Three years of meticulous planning were necessary prior to the gut renovation of the Central Kitchen at Yale New Haven Hospital. The first step in this multi-phased project was the construction of a swing space. This temporary kitchen was in full operation throughout the renovation project, so meal preparation could continue without interruption.

The goal of the new kitchen was to accommodate the facility’s rigorous schedule and custom meal offerings, including the delivery of restaurant-style menu items to patients and to the parents of visiting pediatric patients between the hours of 7am to 7pm daily. Cooked-to-order meals could be ordered over the telephone with the expectation of delivery to the patient’s room within 45 minutes. Should the patient’s diet have doctor-ordered restrictions, the patient would be so advised when they called to place their meal order.

To meet its maximum potential, the existing kitchen was demolished and the infrastructure was retrofitted to accommodate improved efficiencies to user operations. New energy-efficient, easy to maintain, commercial stainless steel appliances and fixtures were integrated into the well-designed layout. In addition to increasing both the quantity and the quality of meals, the new kitchen was designed to create a healthier, more ergonomic workspace for its chefs and kitchen staff.

JSA worked extensively with YNHH to ensure that all health and safety standards were addressed throughout the renovation. The food service program at Yale New Haven Hospital is one of the largest in North America. It serves approximately 1,500 patient meals per day.