Restaurant Kitchen Design – Gibson’s Farm Shop, Little Crockshard Farm

Expanding a Family Business with a Deli, Bakery, and Supporting Kitchen

Project Overview: A Family Tradition Grows

Since 1970, Gibson’s Farm Shop at Little Crockshard Farm has been a beloved local establishment, originally selling just apples and pears. Over the years, the farm shop has grown and evolved into a thriving business offering a diverse range of fresh, local produce and goods.

In 2010, we had the privilege of working with the Gibson family on the design and installation of a restaurant kitchen for their newly built farm shop. Fast forward to their latest expansion, and we were thrilled to return and assist with adding a deli, bakery, drinks area, and a supporting kitchen to continue supporting the family’s business growth.

Project Brief: Supporting a New Deli and Bakery

The new kitchen was designed to support the deli and bakery operations—cooking up home-made goods, pies, and fresh loaves of bread that would be sold in the shop and served in the café restaurant at the other end of the building. The kitchen had to meet the growing demand for locally made produce while maintaining the quality and efficiency needed for a busy café environment.

Key elements of the project included:

• Support for the bakery and deli with sufficient space and equipment for production

• A clean and functional environment, maintaining high standards for food safety and hygiene

• Efficient workflow, ensuring the kitchen supported the café and deli operations seamlessly

• Durable and easy-to-clean finishes for a high-traffic, commercial kitchen environment

Design and Installation Challenges: Optimizing Workflow and Functionality

1. Extraction System

The kitchen required a 5m extraction canopy over the electric cooking area to ensure proper ventilation, manage heat, and effectively remove any smoke or grease. This was a critical component in maintaining a comfortable working environment, particularly with the bakery’s high-heat cooking processes.

2. Hygienic Wall Cladding

We installed Bioclad uPVC hygienic wall cladding to the prepared walls, ensuring that the kitchen environment adhered to strict cleanliness standards. The material is easy to wipe down and resistant to staining, making it perfect for a commercial kitchen where hygiene is paramount.

3. Safety Flooring

In keeping with our commitment to safety, we laid Altro Stronghold 30 slip-resistant flooring, which provides a durable and safe surface for the high foot traffic and potential spills in a busy kitchen. This ensures a slip-free environment for the kitchen staff.

4. Ceiling and Lighting

We added a wipe-clean suspended ceiling system that was not only easy to maintain but also supported the installation of LED flat panel lights. The LED lighting provided energy-efficient, bright illumination to ensure the kitchen remained well-lit for the staff while keeping energy consumption low.

Equipment Installation: High-Performance and Versatile

To support the expanded operations of the deli and bakery, we installed a range of commercial kitchen equipment designed for high-volume use:

• Rational 10-grid combi oven for versatile cooking needs, able to bake, steam, and roast with precision

• Locher infrared electric hob for efficient cooking in the bakery and deli sections

• Williams blast chiller to rapidly chill cooked food for preservation and safe handling

• Plenty of work surfaces for food preparation, keeping everything organized and easily accessible

• Dedicated wash-up area featuring a Maidaid utensil washer, specifically chosen for its ability to handle larger pans used in the bakery

These pieces of equipment were carefully selected for their energy efficiency, durability, and high-performance, ensuring that the new kitchen could meet the growing demands of the farm shop and café.

Successful Outcome: A Thriving Farm Shop and Café

Today, Gibson’s Farm Shop is a well-established local favorite, offering a wide variety of local foods. The café restaurant, at the heart of the business, has become a busy hub for visitors enjoying home-made goods and freshly prepared meals.

We’re proud to have been a part of the Gibson family’s expansion journey and are delighted that the new kitchen now supports their growing business in both the deli and bakery sections. Our team’s work on this project has contributed to the seamless operation of the kitchen, helping the staff maintain efficiency and quality as the business continues to thrive.

We wish Andrew and his team continued success and are grateful for their ongoing trust in our services.