This isn’t a ‘theme’ restaurant in the sense of a particular type of food, says head chef Joe Lynch, who came from an existing high street restaurant group to explore new ideas and varieties in dining at G.A.L.

"We are a city centre location and wanted to offer something to appeal to everyone. It has to be affordable, but at the same time it’s all freshly prepared and top quality."
So in the brand new kitchen at G.A.L. there’s a focus on counter refrigeration and refrigerated preparation wells.   As the dishes are being created, the fresh ingredients need to be not only kept cool, but ready for immediate cooking and plating.

And when it came to refrigeration, there was one key choice - Precision. Says Joe Lynch: "I’d worked with Precision before, in my previous jobs, and was impressed by the quality and reliability," he says. "But what impressed me more was the flexibility. Precision could tailor the units to fit the space in the new kitchen. I’d recommend them to all restaurants."

Included in Joe’s new kitchen is the PPC 307 3-door prep station underneath the service hatch, for making up main courses - complete with 12-well ingredient makeup - and HCU 211 gastronorm counter refrigeration, serving as the restaurant’s dessert station.   Both were customised by Precision to fit the kitchen’s exact needs.

The PPC (Precision Prep Counter) uses a special ‘bi-flow’ system to cool the lower cabinet storage area and blow cool air around, up and over recessed wells, which hold ingredients in easy reach for chefs. It meets the latest HACCP standards, even in high ambient-temperature environments. Insulated lids are placed over the wells overnight, and the fans’ power reduced, so the unit saves 30% on energy costs compared to standard prep counters.
Space in the kitchen is always at a premium, and the PPC prep counter is more compact than standard units, allowing a frame, gantry and pass shelf to be added without increasing the overall footprint.

In the case of the HCU dessert station, Precision was able to supply the unit with the main refrigeration unit switched to the left hand side, to better suit the kitchen’s working layout. Underneath, the dessert selection is held at a steady 4C, while on top Precision added an eight-well pan grid for holding extra dessert ingredients such as toppings.

Precision was also the refrigeration of choice in G.A.L.’s bar, a striking modern confection of stainless steel, mirrors, and a colour-coordinated pastel bar-front. The bar is the first thing you see as you walk through the door, and first impressions count - looks are as important as practicality. The bar almost ’shouts’ style, so it was essential the bottle coolers, on show to customers, added to the sense of theatre at the entrance.
Precision’s Back-Bar Refrigeration BBS range were the units of choice here. Designed from the start to look good when filled with bottles, they have a brushed stainless steel finish which gives the cabinets a striking ‘retro’ feel that fits well with the stylish G.A.L. interior and makes them powerful sales tools.

The BBS range are functional as well as good looking. With electronically controlled integral refrigeration units they can pull down temperatures extremely quickly after filling, and have a host of automatic features, such as timed defrost facility, self-closing doors, security locks, adjustable levelling feet and bright fluorescent interior lighting.

Cool looks, max chill factor -

"For too long the backbar fridge has been the weak spot of stylish bar design," says Precision’s managing director Jeremy Hall. "Increasingly, designers are looking for backbar fridges that are not only built to last, but look the part, as opposed to simply being cheap ways to store booze."

But he points out that although reliability and efficiency sell refrigeration to caterers and bar operators, it’s looks that sell backbar drinks to customers. And good looks are what marks out this new range, he says:

"These cabinets are high-impact sales tools. Features like the heavy duty pull-down latches and the brushed or polished stainless steel finish give the cabinets a striking retro feel."
The build quality is top-drawer as well, Hall adds.   But for all the style and construction quality, they were determined to get the price right, in what is still a cost-conscious market. "Buyers are getting market-leading specs at a very competitive cost," he says.

The built-in heavy-duty refrigeration system means the new cabinets can pull down bottle temperature really fast, not just hold it in a pre-chilled state.

Initially there are four sizes to choose from: A single-door model (600mm wide), two-door (available in 900 or 1200mm versions) and a three-door unit measuring 1350mm. Even the largest models run from a standard 13-amp supply.

All the models are finished in DP1 stainless steel exteriors, with heavy-duty adjustable shelves and double-glazed doors. The pull-down chrome ‘clunk’ latch handles, which are fitted as standard, give a positive closing facility to ensure doors are shut properly, maximising the cabinet’s chill factor.

Other standard features include self-closing doors, to save energy, locks to eliminate pilfering, adjustable levelling feet, auto defrost, and bright fluorescent interior lighting to take full advantage of the look and impact of the fridge’s frontal display.

Options include solid doors instead of glass, left or right opening single doors, sliding doors (two-door models), external and internal polished stainless steel as an alternative finish, and simple door handles. In addition, Precision has the facility to tailor its standard products to suit sites with special requirements.

Precision’s new integral backbar cabinets are available from distributors throughout the UK. The standard single-door and two-door models will be available ex-stock. Precision also offers a range of backbar cabinets designed for use with remote refrigeration systems (model identifier: ‘BBR’).

For more information check out the Precision website (www.precision-refrigeration.co.uk), or call the company directly on +44 (0)1842 753 994.

Behind the stunning virgin-white 30-foot long decorated bar on the ground floor, Walrus breaks the conventions in backbar design too.

Almost the first thing the customer notices at the bar is the lack of a conventional bottle display. Walrus’s bottle refrigerators don’t have the usual glass front. Instead, there’s a bold, striking, long stainless steel fascia featuring four bottle coolers and two glass frosters.  The effect is minimalist, clean and cool.

For the back bar refrigeration, Joe Fearnhead, operations manager of owning company M.A.D., opted for Precision.
"We didn’t want the typical ’sea of beer bottles’ that most bars seem to have now," he said.  "The back bar refrigerated cabinets had to have a clean, uncluttered look so as not to draw attention away from the interior design."
"They also needed to be tough and reliable, because when it gets busy here the customers need fast service, and that means the doors can get a lot of rough treatment from busy bar staff. 

For Walrus it was vital to find a refrigeration supplier who could customise their units to suit.  This meant Precision - unrivalled in their flexibility and willingness to adjust their units to suit a site’s requirements. 

The bottle cooler units that matched their needs were the Precision BBR 220 and BBR 320.  Inside, they hold up to 220 or 320 standard 330ml drinks bottles, on stainless steel shelves.  Externally, these cabinets are tough and compact, with remote condensers that take the ‘business end’ of the refrigeration through the rear bar wall.  This not only removes excess heat, but gives enough room in the bar for a whole extra cabinet.

Another necessity was to find space for glass frosters, to ensure drinks were served as cold as possible.   Precision supplied its latest GFS 600 glass froster models, with fascias to match the bottle coolers.  With their electronic temperature control and blown-air refrigeration they can chill glasses to near-freezing very quickly, an invaluable feature when the bar is busy and glasses must be washed and reused fast.

Both the bottle coolers and the glass frosters have interior illumination, and while this is not necessary for display (since the doors are stainless steel) it is essential for ease of service.  Extra accessories supplied by Precision with the glass frosters are the special fruit holders, helping to preserve the sliced fruit cocktail garnishes in peak condition during the shift.

Joe particularly likes the fact that they have flat steel shelves ("not the grids that other cabinets seem to have - the bottles won’t stand up on those") and electronic temperature controls for serving the drinks at accurate temperature.

For more information check out the Precision website (www.precision-refrigeration.co.uk), or call the company directly on +44 (0)1842 753 994.

Precision has worked with a specialist metals company to develop a range of commercial cabinets that look exciting and (truly) sexy. Now caterers can have coloured, textured and etched stainless steel - every bit as tough and hygienic as the traditional finish, every bit as practical and efficient, but a lot better looking.

The results can be startling - such as vibrant stainless steel fascias that appear to be honeycombed (although they’re not, of course). The various textures don’t just look good on their own: clever lighting can lead to a whole range of stunning and striking effects - all from the humble fridge.

“So many organisations are putting commercial catering equipment front of house, where customers can watch it in operation, and they want it to look not just good, but great,” says Precision’s managing director Jeremy Hall. “In designer bars and restaurants everything has to fit, to enhance the décor. We’re talking about fridges as an integral feature of the overall design concept. In effect, refrigeration as art.”

Although the new finishes are available on most of Precision’s refrigerators and freezers, including both undercounter and upright models, the company says most enquiries so far have been for the larger cabinets, since the effect is so striking. Is there a downside? There is a premium to pay for the finish - but Precision points out that the extra cost is relatively small in the context of fitting out, say, a boutique hotel or style brasserie.

And yes, if like Henry Ford you like black, you can have your fridge that colour. Though you might want to add a ’super mirror’ stainless steel interior and special lighting to brighten it up.

For more information check out the Precision website (www.precision-refrigeration.co.uk), or call the company directly on +44 (0)1842 753 994.

Notes for editors

Who Is Precision?

• Precision is the newest name in robust, dependable, UK-manufactured refrigeration for commercial catering environments. Precision Refrigeration is run by people who know what matters most in a busy, demanding kitchen. Directors include Jeremy Hall and Mike Williams, both ex-Williams Refrigeration.
• Back bar, upright gastronorm cabinets and prep counters are manufactured in stainless steel - delivering the quality and reliability that you expect from a market leader, but at significantly better prices.
• Precision is about good, solid, functional products that caterers and their customers can depend on, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All products are backed with a straight-talking, no quibble guarantee.

Reliability, quality build, and, increasingly, environment-friendliness are important in foodservice refrigeration.  But, vitally, the price needs to be right. 

Now UK foodservice refrigeration manufacturer Precision has launched the SA range of entry-level gastronorm cabinets - and the company says the range ‘ticks all the boxes’ that environment- and price-conscious caterers are now demanding from quality fridges and freezers.  The range is British and, while it’s competing head on with leading refrigeration brands, it also sets a new standard in competitive pricing.

Full details of the new range, plus a complete 2008 price list, are available from the Precision website, www.precision-refrigeration.co.uk

Like other quality brands’ entry level cabinets, Precision’s SA range combines stainless steel exterior, interior base and door with aluminium interior walls and shelving.  A heavy-duty construction and the proven Precision refrigeration system contribute to class-leading reliability, while an attractive exterior ensures it is suitable for both the kitchen and front of house. 

What especially sets the SA range apart are two factors: sustainability and price. 

In terms of sustainability, Precision is the only manufacturer to use the new Envirofoam for its insulation.  Conventional commercial fridges and freezers use foams based solely on petrochemicals.  In contrast, Precision’s Envirofoam contains high levels of natural, vegetable-based products, including a polymer derived from rapeseed oil - and the foam requires less energy to produce than conventional polyurethane foams.   Envirofoam’s insulating properties and strength are every bit as good as a conventional foam. 

Because since Precision fridges and freezers are designed, developed and manufactured in Britain, their transport carbon footprint is minimal.

As for price, Precision says its list prices are around 15% less than its main competitors.  In fact, the 600 litre HPT SA models, with refrigeration systems either top or undermounted, have list prices of just £1595. 

“Our SA cabinets match the very best the market has to offer in terms of build quality and reliability,” says Precision’s managing director Jeremy Hall.  “But in terms of sustainability and price, we aim to be the market leader.”

For more information check out the Precision website (www.precision-refrigeration.co.uk), or call the company directly on +44 (0)1842 753 994.

Notes for editors

List Price comparison, 600 litre upright cabinets:

Make                       Model                     Price
Precision                HPT 601 SA            £1,595
Williams                 HS1 SA                   £2,226
Foster                     PRO G600H            £1,925
Gram                       K 600 RSH             £1,965

Who Is Precision?

• Precision is the newest name in robust, dependable, UK-manufactured refrigeration for commercial catering environments. Precision Refrigeration is run by people who know what matters most in a busy, demanding kitchen.  Directors include Jeremy Hall and Mike Williams, both ex-Williams Refrigeration. 
• Back bar, upright gastronorm cabinets and prep counters are manufactured in stainless steel inside and out - delivering the quality and reliability that you expect from a market leader, but at significantly better prices.
• Precision is about good, solid, functional products that caterers and their customers can depend on, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All products are backed with a straight-talking, no quibble guarantee.

Precision’s new upright gastronorm refrigeration cabinets deliver more for less.  Like the Tardis, the HPT610 (single door) and HPT1410 (double door) are bigger on the inside, yet more compact overall than their predecessors.  What’s more, they feature Precision’s clever new removable top-mounted refrigeration system, which is fully “bench tested” before being fitted onto the cabinet.  Its design makes for easy servicing, since the system can be literally ‘unplugged’ from the cabinet and taken away for maintenance, cleaning or repair, leaving the food stored inside the fridge or freezer undisturbed.

Despite these extra features, the new cabinets’ list prices are the same as their predecessors, starting from just £1650.  On top of this, the single and double door units now hold nearly 10% more storage capacity than the previous models.

Single and double door “top mounts” are available in refrigerated, meat and deep freeze versions.  British designed and built, like all Precision commercial cabinets they come with a comprehensive 12-month parts and labour warranty (extended warranties are also available).

“These are great looking, practical and efficient cabinets,” says Precisions’ managing director Jeremy Hall, “and pound for pound they offer more cost effective storage.”

The overall height of the new cabinets is just 1975mm – not only a major benefit if the site has low ceilings, but also because it means that they fit through a standard (78”) door without the need for tilting.  This makes delivery and installation much easier and one-man deliveries are possible without compromising health and safety.

The new Precision Cabinets include practical features that make them easier to use.  For example, their internal layout prevents trays and containers from blocking the internal airflow – a common problem that can lead to fluctuating temperatures and food safety issues.  Precision’s ‘controlled air distribution’ carries chilled air down the sides of the cabinet, whilst the unit’s racking has deep upright posts that help air to flow evenly, ensuring constant temperature throughout.

The new internal racking design also makes it easier to adjust the shelf height, insert trays (even one-handed) and clean the interior.

For more information check out the Precision website (www.precision-refrigeration.co.uk), or call the company directly on +44 (0)1842 753 994.
Notes for editors
Who Is Precision?
· Precision is the newest name in robust, dependable, UK-manufactured refrigeration for commercial catering environments. Precision Refrigeration is run by people who know what matters most in a busy, demanding kitchen.  Directors include Jeremy Hall and Mike Williams, both ex-Williams Refrigeration.
· Back bar, upright gastronorm cabinets and prep counters are manufactured in stainless steel inside and out - delivering the quality and reliability that you expect from a market leader, but at significantly better prices.
· Precision is about good, solid, functional products that caterers and their customers can depend on, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All products are backed with a straight-talking, no quibble guarantee.

The new Precision Upright Cabinet Series:
HPT 610 one door model  720 x 830 x 1957mm
HPT 1410 two door model  1410 x 830 x 1975mm

The new foam, called Envirofoam, has been hailed as a major advance in environment-friendly solutions on two fronts.  Not only because it is based on renewable resources, but also because it actually requires less energy to produce than conventional polyurethane foams.   The new foam’s insulating properties and strength are every bit as good as a conventional foam.

“Envirofoam is a very exciting development.  We’re thrilled to be the first refrigeration manufacturer to be given the opportunity to realise its potential in the catering market,” says Jeremy Hall, managing director of Precision.  “Our customers are increasingly concerned about the impact their business has on the environment – Envirofoam allows us to deliver genuinely ‘greener’ refrigeration, with no extra cost implications.”

Currently commercial fridges and freezers use foams based solely on petrochemicals.  In contrast, the Envirofoam range contains high levels of natural, vegetable-based products, including a polymer derived from rapeseed oil.

Envirofoam has been developed by IFS Chemicals, a company with a history of green ‘firsts’, including the first CFC-free insulation foam back in 1988.  Barrie Colvin of IFS says: “Envirofoam insulation combines the advantages of highly efficient polyurethane foams with environmental benefits that are completely new to the polymer industry.”

The basic building blocks of polyurethane foam are called polyols, chemicals that are traditionally derived from the conventional petrochemical process.  “We estimate that the energy used to

produce the foams’ new vegetable-based polyols is about one-tenth of that used to manufacture conventional polyols,” Barrie Colvin adds.

In the USA Cargill Inc has developed similar vegetable-based polyols for soft foam applications.  Cargill claims that a preliminary life-cycle analysis shows that the manufacturing process of these ‘BiOH’ polyols compared to petroleum polyols results in:
· 23% reduction in total energy demand
· 61% reduction in non-renewable energy use
· 36% less global warming emissions
The same analysis estimates that for every million pounds (453 tonnes) of petroleum-based polyols replaced with BiOH polyols, nearly 2200 barrels of crude oil are saved for more critical needs.

Barrie Colvin comments: “Whilst this analysis is fine for their BiOH polyols, we have estimated that the savings from our rigid foam polyols are even higher. In particular, the total energy demand is estimated at 80% lower than the conventional materials.”

All Precision cabinets, including fridges, freezers, prep counters and backbar coolers, will now be made using Envirofoam R2007.  This foam’s polyol component contains more than 70% of vegetable-derived material and its blowing agent falls within the “less than 5” category for global warming. Furthermore, the foam blowing agents have no adverse effect on the earth’s ozone layer.  The cabinets will be backed by Precision’s no-hassle parts and labour warranty schedules.

For more information talk to your local quality refrigeration distributor, check out the Precision website (www.precision-refrigeration.co.uk), or call the company direct on +44 (0)1842 753 994.

In Japan ramen is more than just a cuisine, it’s a way of life - unpretentious but fresh and wholesome food served in a casual dining atmosphere at low prices.  With its trademark central tables and benches there’s a democratic air which means customers sit together without pretension.

wagamama insists on quality, freshness and efficiency, and relies on well-designed counter refrigeration for fast preparation.  In the group’s current expansion Precision Refrigeration is the refrigeration of choice.

Recently the company opened its 43rd UK site in London’s Earls Court, and as with other recent openings its refrigerated prep counters are all Precision units, made with wagamama in mind and tailored to fit. The refrigeration didn’t just have to work perfectly and efficiently, with low power consumption, it also needed to be flexible enough to fit each site’s individual demands.  And the service support has to be totally reliable.

wagamama’s Group Development Chef, Jason Pettit, is overseeing the group’s menu and cuisine as it expands, and says the Precision units have a key role to play in the operation of the kitchen.   “Each new branch has to reflect the group’s central identity”, he says.  ”So each new kitchen has to be designed to work in the wagamama way, even though it may have a very different layout from the other restaurants.

“A wagamama kitchen is a ‘theatre’.  The way the food is cooked is on show, and customers are free to come up and see it being prepared, and even talk to the chef as he works.  So the layout is critical. We are very proud of what we do.”

So why choose Precision?   The original recommendation was by catering equipment supplier Catering Repair and Installation Services Limited (CRIS), and Jason was quickly won over by Precision’s distinctive features. “There’s some innovative design there, with a lot of small touches that make it an asset to our operations. For example, the way they position the cooling fans inside the cabinets that give very even and efficient cooling, and the single-piece counters that are easy to wipe clean inside and out.

“We have to work with suppliers who can adjust their products and services to the site, not the other way round,” he says.  ”We are expanding fast and need refrigeration that not only can be relied on, but is easy to customise, install and maintain onsite.  For our newest branches we looked at a variety of refrigeration but were particularly impressed with the recommendation of our kitchen suppliers and are using Precision for future openings in the UK.”

wagamama makes extensive use of undercounter refrigeration, with fresh ingredients being stored handily underneath the prep counters, and their kitchens are highly customised to suit the specialist cuisine. For the most recent openings the kitchens are being supplied and installed by kitchen equipment consultants CRIS Limited.  And CRIS have selected Precision Refrigeration for all undercounter refrigeration - typically five units for each branch, together with a dessert freezer.

Chris Hedgman-King, Managing Director of CRIS, was clear as to why he selected Precision:  ”We’ve been extremely impressed not only by Precision’s build quality, but also their flexibility and ability to customise to fit the kitchens, and not the other way around.”

“It’s clearly been designed specifically for caterers from the outset.  But there’s also willingness to provide what our more specialist clients such as Wagamama need - for example counter refrigeration adjusted to a particular cuisine.”

And Precision’s ability to customise makes for a very hygienic installation, Chris Hedgman-King adds.  ”They’ve supplied us with custom-made one-piece counters without any silicon joints, upstands that match the fabrication of other components, and container wells cut to specific sizes.

Precision’s fast speed of response was also cited.  For example if there’s a delay in preparing a particular location for any reason, CRIS may then be asked to go ahead with installation at very short notice - and they can rely on Precision to respond quickly too, from the nod, through customising the build, to installation and final commission.

All Precision refrigeration is backed by a no-hassle, parts and labour warranty.  For more information check out the Precision website (www.precision-refrigeration.co.uk), or call the company direct on +44 (0)1842 753 994.

NOTES FOR EDITORS
Who Is Precision?
· Precision is the newest name in robust, dependable, UK-manufactured refrigeration for commercial catering environments. Precision Refrigeration is run by people who know what matters most in a busy, demanding kitchen.  Directors include Jeremy Hall and Mike Williams, both ex-Williams Refrigeration.
· Back bar, upright gastronorm cabinets and prep counters are manufactured in stainless steel inside and out - delivering the quality and reliability that you expect from a market leader, but at significantly better prices.
Precision is about good, solid, functional products that caterers and their customers can depend on, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  All products are backed with a straight talking, no quibble guarantee.

Catering Repair and Installation Services (CRIS) Limited:
Catering Repair and Installation Services Limited installs and manages maintenance contracts on numerous brands of catering, refrigeration, boiler and air-conditioning equipment for the catering and foodservice industry.

The rising cost of stainless steel has forced up prices across the whole commercial catering equipment market. However, Precision Refrigeration has announced that while it has had to bow to the pressure, it’s been able to limit price increases for 2007 to an average of only 5%, considerably less than the industry norm.

Which makes Precision’s competitive edge even sharper. For example, the single-door gastronorm HPT 600 stainless steel cabinet has a list price of just £1,650, while the popular three-door HCU 311 stainless steel gastronorm counter cabinet is just £2,450 list.

To help ’sweeten the price pill’, the company has also launched a new series of delivery options, including a complete installation service. Now Precision will not only deliver the system, but unpack, position and set it working before departure.

The new price list highlights a fast-expanding product line, including equipment that Precision has developed specifically at customers’ requests. New lines include the innovative 500 Series of compact counters for smaller kitchens, new prep counters (with the safety and accessibility of blown air wells, but energy-efficient too), heavy duty back bar coolers with integral condensing units, and new housed condensing units for remote systems.