Case Study: Plume Of Feathers, Portcatho
When a hospitality business is preparing for one of its busiest periods of the year, downtime simply is not an option.
That was the challenge facing the team at the Plume of Feathers in Portscatho, Cornwall, as they prepared to upgrade their kitchen ahead of the summer season.
Overlooking one of Cornwall’s most picturesque coastal villages, the Plume of Feathers has built a reputation for serving high-quality food that celebrates the best local produce. From fresh seafood and seasonal specials to classic pub favourites, the kitchen sits at the heart of the customer experience.
With locals, holidaymakers and walkers all passing through its doors, maintaining service levels during peak season is critical.
That is why WAM Engineering Services was proud to be selected to design, supply and install a completely new commercial kitchen, transforming the back-of-house operation in just two days.
A Project Built Around Minimising Disruption
For hospitality operators, replacing an entire kitchen can be daunting.
Every day spent closed is a day of lost revenue, particularly in a destination venue such as the Plume of Feathers, where the spring and summer months represent a significant proportion of annual trade.
With that in mind, WAM developed a carefully planned programme of works designed to minimise disruption while delivering a complete kitchen upgrade.
The project involved removing the existing equipment, coordinating multiple trades, installing the new kitchen and commissioning all equipment within a tight two-day window.
Kyle James, Manager at WAM Engineering Services, said, “From the beginning, we understood how important timing was. The Plume of Feathers has built a fantastic reputation for its food, and with summer approaching, every day mattered. Our role was to ensure the kitchen was operational as quickly as possible while delivering a facility that would support the team for years to come.”
Working Together to Deliver the Best Result
The project was also a fantastic example of South Wales businesses working together.
WAM partnered with Swansea-based So Coffee, who supplied and installed the coffee equipment, while fellow Swansea company MJB Electrical Contractors undertook the electrical works required to support the new kitchen installation.
Kyle added, “Projects like this are always stronger when you have trusted partners involved. We’ve worked alongside both So Coffee and MJB Electrical Contractors before, and having that level of communication and professionalism helped ensure everything ran smoothly.”
A Complete Kitchen Transformation
The new kitchen represents a significant investment in the future of the business.
As the photographs show, the installation included a comprehensive range of commercial catering equipment designed to maximise efficiency, reliability and workflow.
Among the equipment installed were:
• Retigo Vision combi ovens
• Lincat twin fryer systems
• Lincat electric griddle
• Lincat salamander grill
• Induction cooking stations
• Refrigerated prep stations
• Upright refrigeration
• Refrigerated counters and undercounter storage
• Heated pass and gantry systems
• Bespoke stainless steel preparation areas
• Extraction and ventilation upgrades
Every element was carefully positioned to improve workflow between food preparation, cooking, plating and service.
The result is a modern, efficient kitchen that provides the Plume of Feathers team with the tools they need to consistently deliver quality food, even during the busiest service periods.
Pulling Out All the Stops
Behind every successful installation is a team willing to go the extra mile.
For WAM Managing Director Alistair Green, the project highlights exactly what the company stands for.
“I am incredibly proud of what the team achieved here,” said Alistair.
“This was a substantial kitchen replacement completed within a very tight timescale. Everyone pulled out all the stops to make it happen. From planning and logistics through to installation and commissioning, the team worked tirelessly to ensure the Plume of Feathers was ready for the busy season ahead.”
“We take great pride in helping hospitality businesses succeed,” he continued. “When you see a finished kitchen like this, and you know the difference it will make to the customer experience and the day-to-day operation of the business, it makes all the hard work worthwhile.”
Designed for the Future
While the installation itself took just two days, months of planning, coordination and experience sat behind every decision.
The completed kitchen now provides the Plume of Feathers with increased capacity, improved workflow, enhanced energy efficiency and modern equipment capable of supporting the venue’s ambitious food offering.
Kyle concluded, “The finished result speaks for itself. It’s a kitchen designed around the way the team works. Everything has a purpose, everything has its place, and that helps create a better service for customers. We’re proud to have played a part in that.”
For WAM Engineering Services, the project is another example of how careful planning, strong partnerships and an experienced team can deliver exceptional results, even within challenging timescales.
And for the Plume of Feathers, it means heading into another busy Cornish summer with a kitchen ready for whatever service throws at it.
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