August 2018 | GastroNorth

Try before you buy with the GastroLab

Posted on 30 August 201830 August 2018 by Walnut

We at GastroNorth understand how frustrating it can be when you’re searching for the latest in commercial catering equipment and wish you could ‘try before you buy’.

It’s good to know what the equipment does and how it works, and see it in action first hand so you can decide whether it is suitable for you and your commercial kitchen.

This is why we launched the GastroLab last year, a unique facility set out in the style of a real restaurant kitchen featuring the latest in commercial catering equipment and technology.

Since the GastroLab was established just over 12 months ago, we have received a very positive reaction from many catering professionals in the industry, which has been fantastic.

Many have praised our latest innovation and how useful it is to see how the latest kitchen equipment works before making a purchasing decision.

What’s even better is that guests can even taste the food which has been cooked in the GastroLab using our equipment, which will hopefully be the deciding factor on whether a purchase will be made.

Anyone is welcome to visit the GastroLab, whether you’re a chef, catering manager, consultant or business owner, we encourage any catering professional to come along and ‘try before you buy’ to witness exciting new kitchen products before your very eyes.

If you are interested in attending an event at the GastroLab, visit gastrolab.co.uk to book your place.

GastroNorth Complete £170k Development of Middlesbrough Town Hall’s Catering and Bar Facilities

Posted on 29 August 2018 by Walnut

When the two-year phase of redevelopment commenced on the Middlesbrough Town Hall, GastroNorth were appointed to develop the foodservice design initially produced by KWD.

Middlesbrough Town Hall has been a prominent feature in Middlesbrough’s city centre since it was opened in 1889 by the Prince and Princess of Wales. Since then it has been at the heart of civic life, with hotels, pubs, offices and shops transforming the area around it.

The town hall closed its doors in April 2016 to undertake the £7.7m refurbishment, which was funded by the Middlesbrough Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund, with the construction work being undertaken by Kier Construction.

GastroNorth were appointed by Kier to develop the original design, which required the supply and installation of two kitchens, three bars and a cellar over three floors, including the former crypt.

The team at GastroNorth worked closely with Middlesbrough Town Hall to expand on the initial designs, allowing a function and event kitchen, a bar on the first floor, a cafe-bar on the ground and a crypt bar and cellar in the lower ground area, creating works exceeding £170k.

GastroNorth Director, Richard Toye, said: “The architecture of Middlesbrough Town Hall is truly amazing, from high vaulted ceilings to lower height corridors and work areas in the lower grounds. This in turn provided challenges with getting drainage and ventilation to and from the site, as well as obvious issues with access for the large, one piece bar units to the upper floor- but these were all things our team were able to overcome, resulting in a really fantastic finish.”

Working with a range of leading manufacturers and suppliers, GastroNorth installed Unox combi steaming ovens and SpidoCook units, Blue Seal prime cooking appliances, Foster and Williams refrigeration, Maidaid Halcyon warewashing, Victor hot plates, Maestrowave microwaves and Marco beverage units into facility.

They also incorporated stainless steel fabrications from E&R Moffat, CED and P&D Caterfab, Altro white rock walls, several bespoke one piece Novemeta bar units and IMC modular bar units into the project.

Richard added: “It was a pleasure to work for Kier again throughout this project, they managed a really difficult job very well and were great when assisting us to solve issues we encountered in relation to the infrastructure, allowing us both to find a mutual solution.”

The town hall reopened in May 2018, with a special one-off, community performance to mark the event.

What’s new in the Gastrolab…

Posted on 29 August 201829 August 2018 by Walnut

GastroNorth regularly have new equipment joining our GastroLab, and we’d like to introduce you to our latest innovation, the Evereo by Unox!

The Evereo is a technological cooker that has a precise temperature control system. Using its Service Temperature Food Preserver, it can also preserve food using patented technology designed to deliver flexibility when in use.

It works by cooking and preserving food safely at two set temperatures; 63 degrees celsius for vegetables, fish, soups and sauces, and 70 degrees celsius for ready meals and protein meat dishes, both above the danger zone for bacterial growth.

The product can be used for preserving food for up to seven days, holding food for up to eight hours and vacuum packing ready meals for up to one month.

With the Evereo, there is no need for traditional blast chilling, cold storage and regenerating, meaning the user can cook and hold food without having to do anything else.

Food can then be served in just a matter of seconds during any time of the day, with zero waiting time for customers.

An appliance that will significantly change the way that chefs cook by delivering the quality of slow food with the speed of fast food, the Evereo has been described as a ‘game-changer’ by many chefs and foodservice professionals.

Richard Toye, commented : “We are delighted to welcome Evereo to our product portfolio, we really feel that this will benefit many of our existing and new clients. The importance of flexibility of commercial catering equipment is growing in importance and we’re delighted that we can now offer a high tech solution to many catering challenges in multiple sectors.”

Find out more about the Evereo by Unox, get in touch with GastroNorth at GastroNorth@upnorthgroup.com or call us on 0191 4142882.