Stephen E Graver Limited • Elmsgate • Edington Road • Steeple Ashton • Wiltshire BA14 6HP

Tel: 01380 871746 • Email: sales@stephengraver.com

www.stephengraver.com

Lucknam Park Cookery School Project

Society of British Interior Designers (SBID) International Design Awards Submission

The Rationale/Description of Project

On 25th July 2011, a potential customer visited our Studio in Steeple Ashton. It turned out

to be the Managing Director, Claire Randall, of Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Bath.

I talked her through our bespoke Studio furniture, kitchen designs and then showed her

around our workshops. She, in turn, told me of the proposed future Cookery School to be

built at Lucknam Park. The new Cookery School was to be built into a specially converted

Lodge on the estate. If appointed, Stephen Graver Original Kitchens would work closely

with the Construction team.

Claire had visited a number of other companies and had similar discussions with them and

mentioned she liked what she saw at Stephen Graver and the way in which we work.

Claire asked me if we would be interested in designing and quoting for the project on the

basis that we would become a ‘supplying partner’ of the Cookery School. Having thought

about the offer for a nanosecond, I agreed to put a proposal forward!

Stephen Graver Original Kitchens were awarded the contract to design, manufacture and

install the furniture for the new Cookery School.

We had two very positive meetings with the Chef who would run the Cookery School

and also Lucknam Park’s on-site Michelin Star Chef, to get a really good feel for exactly

what they wanted. A part of the requirment was to have enough “stations” for ten people

working in pairs, and a “Chef ’s station” with enough space for guests to view cooking

demonstrations.

The Design Process

The construction of all the furniture had to be of the highest quality, not just in appearance

but also durability as the Cookery School would be taking up to fifty people a week.

Lucknam Park is a 5 star Luxury Country House Hotel set in 600 acres and we felt

that the design of the new Cookery School would have to blend in naturally with the

hotel profile. Stephen Graver centred on the idea of using classical materials such as

Solid Oak and Cluster Oak panelling, together with granite worktops. In addition, using

touches of Stainless Steel would be an attractive, durable and practical solution for the

workstations.

The two Chefs sought “workability” combined with luxury design so Stephen Graver

proposed a suite of design layouts each unique and each on brief. Within a short period

of time we had a design that would enable twelve stations and could then discuss the

actual look of the furniture.

A part of the brief to Stephen Graver was also to look at the selection and supply of all

the appliances for the School. Fhiaba supplied the Fridge Freezers and ATAG supplied

the Ovens, Hobs and Extractor Hoods.

The Cookery School was due to open for business in November 2012.

Bringing the venture to life

As a new venture for Lucknam Park, marketing was going to be a key ingredient for it

awareness and eventual success. As supplying ‘partners’ Stephen Graver were involved

with regular marketing meetings, together with Fhiaba and ATAG to ensure a consistent

message was marketed.

The drawings were completed; the materials chosen and the opening date set. The

craftsmen at Stephen Graver Original Kitchens began the manufacturing process and,

with the workshops on site, Stephen was able to keep the Chefs updated regularly. They

both also visited the workshops. Things at the Lodge were starting to take shape with the

conversion was in full flow.

Stephen Graver Original Kitchens started installing the new furniture at the end of October

2012. Two weeks later the first ‘shake down’ courses started, and the first paying guests

were welcomed at the end of November.

To sum up

Did we meet the brief ?

Did we satisfy the needs of all involved?

Was it completed on budget?

Was it completed on time?

Are the paying guests happy?

Yes, on all counts!