NRA names winners of the 2015 Kitchen Innovations Award

THE Kitchen Innovations (KI) Awards honor equipment and technologies that increase productivity for back of the house operations and benefit restaurant operators. This year the award has been given to 23 entries, according to the National Restaurant Association.

The winning technologies highlight water waste reduction and enhanced energy efficiency, increased safety and sanitation, cross-functionality, faster cook-up times, space constraints – even  ergonomics and smart technology that learns and adapts to various conditions.

“As a chef it is great to see the products receiving the 2015 Kitchen Innovations Award all offer significant advancement in back-of-house operations, and demonstrate the extent to which the manufacturing companies are in touch with culinary and key operator challenges,” said John C. Metz, Convention Chair for NRA Show® 2015 and Executive Chef/CEO of Marlow’s Tavern, Aqua Blue, and  Sterling  Spoon  Culinary  Management.  “Each year our independent panel of judges scans the entire industry to find the products that address and solve these challenges, advancing the entire foodservice industry.” 

Attendees to the NRA Show 2015 on May 16-19 in Chicago will be able to meet the winners and view the products at the interactive Kitchen Innovations Pavilion.

The 2015 Kitchen Innovations® Award recipients are: 

Champion® Industries, Inc. I Foodwaste Reduction System

Featuring counter-rotating, slow-speed and low-noise cutters to macerate foodwaste in a grind chamber before heading, via a slightly sloped overhead gravity feed, to a dewatering centrifuge featuring a rapidly rotating screen and screw, this innovative system uses repurposed gray water as its primary water supply,  reducing water consumption by 20-30% daily.

Dagda Technologies, Inc. I FryerGate

This  NSF-certified  safety  cover  protects  employees  from  severe  deep-fryer  burns  by  providing  a  spring-loaded barrier against dropped objects or slipped extremities, all without slowing down the cooking operation. It can be attached to any existing electric or gas fryer.

Duke Manufacturing Co. ® I FlexTech Advanced Food Holding Platform

Utilizing a patented Atomized Humidity Generation System and specially designed internal vent duct panels that allow for active venting at each pan level, the FlexTech extends fried product holding times, maintains product quality and freshness longer, reduces food waste and increases product availability by 10-15%, all while maintaining unique flavor properties without flavor transfer.

Ecolab® I Syncra™ Total Hand Hygiene System

Easily retrofitted on hand washing sinks using the existing plumbing, this automated, touch-free, water-and-soap delivery system follows a strict, yet adjustable, 3-step process (Water & Soap, Timed Lather & Scrub, and Rinse) to ensure  increased employee  compliance,  standardized  hand-washing  procedures  and  consistent  results, all  while using 50% less water than traditional hand washing.

Edlund Company LLC I Titan™ Max-Cut

Constructed from durable stainless steel and dishwasher safe, the Titan Max-Cut saves operators space and food prep time by incorporating four prep options—cutting, coring, wedging and dicing—into a single manual machine; just swap out the quick-change pusher and cartridge and move on to the next task.

EnviroPure Systems, Inc. I EnviroPure Ozone Recirculation System

Using grey water extracted from food waste to facilitate the grinding and digestion of that waste, the EnviroPure ozone recirculation system eliminates the need for fresh water to be added to the aerobic organic digester, a saving of up to 400 gallons of water per day.

Evo, Inc. I EVent™ Ductless Downdraft Ventilation Cooking Station

Featuring  an  internally  ducted,  self-contained  downdraft recirculating ventilation system, this electric  cooktop removes enough airborne grease vapor (less than one part/million escaped), smoke and cooking odors from the cooking surface to allow restaurants to place the cooktop in any location without the need for an externally vented air system.

Franke I  Franke Air Purification System (APS300)

Using the power of ozone and UV light, but entirely within the enclosure to prevent potential exposure hazards, this self-contained and affordable purification system mounts inside walk-in coolers, scrubbing the existing air of microbes, ethylene, hydrocarbons and other contaminants to reduce odors and extend the shelf life of prepared foods and produce.

Frymaster®, A Division of Manitowoc Foodservice I FilterQuick® with Oil Quality Sensor

Boasting integrated oil-quality sensors, a patented technology that automatically monitors the health of the oil by measuring its total polar materials (TPMs), these gas and electric fryers reduce the cost of frying and improve food quality by taking the guesswork of out oil replacement.

Hestan Commercial Corporation I Longitudinal Modular Salamander/Cheesemelter/Shelving System

Hung without permanent hardware by means of unique, hook-like brackets of heavy-duty steel for optimum rigidity and  durability,  this  modular  shelving  and  broiler  system,  the  latter  easily  switched  from  salamander to cheesemelter and back again, is supported longitudinally on a riser to allow complete horizontal movement, giving it the flexibility to be placed anywhere on the line for maximum functionality.

Hestan Commercial Corporation I Tri-Ferrous French Top with Maximum Center Temperature & Gradient

Available in 18-, 24-, and 36-inch widths, this French Top features a thick-gauge, fully-welded stainless steel radiant cone  around  its  35,000-Btu/hour  gas  burner  to  trap  and  focus  radiant  and  convective  heat  within a controlled space below the center plate, resulting 1000+ degrees at center to as low as 320 degrees at the edges, the highest temperature delta of any French Top.

Hobart I Hobart FT1000 Flight-Type Dish Machine

The first and only ventless flight-type dish machine in the marketplace, the FT1000 boasts the industry’s lowest total cost of ownership via technological innovations such as Automatic Soil Removal (ASR), Auto Clean and Auto Delime that reduce water, energy, labor and chemical expenditures.

HydroFLOW® U.S.A. / Genuine Energy Solutions™ I HydroFLOW® Water Conditioners

These  chemical-free water  conditioners,  both  featuring  induced-signal and  continuously  conditioning  Hydropath Technology, not only dissolve and remove lime scale in appliances and piping systems, but also prevent new lime scale accumulation, kill bacteria and algae in water systems and boost filtration efficiency.

Ice Link, Inc. I Ice Link

Using vacuum technology and optic sensors, the Ice Link automatically transports cubed and nugget ice at 30 ft. per second from a central ice production area to a variety of remote locations within the same building, vertically up to four stores and horizontally up to 350 feet.

Manitowoc Foodservice I Merrychef® eikon® e4s with Panini Grill

This  semi-automated,  non-stick  Panini  press  attachment,  easily  removable  from  inside  the  oven  for  cleaning, flattens and/or generates grill marks on a range of products, including bread, proteins and vegetables, all while taking advantage of Merrychef’s rapid cook technology which produces high-quality food at speeds up to 15 times faster than conventional methods.

The Montague Company  I  R290 Glycol Ice and Heat Sauté Station

Combining four 30,000-BTU gas burners, a glycol raised rail pan chiller and a two-drawer refrigerated base, this 48” sauté station features a revolutionary Turbo Coil designed R-290 glycol assist refrigeration system to convey proper cooling power more energy efficiently than standard air-only refrigeration systems.

Ovention, Inc. I Ovention M360 Oven

Using a breakthrough rapid cook technology without microwaves, Precision Impingement®, this compact oven is UL-certified for ventless operation and allows operators to prepare 1,000 menu items, each with different cook times and heat profiles.

Rational USA I SelfCookingCenter® 5 Senses

An industry first in intelligent cooking systems, the SelfCookingCenter® 5 Senses communicates with its operator from preheat to unloading, its suite of proprietary technologies is able to measure food size and load quantity, product condition, automatically set temperature, cooking time, air speed and cabinet climate – even learn from operator tendencies – to ensure a perfect dish every time.

Schaerer Ltd. I Schaerer Coffee Art C HC

At the push of a button on its 7-inch programmable touch screen, the Coffee Art system offers speedy bean-to-cup hot and, using a propriety chilling technology that prevents ice melt or dilution, iced coffee similar in strength to drip filter but ground straight from the bean for a full-bodied flavor profile with unsurpassed freshness, aroma and taste.

ThermalRite® I  Sanisteel® Anti-Bacterial Slip-Resistant Flooring

Featuring a pre-coated finish that kills and prevents 99.9% of all bacteria, mold, algae and fungi, this NSF-certified flooring boasts a slip resistance that exceeds all other major industry options in terms of pre-fabricated walk-in flooring. 

True Food Service Equipment, Inc. I Hydrocarbon (R290) Natural Refrigerant Reach-In Refrigerators/Freezers

Combining  state-of-the-art  compressors  and  components  with  all-natural,  energy  efficient  and  environmentally friendly  HydroCarbon  (R290)  Natural  Refrigerant,  these  reach-in  refrigerators  and  freezers  reduce  an operator’s energy consumption substantially, while maintaining food safety and quality, resulting in a lesser environmental impact and improved profit margins.

Varimixer I KODIAK Planetary Mixer

The  first  planetary mixer to  be  designed  with  customer  input,  the 30-quart  KODIAK  is  an  ergonomically  correct machine that features a wider, shallower bowl for better sight lines, an intuitive control panel and a revolutionary, easy clean 3-in-1 splash guard/safety guard/ingredient chute, making it the most hygienic mixer available.

Wilpack Packaging I Seal-A-Cup™ Cup Sealing System

Using heat and pressure to apply a tamper-evident seal in seconds to a plastic cups with volumes ranging from .37-ounce to 32-ounces and diameters of 51mm, 75mm and 115mm, this lightweight, portable cup sealer prevents spillage, seals in freshness and extends product life.

KI  Award  recipients  are  chosen  by  an  independent  panel  of  industry  experts  comprised  of  internationally recognized  food  facilities  consultants,  multi-unit  restaurant  executives,  and  design  experts. The 2015  Kitchen

The Innovations judges are: 

Dan Bendall, FCSI (Principal, FoodStrategy, Inc.)

Martin Cowley (Senior Manager Design and Standards, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts)

William Eaton, FFCSI (Chairman of the Board, Cini-Little International)

Foster F. Frable Jr.,FCSI (Founding Partner, Clevenger Frable LaVallee)

Jim Krueger, Jr., CMCE, NRAMF (Chief, Air Force Food & Beverage Business Development & Strategic Initiatives Air

Force Services Activity (AFSVA) San Antonio, TX)

Aaron LaMotte (Director, Sodexo Performance Interiors)

Robert Marshall (Vice President, U.S. Operations, McDonald’s Corporation: Retired)

Steve Otto (Director, Capital Equipment Purchasing, Darden)

Kathleen H. Seelye, FFCSI, LEED (Managing Partner, Ricca Newmark Design)

As the global restaurant and hospitality industry’s premier trade show, NRA Show  brings  together  more  restaurant  and  hospitality  buyers  and  equipment  manufacturers  than  any  other industry  event. 

To register, please visit Restaurant.org/Attend/Registration.  For more information about the KI

program and this year's award recipients, visit Restaurant.org/Show/KI.