March marked 50 years of Caterlink, a milestone that reflects longterm involvement in Australia’s commercial kitchen industry, including healthcare and aged care environments where reliability matters every day.

The anniversary was recognised on 23 March in Osborne Park, bringing together the Chrystal family, suppliers, industry partners and both current and former employees. It acknowledged the people who have contributed to the business and the role of partnership in its growth.

Caterlink was founded in 1976 by Tony Cousins in East Perth, beginning as a commercial kitchen supplier with a showroom. Since then it has grown into a national business with operations in Perth and Melbourne, while remaining family-owned under the Chrystal family for three generations. That continuity has helped maintain a consistent approach to how the business operates and supports its customers.

As Executive Chairman Haydn Chrystal said during the anniversary, “Hospitality is a unique industry, built on people, strong partnerships and mutual respect… it is that sense of family, across our team, our partners and our customers that continues to define who we are.”

In healthcare settings, that consistency is critical. Commercial kitchens in hospitals and aged care facilities are high pressure environments. They operate continuously, must meet strict food safety and compliance requirements and support a wide range of dietary needs. Kitchen design and equipment directly affect how reliably meals can be prepared and delivered to patients and residents.

Over the past 50 years Caterlink has built experience in these environments, contributing to projects such as Perth Children’s Hospital, Joondalup Health Campus, GVH Shepparton and Yea Memorial Hospital alongside many others. These projects require careful planning and a clear understanding of how kitchens function in practice.

Managing Director Del Huwes reflected this approach, noting that the focus has always been on practical outcomes. “Our role has always been to support our customers in practical ways,” he said, particularly in environments where equipment and layout must perform consistently.

Caterlink’s work in healthcare involves complete project delivery, from kitchen design and equipment selection through to installation and ongoing service. In aged care and hospital settings this includes planning for workflow efficiency, food safety compliance and equipment suited to continuous use.

March also marked the opening of Caterlink’s new Experience Centre in Mulgrave. The site brings together the company’s Melbourne operations into a single purpose-built location and is now one the largest commercial kitchen and bar showrooms in Victoria.

The Mulgrave space allows customers to see equipment in use and understand how different solutions perform in real conditions. For healthcare providers this offers a practical way to assess equipment, layouts and processes before committing to a project.

Fifty years on, Caterlink’s position in the industry is built on steady growth, longterm relationships and a clear understanding of the environments it works in. In healthcare, where there is little room for error, that experience continues to play an important role.

Caterlink’s 50 year milestone reflects a longstanding commitment to supporting kitchens where reliability matters most. More on Caterlink’s 50 year journey can be found here:

https://caterlink.com.au/2026/03/30/caterlink-celebrating-50-years-of-caterlink/