Who has the ability and back up  to install a kitchen that has the capacity to feed up to 1600 people 3 times a day and can have it up and working within 3 weeks, keep it on site for 28 weeks and then remove it in 3 days?- And it must be an open plan layout!

This was the challenge that was presented to the developers who were increasing the capacity of HMP Parc, near Bridgend in Wales, from 1200 to 1800 inmates. The existing kitchen was being closed to enable the space it occupied to be developed from a kitchen and staff restaurant to one of the largest kitchens in the prison estate. The staff restaurant was being moved to a site within the prison walls.

It’s a given that prisoners must be fed! However good food, well cooked and presented is one of the 3 most important items to an inmate and it is therefore vital to the smooth running of an establishment. So a high quality, well equipped, reliable portable kitchen was essential- and the back up has to be cast iron. You cannot pop to the local burger bar to feed that many people.

Elliott Portable kitchens won the contract. Using 27 units of their Moduflex system John Drake the Divisional Director for their kitchen division was able to provide the required ‘temporary welfare catering facility.’ It’s a single story kitchen constructed from prefabricated units known as bays. Each unit is 6 .2 metres long by 3 metres wide, They are arranged in an open plan configuration for correct work flow- So that’s 500 sq metres of temporary catering facility.

The decision over what was needed was discussed with the customer and the catering staff after a site survey.

The needs were assessed and the site was surveyed to ensure the bays could be positioned to fit. It was also determined that additional requirements would include office space, male and female changing facilities and toilets, Open plan areas for trolley storage and additional open plan areas for fridges, freezers and food preparation areas.

All these requirements were delivered to Elliott’s drawing office where a recommended building foot print and layout was designed. This was submitted for the prisons and contractors approval and after small amendments had been made the order was placed. An option exists for a two story installation; however space was not at such a premium.

Of the 27 bays needed 5 were to be fully equipped specialist catering units, these are already equipped with water heating, the fire suppression system, extraction and multi fuel provision. They also have food safe walls and ceilings plus come with non slip vinyl flooring. These were then kitted out with the combi ovens, fryers and kettles that had been specified. The changing and WC units were off the shelf standard modular units. The manager’s office was also a ready to use Moduflex Bay.  The other units used were standard Moduflex bays  that can be converted to any use. These were equipped as the food preparation areas, and trolley parks.  The wash up areas are pre configured bays that come complete with sinks, racking and dishwashers. The chillers and freezers were brought in as a flat pack system which is ideal for set up within any internal or external space and can be supplied just about anywhere. With a temperature range of +5 to -20 centigrade. As standard the chill and freeze rooms are supplied with lights, racking, curtains, leads, keys and chill or freeze motors.

The 27 units were delivered to site, they were arranged as per the drawings and the non required walls between the units were removed. Where needed a single thin ceiling support was installed. The main contractor for the whole build had provided gas, electric, water and foul water disposal to a single point on the site. The whole kitchen complex connected to this services point.

The building was equipped by drawing from the 4000 pieces of commercial catering equipment the company holds in stock; these include 250 six burner ranges and 150 combi ovens! Where possible the equipment was fitted into the bays before dispatch to site, what equipment was not already in situ was installed after the bays had been fitted together and made watertight. This was the case with the 3 identical 3.6 by 2.4 metre walk in chillers and the one walk in freezer. These were built inside the completed shell. Additional heating was supplied to cope with the traditionally varied Welsh climate.

The whole installation from open space to fully commissioned kitchen took 3 weeks to finish. Maintenance was managed by Elliott’s appointing a local qualified gas compliant company who could react to a one hour call out. If any equipment needs replacing then it’s done on a 24 hour turn around and the replacement is drawn from the 4000 stockpile of equipment Elliott’s hold.

The kitchen will no longer be required from early May and it will take only one day to remove the equipment and two days to remove the 27 bays. The space will then be free for the contractor to return it to use by the Prison.

Kevin Goodall, the Operational Support Services Manager at HMP Parc commented that the Catering Manager, Paul Jeffreys, ‘had done a splendid job from this temporary kitchen’.

For more information on Elliotts Range of Temporary Moduflex buildings can you please contact them directly on Tel. 01664-424888  www.elliottkitchens.co.uk   Email:john.drake@elliott-algeco.com