🍽️ Maidstone Grammar School for Girls: Commercial Kitchen Refurbishment in Kent

🏫 Project Overview: Transforming the Kitchen for Improved Efficiency and Compliance

Maidstone Grammar School for Girls (MGGS) has a rich history of providing exceptional academic education for girls, with boys in the Sixth Form, in the town of Maidstone and its surrounding areas. Established over 130 years ago, MGGS is renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and student wellbeing.

The school’s catering team, led by their contract caterers Aspens, approached us with a clear objective: to modernise the kitchen by upgrading appliances, improving the layout for better workflow, and ensuring the kitchen met current safety standards.

Our task was to deliver an efficient, compliant, and hygienic kitchen solution that would streamline meal preparation while improving overall kitchen safety and functionality.

🛠️ Project Brief: Upgrading Appliances, Improving Layout & Ensuring Safety

The existing kitchen at MGGS was outdated, with inefficient workflows and an aging extraction system. The centre island-style extraction canopy was removed to make room for a more effective and space-saving wall-sited extraction system. In addition, we were tasked with:

• Installing modern, energy-efficient catering appliances that would boost kitchen productivity.

• Improving kitchen hygiene with easy-to-maintain materials and finishes.

• Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations, especially around gas equipment and ventilation.

• Optimising kitchen layout to improve workflow and efficiency for the catering team.

🏗️ Our Approach: Comprehensive Kitchen Refurbishment

We worked during the summer holidays to complete the project in a tight three-week timeframe, ensuring minimal disruption to school operations. Here’s a breakdown of our approach:

🌬️ Installation of a New Extraction System

The outdated centre island extraction canopy was replaced with a new, 7-meter long wall-mounted extraction system. This modern setup is not only more effective at clearing smoke and fumes but also energy-efficient, providing long-term operational cost savings.

🧼 Hygienic Wall Cladding for a Safer Kitchen Environment

To improve kitchen hygiene and make cleaning easier, we installed Bioclad uPVC wall cladding across all wall surfaces. This durable, wipe-clean material helps to create a safe, easy-to-maintain environment, ensuring that the kitchen stays compliant with health and safety standards.

🍳 New Catering Equipment for Improved Efficiency

The existing three-phase electrical supply was insufficient for the demands of modern kitchen equipment, so we upgraded the appliances to gas-powered units:

• Two Rational 10-grid gas combi ovens: These powerful, energy-efficient ovens were installed side by side, offering greater cooking capacity and flexibility. This upgrade was a game-changer for the kitchen team, significantly improving cooking efficiency during busy periods.

• Other modern equipment: Alongside the ovens, additional cooking appliances were installed to help the kitchen team serve meals quickly and efficiently.

⚡ Efficient Layout Design

We reworked the kitchen’s layout to ensure a more practical workflow. By removing the old extraction canopy and adjusting the kitchen layout, the space became more organised, enabling staff to move around the kitchen with ease and work more effectively.

⏰ Timely Completion and Handover

Despite the challenges of working within a limited summer break, we completed the entire project on time and to budget. The work was handed over one week before the start of the term, giving the kitchen team ample time for appliance training and to familiarise themselves with the new equipment.

🏆 Results: A Modern, Efficient, and Compliant Kitchen

The refurbished kitchen at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls now boasts:

• A modern extraction system that meets current safety standards and improves air quality in the kitchen.

• Bioclad uPVC wall cladding, ensuring an easy-to-clean, hygienic environment.

• Rational 10-grid gas combi ovens that boost cooking efficiency and capacity.

• A more efficient kitchen layout that improves workflow and reduces downtime during peak service hours.

📞 Get in Touch: Enhance Your School Kitchen Today

If you’re looking to modernise your commercial kitchen or improve the efficiency and safety of your foodservice operation, get in touch with us today! We specialise in kitchen refurbishments, commercial catering equipment installations, and compliance upgrades for schools, colleges, and other institutions.

Call us now on 01304 249963 to discuss your project or to schedule a consultation with our expert team.