LPG Catering Case Study - Hinksey Heights

A popular golf club in rural Oxfordshire is benefiting from a new integrated catering package thanks to a partnership between its fuel supplier, catering equipment supplier and catering specifier.

Hinksey Heights Golf Club, situated in the village of South Hinksey, boasts an 18 hole championship course as well as a 9 hole par 3 course and a nature trail. A key asset to the club is its licensed club house, 'The Caddy Shack', which provides a focal point for members.

The 200 year old converted barn, which is home to the Spike Bar and 60-seater restaurant, relies on Calor liquefied petroleum gas to power its catering equipment and has benefited from the close partnership formed between Calor, Axon Enterprises, Falcon Catering Equipment and Factory First.com Ltd.

William Sheehan, has been the head chef at the ‘Caddy Shack’ for over two years and is a firm believer that high quality food can only be produced using gas.

“Being in an off-mains area, when I arrived at Hinksey Heights we had to look into alternative fuel supplies rather than using the current electric system as I have always cooked with gas.”

“Compared to electric, cooking with gas is quicker and the quality of food is outstanding, therefore to grow the catering side of the business we needed to invest in the installation of a catering system that was based on LPG.”

Mr Sheehan points out that, in addition to benefiting from an LPG fuelled system, the choice of Calor as a reliable LPG supplier was essential. “Our members have come to enjoy the highest standards of comfort and hospitality,” he says.

As part of its refurbishment plans, Hinksey Heights consulted Factory First.com Ltd, one of the UK's leading catering equipment distributors.Factory First.com Ltd has an unprecedented reputation in the catering sector for supplying the correct goods to a client's specification as Stephen Leeder, Sales and Marketing Manager at Factory First.com Ltd explained:

“We were introduced to William Sheehan through our relationship with our wholesale catering equipment supplier, Axon Enterprises, with a remit to specify and install a new catering system.”

“Following several consultations, we liaised with Axon Enterprises and recommended Falcon Catering Equipment fuelled by LPG, which fitted with Mr Sheehan's requirements.”

In specifying the kit required, Factory First.com Ltd relied upon its long standing relationship with Axon Enterprises, the UK’s largest independent wholesaler of catering equipment. Managing director Paul Emberton says that the company specialises in meeting customer needs through its industry experience and relationship with leading UK catering equipment manufacturers.

“We’re a family owned company with an established reputation for supplying quality products,” he says. “We’ve been in business since 1983 and throughout that time we’ve worked with Calor as the leading LPG fuel supplier to provide the best solutions for customers such as the Hinksey Heights Golf Club.”

“Once Calor have identified a client's requirement for LPG Catering Equipment, we are able to liaise with them to identify a local distributor to specifically advise on the highest quality equipment,” said Emberton.

“By working with Axon, distributors and installers can gain access to the full range of products from a single source, ensuring that customer needs are met” said Leeder.

“From the initial introduction from Calor through to completion, the whole installation took about
six weeks.”

“Calor fitted the tanks, Axon supplied the Falcon catering equipment and to comply with health and safety regulations, we not only had to specify the equipment required, but also installed a gas interlock system to ensure that the gas could not be turned on unless the ventilation system was fully operational,” said Leeder.

Two, 2,000 litre bulk tanks have been installed to the rear of the clubhouse and are fitted with Calor's ThinkTank® telemetry system, which sends a signal to the dialler unit when LPG is required and contacts Calor's central computer, to arrange a delivery.The kitchen is equipped with a combi-oven, six ring cooker, deep fat fryer and grill, all powered by LPG, which are a necessity in order to cater for the wide variety of meals available on-site.

Hinksey Height’s William Sheehan confirmed that the project was completed without a hitch.
“In order to provide the catering quality and comfort our members demand, we had to have the
convenience of gas - and that means Calor LPG.”

“When we consulted Factory First.com Ltd, the entire process was easy,” he adds.“They opened the door to a package of support that was first class. Our single point of contact had access to wider advice and expertise in LPG that meant the whole project was a resounding success.”

Calor’s Brian Gardner confirms that in off mains gas areas, LPG is increasingly recognised as the
optimum fuel solution.

“We’re finding that Calor LPG is the preferred fuel in off-mains areas due to the demand for cleaner
burning fuel, and the versatility of cooking with gas. The real, controllable flame is preferred by many chefs as they can produce the high quality cuisine demanded by their clientele.In addition, LPG is increasingly finding favour as the only off-mains fuel that could provide an integrated package of not only catering equipment, but also power heating and water heating to the standards demanded by customers,” he says.