A leading North East catering firm is taking its custom kitchen design offering to new heights by recruiting a design management specialist to the workforce.
Crosbys Catering Equipment, based in Brough Park Way, Newcastle, has appointed John Clarke to the company as a project and design manager.
John, who lives in Hexham, has 26 years of experience within the commercial kitchen design and catering equipment industry, having worked in sales, leadership, design and project management for a number of well established catering companies.
He also worked on the other side of the catering sector, as a head chef in the Lion of Corbridge Hotel, where he was responsible for the running of the entire back of house, menu planning, staff, purchasing, cost and stock control.
It was John’s interest in design and technical drawings that ultimately led him to trade in his chef whites and pursue a career in project-managing the design of a range of commercial kitchens across the UK, aided by his own knowledge of the workings and challenges of a busy kitchen.
At Crosbys, John will be responsible for delivering quality commercial kitchen designs and specifications, developing new and existing business, negotiating terms with suppliers and sub-contractors, and delivering project-managed kitchen equipment installations.
Director Roger Crosby said: “We’re delighted to welcome John as the newest member of our growing team. We’re sure that his valuable firsthand insight into commercial kitchen work, coupled with his strong design and project management skills, is a winning combination for advising our clients about their kitchen requirements.
“We’re well established in the region and across the country as catering equipment suppliers, but we’re now in a good position to build on our equally strong capabilities in the design field. We can offer the full package, from design and installation right through to the supply of cutlery and crockery.”
John said: “I was particularly attracted to this role at Crosbys because of the ambition, drive and vision of the directors. The firm has achieved so much in its 25-year history and I’m very much looking forward to developing the project design aspect of Crosbys’ business.”
Outside of work, John is a keen walker and is currently working towards completing all of Wainwright’s Lake District Fells. Since August last year he has completed 112 fells out of a total of 214.
Crosbys is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and supplies crockery, cutlery, specialist catering equipment, paper and janitorial supplies to more than 2000 customers in the North, including bars, restaurants and hospitals, as well as a series of London restaurants and Michelin establishments across the UK and overseas. The firm recently acquired specialist supplier John Dodds, bringing five new members of sales and engineering staff to the team.
For further information about Crosbys, visit www.crosbys.co.uk or tel: 0191 228 4800
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