It’s a big anniversary for in-toto Kitchens this year...with big plans to build on the company’s success

Great British Life: Angela and Gordon BatesAngela and Gordon Bates (Image: Archant)

Gordon and Angela Bates established their franchise of in-toto Kitchens 21 years ago, opening their first, small showroom in the centre of Exeter. The business has grown significantly since then, moving to much larger premises in 2006, but remains true to its original values – a family business providing high quality kitchens and exceptional customer service.

Over the years Gordon and Angela have been joined in the business by their son, Luke, daughter, Joanne, and son-in-law, Lee, and more recently have also employed Paul who completes an enthusiastic team that offers a real understanding of kitchen design and a commitment to ensuring that customers’ design requirements are met.

Kitchens are designed with the benefit of advanced computer-aided technology, helping customers to visualise their plans and bringing their dream kitchen to life! The kitchen will then be created and installed by the in-toto team, managing all associated trades to perfect the heart of any home as efficiently and smoothly as possible.

Working closely with local development business, Eagle One, for over 15 years, in-toto Exeter has designed and installed state-of-the-art kitchens in the delightful and much sought-after new apartments at Exmouth Quay. With outstanding views over the Exe estuary, these highly desirable apartments offer the ultimate contemporary lifestyle choice where the kitchen is the focal point in a modern and appealing setting.

“The development at Exmouth Quay is such an asset to the town and it has been very exciting to watch it unfold,” says Gordon. “We are delighted to have provided and installed high quality kitchens in each of the apartments and are proud to have been working in partnership with Eagle One on this outstanding development for over 15 years.”

Another successful long-term partnership has been formed with the Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink, for which in-toto has supplied the main demonstration kitchen since the Festival was launched 11 years ago. Gordon works closely with 2 Michelin star chef, Michael Caines MBE, to design and install a highly specified demonstration kitchen, incorporating top quality appliances, each year – a kitchen that is enjoyed by the region’s finest chefs as they demonstrate their skills for an ever appreciative audience.

Chef and co-founder of the festival, Michael Caines says: “We have worked with in-toto Kitchens since the festival began and are very pleased to count them among our partners. It’s fantastic to use such a high quality demonstration kitchen and Gordon and his team always make sure that it fits the bill perfectly!”

Gordon and Michael also worked together with staff of Exeter College to design the new skills kitchen at the college as part of the Michael Caines Academy. Installed in 2013, the kitchen was launched with a cook-along demonstration with Michael in January this year.

A 16-station training kitchen of the highest standard has been created that meets a range of specific requirements, not least the creation of an inspiring learning environment that students relish working in.

“We are delighted to have supplied and installed the new training kitchens for Exeter College and the Michael Caines Academy, adds Gordon. “Working with the team to meet the exacting needs of young chefs in training has been an absolute pleasure.”

Continuing its work with the next generation of chefs from the South West, this year in-toto has also installed a demonstration kitchen at the Academy Nathan Outlaw at Cornwall College, launched recently with a demonstration by 2 Michelin star chef, Nathan and celebrated French chef, Pierre Koffmann.

Gordon and Angela have always been keen supporters of the thriving local food and drink industry and in addition to the Exeter Festival, supply a demonstration kitchen for many other regional food and drink events including The Big Cake Show, held in March, where Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood demonstrated their skills to delighted crowds; the Padstow Christmas Festival which brings together top national and regional chefs; and the Topsham Food Festival. In addition to this, they also sponsor an award in the prestigious South West Chef of the Year competition.

As part of it’s 21st anniversary celebrations, in-toto held its own bake-a-cake competition earlier this year, inviting keen home cooks selected for the final to bring along their creations to be judged by MasterChef of Great Britain, Peter Gorton, top local pastry chef, Harriet Pecover of the Jack in the Green and in-toto partner, Gordon. After much deliberation and a great deal of tasting, the judges announced the winning cake to be the beautifully presented and flavoursome gluten- and dairy-free chai tea ounce cake prepared by Jasmine Davis, a trainee solicitor from Dawlish.

More recently, in-toto Exeter hosted the first Devon Life Theatre Kitchen evening in its showroom where Michael demonstrated recipes both from his new book Michael Caines at Home and from the menu at Gidleigh Park. Readers of Devon Life enjoyed a true celebration of local food and drink during the evening where two new Devon food businesses were also showcased - Sylvain’s Little French Cakes exhibited a range of exquisite patisseries, while the Tiny Marmalade Company displayed an extensive range of delicious sweet and savoury miniature preserves.

You can see Gordon and his team at the Self Build and Design Show at Westpoint, Exeter on 13 and 14 September or call in and see them anytime at their showroom.

In-toto Exeter, 3 The Venture Centre, Yeoford Way, Matford Park, Marsh Barton, Exeter, EX2 8LB. Tel: 01392 824888; e-mail: exeter@intoto.co.uk; website: intoto.co.uk; Twitter: @IntotoExeter