Creating a spectacle

One of the largely unseen but clearly vital services that can make or break the reputation of a convention centre is its ability to provide catering for large numbers of people.

The central production kitchen at the Melbourne Convention Centre needed to be able to service the food requirements of up to 5000 people at a time, sometimes for days on end. Atherton won the contract to fit out the stainless steel kitchen, where all the food for events held at the centre is cooked. This kitchen is 100m long and is considered to be one of the largest in the southern hemisphere.

Atherton's tender included the co-ordination of the installation and commissioning of all equipment. The company sourced and supplied all materials and products for the kitchen, from benches, ovens, refrigerators, refrigeration plants and cooling rooms to mixers and coffee machines. The initial design for the kitchen was detailed by the consultants for the project, who then worked closely with the Atherton team to make it work. Atherton then specified, ordered and installed all the equipment required, working with subcontractors such as Regethermic and Moffat. The company also provides a comprehensive after-care and warranty service for all equipment.

Atherton specified and installed an E-water system, which is part of the cleaning and sanitising system used in the kitchen. This environmentally friendly method was selected because it helped with the centre's aim to achieve 6-Star Green Star accreditation. The E-water system, imported from Japan, is one of the largest of its type installed in Australia. The company has also installed similar equipment into several Melbourne hospitals.

Atherton was originally founded in 1889 as a plumbing firm and has expanded over the years to include specialty food services and infection control equipment.

The company has branched into a range of other areas over the years. This includes individualised architectural stainless steel cladding products and solutions.

Additionally, the company is now also a world leader in the design, manufacture and supply of infection control products, manufacturing sterilisers, washer disinfectors, warming and drying cabinets and trolleys, many of which are supplied to hospitals in Australia.

In all areas of its business, the company's service includes project management and liaison, design and documentation, product manufacture and co-ordination, and site supervision. Design managers, engineers and specialised CAD operators with expertise in state-of-the-art design computer applications are all valued members of the team at Atherton.

For more information, contact AE Atherton & Sons, 364 Darebin Rd, Thornbury, Vic 3071, phone (03) 9497 2500, fax (03) 9497 1190. Email: info@atherton.net. Website: www.atherton.net.

In any commercial kitchen where meals for several thousand people may have to be produced quickly, a streamlined kitchen with sophisticated equipment is essential.

One such product is the Hackman kettle, four of which were supplied for the main kitchen in the Melbourne Convention Centre by Regethermic, along with a pumping system and 60 mobile regeneration ovens used throughout the facility.

Managing director of Regethermic Ed Braude says the four 300-litre Hackman mixer kettles will efficiently produce a variety of liquid or semi-liquid products including soups, sauces, casseroles, mashed potatoes, desserts and puddings.

First manufactured in 1931, Hackman kettles were selected for this project for their build quality and advanced technical features. These include automated and variable mixing and cooking programmes, accurate food temperature, water filling, electric tilting and burn prevention, all of which enable the operator to achieve high and consistent food quality.

Combined with the capability to rapidly chill the food in the kettles after the cooking process or to pump it from the kettles into trays or bags, this means large volumes can be cooked and blast chilled, ensuring much of the food for conferences and conventions can be prepared well in advance.

Regethermic has specialised for the past 35 years in providing food service systems and equipment for advanced food production.

For details, contact Regethermic, 131 Alexander St, Crows Nest, NSW 2065, phone (02) 9966 9500, fax (02) 9966 9511. Email: sales @regethermic.com.au. Website: www.regethermic.com.au.

Achieving the appropriate level of service and food quality requires meticulous planning, support and organisation.

For the convention centre, Moffat supplied its expertise in the food service cooking, blast chilling, holding and bulk regeneration of food products prior to plating and delivery to the satellite banquet service.

Called cook-chill catering in the industry, this is achieved through a central production unit, which organises inwards goods, raw preparation, cooking, chilling and storage. For all boiling, poaching, searing, roasting, frying and grilling, a Waldorf 800 Series heavy-duty modular cooking line was selected. This series allowed for a flexible configuration of the kitchen.

Convotherm combination steamers were chosen for fast results when steaming and roasting root and green vegetables and starch products.

To extend the quality of the cooked product and its shelf life, Moffat's Friginox Blast Chillers are crucial items, as they form micro rather than macro crystals during the chilling process.

Moffat products, including a Rieber Plating Conveyor, were also selected for the remote plating satellites. This piece of equipment ensures speed, accuracy and consistent meal presentation and portioning.

For cook-chill kitchens, chefs at Moffat are able to advise on menu planning, kitchen design, planning and support when the kitchen is installed.

With its years of experience in this area, Moffat is also able to assist in supplying products for cooking, bakery, ice cream, and healthcare meal distribution.

For information, contact Moffat, Unit 3/142 James Ruse Drive, Rosehill, NSW 2142, phone (02) 8833 4111, fax (02) 8833 4122. Email: mlillico@moffat.com.au. Website: www.moffat.com.au.

Story by: Trendsideas