Founded in 1440, Eton College has educated no less than 20 Prime Ministers and both Princes William and Harry of the British Royal Family. The school educates 1,300 pupils on a full board basis and employs nearly 1,000 staff.
Working directly with Eton to upgrade the Bekynton kitchen’s catering area, Gratte Brothers stripped out the existing facilities and erected an entire suite of temporary kitchens to ensure no disturbance to the academic year. As a turnkey project, the interior was also reconfigured to create an open-plan space.
The site required detailed surveying prior to any works being undertaken. The kitchen was originally built on a flood plain and was found to be suspended above a 3ft undercroft, with services running beneath. As the M&E service provider with full design capability, Gratte Brothers could meet this challenge without delay.
With all students living on the premises, a substantial catering capacity was required. The Bekynton kitchen installation included four Banquet ovens, three double Frima Bratt pans, and walk-in cold and freezer rooms. Turnaround time between services was also critical, so a conveyor clearance system was installed to ensure the dining hall’s readiness for each sitting.