Big Chef takes on Little Chef

Ideal Standard International, a leading provider of innovative, design-driven bathroom solutions recently featured on Channel 4’s ‘Big Chef takes on Little Chef’ featuring Michelin star chef Heston Blumenthal. The Little Chef in Popham on the A303 near Basingstoke was transformed into a bright, fun 1950’s retro style restaurant. First impressions count and the restaurant was transformed by Ab Rogers and the washrooms received a make over using Ideal Standard International products supplied from the company’s leading Ideal Standard and Armitage Shanks brands. 

The Channel 4 program was recently aired with the focus on Heston to revitalise the Little Chef brand by changing not only its menu but also its service and image. To achieve his vision he appointment designer Ab Rogers, acclaimed for his unique and colourful flair with projects such as the Tate Modern, Emperor Moth and Comme Des Garçons. Ab Rogers chose to install products from the Ideal Standard Jasper Morrison collection, including wash basins, urinals and back-to-wall WCs .

The contemporary Ideal Standard Jasper Morrison collection has a straightforward design with a signature soft square shape and oval interior echoed throughout each piece. Marked by understated design with functionality, the collection offers a total bathroom solution including WCs with close coupled, back-to-wall and wall-hung suites, which all have a ‘soft-closing’ seat option that uses a special hinge system to lower the seat and lid slowly and reduce ‘seat-slamming’. Additionally, there is an extensive range of ceramics including pedestal, hand-rinse and vessel basins, three baths, accessories, matching furniture and a urinal. The design is aimed at a wide range of homeowners as well as commercial establishments such as washrooms and hotels. 

An Armitage Shanks Sensorflow 21 built in electronic urinal flush was also installed to revamp the tired washrooms. The urinal flush has a vandal resistant stainless steel sensor plate, providing easy access to electronic components for maintenance. Heston says “When drivers come in to spend a penny we need to entice them to stay and eat.”

The new Sensorflow 21 range of electronic brassware offers every type of sensing brassware; basin or wall mounted basin spouts with remote sensors, showers and urinal flush controls. With the option of mains or battery power, Sensorflow 21 is essential in any modern washroom. 

Ideal Standard International knows how a good washroom can make a real difference for an organisation. Tony Rheinberg, Commercial Marketing Manager for Ideal Standard UK, comments, “It is good to hear someone as recognised as Heston advocate the advantages that a well-designed, clean and colourful washroom can bring to a business. Fun features have also been incorporated into the Popham Little Chef washroom are a testimony to the creativity of the Ad Rogers’ design team. By making the urinals appear as if they are talking, it adds a sense of humour.”