Blog Archives | GastroNorth

Design, supply and install with GastroNorth

Posted on 30 January 20199 August 2019 by Walnut

Being a proud North-East distributor, GastroNorth takes pride in what we do and have a real passion for the foodservice industry having worked within the sector for several years.

We have a fantastic team of professionals who are highly experienced at what they do, and we are honoured to have worked on a range of brilliant projects over the years for several clients.

Offering services in design, supply and installation, GastroNorth can assist you on any upcoming catering project you have in the pipeline, from complete new builds to full refurbishments.

With every project we carry out, we follow three simple steps – design, supply and install, which is the combination of a successful commercial kitchen or catering area.

Design

Using the latest technologies, our talented in house design engineers will work with you to create the perfect commercial kitchen that will meet your individual needs and requirements. We use state-of-the-art technology using CAD software systems and 3D BIM modelling to develop a realistic plan meaning you can get a clear vision of what the end result will look like.

Supply

Being certified distributors of many major catering equipment brands from around the world, GastroNorth is proud to supply commercial kitchens with the latest technological equipment. We also developed the GastroLab back in 2017, which is a unique development kitchen displaying the latest technologies in catering equipment allowing visitors to ‘try before they buy’.

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Installation

Once the design has been finalised and the equipment has been supplied, our in-house service technicians will ensure that your equipment has been installed safely and efficiently ready for use. Once this has been done, we don’t just stop there – GastroNorth provides support and training on equipment which takes place in our GastroLab by our development chefs.

Here’s a preview of one of our most recent projects at Spanish City, Whitley Bay…

We are proud to have worked with a range of clients on foodservice projects and systems from hotels and restaurants, pubs and bars to colleges and universities.

Working closely with you, GastroNorth can turn your ideas into a reality by carefully understanding your needs and providing you with expertise and guidance along the way.

To find out more on how GastroNorth can help you with your next catering project, contact the team on 0191 4142882 or email GastroNorth@upnorthgroup.com.

Monkwearmouth Academy

Posted on 11 December 2018 by Walnut

GastroNorth Ltd have recently completed a £425k design and installation project at the Monkwearmouth Academy School and Sixth Form College in Sunderland.

The Monkwearmouth Academy, which reached Academy status in 2013 following excellent OFSTED results, tasked the GastroNorth team with a complete redevelopment of their current catering facilities, one which would revamp the current kitchen and associated foodservice areas.

GastroNorth Director, Tim Whitfield, said: “The brief was to take the existing kitchen and servery and complete a full refurbishment to meet the school’s high standards, creating a space which would be capable of feeding the academy’s 1200 plus students and staff on a daily basis – whilst also improving the aesthetics and throughput of the current foodservice area.”

“Our design team at GastroNorth put together a proposal which would modernise the academy’s current facility, which at the time was just an evolved version of the original kitchen area, and although it was clean and practical, it lacked the functionality and style which should be present in all modern education facilities.”

Once the initial design proposal had been agreed, GastroNorth were then tasked with completing the installation during the annual school summer shutdown, providing a six-week window for refurbishment works to be undertaken.

The GastroNorth projects team set up site once the kitchen was handed over by the school, temporarily closing the area which allowed it to be stripped in its entirety. From here, the installation commenced, which included: new mechanical and electrical services, a complete ventilation system, internal stud partition wall, hygienic walls and floor coverings, a new roof and an external access ramp.

All new kitchen and servery equipment was also installed with GastroNorth calling in leading suppliers such as Unox, Rational/Frima, RS Vent, CED Fabrications and more in order to provide high specification equipment for the academy.

“It is always a challenge to complete so much work in such a short space of time,” said Tim. “The school holidays are really the only time when facilities like Monkwearmouth Academy can undertake such projects, but it is also one where staff and sub-contractors have reduced labour due to to holidays.

“Despite this, our team and those working with us were able to complete the redevelopment of Monkwearmouth Academy’s kitchen and foodservice areas on-time, allowing us to handover to the happy customer before the start of the new school year.”

The school had been fitted with a lot of new cooking technology, so GastroNorth were also pleased to welcome the catering team from Monkwearmouth Academy to the firm’s onsite development kitchen, the GastroLab, which can be found at the head office on the Team Valley trading Estate, Gateshead. Here, the academy staff were able to train on the key appliances, allowing them to be prepared ahead of time as the project was being handed over on the last day of the school holidays.

GastroNorth to host North East Chamber of Commerce event.

Posted on 23 October 20189 August 2019 by Walnut

For the chance to meet like-minded hospitality professionals, visit the GastroLab on Wednesday, December 12th, when we will be hosting a very special North East Chamber of Commerce Meeting. Starting at 12pm, the day will allow you to network with Chamber members from around Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland, and also enjoy a delicious Christmas lunch, cooked by our very own Development Chef. Don’t miss out, book your space now! The event is open to both Chamber members and non-members, free parking is also available on site.

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Neil Anderson, GastroNorth’s Field Sales Exec said: ” We’re very happy to welcome businesses and individuals into the Gastrolab and show them the great products and services we offer within the region. We’re passionate about our location and have a wide range of clients we work with in the area. This event is about growing everyone’s network and enjoying an afternoon of great food in our state of the art facilities.”

Click here to view more details and book your place at the event.

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.

GastroDirect welcomes New Field Sales Exec Neil

Posted on 18 July 2018 by Walnut

Leading foodservice equipment distributor, GastroNorth, expand their Gastro-Direct division with new field sales executive, Neil Anderson.

Neil joins the Gastro-Direct department with a wealth of knowledge under his belt, after working in the foodservice industry and with other equipment suppliers for a number of years.

A primary division of the UpNorth Group, GastroNorth, is now seeking to grow its Gastro-Direct department, which provides a wide range of catering equipment products.

Using his vast product and industry expertise, Neil will be concentrating on all light equipment including crockery, cutlery, chef clothing, utensils, prime cooking equipment, bar supplies and much more from a variety of suppliers.

Tim Whitfield, Director at GastroNorth, said: “We are extremely happy to welcome Neil to both Gastro-Direct and GastroNorth – his impressive portfolio of industry experience means he will be a great asset to our team.”

Tim added: “Neil has already assisted us with multiple sales and has used the knowledge and expertise that he has gained within the industry to help both new and current customers with their purchasing decisions.

“It is clear that Neil has settled into the role very well since starting his position and we are very much looking forward to seeing how he can develop his skills further within his role in Gastro-Direct.”

To find out more about Gastro-Direct, visit www.gastro-direct.co.uk or call 0191 414 2882.

Evereo is coming to the lab!

Posted on 6 July 201818 July 2018 by Walnut

Here at GastroNorth we are proud to be partnered with Unox and always look forward to product launches, and now we’re happy to showcase the new EVEREO!

The EVEREO by Unox is an innovative and technological temperature controlled cooker and preserver, which uses patented technology for its Service Temperature Food Preserver that has been designed to deliver flexibility for cooking and preserving food.

This means that you can cook and hold food without the traditional blast chilling, cold storage and regeneration, allowing the serving of food within a few seconds, at any time of the day with zero waiting time for your customers.

How does it work?

EVEREO cooks and preserves food safely at two set preserving temperatures: 63°c for vegetables, fish, soups and sauces, and 70°c for ready meals and protein meat dishes – which are both above the danger zone temperature for bacteria growth. Allowing the user to:

Vacuum pack raw items, cook and hold for up to 7 days
Cooked food can stay in perfect condition for up to 8 hours
Manufactured vac packed ready meals can be held ready to serve for up to 1 month

This offers staff a number of key benefits, including:

Zero regeneration
Reduced service time
Operational and labour savings
Enhance and safe food
Constant controlled temperature

We are thrilled to be a supplier of this fantastic, new piece of equipment, which would be ideal for a number of catering operations, including hotels, stadiums and event catering.

The EVEREO will also be making its way into our GastroLab very soon, where it will be used for equipment and cooking demonstrations. Keep an eye out for more information and events here: www.gastrolab.co.uk

In the meantime now why not download the Unox Evereo Spec Sheet by clicking here.

Two of GastroNorth’s finest listed in Catering Insight’s Power List

Posted on 2 July 201818 July 2018 by Walnut

GastroNorth are extremely proud to announce that two members of our staff have been featured in Catering Insight’s 2018 Power List!

Our Sales Director, Bob Vardy, and Junior Design Engineer, James Blanchard, have been included in this month’s edition of Catering Insight, with Bob appearing in the Industry Innovators category and James in the Young Trailblazers category.

Both Bob and James have worked incredibly hard in the last 12 months, and we at GastroNorth thought it was only right to nominate them both to appear in the Power List and pay recognition to all of their efforts and achievements.

Despite a difficult year with trading conditions, Bob has adopted a very strong sales focus and has been a driving force with our sales team in ensuring that sales numbers have increased for this year, following last year’s industry wide downturn.

With his experience in the industry and outstanding equipment knowledge, Bob also managed to secure a number of new clients and projects for GastroNorth across the country in the last year, which will undoubtedly provide not only nice prestigious developments to work on but also a large number of multi-site corporate account business across multiple clients and business sectors.

Although Bob has been with GastroNorth for a number of years, we are also committed in supporting younger staff who are just starting their careers in the catering equipment industry.

Richard Toye, Director at GastroNorth, said: “Bob has continued to use his expert knowledge of the industry to support a number of clients with their projects and developments, and has been very positive and reassuring despite some of the issues we have been faced with. He has worked endless hours with clients for many years and now successfully seeing the rewards with orders emerging.”

As well as Bob, our apprentice turned Junior Design Engineer, James, also made the list after coming straight from college and beginning a CAD technician apprenticeship with us.

Whilst embarking on the course, James assisted the design team with several projects and since completing his apprenticeship, has took on the role of Junior Design Engineer where he is now learning how to transfer designs into quotations.

Director, Tim Whitfield, said: “James as progressed massively between starting his apprenticeship and taking on his current role of Junior Design Engineer, and he has learned so much about the industry since he started with us.”

Both added: “Despite being nominated for two completely different reasons, we couldn’t be more proud of Bob and James making it into the Power List, and we are delighted that everyone can now see what amazing work they’ve done in the past year.”

You can read Bob and James’ Power List nominations in the latest issue of Catering Insight to find out just how brilliant they’ve been!

Read the full feature here: www.cateringinsight.com/e-magazines/catering-insight-july-2018/

GastroNorth unveil brand new website

Posted on 28 June 2018 by Walnut

Leading commercial catering distributor, GastroNorth, unveil brand new website which reveals a fresh, premium look for the company.

The Gateshead-based firm have launched the site to deliver a more modern and sophisticated look, improve the site’s performance and boost their online presence.

GastroNorth are known industry-wide for their impressive portfolio of projects. The expert team work on upmarket restaurants, hotel kitchens and bistro refurbishments, providing newly designed kitchen layouts and equipment specification for their clients, something they wanted convey throughout the new site.

Richard Toye, Director for Gastronorth, said: “We are absolutely delighted with our new website and really feel that it brings to life who we are and fully promotes what GastroNorth can offer.

“In today’s technological world, the use of online platforms is really important and we know how vital our website is when it comes to promoting the services we offer. This new site clearly shows the style and vision of the company.”

Director, Tim Whitfield, added: “We really wanted to show that we thrive on current and modern trends, and we believe the new website mirrors GastroNorth’s commitment to delivering innovative and market leading projects.”

GastroNorth are market leaders in the design, supply and installation of foodservice systems across all business sectors in the UK and Ireland.

Offering services in CAD design, equipment supply, installations, maintenance and refurbishments, the team is made up of professionals who have many years of experience within the catering and foodservice industry.

The new website clearly showcases the range of services that GastroNorth offers, as well as allowing visitors to view the firm’s most recent projects and case studies, as well as keep up with latest news through the blog.

Last year also saw the development and opening of the ‘GastroLab’ last year, which was created in the form of a modern restaurant kitchen and allows clients to discover the latest catering technology before making a purchasing decision.

As well as working with restaurants and hotels, GastroNorth have also worked alongside schools, colleges, universities and healthcare operations across the North East, providing new kitchen designs and equipment.

To find out more on how Gastronorth can assist you with your catering project, visit the new website at gastronorth.co.uk.