A new kitchen designed and installed by Shine Catering Systems is playing its part in the early success of a new golf bar in Cardiff, co-owned by football star Gareth Bale.
With plans to roll the concept out throughout the UK, Par 59 is the result of a partnership between Gareth Bale’s Elevens Group Ltd and independent entertainment brand the DEPOT.
The bar, restaurant and mini-golf venue is located on the former site of Liquid/Life nightclub in the Welsh capital. It features two mini-golf courses, a billiards room, a large bar and a fried chicken restaurant, Dirty Birdie, operated by Cardiff-based Street food brand, Dirty Bird.
The Dirty Bird brand is already known to many in the city for its residence at the DEPOT and Dirty Birdie is the company’s second permanent site. The kitchen, which has capacity to deliver 500 orders in an evening, serves a menu based around ‘the finest buttermilk chicken’ – made possible thanks to an innovative kitchen design and seamless installation from design and build specialists Shine.
Overcoming kitchen challenges
Dirty Bird director Neil Young said: “I’ve worked with the team at the DEPOT for eight years since Dirty Bird was founded and it was an easy decision to take space at Par 59. We knew the offer would be just right, but the challenge was how to deliver high volume, consistent chicken in a limited space – especially considering the whole venue is located in the basement.
Shine used all its expertise in delivering commercial kitchens since 1974 to design, fabricate and install a facility that was fit for purpose. Bespoke solutions are commonplace to accommodate the equipment and working space needed in the compact 8m x 3m kitchen, with safety a key element too due to the long route from basement that transcends two fire zones.
The layout includes a serving hatch to customers with a refrigerated garnish well underneath, two cook and hold kettles, as well as Hatco heat lamps on the pass. General, refrigerated and hot storage has been included, with covers on sinks so they can operate as flat services to maximise the space.
A Lincat griddle, Unox combi ovens and Valentine fryers operate alongside Liebherr refrigeration, Hobart dishwasher and additional under broiler refrigeration from Precision – the first of its kind in the UK. Shine’s own fabrications and canopy complete the sleek, efficient kitchen, with all ducting fire rated to meet strict safety standards.
Bespoke solutions include fabricated Hatco warming and display equipment, built into the pass counters and the fabric of the building.
Neil Young adds: “The fryers are key for us, which is why we went with Valentine – better than the average fryer. One is set with a filtration system and I’m really glad we did because we’re heavy on the flour that goes into the oil. This system means we can get at least twice the amount of life out of the oil before having to change.
“The turbo fryers also have double elements because we serve a lot of chips. Everything was designed in partnership with Shine taking our specific needs in mind and the result is a better kitchen that’s designed exactly how we need it.”
Julian Shine, MD of Shine Catering Systems, said: “We’ve known Neil for a while and worked on a couple of previous projects that didn’t come to fruition due to planning permission, but we’ve always kept in touch and supported with things like kitchen design, flow patterns, advice on regulations and current standards. It’s fantastic to be able to work so closely to deliver his vision for Dirty Birdie.”
Shine worked alongside other trades including fitout contractors, Paramount Interiors, and M&E contractors to ensure the project was completed within a tight timescale ahead of opening in March 2022. It also designed, fabricated and installed the bar space within Par 59, showcasing its full capability across back of house and front of house catering environments.
Shine’s carefully selected supply chain also provided training services on site for Dirty Birdie staff, including the ice cream machine, ovens, fryers and dishwashing equipment.
Visit www.shine.co.uk
