The Eagle Has Landed
In May 2004, Barclays Bank, in partnership with facilities management company Johnson Controls, selected BaxterStorey to provide the catering service at its new 33-storey headquarter office in Canary Wharf.
Andrew Gardiner, Barclays FM Service Implementation Director at One Churchill Place, explained the decision:
"Our vision is to provide innovative and compelling services that represent the standards associated with a world-class headquarters. BaxterStorey presented a catering proposition that was not only in line with that vision but one that was supported by a pragmatic and robust commercial platform."
Before the contract opened in January 2005, BaxterStorey was closely involved with the mobilisation of the new foodservice facility. Now operations are moving on apace and by June this year 5500 Barclays Bank non-branch employees will be housed in the one million square feet building.
BaxterStorey's catering team provides staff and visitors at Churchill Place with a wide range of foodservice opportunities throughout eight floors of the building. The ground floor café bar mirrors a superior high street coffee house, offering premium beverages and traditional and specialty sandwiches, home-baked cakes, snacks and treats.
From level two a dedicated conferencing team services 196 meeting rooms throughout the office building. A comprehensive working lunch and buffet selection are available, all of which can be tailored to the requirements of the client. The conferencing service on level 30 is dedicated to providing a venue for cocktail parties, drinks receptions and large scale meetings and entertainment.
The 500-seater staff restaurant on level three offers a combination of classical and contemporary international dishes to suit the needs of the widest possible audience. The emphasis here is on fresh produce, with 90% of the food being prepared on site.
Two further coffee bars serving specialist coffees and other beverages can be found on levels six and 12. On level 24 a coffee/'grab'n'go' bar stocks a variety of freshly made sandwiches, wraps and baguettes, as well as a range of cakes, pastries, salads and snacks that can be found elsewhere in the building.
BaxterStorey general manager, oerations Mack Allan explains the thinking behind the executive services on level 31:
"The aim of the food and service team within Barclay's Fine Dining is quite simple, to provide a discreet, polite and efficient Michelin Star standard experience.
"The food style is designed and facilitated by John Campbell, executive chef at The Vineyard, Stockcross. We produce everything from bespoke light refreshments and private lunches to dining room service, fine dining and evening functions and events.
And how is the contract going so far? Mack Allan is enthusiastic:
"We have had fantastic feedback on our food and service delivery so far, the restaurant team has won the inaugural Service Excellence Award from the client. Now we are preparing ourselves for the challenges over the coming months as the middle and final phases of occupancy are completed."