CEDA EQUIPMENT ADVISORY CLINIC - DEBUTS AT HOTELYMPIA 2008 - 17th - 21st February 2008

FREE, INDEPENDENT, EXPERT ADVICE ON ANY ITEM OF CATERING EQUIPMENT is available to all Show visitors, courtesy of Caterer & Hotelkeeper and CEDA - the Catering Equipment Distributors Association.

Whether you are looking for a new combination oven, fryer, dishwasher, grill or even a complete new kitchen, the experts from CEDA are offering advice independent of the manufacturers every day at the Show on the Caterer stand N1755 in the main equipment hall.

Following a consultation to determine your specific requirements an advisor will identify the equipment that best suits your needs, a list of stands to visit, models to look at and questions to ask.  Advice will also be available on different ways to finance your purchase.

To ask a question now or book an appointment on the Caterer stand N1755, e-mail CEDA Director Peter Kay or go on-line at www.caterersearch.com/hotelympia

There is a wealth of experience for you to benefit from - the clinic is staffed by CEDA members (see the biogs below)- these people have many years experience of all types of catering between them. Whether you are a pub, restaurant, contract caterer or five-star hotel, the CEDA advisors have expertise that can help you find the right equipment solution. And it's all freely available anytime you care to visit the Caterer stand. See you there!!!

CEDA members working at the Buying Advice Clinic

Catering Complex, Merseyside Darren James, Managing Director, Darren James has more than 15 years experience in the industry. A self-taught entrepreneur in the sector in which he still enjoys a hands-on role, Darren has built up the company from scratch turning it into Merseyside's leading supplier of commercial catering solutions. Catering Complex's USP is high quality bespoke solutions and state of the art kitchen, bar and restaurant designs supplied to a wide range of clients. Darren's skills in design and planning, menu development, service and maintenance contracts, contract management and professional installation have now been passed on to an 15 strong team that operates around the UK. Darren also brings an infectious enthusiasm to clients that have enabled his Huyton, Merseyside-based outfit to work with some of the catering industry's leading bar/restaurant venues. Indeed, many have become award-winning ventures as a result of Darren and his team's expertise in providing eye-catching designs including Il Forno Restaurant, Alma de Cuba, Pan Am, and Korova in Liverpool alone. James Kinch, James has worked along side Darren in a sales capacity for the last 5 years. He specialises in Kitchen design and he also has vast product knowledge.	Carford Group, Dorset Ian Bryant, Group Sales Manager, Ian has been in the industry for nine years spending his entire time with Carford. He started as a sales manager progressing through to project sales manager and onto his current position, heading up the sales force. Since Carford have been importing Angelo Po equipment Ian has been fully trained on all aspects of their combination ovens. Paul Gilhooly, Project Sales Manager, Paul started with The Carford Group as a Project Sales Manager early 2006. Paul lives in Kettering and works within the Midlands & Northern area on independent projects and with national companies on template kitchen development. He joined The Carford Group from the Food Service Solutions Group, where he was a National Accounts Manager. He had previously worked with Frialator International (Heavy Equipment Sales) & Neville UK Plc (Light Equipment Sales). Paul, who is 37-years old, can boast over 20 years' experience in the food and drink industry, having started helping in his father's pubs at age 14. He went on to learn every aspect of the trade through an apprenticeship in the family business. He trained as a chef at The Olde Victoria, Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire, and at 18 became one of the youngest licensees in the country.	CNG Catering Equipment, Gateshead Clive N. Groom, Managing Director Clive first worked in the catering industry during school holidays and weekends in a variety of local Hotels and restaurants. He quickly found that he both enjoyed the industry and had a flair for all aspects, working in kitchens, front of house and bars.  After A levels he went on to Leeds Polytechnic, studying for the HND in Hotel Catering and Institutional Management, followed by five years of mainly hotel work, including management and chef positions.  In April 1985 Clive joined W.M.Still & Sons of Hastings as Area Sales Manager for the North East of England, giving him his first taste for the equipment industry dealing with distributors, local authorities and National Account customers. Over the next few years he worked for both manufacturers and distributors until in 2002 he completed an MBO and established CNG, although he has a broad knowledge of the equipment industry his main strengths are in design and specialist cooking equipment.
Bunzl Lockhart, Theale Ian Parsons, Sales Manager,  Ian has worked as a salesman for Lockhart catering equipment for seven years in regional and national account sales roles. Covering the South East counties, South London and then companies including PizzaExpress, Prêt a Manger, Fullers Brewery, City Centre Restaurants (now The Restaurant Group). Selling across the range of catering equipment Ian has built up a strong relationship with suppliers and customers. Ian then spent three years working for a manufacturer specifically responsible for creating and promoting a specific range of catering equipment. This involved product development, sourcing around European manufacturers and selling across the UK distributor network.  Ian returned to Bunzl Lockhart in January 2006 to take up a role as Sales Manager, leading the field sales team across the South of the UK. Gayle Swayne, Gayle has been with Bunzl since July 2005 as Field Sales Executive for light equipment covering the East Anglia Regions. She has a wide and varied knowledge of the industry and product ranges available. Prior to joining Lockhart's, Gayle managed a very busy food pub on the Isle of Man, not only devising menus but also preparing and cooking for over 176 covers.  Before going into the license trade, she spent several years with two major blue chip companies, Coco Cola and Pepsi dealing with a wide remit of customers in all trade sectors.   Rob Pennington, Rob has been with Lockhart for a year, previously spending three years with the company in the mid 1990's. He is a technical salesman with extensive knowledge of all Heavy Equipment.  He covers the London area and so also has a good working relationship with a lot of the top chefs in the hotels and restaurants in the city. Sacha Masterson, Sacha is an Australian citizen who joined Bunzl Lockhart in June 2005 as an Executive Field Sales Representative in London. Her clients include mainly five star hotels, investment banks, restaurants, hospitals as well as schools and pubs.  Before coming to England she worked in similar sales roles in Australia and before that was a chef manager for Gourmet on the Run in Sydney CHR Equipment Ltd, Preston Paul Neville, Paul has been working with CHR for the last 14 years. He runs his own restaurant takeaway which is also used as a showroom for CHR. Within the area there are various pieces of equipment where potential clients can come and see the equipment working and cook on it themselves. There is also a coffee area where CHR can train in the making of coffee up to Barista Level.	Sigma Catering Equipment, Wallsend Bob Shewry, Sales/Contracts Manager, Bob started in the industry in the early seventies with Troldahl Ltd as special accounts representative, moving onto divisional & marketing manager and becoming managing director in 1988. Bob has been with Sigma Catering Equipment since 2003.  Michael Parry Sales/Contracts Executive, Michael started in the industry from college with Caterscheme in 1991 as CAD draughtsman/contracts co-ordinator, joining Troldahl in 1995 as contracts engineer responsible for catering, mechanical, refrigeration, air conditioning & ventilation.  Michael has been with Sigma since 2005. He holds City & Guilds 4351 & 4352 CAD draughting & systems management. Chris Keith, Director, Chris gained City & Guilds 7061 & 7062 Catering in 1981 and then worked as a commis chef at The Swallow Hotel & ran his own catering business within his father's pub until 1985. Then Chris became licensee of his own public house in Newcastle until 1987 when he joined Scobie & McIntosh as showroom manager & finally area manager until 1997. Chris joined Sigma Fabrication as Sales Manager and then formed Sigma Catering Equipment in 2000. C&C Catering Equipment - Chester Peter G Farrell, Sales Director, After being brought up within the catering industry due to his parents operating public houses and a small hotel, it seemed inevitable that Peter would also become involved within the catering industry. After 12 years working in the industry, the time was right to move out of the kitchen and offer his knowledge and experience to become a kitchen designer working for a local distributor within his hometown of Chester. From that date to present, 13 years have passed and many kitchens of all shapes and sizes have been designed, not only for today's menu but for tomorrow's chef. Catershop Ltd, Norwich Amanda Mower, Sales Manager, Amanda joined Catershop in February 2007 following an eight year break. She originally joined the industry in 1994 at MidWest Catering Equipment Ltd (now Space Catering), within 18 months becoming Account Manager for brewery accounts such as Greene King. After moving to Essex she joined Olympic Catering Equipment in 1999 for a short period assisting with brewery account management. In the same year she moved to Anglo European, Ipswich reporting to the Sales Manager, David Holborow (now Sales Director of Catershop). Amanda is currently involved with projects in the nursing home, public house and education sectors across the country, and enjoying her return to an industry which has a need to develop schemes within tight budgets and a higher focus on healthy eating and energy efficiency.	KID Commercial Catering Equipment Services, Gloucester Nik Lane, Business Development Manager, Nick has 34 years experience, including starting out as a chef and progressing to Hobart Sales Manager, Metos Sales National Accounts Manager and Meiko National Sales Manager. His specialist Subjects include Kitchen & Bar Design, Warewashing and Prime Cooking Equipment. Airedale Group, Bradford Ian Sisson, Sales Director, Ian has worked in the industry for 23 years and joined Airedale in 2000, where he became more specifically involved in selling of commercial catering equipment.  As Sales Director, Ian is responsible for the ongoing back-up and support to a team of eight field salespeople enabling them to deal with any sales enquiries. This also involves taking and collating client briefings, through to design stage and permutation thereof of the proposals. Ian has experience working in all market sectors including hotels (including banqueting & conferencing), restaurants, healthcare as well as universities and colleges.  Some key clients include DeVere Hotels, Best Western Hotels, Initial Style Conferences, Pizza Express, BUPA Care Homes, Housing 21, Chester University, Stockton Riverside College, Blackburn College and main contractors such as Carillion, Wilmott Dixon and Mowlem. Mike Bridger, Business Development Manager Mike has been in the catering industry for 29 years, working on a variety of projects over the years for Compass, Gardner Merchant and Prisma. Mike has worked for Airedale Catering for the past 4 years and is Business Development Manager for the South of England and as such has acquired a vast knowledge of all market sectors; from healthcare, hotels to schools and colleges. Mike's key clients include; Handpicked Hotels at Nutfield, Woodlands and Ettington Park - projects that have recently been nominated for industry awards. Mike has also worked with Ruislip High School, West Middlesex Hospital, Jo Richardson School, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital and has designed the scheme and supplied all the equipment on these projects. Vision Commercial Kitchens, Manchester Jack Sharkey, Managing Director, Jack has been working in the commercial kitchen industry for over twenty years. He is renowned and respected for his knowledge of different styles of operation and equipment manufacturers. With their support coupled with his ability Jack is able to match client's needs and expectations to budget with practical durable solutions. Andrew Burns, Key Account Manager, Andrew has been in the catering industry for fifteen years, working with a wide range of end users. These range from small catering establishments to large hospitals and college. Andrew is currently working closely with the local authority sector. As key accounts Manager Andrew has the capability to work closely with clients to maintain strong relationships.
Aspen Design, Bridgewater, Somerset Martin Felstead, Managing Director, Martin was one of the founder members of the Aspen Group and has enjoyed a long and successful career in the catering industry. A graduate of Bournemouth Technical College, he joined Grand Metropolitan Hotels in 1971, moving on to contract caterers Sutcliffe Catering in 1974. After gaining valuable experience in human resources and operations, he left to open his own restaurant in Somerset whilst simultaneously establishing Catering Management Services Ltd, which was eventually sold to Sutcliffe in 1992 when Aspen was formed.  Martin's practical experience, coupled with his technical knowledge and flair for innovative design, has been the driving force behind Aspen and its current position at the forefront of the industry. Terry Millward, Sales Director, Also a founder member, Terry's career spans 30 years, initially as a hotel & catering manager and then in the catering equipment industry with Peter Nisbet & Co Ltd, Stott Benham and E & R Moffat. Terry's extensive technical knowledge, his enthusiasm and his strong people skills make him a valuable asset to the management team. Clients include the Las Iguanas restaurant chain, the St Monica Trust group of care homes, Bristol University and Swindon, Oxford and South Gloucestershire Councils. Andrew Wilson, Installations Manager, Andrew joined Aspen in 2006 and has brought with him twenty years of experience working with companies in the transport refrigeration and cold storage industries around the world.  He has travelled extensively around the Middle East and Africa utilising his experience in the cold chain business where he has passed on his skills and best practices to clients.  Andrew deals with the project management of our projects, ensuring that installations are executed on time, on budget and to recognised standards.  He is responsible for a team of engineers and all aspects of their training, welfare and development.  He liaises between our sales staff and clients with regard to all technical aspects of projects including specification of required technical services.  Andrew is a Member of the Institute of Refrigeration. Steve Smith, Director - Major Projects, After a successful career as a manager within Sutcliffe Catering's Midlands design team, followed by a stint as managing director of E R Nisbet & Co Ltd, Steve Smith joined Aspen in 1998. Since that time he has successfully delivered a phenomenal number of prestigious projects, including new staff restaurant facilities for the Home Office and Swindon Police HQ, and new kitchens for Somerset College of Arts & Technology, Gloucester Catering College, Uxbridge College and Bath University. He has also overseen major kitchen refurbishments at several Thistle Hotels. Steve's contribution to Aspen's overall sales achievements is second to none, and he enjoys the highest reputation among clients and within the industry.	JDS Catering Equipment, Gatwick, Surrey John Spiers, Managing Director, Founder and Managing Director of JDS Catering Equipment, John is an apprenticed trained engineer, which led him into the catering equipment industry in the early 80's as a dishwasher sales engineer for Crypto Peerless, later taking up the role of area manager. In 1990 john left the company and founded JDS Catering Equipment. JDS work is mainly project based with a solid after sales service team offering service contracts. Nigel Quince Sales Director, Nigel has been within the catering industry all of his life, he is an apprenticed trained chef, who went onto catering management and later become the GM of a leading hotel chain. During his career within the Catering equipment industry Nigel has worked for companies such as Oliver Toms, Hobart, and Craven. In 2003 Nigel joined JDS Catering Equipment and is responsible for sales. Court Catering Equipment, London Stephen Arnott, Sales Manager, Steve has worked in the catering equipment industry for over 30 years, and for the past 9 years as Sales Manager. His first job in the industry was in the manufacturing sector with Oliver Toms where he was trained in design and estimating. He then moved to further his experience in the selling arena and worked for Staines Catering returning after two years to Oliver Toms where he stayed for a further 14 years as before working as a Sales/Project Manager. Steve joined Court Catering Equipment in 1998, where he has developed a successful portfolio of clients. He has been particularly successful with new business opportunities and it is a testament to his commitment to the company's philosophy of completing on time, within budget and to the satisfaction of the client that so many have come back to Steve and Court Catering when they look at their next project. David Higginson Business Development Manager, David has 28 years of sales experience, starting his career in engineering working for an alloys manufacturer and then work progressed into Quality Management and then as an Export Sales Manager.  Eighteen years ago he made the move into the Catering Equipment industry and has worked in sales and business development for both manufacturers and distributors giving him a wide range of product experience and knowledge. He has successfully completed projects for both the Public and Private sectors, including the Royal Household, M.O.D, and the Prison Service and blue chip companies such as Marks & Spencer, Littlewoods, Wellcome Trust and Harvey Nichols. One of the projects he is currently involved with is a new Japanese concept in London including the importation of specialist products from the Far East.	Whitco, Northamptonshire Jeff Whitaker,  Managing Director Jeff is an expert in equipment knowledge and kitchen planning with 30 years in this industry, 20 years running his own business and 10 with Hobart. Vita Whitaker, Operations Director Expert in kitchen planning, technical knowledge, delivering solutions - 17 years in this industry, previous with large cosmetics company responsible for rationalization of brand worldwide. Bibby Leasing Carol Roberts, Managing Director, Carol has 43 years experience in the Leasing and Finance industry, starting her career with North West Securities (subsidiary of the Bank of Scotland) in Chester and spent 12 years with the Company holding various management positions. She has also worked for Pallas Group (subsidiary of the SG Warburg - Merchant Bank) as Operations Director of Pallas Industrial Finance before being promoted to Managing Director in 1995 when GE Capital bought Pallas Group. Carol remained with GE as Managing Director of the Structured Finance division before leaving the company in June 2000. She set up her own consultancy business working with small finance companies in the Commercial Asset Finance sectors.  She joined Leeds Leasing as a Consultant in January 2004 and was appointed Managing Director on the 1st June 2004 and was invited to join the Leeds Group Plc Board on the 19th September 2004.  Leeds Leasing was sold to Bibby on the 31st October 2005 and Carol remained with the Company as Managing Director.   David M Gadsden, Regional Sales Manager, David has been with Bibby for 10 years, working specifically within the specialist division of the catering & hospitality sector of the UK funder. He has been working within the finance industry since the late 70s but particularly enjoys the characters, venues and challenges that the catering sector provides.  David works closely with distributors and suppliers in formulating specialist lease packages for the industry to assist their "route to market" for today's demanding end user. Working with today's restaurateurs and business owners "hand in hand" to find a leasing solution to their funding needs whether new start or established business. Ian Story, Northern Sales Manager Initially in retail sales and marketing for a national home furnishings retail organisation, Ian moved into consumer finance supplying personal and secured loans along with first mortgage facilities. Promoted to their car finance division, as head of North West sales, Ian progressed into business to business finance via a national sales aid leasing brokerage supporting individual suppliers to Global accounts such as Compaq & Hewlett Packard - the highlight was providing a lease for her Majesty the Queen!   Ian is Northern Sales Manager for almost two years supporting suppliers of catering equipment and their customers. The role is to work with the distributors on helping them secure and grow their sales.