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A fully operational temporary restaurant made up of 70 units, realized within six months on a high-security site. The Ministry of Defense was looking for a partner who could handle the project from A to Z — from design and subcontractor coordination to execution. Boels delivered a fully functioning restaurant, complete with everything needed — and more if required.
From kitchen units to total projects
Due to the renovation of the staff restaurant, the Defense department in Den Helder required a temporary dining facility. The original request was for a temporary kitchen setup. However, it soon became clear that more was needed. Boels not only delivered 70 units for the kitchen and restaurant, but also managed the surrounding works. This included groundworks, foundations, main connections for water and electricity – such as paving, fire alarm installation, and partial ICT infrastructure.
Arno Claessens, Senior Account Manager at Boels: “This all had to happen quickly. Getting everyone in the right place at the right time was a challenge. Especially in a market that is begging for people. In the end, we managed to bring it all together.”
Three Meals a Day
On the secured barracks premises, a setup was quickly installed that included a full production kitchen, refrigeration units, dishwashing area, staff changing rooms, goods reception, and a restaurant with 350 seats. Meals are served three times a day in multiple shifts. Everything was built to comply with EU standards. Boels took charge of the entire setup and coordinated with subcontractors, relieving the Ministry of all operational concerns.
We have high standards for the equipment, and it needs to be in place for an extended period of time.
Agile Collaboration
In order to keep up with global developments, the Ministry of Defense is currently expanding. This takes time and requires a faster pace than in previous years. Boels has the capacity, flexibility, and customer-oriented service to support Defense in this transition. This restaurant project is a great example of that capability. The first foundation slab was laid on January 6, and by April 3, the kitchen setup was fully operational. The facility is planned to remain in place for 2.5 years.
Experience and Expertise
The Ministry of Defense has previously relied on Boels’ Portable Kitchens expertise. Within Europe, Boels is fairly unique in the product and quality it offers. The materials must meet high standards and be suitable for long-term use. After the setup, a trial cooking day was held, during which the Boels team also provided extensive training on the equipment. This was greatly appreciated, as users often receive only a manual and are left to figure it out themselves. Boels is always ready to support the customer.
Unique in Europe
Projects of this size are rare in the Netherlands. Due to Dutch food culture, the average company canteen is typically not as extensive. Claessens:
“Our Portable Kitchens division is the only party capable of handling a project of this scale and complexity — complete with kitchen units. Thanks to our network of subcontractors and years of experience with HACCP regulations, we are the ideal partner. We also add real value in terms of safety and ICT — which are crucial for the Ministry of Defense.”
