PIPE & GLASS

 

James and Kate Mackenzie purchased the Pipe & Glass in Dalton, East Yorkshire, having previously been head chef and front of house manager respectively, at the renowned Star at Harome. Although The Pipe & Glass had been extremely popular and famed for its food in years past, the property and business had declined in recent years and needed much love and attention to achieve James and Kate’s dream of becoming a leading gastro pub.

 

Dating back to the 15th century, the Pipe & Glass Inn stands on the site of the original gatehouse

to Dalton Park, still the residence of Lord Hotham. The old gatehouse was eventually replaced by the

present building, part of which is 17th century. The bar has kept a country pub feel, while the restaurant has been transformed into a warm, welcoming, more contemporary area, with bespoke wooden tables made to James and Kate’s specifications.

 

James phoned CNG Managing Director Clive Groom and asked for a meeting to discuss the refurbishment of the kitchen to a standard that would help them improve the working environment, food and staff morale and retention.

 

The clients needed a cooking suite that would make mise en place and service far more efficient,

allowing them to both expand the variety and number of the dishes on offer each day and create more working area and separate food sections. The kitchen had been improved when they took over, as far as possible, but they still had little work surface and 28 open burners so it was antiquated and wholly inefficient in energy usage.

 

Having first discussed ranges with the clients at Hotelympia, before the purchase of the Pipe

& Glass was completed, Clive knew in outline what was required. Although both Clive and James

would have preferred a central island it became clear this would not be possible in the space available, so an Athanor wall suite was decided upon. The Athanor range has a life expectancy of at least 25 years so it was vital every aspect was correct and where possible existing equipment retained – but not if it compromised the design and operation.

 

The extraction unit was surveyed although it was clear canopies had to be replaced as they were

too small for the kitchen and did not meet DW 172 in any way. The fans and ductwork were adequate so an updated system that modified the ductwork and moved the air input from ceiling vents to an input plenum on the front face of the new canopies was put in. The Pipe & Glass closed for two weeks. With the shell of the kitchen complete, CNG engineers were in to reinstall existing equipment and prepare the 4,800mm long range for installation – it was a perfect fit.

 

“CNG listened closely to the clients’ brief, understood that the Athanor range was key to their development but that budget was limited. With the range taking almost 60 per cent of the budget of

£74,000, it was essential that the rest of the budget was given very careful consideration and that best value was made of this to ensure optimum results,” says Clive Groom.

 

Since this original project CNG have continued to work closely with James and Kate to develop and refine the kitchen and bar facilities at the Pipe and Glass as the business has grown and won many national awards including a Michelin Star. These projects include a PDR kitchen, improved and additional preparation, pastry and wash up.

 

One of many enduring client relationships that are exactly what CNG is all about.