By Carla Landi
It’s Here! The 100th Anniversary of the National Restaurant Association show is almost underway. Whether providing a solution or paving the way to new restaurant trends, it’s always exciting to see the manufacturers and the innovative and new equipment and supplies they provide to the industry.
Have you checked out the 2019 Kitchen Innovation winners? Here are a few of our favorites…
Manitowoc Ice received an award for their Indigo NXT ice machine. They added features to the Indigo NXT that have never been seen in U.S. icemaking. The NXT offers a combination of efficient rotary compressors and environmentally friendly R410a refrigerant. The bottom line equals greater ice production and increased efficiency factors. In fact, it produces roughly 50 lbs. more ice daily and is an average of 11% more efficient than models using R404a.
The Vollrath Company received an award for their Modular Induction Dry Well Drop-In. Known for going the extra mile to provide solutions for foodservice professionals, Vollrath built this induction dry well drop-in with two independent induction zones per well. Unlike any other, it uses capsules in each zone with fold-in, fold-out legs to accommodate both 2.5” and 4” deep full-size or half-size pans. Add those features to the fact that induction dry well drop-ins eliminate water-related challenges and the expenses of traditional steam wells while reducing energy use by more than half. Check out the ROI on this product!
Vulcan joins the innovative winner circle with their Versatile Chef Station. Talk about packing function into a small footprint, this Chef Station does it. This compact multi-function cooking station serves as a griddle, sauce pan, braising pan, steamer, pasta cooker, rethermalizer, and fryer. It comes with a patented multi-layer cooking surface that is faster, more accurate, and easier to clean than a braising pan. Be sure to check it out.
Foodservice Equipment Reports highlighted some of our favorite manufacturers presenting at the show, in a special edition of FER e-Product news.
Unified Brands will be introducing their new Power Soak line of warewashing equipment. The Power Soak efficiently scrubs and sanitizes kitchenwares for easy removal of stubborn baked-on soils. It’s a low-cost solution to time-consuming handwashing in kitchens.
Vollrath is bringing their recently introduced high-quality food delivery and transport bags to the show. They provide high-performing insulation and warmth to extend delivery range and help restaurants deliver their menu and restaurant experience to their customers at home.
American Panel made the Foodservice Reports list with their walk-ins. Every walk-in is designed to fit a variety of applications and restaurant locations. Whether it’s the front-of-the-house or the back-of-the-house, American Panel can accommodate. Stop by and see these guys.
Scotsman introduces additional compact ice machines to their arsenal. They feature cube, flake and nugget ice, soon to be available in 15-, 20- and 24-in. platforms.
Convotherm redesigned their already impressive Convotherm Mini. It now has an extra-large observation window, a black control panel and a new look that is perfect for front-of-the-house applications.
Edlund will be introducing their new EBP Series Burger Presses to help foodservice operators create the perfect burger, every time. These heavy-duty, easy-to-use Presses will ensure the patties are always the perfect size and weight. Adding this product to your line-up will offer quality and profit control to your operation.
John Boos will be featuring their new Mobile Bussing Table for easy and quick clean-up. This mobile table is equipped with a scrap hole cut-out, two stainless undershelves that fit one slim jim trash can and standard size bussing tubs. It also comes with an upper slanted sorting shelf with storage of glass racks, and more.
Perlick will be showing you how you can have high-capacity storage of wine bottles in a small 24” by 24” footprint. These climate-controlled refrigerated units will hold 91 bottles in a single zone and up to 99 bottles in a dual zone. You might want to get more information on this one.
Turbo Air will be demonstrating the benefits of their PRO Series Pass-Thru Refrigerators. Equipped with a self-cleaning condenser, digital thermometer control, lifetime-guaranteed, heavy-duty hinges and handles, and more. Definitely worth checking out.
There is so much to see at the show. For instance, American Metalcraft is introducing 130 new and inspiring products and will also have a guest mixologist in their booth providing live mixology demonstrations on Saturday. Welbilt will have a Café set up so you can enjoy a special treat while observing their amazing brands in action.
I could go on and on about all of my favorite equipment and supply manufacturers. It’s always inspiring to me to see how much time, effort, and research goes into developing products that really answer the call, provide solutions and generate new opportunities for foodservice professionals. In fact, here’s a listing of all of our favorite suppliers in order of booth number: https://www.sefa.com/forms/2019/NRA_SHOW2019.pdf
Put your walking shoes on and enjoy the show.
