Chef Spotlight on Gursu Mertel Foodservice sustainability
Environmental Sustainability in Foodservice
Earlier this year, Skanos had the pleasure of working with acclaimed Executive Chef of Taronga Zoo Gursu Mertel. Chef Mertel and his team will enjoy a brand new kitchen to service a new restaurant and event space – the name of which will soon be announced. The new kitchen has been fitted out with the highest standard of energy efficient equipment to meet the requirements of Taronga’s comprehensive Environmental Sustainability program.
Across the Zoo’s restaurants and eateries Chef Mertel delivers high quality “cuisine for conservation.” The dedicated team are committed to ensuring all food sold and served is environmentally sustainable and responsibly sourced.
Aim to serve only MSC or ASC certified seafood
Only source RSPCA certified chicken and free range eggs
Seek complete transparency around sourcing and commitments
Aim to ensure all branded products sold on-site use 100% certified sustainable palm oil
Work closely with suppliers to ensure food products are locally sourced and seasonal where feasible
Spotlight on Executive Chef Gursu Mertel
In a 2018 interview for Spice Magazine, celebrated chef Gursu Mertel commented;
“It’s inspiring to create menus that come from a sustainable food approach that you know is having a broader impact. It makes sense that the food walks the talk with Taronga’s environmental conservation efforts, and we really enjoy making food that tastes good as well as feels good – ethically.”
Gursu is a passionate and experienced professional with an impressive CV. He boasts over 15 years of international professional cooking and kitchen management experience across Australia, Asia and the Middle East. With six new restaurant openings under his belt, Mertel specialises in openings and leading large culinary teams at multi-outlet five star hotels, resorts and event venues. Some of the big name venues forming his experience include the Hilton, Conrad Macao and Holiday Inn Macao and the Crown in Melbourne.
After a two year project, Mertel was delighted to announce in June the completion of extensive renovations to Taronga’s eateries; including his new kitchen, additional function space, new restaurant, and impressive production kitchen. Also recently reopened after a full renovation is the Taronga Food Market. A bright space serving a selection of diverse contemporary culinary delights in a calm oasis and cafe-style setting.
Skanos Efficient Commercial Catering Equipment
The Skanos team and our Innovative European suppliers were delighted to contribute to the productivity and energy efficiency efforts in the inspiring kitchen renovation project. Standing proud and ready to be productive and efficient workhorses in the brand new kitchen the team will enjoy:
2 x Ergonomic ScanBox Banquet Master Food Transport Boxes for 20 Tray Rational Combi Oven trolleys
Optimal temperature control heightened productivity and perfect food quality
Convection heated hot food transport and holding for 20 tray combi oven trolley
Winning Features
Easy to use, ergonomic and precise temperature control
Temp-Stop technology ensures maximum insulation capacity and minimal energy consumption
Ergonomic tow handles ensure ease of operation and enhanced safety
Convection heated for fast temperature recovery during frequent door openings
Central braking system
Digital temperature control and display indicates when your selected temperature has been reached
Superbly engineered for lightweight maneuverability and durability
Door opens at an angle of 270° and is magnetically fixed into position as you load and unload
1 x 60L Joni Easy Stand Kettle
Easy Stand Steam Jacketed Kettle
Durable, high performance and easy to maintain with a focus on ergonomics, hygiene, quality and user-friendly functionality.
Winning Features
Simple to use non-mixing kettle with electric tilt
Incredible time and labour saver optimal temperature control, safety and efficiency
Electric tilt with TiltBack function
Cold water tap for filling
Digital controls with infinitely variable temperature
Digital internal temperature display
Push button water filling function
Automatic water level control
Adjustable pillar control box
12 x Units of Gram Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers across various models
Gram are world leaders in Commercial Refrigeration energy efficiency, the Taronga team chose Gram Refrigeration for their HACCP certification, ultra-energy efficiency rating, and diverse range to answer the needs of today’s complex, high volume sustainable kitchen operations.
Among the 12 Innovative Gram units supplied were:
Gram SUPERIOR TWIN Refrigerators
Superior is a market leader in exceeding the new stringent EU energy labelling requirements. The superior twin model consumes only 318kW/year
Winning Features
Class A ultra energy efficient commercial fridges
Natural Hydrocarbon Gas refrigerant system zero ozone harming HFC's
Unique Gram air distribution system for top to bottom uniform cooling
Quiet running for a more comfortable working environment
Cool exterior, little to no heat output
Self closing door with foot pedal door opener
Right hand hinged reversible door with lock
Concealed digital controls
Sleek easy to clean design
Modular rails can go directly in the dishwasher
Temperature Range +2°C/+12°C
Gram GASTRO K1807 Efficient Bench Refrigeration
If hygiene, performance, efficiency and flexibility is important in your commercial kitchen, Gram Gastro 07 systems will exceed expectations.
Winning Features
Solid top, 3 x solid door sections each with 2 x stainless 1/1 Gastronorm shelves
Exceptional energy efficiency
Extremely quiet running with minimal heat output
Natural Hydrocarbon Gas refrigerants and insulation materials
Intelligent digital control Sturdy anti-tilt shelves
Quality stainless steel inside and out
Hygienic and easy to clean, minimal screws and fixings
Temperature range +2°C/+12°C Gram
COMPACT Under Counter Refrigeration
Setting new standards for compact fridges and freezers around the world, this natural Gas refrigerant range offers ultra-low energy consumption. Designed to fit under counters in commercial workplaces, COMPACT fridges can also be double-stacked, or wall mounted.
Winning Features
Ultra Energy Efficient - Less that 1KW per day energy consumption
Cool exterior, minimal heat emission from the cabinet to the room
Compact 60cm(w) x 64cm(d) x 83cm(h) under counter fridge
Stackable or can be wall mounted
Right hand hinged reversible door with locking system
Optimal temperature stability, maintain correct and uniform temperature throughout
Top to bottom uniform cooling reduces food wastage
Powerful cooling (minus the consumption) and unique ventilated air distribution system
Setting a Fine Example for all Commercial Operations
Chef Mertel is setting a perfect example for how we should be approaching foodservice and commercial operations. So thank you!
We’re so pleased to see more and more of these forward-thinking foodservice professionals and commercial developers employing conservation programs across their operations as a whole.
Not only does this help to secure the quality and integrity of our fresh and cooked produce in the foodservice industry; but striving to reduce our environmental impact across the board in every which we can, is the only way to preserve the quality and integrity of our future.