Worldly goods

When Peter Richards found he had an extra 188sq m of space on his hands at London's Westminster Kingsway College, he knew exactly what he wanted to do with it.

"We needed a kitchen to serve the Chinese cookery school and for possible future Caribbean and Indian cookery schools," says the head of industry relations for the school of hospitality and catering. "And I wanted a demonstration theatre appropriate for today's students."

Thus, an underused staff and student snack bar grew into an international training kitchen and demonstration theatre costing more than £250,000.

The Chinese cookery school, headed by chef-lecturer Norman Fu, moved from its base at the college's Battersea site and into its new home 18 months ago. The school, largely attended by day-release students already working in the industry, aims to formalise the chefs' experience with National Vocational Qualifications.

The kitchen was designed, supplied and fitted by Millers Catering Equipment. While the equipment comprises the usual items such as combi-oven, grill and open burners, other items may not be so familiar. Two seven-burner wok ranges dominate and a duck oven, dim sum steamer and tandoor give the kitchen a truly international flavour.

The need for the demonstration theatre arose when the existing unit was given over to Gary Hunter, head of division for culinary arts, as a pastry kitchen for the Professional Chef Diploma.

The new theatre's Charvet suite, incorporating a salamander, burner, solid top, oven and fridge, is a source of great pride for Richards, and he is hoping to attract well-known chefs to hold demonstrations for students.

Richards is also aiming to hire the theatre out to companies for product launches and staff training, with any profit from this being ploughed back into the college.

My best bit

The most expensive piece of kit was the Charvet demonstration suite at a cost of £26,500, which is also Peter Richards' favourite. It is in use for about three days a week, although Richards has plans to extend this. "I've used it twice myself and felt very comfortable on it," he says.

Suppliers

• Advanced Commercial Kitchens 01761 453666
• Auditoria Services 01709 543345
• Charvet 01342 717936
• Corsair Manufacturing 01295 267021
• Demeyere/Continental Chef Supplies 0191 526 4107
• Falcon 01324 554221
• Millers Catering Equipment 0208 687 5390
• Tandoori Clay Oven Company 0208 896 2696
• Williams Refrigeration 01553 817000