Highly respected Cheshire businessman passes away
A highly respected figure in the catering equipment industry has passed away.
John Kitchin held many different roles throughout his 60-year career in the industry in the North West.
After completing RAF National Service, John first worked in several hotels and hospitals as catering manager including the Imperial Hotel in Llandudno, the Deauville Hotel in Heaton Park in Manchester, St George’s Hospital in Barking and Christchurch Hospital in Hampshire, before moving to Chester in 1960.
John Kitchin in earlier years
John became group catering manager for the Chester & District Hospitals including the old Deva Hospital, the Chester Royal Infirmary, City Hospital, Barrowmore, Crossley and Ellesmere Port in 1960.
After 21 years’ service of Chester hospitals he left the NHS and launched C&C Catering Equipment Limited.
Having been an important part of the catering equipment industry, with a career that included being the National Chairman of HCA (1972-1974) and appearing on the front cover of Caterer & Housekeeper (now The Caterer), John was delighted to receive the “Past National Chair” medal from the HCA in 2016.
John Kitchin in the Caterer
Having handed over the management of C&C Catering Equipment to his son Peter in 1996, John continued to play an active role in the business and was hugely proud to see the company grow from its original location to the group of successful businesses it is today.
Always a strong family business the company now includes John’s grandchildren Matthew and Jessica alongside a team of over 40 dedicated staff many with more than 30 years of service.
Tributes have been widespread from across the industry and all have consistently praised John’s warmth, professionalism and willingness to help.
Ceda Director General, Adam Mason paid tribute.
He said: “John was a great man and leaves an incredible legacy; a family and business that he must have been so wonderfully proud of.
“On behalf of all at Ceda, Mr Kitchin will always be remembered with warmth, smiles, fondness and gratitude for what he gave to the Association and the Industry.”
John is survived by his wife of 63 years Enid, together with children Peter, Linda and David, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
C&C Catering Equipment Ltd is one of the UK’s leading specialist kitchen contractors.
The firm creates and equips professional catering environments for clients around the UK.
Proud to be members of ceda, we work with many of the UK’s top catering consultants and designers to ensure their vision becomes reality.
Recent projects include installations at Burberry HQ in London, Sunbury Court, the Salvation Army’s HQ building, Macmillan Publishing, the Michelin starred Northcote Manor in the Ribble Valley, BT Sport at iCity in the Olympic Park, the Mandarin Oriental and Café Royal Hotels and Wolfson College Oxford.
C&C are a family owned and managed business with directors who are closely involved with client projects at all levels. Managing Director Peter Kitchin took over from his father John Kitchin, who started the company in 1981.
