The Project
A School Kitchen Built to Serve More
The Waltons Academy, Grantham, forms part of a diverse academy group served by their facilities management partners GNAS. Castle Catering Engineers were appointed through competitive tender to redesign and update the school's existing catering facilities, encompassing the main kitchen and servery area, with the objective of creating a more efficient, workable environment for kitchen staff and increasing food production capacity to meet growing pupil numbers.
A new central cooking area was introduced as the heart of the kitchen redesign, housing the gas and electric cooking equipment in a logical, ergonomic configuration that maximises workflow for the catering team. A new efficient mechanical extraction system was designed and installed incorporating a gas interlocking system and mechanical air-in to meet current ventilation regulations and BS6173 compliance requirements. All gas works were carried out by Gas Safe registered engineers (Licence 597490) with CP42 certification issued on completion.
Works also included an enlarged dishwash area, new bespoke stainless steel sinks and preparation benches, and a new heavy-duty main servery counter designed specifically to serve the academy's increasing daily pupil numbers efficiently. The servery was specified with built-in Ceran worktops, heated gantries, hot cupboards, and refrigerated and heated grab-and-go units to accelerate service throughput during peak periods.
Equipment from Rational, Hobart and Blue Seal was supplied and installed. CCE's in-house team of engineers managed the full installation, commissioning and staff training, completing the project on time and on budget.
