Marse – Bringing Ancient Grains to Life in a Compact, Sustainable Kitchen

Client Overview

Client

Marse

Location

Winchester

Marse began as a small but mighty food stall at Winchester Market, inspired by a mission to support marginalised farmers growing neglected and underutilised ancient grains. With a deep respect for sustainability and flavour, Marse quickly built a loyal following by transforming these heritage ingredients into bold, modern street food.
As demand grew, the couple took a big step—moving into a permanent café space in Winchester, staying true to their roots while expanding their vision.

Introduction

This case study highlights how Marse turned spatial and ventilation constraints into an opportunity—building a unique, sustainable café in the heart of Winchester. With the right planning and partnerships, even the smallest kitchens can support big missions.

Challenges

Limited space

The café’s kitchen footprint was small, requiring a highly efficient layout to support prep, cooking, service, and cleaning without congestion.

Ventilation

The building structure offered minimal external wall access, making traditional extraction systems difficult and costly to install.

Tight budget

As a start-up with community-focused goals, Marse needed every piece of kit to provide strong return on investment.

Maintaining identity

The transition from a casual market stall to a fixed location needed to feel natural—retaining the brand’s authenticity and energy.

Goals

Full-service kitchen

Establish a full-service kitchen and café in a compact space.

Workflow

Build a workflow that maintained the efficiency of their street stall but scaled for daily café service.

Energy-efficient

Select cost-effective, energy-efficient equipment to match their budget and sustainability values.

Airflow

Overcome spatial and airflow constraints without sacrificing functionality or compliance.

Solutions Provided

Our team worked closely with Marse to craft a kitchen setup that balanced form, function, and the unique constraints of their new space

Compact layout design

Every inch of space was planned for efficiency—zoning prep, cooking, and washing areas to minimise crossover and boost productivity.

Electric-only equipment

Using electric ovens and appliances allowed Marse to operate without complex ductwork or grease extraction systems—a major advantage in overcoming ventilation issues.

Ventilation solution

To further address airflow and compliance, we installed a Britannia Refresh Maxi Recirculation Unit—a ventless self-contained kitchen exhaust system (electric, 1545mm W), with a 4-stage filtration process, designed for use with electric appliances. This compact unit provided an ideal solution where traditional ducted extraction wasn’t possible.

Custom counter fabrication

We also designed and built the café’s front counter in-house, tailored specifically to the space, customer flow, and Marse’s service style—ensuring both visual appeal and ergonomic function.

Smart equipment selection

We supplied cost-effective, energy-efficient appliances from trusted brands like Lincat, Interlevin, Mechline and Smeg, ensuring performance without budget strain.

Flexible infrastructure

The kitchen was designed for growth, with enough capacity to handle higher volumes and menu changes as Marse evolves.

After

Results

Fully operational café within budget

Marse now operates confidently from their new location, with a functional, compliant kitchen setup built to their needs.

Space-optimised solution

The kitchen works smoothly within its compact footprint, supporting efficient daily operations and quick turnaround during busy hours.

Ventilation simplified

By using electric-only equipment that doesn’t require grease extraction, the team avoided costly modifications—ensuring compliance and comfort in a tight space.

Community engagement continues

The new café offers Marse’s signature dishes alongside new creations, deepening their connection with local customers and visitors.

Lessons Learned

Small space? Big potential: With smart planning and flexible equipment, even the most compact kitchens can deliver big results.
Electric solutions simplify ventilation: Choosing electric-only kit removed a major installation hurdle, allowing for a quicker, more affordable setup.
Purpose drives performance: Marse’s values shaped every decision—from equipment to layout—and helped create a café that’s both functional and meaningful.

Additional Information

Brands Used

Equipment was sourced from partners known for delivering value, reliability, and support for independent hospitality businesses:

Lincat – Compact electric cooking equipment perfect for tight spaces and heavy use.
Interlevin – Efficient refrigeration solutions that are cost effective with a small footprint.
Smeg – Energy- and water-efficient warewashing solutions built for daily commercial use.

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