Prêt a Diner’s latest pop-up event splashes out on quality glasswashers and dishwashers
Take one iconic address in central London, add a half dozen or so of the best Italian chefs in the world, sprinkle with modern art and designer chic, and you have the latest pop-up restaurant from Prêt a Diner. The culinary event was ‘Italians Do It Better’, the venue was 50 St James, formerly a private club and casino, which had been empty for several years. The Prêt a Diner team took it over and with their customary brio transformed it into a place to see and be seen – and to eat Michelin starred food and drink fine wine. To make sure the glasses and tableware matched the menu, Prêt a Diner installed Winterhalter glasswashers and dishwashers.
“This is not just a pop-up, it’s a real Italian dining experience,” says Ian Palmer, managing director of Kofler & Kompanie Ltd (UK), the company behind Prêt a Diner. “The idea was to offer two menus each night, prepared by different chefs. Customers had to chose which menu they wanted then decide which was best – obviously we encouraged tables to have a mix.”
With chefs such as Giorgio Locatelli, Viviana Varese and Norbert Niederkofler competing in the kitchen, diners knew they were in for a great experience. But as with any pop-up, the temporary nature of the venue puts pressure on staff and equipment. Italians Do It Better ran for just a few weeks, through May and June 2012, yet from day one it delivered a top class experience.
“The thing about the Winterhalter machines is that they are so easy to run – staff need very little training. They’re also reliable and deliver great results, right from the word go. So the cleanliness of the glasses and dishes was something we never had to worry about,” says Ian Palmer.
Italians Do It Better used a Winterhalter GS502 pass through hood machine for dishes and had several UC undercounter units for glassware. All the machines could be operated at the push of a button. The control panel changed colour depending on the status of the wash cycle – so staff could tell at a glance what the machine was doing.
The UC glasswashers offered an extra bonus – their wash cycle could be adjusted instantly depending on the delicacy of the glassware. So for fine wine glasses staff pushed a button for a lower pressure, gentler wash, while for tumblers the full pressure wash was selected. This helped protect glasses while giving the best results.
“Each of our pop-up concepts is designed to provide a very special experience – presentation plays a key role. Tableware and glassware have to be perfect. Ease of use combined with excellent, reliable wash results makes Winterhalter our preferred warewasher supplier,” says Ian Palmer.
Winterhalter machines @ Italians Do It Better include:
GS502 TE dishwasher
- Single-button control with colour coding ensures ease of use.
- High-power nozzles develop powerful washing force, cleaning effectively.
- Features include a hygienic interior, automatic self-cleaning programme and Winterhalter’s Mediamat Cyclo filtration system, which cuts water consumption and keeps the washwater clean.
- Ergonomic design simplifies and speeds up work.
- Theoretical capacity of up to 60 racks (500 x 500mm) per hour.
UCL undercounter glasswashers
- Special wash arms create an elliptical wash field that cleans glasses more effectively.
- VarioPower allows user to fine tune the wash, depending on delicacy of glasses and level of soiling.
- Eco programme saves energy.
- Fourfold filtration keeps washwater clean and cuts consumption.
- Theoretical capacity of up to 48 racks (500 x 500mm) per hour.
Winterhalter provides a total solution for warewashing, from pre-sales advice to after-sales service, training and maintenance. Alongside its market-leading dish and glasswashers, the company’s range includes utensil washers, advanced water treatment machines, cleaning chemicals and detergents. For further details, call Winterhalter on 01908 359000, see www.winterhalter.com/uk-en/, or www.winterhalter-scout.biz or email info@winterhalter.co.uk.
Links:
Winterhalter: www.winterhalter.co.uk or www.glasswashing.biz
Italians Do It Better: www.pret-a-diner.com or www.koflerkompanie.com