Bedgebury Café – Churchill Catering Case Study

Introduction

In December 2023, following a competitive tender process, Forestry England awarded Churchill Catering, part of the Vertas Group, a ten-year contract to provide contract catering services at the picturesque Bedgebury Forest and National Pinetum. This new contract builds on an already trust relationship with Forestry England with Churchill Catering now contracted to provide catering at 3 Forestry locations in England.

Objectives of Project

To create a café that operates with minimal environmental impact, with both Forestry England and Vertas Group striving to prioritise sustainability. To fully refit the café including installation of a bespoke commercial kitchen, new café furniture, counter layout and branding. Create a new and exciting menu showcasing local produce and set up a new onsite waste management system to support our commitment to Net Zero. To reinforce our already trusted relationship with Forestry England by partnering with the onsite team to work together to improve the visitor experience.

Solutions Implemented

When Churchill Catering initially began the contract, they were presented with an exciting opportunity to transform an empty café into a vibrant and welcoming space. As the team started the extensive work to rebuild the café, they embraced the scope of the project with determination and expertise. Utilising problem-solving skills and proactive planning, the team navigated obstacles such as electrical upgrades and the timing of the refurbishment over the Christmas period. Despite major equipment suppliers being closed and lead times of 5-6 weeks, the team remained agile and solution-focused, ensuring progress stayed on track to deliver a high-quality space. They took the lead in transforming the space, playing a role in the project management of the site’s refurbishment. The team ensured every detail contributed to creating a warm, inviting space, enhancing the visitor experience.

The project team worked with procurement to source local suppliers and producers and created a menu which showcased some of the best produce the area had to offer, whilst minimising the impact on the environment through sustainable practices.

In addition to delivering the project on time and within budget, Churchill Catering built an entirely new team from scratch as there was no pre-existing managerial structure, demonstrating its commitment to being a people-focused business. Through effective recruitment strategies and focused team development, the café now boasts complete management framework that ensured smooth operations moving forward.

Finally, working with experts within the business we were able to implement a waste management system on site which was compliant with new government legislation several months before the published deadline, ensuring that all waste at the site is fully recycled.