We would like to welcome Darwin Mendoza to the UFD team. Darwin works in the roles of Senior Revit & AutoCAD Design Services and Project Coordination here at Universal Foodservice Designs.

A mechanical technologist by profession, he began his career designing moulds and dies for a motorcycle parts producing company in the Philippines. As such, he is proficient in producing technical drawings as well as skilled in operating metal fabrication machinery.

He transitioned to foodservice, laundry, and waste management design in the early 2000s and has had the privilege of working for renowned industry consultants from EMEA, Oceania, and USA.

Darwin has 5 years of work experience as a Joinery Designer and over 15 years in designing commercial kitchens and stainless steel equipment.

Design softwares Darwin is proficient in:

– AutoCAD 2D & 3D

– Masterchef / Specifi

– Revit 2025

– 3D Studio Max

– Cabinet Vision 2023

Other than his qualification in the Philippines, he also obtained a diploma in Project Management in Sydney.

Darwin’s mixture of technical know-how, skills, and experience is of valuable contribution to UFD’s expertise in foodservice industry. We are excited to have him join our team!

A big congratulations is in order to our Senior Revit & AutoCAD Draftsman and Senior Project Coordinator, James Lennox, for working at UFD for 10 years!

Today marks the exact day he started for us 10 years ago. He is the first employee in UFD history to have ever reached this milestone. We are extremely proud of him and all his accomplishments during the past decade. His dedication, both in the workplace and in his personal life, has made a lasting impact, and we are fortunate to have him as part of our team.

While James started working for us full-time 10 years ago, his commitment and loyalty to our company actually spans over a decade. He has been with us for 12 years in total, having started his school-based apprenticeship at the age of 16. That level of dedication and long-term commitment is extremely rare to find these days and an invaluable asset to any business.

Some of the projects he’s worked on are: North Bondi RSL, Saddles at Mount White, Petersham RSL, Wests Leagues Club, Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club, Spicers Vineyards Estate at Pokolbin NSW, Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo – Waterhole Café, Penguin Parade Visitor Centre at Phillip Island VIC and Crowne Plaza Port Moresby PNG to just name a few. These are truly remarkable achievements, showcasing an impressive array of projects he has contributed to.

We have loved having James and his expertise and skillset on the team and look forward to hopefully another 10 with him!

UFD are happy to announce the opening of Greenwich Place Aged Care. This 5-star world class facility located on Sydney’s leafy lower north shore offers the finest quality service and amenities, all with Sydney harbour as the back drop.

It contains 90 premium bedrooms with hotel-style amenities, onsite facilities including a café that we designed, dining rooms, a private cinema, pool, grand reception, and beautifully landscaped gardens. It includes 2 basement levels with a private salon & spa and resident parking.

UFD were so proud to have been involved with this project designing all the foodservice and beverage areas right from the outset.

A huge thank you to HRC Alliance for their outstanding installation, Growth Built for their exceptional construction work, and Nash Management for their invaluable expertise, dedication, and commitment, all of which have been instrumental in bringing Greenwich Place to fruition.

Our relationship with Rockpool Residential Aged Care continues to grow having just broken ground on our fourth aged care facility at Songbird, Oxley. It was great to join the teams at Rockpool Residential Aged Care, Economic Development Queensland, gig Architects and of course McNab Constructions to officially turn the first sod on this aged care facility over a month ago.  

The $53 million, six-level build will accommodate 152 beds along with function rooms, a hair salon, commercial kitchens that we designed, nurse treatment rooms and other purpose-built facilities for residents.

We are so excited to be amongst many on this team to deliver another project that supports Rockpool’s vision, to create a sanctuary that enhances residents’ quality of life.

This month, our Directors embarked on a work trip to Thailand and India. During their visit to India, they had the opportunity to catch up with UFD Draftsman Vishnu Prasad.

During Vishnu’s time spent with our Directors, he exhibited a remarkable capacity for learning and assimilating knowledge. He diligently observed various reference kitchens and laundries, while also delving deeper into the intricacies of design principles. His proactive approach and enthusiasm for acquiring new skills were evident throughout the experience, making him a valuable asset to our team.

We cherished the moments spent in the office, on site, and during lunch, where insightful conversations and shared laughter fostered a warm and collaborative atmosphere. We thoroughly enjoyed our interactions, both professionally and personally.

As we bid farewell for now, we eagerly anticipate the prospect of reuniting with Vishnu in the near future, eagerly looking forward to fostering further professional rapport and continuing our enriching journey together.

Image: Director and Lead Consultant, Brian Lennox FCSI and Draftsman Vishnu Prasad, pictured out the front of our Remote Drafting Office in Bengaluru, India.

Universal Foodservice Designs had the privilege to design all the foodservice and beverage areas for the stunning Reine & La Rue Restaurant. Anyone with even the slightest interest in Melbourne’s food and hospitality scene has been talking about Reine & La Rue as of late.

Reine & La Rue is the newest project from the Nomad Group and Chef Jacqui Challinor. It is located on the corner of Collins and Queen Streets in an iconic heritage-listed building from Melbourne’s heyday of the late 1800s. Known to locals as the ANZ building, this site was originally the Stock Exchange when constructed by prominent architect William Pitt over 130 years ago. 

La Rue, a petite eight-seater speak easy wine bar is located off the courtyard, while Reine, the restaurant seats 140 in the Cathedral Room—the pièce de résistance of the building. The dining area has impressive neo-gothic heritage features. This creates experiences of sublime transcendence due to the sheer scale and superior craftsmanship.  Reine has an extended 10 metre bar; a cocktail bar; and a raw oyster bar. In the kitchen, Reine hosts a wood-fired range to offer the best of French gastronomy. Not to mention that the stunning speakeasy beautifully juxtaposes the classic grandeur of the main restaurant.

Although UFD did the design for the project, the equipment installation, including all stainless components, was compiled by Joe Mancuso from Bendex Stainless Steel Fabricators. Williams Refrigeration also worked closely with Bendex Stainless to ensure the appropriate refrigeration was included and extra options such as drawers were positioned in the best areas for efficient workflow.

Reine and La Rue were awarded the New Best Restaurant of 2023 in Victoria and we are so incredibly proud to be apart of this achievement. You can find the link regarding this achievement here HERE. 

Please click HERE to visit our project page to see more of this project.

Visit this link for a video of the project shot by Fortem Media: Reine & La Rue Cinematic Video

Dear friends, colleagues, industry professionals and compassionate individuals,

We find ourselves at a time of great concern, as we reach out to you with a heavy heart regarding the health of our esteemed Senior Consultant, Chris Slater. Chris’s health crisis began with a severe case of pneumonia, and it has since spiralled into a life-threatening battle. We implore you to read his story, as your support could make an immense difference. 

Over the past months and weeks, Chris has undergone a harrowing journey of medical examinations, blood tests, and scans, while enduring the distressing uncertainty of several suspected diagnoses, including tuberculosis, lung cancer, and a potentially life-threatening hole in his lung. Doctors have also identified an unknown bacterial infection. Multiple rounds of antibiotics and 25 days spent in the hospital during his second admission could not bring him the respite he desperately needs.

His condition continues to deteriorate, leaving us deeply concerned and anxious for his well-being. The medical team is currently treating him for tuberculosis, but his worsening condition is causing us great anguish.

In our pursuit of any glimmer of hope, his family have reached out to the Australian Embassy for assistance in facilitating communication with the medical professionals overseeing Chris’s care. They are exploring the possibility of arranging his return to Australia, though the uncertainty of his health makes this endeavour a daunting one.

With every passing day, Chris’s strength diminishes, and he has already lost over 30kgs, leaving him at a mere 45kgs. The challenges are exacerbated by the fact that Thailand offers no Medicare assistance, causing hospital bills to mount rapidly.

As Chris has been unable to work for over a month now, the financial burden is weighing heavily on him, his devoted wife, and their young daughter. Not to mention the distressing impact this has on Chris’s family. They are grappling with the overwhelming emotional toll of seeing a beloved husband and father in such a precarious state. The weight of this situation is especially heavy on them, as the uncertainty of Chris’s health persists.

In this hour of desperation and uncertainty, we humbly request your support and assistance. Any contribution, no matter how big or small, will be a beacon of hope for Chris and his family. Your generosity can help alleviate the financial strain of mounting medical bills and ensure that Chris receives the best possible care during this critical time.

We understand that these are trying times for all of us, but we firmly believe that, together, we can make a significant impact on Chris’s journey toward recovery. Your kindness and compassion will be deeply appreciated not only by Chris but by his family, who are standing by his side during this challenging period.

If you can, please consider donating to support Chris’s treatment. Your benevolence will not only provide much-needed financial relief but also offer a ray of hope to a family in crisis.

Donations can be made through: Chris Slater’s GoFundMe

Thank you for taking the time to read Chris’s story and for considering our appeal. Your kindness and support mean the world to us and can make a world of difference to a colleague and a dear friend in need.

With heartfelt gratitude,

UFD Directors Brian & Phyllis Lennox

Universal Foodservice Designs completed our final defects inspection this morning at The Sherwood Macarthur Project, signifying a significant achievement in our commitment to delivering exceptional foodservice design solutions. As we share our progress, we’re pleased to present glimpses of the impressive work accomplished thus far.

UFD has fostered a longstanding collaborative partnership with Wests Group Macarthur, spanning over a decade. UFD’s exceptional contributions to design, notably showcased in their work on The Sherwood Macarthur Project, stand as a testament to their expertise and dedication.

The project scope encompassed the design of three bars, a state-of-the-art kitchen, advanced cool rooms, and innovative beer systems. We extend our gratitude to HRC Alliance and Channon Commercial Refrigeration & Kitchen Equipment for their remarkable contributions in executing our designs to perfection.

Our selection of high-quality equipment from respected manufacturers like Artinox, Skope Refrigeration, Hobart, Washtech, Rational Combi Ovens, Moffat Cooking Equipment, and many others underlines our unwavering commitment to ensuring optimal performance and functionality in The Sherwood Macarthur Project.

As we approach the building’s grand opening at the end of the month, the UFD team is eager to witness our designs come to life. We thank all those involved for their collaborative efforts, and we eagerly anticipate sharing this magnificent space with the community and patrons who will enjoy the fruits of our collective hard work and dedication.

In October, our esteemed directors, Brian and Phyllis Lennox, embarked on a thrilling three-week journey across Europe, made possible by the generous Comcater. During this three-week journey, we dove into immersive equipment training, attended enlightening seminars all across the European continent, and even had the pleasure of attending the impressive Host Milano Trade Show.

 Their journey first led them to the Mareno Ali Group Factory, Brema Ice and Hoshizaki in Italy, The Hotel Nyborg Strand in Denmark, JONI Factory in Denmark, Hupfer Factory in Germany, Rational in Germany and Rational Ivario in France, all documented in our Host Milano 2023 story highlight that can be found on our Instagram account. We are deeply grateful to these factories and hotels for their kind hospitality, which greatly contributed to the extraordinary experience we enjoyed. 

Amidst this educational journey, exploring the stunning sights of Venice, Milan, Lake Maggiore, Copenhagen, France, and Switzerland has added a delightful touch of wanderlust, enriching our appreciation for the diverse beauty of Europe.

Our profound appreciation is extended to Comcater for their invaluable support and hospitality. You have made this trip so terrific and we are so grateful for this experience you have made possible for us.

In addition, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our fellow industry professionals for the wonderful company and camaraderie they’ve shared with us throughout the entirety of this work trip. 

At the conclusion of this remarkable journey, our respected directors, Brian and Phyllis, found themselves at the prestigious Host Milano exhibition.

Host Milano is the international exhibition dedicated to the world of foodservice and hospitality and has one eye firmly focused on trends, technologies and innovation. 2023 will mark the 43rd edition.

We are truly grateful to Host for bringing together an incredible array of industry professionals under one roof. It’s through platforms like this that we can collectively push the boundaries of innovation and elevate the standards in food service and hospitality. 

For an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at our time at the Trade Show be sure to check out our Host Milano 2023 story highlight on our Instagram account!

As we conclude this unforgettable journey, we carry with us newfound knowledge, lasting friendships, and a deeper passion for the world of foodservice design.

We’re eagerly looking forward to incorporating the valuable insights we’ve gained into our business.

Dave, Ken, James and Jenson of Universal Foodservice Designs had the privilege of visiting the Roband Factory yesterday at Cromer in Sydney’s beautiful Northern Beaches.

The factory tour proved to be an invaluable and enlightening experience, providing us with profound insights into Roband’s products and intricate manufacturing processes. Witnessing firsthand the meticulous craftsmanship involved has further strengthened our enthusiasm for future collaborations with Roband.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation for the gracious hospitality extended to us throughout our visit. The exquisite feast that followed the tour, featuring a delectable assortment of sushi, wraps, sandwiches and an array of refreshing beverages, truly exemplified the art of culinary excellence. The entire experience has left an indelible mark on us, and we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to continue our fruitful association with Roband.