INSTALLATION OF ALL KITCHENS AND BARS AT 'THE GROVE', WATFORD
Opened in September 2003, The Grove Hotel, Watford features a listed 17th century mansion house set in 300 acres with 227 bedrooms and suites, 3 swimming pools, a championship golf course and some 30,000 sq foot of luxury spa facilities.
Outside, a marquee in ‘The Walled Garden’ caters for up to 1,000 guests.
The phrase ‘a weekend break’ originated here, because Queen Victoria, Edward VII, Horace Walpole and Lord Palmerston visited so often that The Grove became synonymous with a relaxed few days away in the lap of luxury.
There are four restaurants plus what is claimed a ‘World-class banqueting’ operation centred on the 500-seater ballroom and 23 different function rooms.
Opening the largest hotel development in recent times provoked this comment from Executive Head Chef Stephen Wheeler: “If I had one tip to pass onto another chef in the same position”, he says, “it would be to brief your partner beforehand – you are not going to see them for a while. If you are committed to your career, do an opening if you get the chance – because of the challenge”.
Wheeler’s career to date includes three years as Executive Chef at Harrods (60 chefs, 22 restaurants), Executive Sous Chef at Conran’s Bluebird, and openings with Hilton National in the
“After my second opening, I said ‘no more’”, says Wheeler. “But when I saw the blueprints and plans for The Grove, I just had to be involved. It’s the challenge that’s the motivation – seeing something emerge from nothing. I am also lucky to have good people around me; people who I have worked with before.”
Wheeler manages a brigade of 60 in total.
KITCHEN DESIGN
“I am very lucky to have such fine equipment and facilities”, says Wheeler. “The kitchens are spacious and the Glasshouse restaurant is a great open-plan kitchen concept which gives us the flexibility in terms of equipment, to cook what we want”.
Banqueting is via a pre-plated regeneration system designed to serve up to 500 meals at one time. The Grove has several kitchens, with the main production area on the ground floor and the banqueting kitchen on the floor above.
Installation of all catering equipment and bars was carried out by Hallmark Kitchens.
