Peter Banks, Managing Director at Rudding Park explains why he chose Entegra and how the partnership has strengthened the hotel's business operations.
Revolutionising Procurement: Rudding Park's Success Story with Entegra
Rudding Park, an exquisite privately owned luxury hotel located on the outskirts of Spa Town, Harrogate, has found tremendous value in its partnership with procurement specialist Entegra. In this article, we explore Rudding Park's decision to collaborate with Entegra, the challenges they faced prior to this partnership, and the significant benefits it has brought to their operations. We also hear from Peter Banks, the Managing Director at Rudding Park, as he shares his insights on the partnership.
Unveiling the Challenge
Before joining forces with Entegra, Rudding Park employed a manual process for sourcing their key food items. They would send out stock lists to their preferred suppliers, requesting quotes for the month, and ultimately selecting the cheapest option. This approach lacked visibility into market movements and made menu planning a blindfolded endeavor. Rudding Park sought a solution that could provide them with the best prices for quality products and market knowledge to drive profitability.
The Decision to Choose Entegra
Rudding Park's decision to partner with Entegra was influenced by several factors. The team at Entegra comprises ex-chefs who possess an intimate understanding of kitchen processes and speak the language of chefs. This mutual understanding and respect between chefs and Entegra consultants fostered seamless communication and decision-making. The expertise and culinary background of the Entegra team allowed Rudding Park to trust in their guidance and recommendations.
Strengthening Business Operations
The partnership with Entegra has revolutionised Rudding Park's business operations in multiple ways. One significant advantage is the monthly dashboard provided by Entegra, which offers a comprehensive view of key metrics and movement of goods. This enhances management control and provides an additional check and balance on the kitchen team's performance. Additionally, Entegra's market insights enable Rudding Park to make informed menu adjustments that maximise profitability.
Insights from Peter Banks
Peter Banks, Managing Director at Rudding Park, described how the partnership with Entegra has strengthened Rudding Park’s operations by saying “Further advantage includes a monthly dashboard, the basket of goods movement, a live breakfast costing (I was having issues with my breakfast cost), their negotiating strength. The list is endless. I would wholeheartedly recommend them.”
“The monthly dashboard is great for management as it means that I have another check and balance on my kitchen team. I now have a check on my chefs (with no more “entertainment” or “chef’s preferred suppliers”), control over my food cost, a window onto the market and ultimately a controlled food cost (27.5% on a £6m food turnover) rather than a figure that fluctuated wildly.”
Conclusion
Rudding Park's collaboration with Entegra has proven to be a game-changer in the realm of procurement and kitchen management. Through the expertise and industry knowledge offered by the Entegra team, Rudding Park has overcome previous challenges and achieved greater control over food costs, menu profitability, and overall operational efficiency. This partnership stands as a testament to the power of strategic procurement solutions in elevating businesses within the hospitality industry, enabling them to flourish and deliver unforgettable experiences to their guests.
January 12, 2023