£6 million is being spent to completely transform both the look of the kitchens and their entire mode of operating. The project, led by Humble Arnold Associates Design Director, Stephen Arnold has been driven by a desire to improve performance, energy conservation and hygiene.
The refurbishment will include a radical upgrade of kitchen equipment propelling it into a new realm of technological sophistication. There will be a major focus on energy saving equipment, specifically through the use of Elro and MKN products. Health and safety issues and productivity will also be addressed both through the upgraded technology and design of the kitchens. The new kitchens will also have the most sophisticated level of hygiene available.
Technological upgrades
- 10 new MKN twenty grid combi ovens with specially designed plate tree trolleys to fit with the Lancaster London’s specific plate.
- The 10 ovens will be monitored by computer in the Executive Chef’s office where chefs will be able to check temperatures, etc. A complete digital record of this information will be kept, making it easy to perform quality checks and improve levels of health and safety.
- There will also be a pressure function to make cooking times more efficient.
- Selected Elro bulk hot production units will have hydraulic lifting equipment, which makes things both simpler and safer for chefs dealing with such heavy volumes.
- There will be specialist vegetable preparation equipment.
- An Elro milk warmer kettle with an integral cooling system, so ingredients can be chilled and then brought to the boil.
- High density racking system.
- Completely renewing all refrigeration.
- A new trolley washing facility will be installed that can accept the specially designed Elro cooking equipment so that it can be hosed down, which is much quicker and easier.
- The components in the kitchens will be mobile, from the individual units to the kitchen sink.
- The loading bay will also be completely refurbished.
Health & Safety
- A new colour coding initiative will be introduced throughout the kitchen. The goods entry will be in grey, the main kitchen and storage in white, and the service and restaurant access in black. The black will mask activity between the banqueting spaces and the kitchen.
- Staff uniforms will also be based on these colours.
- Portioning of food will be done in a chilled environment for increased hygiene.
- There are no painted surfaces within the kitchen:
o the floor will be made from easy to clean, seamless resin;
o white-rock plastic sheeting will cover the walls;
o the ceiling will be comprised of metal pan tiles.
- All of the kitchen equipment will be made of Formica and stainless steel.
Green aspects
- The chilled storage areas have the flexibility to turn into ambient storage so they can be used for either function, which saves both money and energy.
- Dishwashers are going to have integral heat exchanger pumps which will reheat the water coming into the machines to save energy. It means when the dishwasher is opened there is no steam, and the air will be at 18-20 degrees.
- There will be one large compressor instead of running several smaller ones.
Another major difference in the kitchen function will be the complete abolishment of “Silver Service” in favour of plated meals. This style of catering will give chefs complete control not only over the presentation of their food, but also the quality, giving guests a memorable dining experience. It will also ensure far more efficient service.
There are two kitchens, which sit one above the other, which will work in tandem. The main food production site will be next to the Nine Kings Suite, and the Westbourne Suite kitchen will be where food will be given the finishing touches before service.
The refurbishment of the Nine Kings Suite’s kitchen is a hugely ambitious undertaking which will be completed by 5 September 2011. The Westbourne Suite kitchen was finished in 2010 after 8 weeks of work in July and August of that year. An additional specialist pastry kitchen was renovated in 2010.
Lancaster London, Lancaster Terrace, London W2 2TY
Reservations on 020 7262 6737
or visit www.lancasterlondon.com