Kitchin was noted as a highly respected figure in the catering equipment industry, having held many different roles throughout his 60-year career.
ceda director general, Adam Mason paid tribute to Kitchin. He said: “John was a great man and leaves an incredible legacy; a family and business that he must have been so wonderfully proud of.
“On behalf of all at ceda, Mr Kitchin will always be remembered with warmth, smiles, fondness and gratitude for what he gave to the Association and the Industry.”
After completing RAF National Service, Kitchin first worked in several hotels and hospitals as catering manager including the Imperial Hotel Llandudno, the Deauville Hotel (Normandy) Heaton Park, (Manchester), St George’s Hospital (Barking) and Christchurch Hospital (Hampshire), before moving to Chester in 1960.
He became group catering manager for the Chester & District Hospitals including the old Deva Hospital, the Chester Royal Infirmary, City Hospital, Barrowmore, Crossley and Ellesmere Port in 1960.
After 21 years’ service of Chester hospitals he left the NHS and started C&C Catering Equipment Limited. It was a ‘risk, but John saw the opportunity and decided to strike out on his own’.
With a career that included being the National Chairman of HCA (1972-1974), he was ‘delighted’ to receive the “Past National Chair” medal from the HCA in 2016.
Having handed over the management of C&C Catering Equipment to his son Peter in 1996, Kitchin continued to play an active role in the business and was hugely proud to see the company grow.
The company now includes Kitchin’s grandchildren Matthew and Jessica alongside a team of over 40 dedicated staff many with more than 30 years of service.
The company has said that tributes have been widespread from across the industry and all have consistently praised his warmth, professionalism and willingness to help.