Vision designed, supplied and installed the foodservice equipment at Fortnum’s new staff restaurant with the aim to provide 95 covers for an all-day dining offer – including breakfast, lunch and dinner. The kitchen had to be capable of servicing the staff restaurant as well as acting as a production kitchen which would produce a significant amount of the store’s in-house products for retailing. The equipment used within the kitchen therefore had to be extremely versatile, multi-functional, flexible and capable of producing high volumes.

The Royal Exchange – This is Fortnum’s second venture outside of their main store in London and was to be similar in style and food offer to their previous project completed with Vision at Heathrow T5. The finished design had to be visually stunning and exude luxury. The site was situated within a historical Grade I listed building, therefore due consideration was imperative given the historical nature of the building.

St Pancras (2019) – Fortnum & Mason – St Pancras Bar & Restaurant is located in the heart of St Pancras International which houses their bar, restaurant and tea room. The Bar & Restaurant serves the following menus: Breakfast, Afternoon Tea and Food, Drinks and Cocktails as well as a Private Dining option. This project was an existing bar and restaurant that F&M were running which had been operating for around 5 years. It was in need of refurbishment and they wanted to change the style and concept to bring it more in keeping with their other sites at Heathrow and The Royal Exchange. Vision worked closely with the Interior Designer to reconfigure the restaurant and change the operational concept to provide a much more striking looking bar environment for at-bar dining.

Fortnum & Mason, Hong Kong (2019) – Because of the work we have carried out with F&M on previous projects, they wanted us to work with them for the design and specification element of their new site in Hong Kong. The site being located in Hong Kong brings its own challenges as we had to specify suppliers that would be available, and would be supported in Hong Kong that the client would be happy to utilise, as well as complying with local legislations in place.

Client Satisfaction

Simon Thompson, Fortnum’s Brand and Client Services Director said:

The Bar at Heathrow Airport T5 – “When developing The Bar at Fortnum & Mason, Heathrow T5, we set Vision the challenge of creating a beautifully modern space, which provided the durability needed to cope with the high demands of one of the world’s busiest airports. The finished Bar that Vision provided was one of outstanding quality and succeeded in meeting the brief given, despite the difficulties of completing the project within an airport environment. The contemporary finished and highly robust equipment Vision has installed allow us to present our food offering in a truly Fortnum’s way. We are absolutely delighted with the results.”

Cafe 181 – “After working with Vision on The Bar – Fortnum & Mason Heathrow T5 project and experiencing their high quality of workmanship and professionalism, we were more than happy to use Vision again for Cafe 181. We knew we could rely on them to produce another exceptional foodservice facility. We set Vision the challenge of creating a restaurant for employees which had a multi-functional kitchen that would not only service the restaurant, but would also be used as a production kitchen. The finished foodservice facilities that Vision have created are of an extremely high standard and quality. It was very important to us that Cafe 181 was of the same exacting standards as Fortnum’s retail Restaurant and Vision have succeeded in fulfilling this brief. Despite a challenging schedule, Vision worked professionally and efficiently to ensure that the finished kitchen is capable of producing a varied menu within a very busy environment. We are delighted with the finished project. I would not hesitate in using Vision again for future projects as I know that I can trust and rely on them to produce facilities of the highest quality.”

Royal Exchange – “After working with Vision on previous projects at Heathrow T5 and Café 181 and being impressed by their high quality of service, it was an obvious choice for us to work with them again for our new concept at The Royal Exchange. We were once more extremely pleased with Vision’s work throughout the entire process; from the initial design they immediately understood exactly what we were looking to achieve. The project was a challenging one, however, they fully succeeded in achieving the brief; this is testament to their extensive experience and attention to detail. The work that Vision carried out at The Royal Exchange is of outstanding quality, we are absolutely delighted with the finished restaurant. We would have no hesitation in working with Vision again as we know we can rely on them to provide work to the exceptional standards that is associated with Fortnum’s.”

Hong Kong – “Having worked with Vision on a number of projects they were our first choice partner to work with for the design of kitchen, bar and back of house areas for our newest venture in Hong Kong. This opening was a milestone in the company’s history and to have a partner that you can rely on was more crucial than ever as we entered into a new market. As before Vision were extremely professional, flexible and worked above and beyond expectations to not only help deliver both a robust and considered design but also to ensure a comprehensive tender process to ensure the right quality was delivered on the installation.”

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Loungers/Cosy Clubs

Loungers/Cosy Clubs

Tailor Made Catering Equipment Services Ltd

For 15 years our relationship with this customer, Loungers Ltd, has developed in extraordinary ways. From a single project or two years ago, to a consistent 25 new site, roll-out programme over recent years. 2019 saw this again with a mixture of Cosy Clubs and Lounge sites. Additionally around 20 refurbishments, one in – one outs and makeovers adding to this total. The reason they keep coming back to us is purely due to the excellent service and support we provide.

Our exceptional service, advice, skill, knowledge to this client and their development through this, has resulted in our company installing and refurbishing over 180 kitchens nationwide. This is split over two brands, the Lounges and Cosy Club’s which have different requirements, locations and equipment.

Cosy club recently opened its 29th site of which we have designed, supplied and installed every one.

Loungers want to concentrate on opening restaurants and running their national bar & restaurant business. We allow them to do that by delivering unrivalled customer service and support.

Client Satisfaction

“We all work with catering equipment suppliers who deliver what they have said on time, however what separates Tailor Made from everyone else is not just their ability to deliver on time every time no matter what, but almost without exception whenever there is feedback to be given, Jim and James have already identified as part of their continual drive to exceed expectations and are developing services to reflect this. From recognition of beyond exceptional service and looking at how to make this the standard, to working with the supply chain to improve the products or aftersales support based on our needs. It’s always an efficient and enjoyable experience working with Jim, James and the whole team at Tailor Made which when paired with the above makes for a great customer experience that keeps us coming back.”
– Sam White, Head of Maintenance, Lounge

“Tailor Made that has seen off larger, more senior kitchen install companies in the UK as competitors. Tailor Made have managed to maintain service, price point, quality and efficiency throughout and together with flexibility through the changing needs of our kitchens and as kit advances and trends move on, combined with great follow-up service no matter what the problem, I’m exceptionally pleased that I know the team at Tailor Made well, that they supply Loungers and will continue to do so for the future of our industry leading growth plans.”
– Jake Bishop, Co-Founder, Lounge

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Refurbishment of School Kitchens

Refurbishment of School Kitchens

Airedale Group

The scope of the contact involved planning and designing schemes, project management of the works, building works, installation and final handover and snagging management. The needs of the service can vary and the authority needed an approved contractor that would listen to the various operational ideas, offer advice and guidance and most importantly listen and suggest innovative ideas and ways to achieve the customers’ vision.

Airedale had to work within very tight timescales to accommodate school closures during the summer holiday period. These time scales can place extreme pressure on the contractor to complete part and full refurbishments for multiple sites a 4-5 week period/the summer holidays. Airedale are expected to be on-hand to offer advice and guidance on all schemes when required. Further, it was a prerequisite of the Council that Airedale needed to have all the appropriate qualifications for Asbestos.

Airedale’s service is all year round, offering advice, one-offs of replacement kit, extending even to marketing services for the promotion of healthy eating across all of their schools.

The four schools we completed are as below:

Deri Primary School: £15,775

New entrance door created to kitchen, plus refurbishment to storage and dish washing area.

Aberbargoed Primary School: £67,475

Upgrade kitchen facilities including storage areas and new servery and overcome the lack of ventilation and no mechanical air input while cooking with gas.
New design kitchen layout which included a new ventilation system which was DW172 compliant, the design was also done which enable the client to reuse existing equipment, thus saving the client money.

Trinity Fields School: £73,410.

Upgrade servery counter in main kitchen, design and build new coffee shop in school entrance.

This school is a special needs school for young adults. The concept of the new coffee shop was to give the pupils a chance to learn to learn to cook and then sell their products within it.

There were several issues to address on this project, one being the design so the pupils could work and use the equipment in a safe environment; the other being the school was live while the works were carried out and noise levels had to be kept to a minimum.

Heolddu Comprehensive: £246,000

This project was a complete re-design and build, not only was the design for the use of the school, but had to incorporate being able to feed the local community and surrounding areas in a case of emergency, the other major factor in our design was the lack of electrical power to site and not being able to be upgraded.

Overall view

With all the projects completed over the summer of 2019 for Caerphilly Council, the 5 projects had to run concurrent with over 25 tradespeople throughout. Each site had a site manager who would not only be looking after the site and its progress but making sure that they were compliant with Caephilly’s H&S remit along with our own H&S safe systems of work. Overall value of these projects was in excess of £402,000.

Client Satisfaction

The following is from Marcia Lewis, Catering Manager at Caerphilly County Borough Council:

“Airedale were the successful contractor approved to undertake kitchen refurbishments within Caerphilly County Borough Council. The scope of the contact involved planning and designing schemes, project management of the works, building works, installation and final handover and snagging management. The authority has over 80 school kitchens, which includes special schools, secondary schools, primary schools and corporate and sheltered housing sites. The needs of the service can vary and the authority needed an approved contractor that would listen to the various operational ideas offer advice and guidance and most importantly listen and suggest innovative ideas and ways to achieve the customers vision.

“Airedale have to work within very tight times scales to accommodate school closures during the summer holiday period. These time scales can place extreme pressure on the contractor to complete part and full refurbishments over multiply sites over a 4-5 week period. Airedale are expected to be on-hand to offer advice and guidance on all schemes when required.

“I feel Airedale should win the award as they are an innovative, reliable and professional in the service they provide at all times. The standard of work they deliver is second to none and they are able to provide that personal touch via the project management team which is difficult to achieve from a national company.

“The company has excellent systems and procedures in place to ensure that a high standard of workmanship is achieved every-time and provide the customers with a visual and factual story board of the refurbishment program so the customer can follow progress and achievements throughout.

“They have the infrastructure and skills to manage on the front-line whilst keeping the senior management team abreast of all developments and progress made.

“If any issues are identified they have excellent communication structures in place to keep the clients informed and always have a solution at hand to resolve the issues if required.

“I have full trust in Airedale in achieving high quality, modern, practical solutions every-time that meet the service needs of the customer.”

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The Grove Glasshouse

The Grove Glasshouse

TAG Catering Equipment UK Ltd

The Grove is a 5-star luxury hotel, famous for hosting major international events such as the 2016 British Masters golf tournament, 2019 NATO Leaders’ Meeting and England Football team preparation site.

The Glasshouse Restaurant within The Grove, offers a luxury, top end dining experience. To reflect the rest of The Grove’s style, extremely well refined, yet relaxed, a complete refurbishment was planned, including an impressive glass extension to increase the area by 40 covers, seating a further 200+ guests and served by a totally new immersive, theatre cooking concept, with 8 different guest-facing stations.

TAG was appointed to turn the ideas into reality, drawing on our creative, technical and practical experience to totally redesign and install both FOH and BOH catering areas, all to fit with the interior designers vision. The most profitable restaurant at The Grove, all work was to a tight deadline, budget with strict operational procedures.

Other key elements to brief:

  • Re-evaluate the ergonomics of existing food and beverage offering to improve overall efficiency, designs had to reduce/prevent queues even for large functions/groups not just normal service;
  • Full concept design and manufacture of totally original FOH live food stations and new entrance bar;
  • No signage allowed; each cooking station’s purpose to be subliminally recognisable by design;
  • Sourcing unique items to emphasise/enhance the theatrical customer experience;
  • Consultancy on equipment spec – reduce running costs, improve reliability and efficiency;
  • M and E consultancy and design with the appointed contractors, with only 6-month lead-in;
  • Coordination between all design elements – waiter stations, BOH, dish-wash, pot-wash and stills area;
  • Increase in cold room capacity;
  • Work in collaboration with the interior designer;
  • Designs and finish must reflect The Grove’s aesthetic culture, exclusivity and quality, without feeling like a traditional “buffet”

Client Satisfaction

Robert Kenworthy, Group Facilities Director at The Grove commented:

“The Glasshouse Restaurant & Bar was a project that involved the total strip out and rebuild of a very successful 15-year-old restaurant at The Grove, Chandlers Cross, Herts. The new restaurant concept was to remain similar with a number of styled theatre cooking stations – but it was to be bought up to date, expanded by approximately 40 covers to seat 200+ guests, and to expand its theatre cooking station experience to be even wider and more varied.

“In selecting a kitchen designer & installation contractor we selected TAG from a number of potential contenders because of their experience of other high quality, creative design & build projects and their willingness to be open to evolving design ideas from the project team. TAG then took on the brief provided by the Project team and set about designing the 8 different guest-facing food stations, a full production kitchen, wash up and still room area, bar pantry and bar. This went through a number of intensive reviews and developments before finally being installed and handed over in May 2019.

“The final design of the guest-facing food stations and the back of house areas are extremely creative, interesting and really well executed. The TAG design team were able to respond really well to continual pushing of boundaries and the installation team integrated extremely well with the main contractor and sub-contractors in order to complete the project. Their support post-handover has also been excellent in accommodating embellishments and additional requests promptly and willingly.”

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Tottenham Hotspur FC

Tottenham Hotspur FC

KCCJ Ltd

To design all elements associated with the catering and beverage requirements across the concourses and hospitality areas of the new stadium. To provide a customer journey that would make the new stadium one of the best in the world. To ensure that the sales opportunity across all catering areas achieved maximum returns. To ensure that the designs allowed maximum flexibility to offer variety and to future proof the stadium.

The work involved the design and fit-out of multiple kitchens, concessions, bars, staff areas, bakery, draught beer system, Micro-brewery and others. Scope of works was to take areas as shell and core, design all elements associated with the fit-out being M&E, building, finishes and testing and certification.

Client Satisfaction

Below is the email we received from the Tottenham Hotspur Project Director on receiving PC (Practical Completion) being one of the few who have done so.

“These PC statements are all very administrative. What they do not do is reflect the huge contribution that KCCJ have made to the project. We have had our challenges and it has been so important to have had you and your team just getting on with work and resolving problems for yourselves, the client and many other trade contractors.

“You have shown Mace and Base a “clean pair of heels” and it is really appreciated.

“Well done to you and all your team, particularly Greg. Thank you.”

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Langley Park Hotel

Langley Park Hotel

Court Catering Equipment Ltd

The original brief, dating back to 2007 was to undertake a feasibility investigation into ventilation solutions for a possible catering facility in the somewhat dilapidated, Grade II listed Lodge building on the estate of the Duke of Marlborough recently purchased by Arab Investments. This kitchen was to be located in the basement of the building which had a double-barreled vaulted ceiling giving very limited head height for both the canopies and ductwork. Initial discussions indicated immense logistical challenges which would require innovative solutions.

Plans were mothballed until 2015, after the financial crash, when Court Catering were again asked to submit ventilation plans. At this time the client asked to extend Court’s involvement to include the catering equipment. The brief now was a basement kitchen with flexible, modern and sleek facilities together with ventilation, wall and floor coverings.

On view wine and cigar storage were added together with banquet facilities, wash-up, bars, pantries, room service and staff dining areas. The initial brief also included a chefs fine dining table. Designs had to incorporate the latest technology whilst being sympathetic to the structure of the building and sensitive to its long and illustrious history. Not only had all designs to meet the clients expectations and environmental targets but also required the authorisation of the Conservation Office who were to be closely involved at all stages of the renovation.

Client Satisfaction

Giuseppe Ruo, the Group Food and Beverage Manager said “Simon was a very skilful and helpful man, he was always ready to listen to me and to give the right solution to all my problems. He was an old style action man, he did not like correspondence via email but meeting face to face to resolve things in the fastest way”

Marco Ardemagni, the Executive Head Chef said “I believe the Langley to be a challenging project due to the restraints of the building itself. I consider myself lucky to work in such a functional layout and this had been due to Simon’s creative approach to the project. Simon has always been very helpful and came up with ingenious solutions to many of the points I raised during the time prior to the installation.”

Ron Hankins, DF Keane Builders & Contractors said “I think an award would be well deserved as the end result was excellent.”

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Grantley Hall

Grantley Hall

CNG Foodservice Equipment Ltd

In January 2017 CNG were approached by Grantley Hall’s operations consultant, Dan Purnell, to meet and discuss how they would approach the design of the kitchen facilities for this project.

Dan explained that another company had been working on the designs for around 14 months but neither he, nor the client were happy with their designs, proposals or understanding of what was required in a project of this scale and quality. Further that CNG were the GM and the client’s preferred supplier, but first they would need to prepare draft designs, and budget costs for 6 kitchens within 2 weeks, before presenting to one of the Directors and the client’s project management company.

The client brief was to create a series of kitchens across both phases of the project that would supply a number of different food offers, including a fine dining restaurant intended to gain at least one Michelin Star, a Brasserie, Pan Asian restaurant and functions to high level. There would also be breakfast service, room service afternoon teas and a broad spectrum of other food offers including the Wellness Centre.

Energy efficiency and sustainability were very important, for once CNG didn’t need to push the all electric principle, the client had already decided there would be no gas on site. Soon after the designs were developed the client did need to know the overall connected loads to confirm the total power requirements for the entire project before issuing a 7 figure cheque to the electric company for the supply being run 18 miles across country.

Client Satisfaction

The senior team were in place long before completion and as such witnessed each area as it was installed, their feed back, including Shaun Rankin for his restaurant has all been very positive. Everyone appreciates the high standards of equipment and design.

Recently Clive Groom bumped into Andrew MacPherson, the GM, at York railway station, Andrew commented how delighted he was with the project and how CNG had delivered six first class kitchens and eight excellent bars in very trying circumstances. Further he fully understood the huge challenges that CNG had overcome and praised their dedication to keep driving forward.

During the 2019 Relais and Chateaux World Conference in London a new CNG client mentioned that CNG were designing and supplying their new kitchen, Andrew Macpherson assured him “you are in safe and dedicated hands, they’ll do a great job”.

The senior Chefs and the front of house team appreciate the design detail within each area and that everything has been designed to help them deliver great food, wine and service in each location within Grantley Hall.

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