Introduction
When a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Singapore undertook a complete open-kitchen renovation in late 2025, the project brief was unambiguous: stone surfaces that could withstand rigorous commercial kitchen conditions — extreme heat, moisture, mechanical impact, and constant cleaning — while projecting the refined aesthetic expected of a world-class dining establishment. The material selected was premium engineered quartz supplied by Prime Stone Works, installed across 22 linear meters of main cooking line countertops, prep stations, and the chef’s island.
This case study documents the material selection process, installation timeline, and the performance outcomes six months after opening.
Project Specifications and Material Selection
The restaurant’s executive chef required a surface that could handle the following conditions:
- Direct contact with hot cookware (up to 180°C without trivets)
- Spilled acidic ingredients (vinegar, citrus juice, tomato sauce) with no staining
- Heavy impact from dropped utensils and multi-gallon stockpots
- Hourly sanitizing with industrial-grade alkaline cleaners
- A seamless appearance — no visible joins on the chef’s island (4.8m long)
After evaluating marble, granite, and three grades of engineered quartz from different suppliers, the project specified Prime Stone Works’ Premium Series in color “Calacatta Oro” — a high quartz content (93%) formula with uniform micro-grain structure and near-zero porosity. The key differentiator was the slab size: 3,200 × 1,620mm allows single-piece fabrication for the chef’s island, eliminating the seam that would otherwise appear at the midpoint.
Slab specifications used in this project:
- Thickness: 20mm (commercial grade)
- Quartz content: 93%
- Slab dimensions: 3,200 × 1,620 × 20mm
- Surface finish: Polished
- Color: Calacatta Oro with grey veining
- Quantity: 8 slabs / 41.5 sqm total
Installation Timeline and Challenges
The installation was completed in two phases to allow the restaurant to maintain partial operations:
Phase 1 (Days 1–3): Demo of existing stainless steel countertops and sub-frame assessment. Minor structural reinforcement required for the chef’s island, which was originally designed for lighter stainless surfaces.
Phase 2 (Days 4–8): Template fabrication, CNC machining of cutouts for the 14 cooking ranges and 6 sink installations, adhesive bonding of seams, and installation. Polished surface protection film was maintained until final kitchen commissioning.
The main challenge was thermal expansion. The kitchen floor’s underfloor heating system operates at 45–55°C. We coordinated with the installation contractor to leave a 2mm expansion joint around all perimeter edges, which was concealed with a matching silicone trim. No cracking or debonding has been reported in six months of operation.
Results and Performance Data
At the six-month post-opening mark, the kitchen management team provided the following feedback:
- Stain resistance: Zero incidents of permanent staining from tomato, turmeric, red wine, or coffee. Previous marble surfaces required monthly professional restoration.
- Scratch resistance: Minor surface marks from knife contact noted — all removable with a quartz-safe polishing compound. No deep scratches through the polished surface layer.
- Cleanability: Daily wipe-down with neutral detergent sufficient. Previous marble required daily sealing and weekly professional treatment.
- Aesthetic retention: Polished finish maintained at 95% of initial shine after 180 days of commercial kitchen use.
- Seam integrity: All 6 seam joints remain fully bonded, with no visible separation or discoloration at the adhesive line.
The project’s total material cost for the stone portion was approximately USD 38,000 including fabrication and installation supervision. Kitchen downtime was reduced by an estimated 4 days compared to an earlier marble installation in the same venue’s bar area.
Key Takeaways for Similar Projects
For commercial kitchen projects where stone surfaces are under consideration, this case study demonstrates several important principles:
Specify high quartz content (90%+): Lower-quality engineered stone with 70–80% quartz content shows faster wear, more visible scratching, and reduced chemical resistance in commercial kitchen environments.
Require large-format slabs for chef islands: Single-piece fabrication eliminates the visual and sanitary drawbacks of center seams in food preparation zones.
Coordinate with other trades: Underfloor heating systems require expansion joint planning before stone templating begins.
Budget for professional fabrication: Commercial kitchen stonework requires CNC precision cutting and specialist adhesive systems. The 30% premium over tile-style installation is justified by the elimination of grout lines and the seamless sanitation benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What quartz specifications are needed for commercial kitchen countertops?
Can engineered quartz handle direct heat from cookware?
How do I prevent seam visibility in long countertop runs?
What is the typical lead time for a commercial kitchen quartz project?
Conclusion
The Singapore Michelin-starred kitchen project demonstrates that engineered quartz, when correctly specified and fabricated, can outperform both natural stone and stainless steel in demanding commercial kitchen environments. The combination of near-zero porosity, high scratch resistance, and seamless aesthetic options makes it the preferred surface for high-end hospitality projects where hygiene standards and visual presentation are equally non-negotiable.
Planning a commercial kitchen stone project? Speak with our project team about material selection, slab layout optimization, and international shipping arrangements for container orders.
