When it comes to commercial kitchen design, every detail matters. From the layout of the workspace to the equipment that is selected, these decisions impact efficiency, safety and overall success. For Corrie Jonker, a seasoned Commercial Kitchen Design Consultant and founder of Blueprint Commercial Kitchen Design, Camshelving is always her go-to recommendation for storage solutions. Here’s why.
A Career Rooted in Excellence
Jonker has been designing kitchens for nearly 26 years, beginning her journey in 1999 at Vulcan Catering Equipment. She honed her craft further during her 12 years at Compass Group Southern Africa, a leader in corporate catering, before establishing her own consultancy in 2013. Over her career, she has worked with clients in the healthcare, education, retail and business sectors, earning a reputation for creating tailored, efficient kitchen designs.
“I am extremely fortunate to have wonderful clients who trust me with assisting them,” says Jonker. “Finding the very best solution for their project is most likely the best part of the puzzle-building process.”
Why Camshelving®?
Jonker’s passion for finding the “very best solution” shines through in her steadfast preference for Camshelving.
“I was an early adopter of the Cambro shelving after our first introduction to the system,” said Jonker. “The product quality, durability and flexibility to suit client needs are most definitely my main reasons for choosing Cambro each and every time.”
She also credits the invaluable support she receives from Francis Bekker, Cambro Brand Manager with BCE Foodservice Equipment based in South Africa.
“The support of the brand from our local agents and brand champions like Francis Bekker just confirms this as the only solution. One shelving system — for life!”
Real-World Success Stories
One of Jonker’s favorite projects was the kitchen redesign at Zuid-Afrikaans Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa. The historic facility required an updated design to accommodate higher patient numbers while resolving temperature retention issues for foodservice in distant wards. Cambro shelving played a pivotal role in optimizing the hospital’s storage spaces and supporting the catering team.
“The redesign entailed an expansion of the footprint to accommodate the higher patient numbers and correct sizing of storage spaces based on typical stock holding patterns,” said Jonker.
The project’s success reinforced Corrie’s trust in Cambro products, including Camshelving, the Camduction® Complete Heat System and insulated transport units.
Another recent project involving a large-scale business and industry campus development, offered her the opportunity to specify Camshelving alongside ambient and electric insulated transport units and utility and bussing trolleys. The end result was a modern, efficient kitchen that could serve 4,350 staff seamlessly.
Wire Shelving vs. Camshelving
When asked what she would tell someone hesitant to move away from wire shelving, Jonker didn’t mince words.
“This is a very easy, and dare I say short, discussion point! How do we clean and keep the ‘old-fashioned’ shelving sanitized in our storage areas? And how do we do this with Cambro? The explanation of the cleaning process on the two opposing systems is most definitely a very practical way to illustrate the overwhelming benefit of Cambro shelving.”
When you consider the ease of cleaning, superior durability and hygienic, rust-free design, Camshelving is an obvious choice for anyone focused on maintaining a safe, efficient kitchen environment.
The Perfect Kitchen Puzzle
For Jonker, designing a kitchen is like solving a puzzle. Each piece, from the layout to the equipment, must fit perfectly to create a space that empowers catering teams to thrive. Camshelving has proven time and again to be one of the most reliable pieces in that puzzle.
“The final puzzle piece is their happy faces on the day we can hand over their new facility,” said Jonker.
And with Cambro, those smiles are a guarantee.
AUTHOR: ADRIANA COCHRAN IS THE DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER AT CAMBRO.
