NRA 2008
Observations
Turbo Chef was out in a big
way with chef demos and multiple models of batch and conveyor ovens.
Very professionally done, including sit-down audience sampling menus in
the high style European way (except no wine). Also impressive was their
new literature with separate pieces for different industry segments. www.turbochef.com
Autowraptec celebrated its
second NRA. Introduced last year at the show, the silverware wrapping
system claims reduced costs average over $5,000 per machine per year
vs. wrapping silverware with napkins by hand, not to mention the
sanitary improvement. See a demo video at www.autowraptec.com/demo.html.
Cool Tube, Inc offers an
entirely different approach to refrigeration evaporator design - a
round tube evaporator that comes in several lengths. By moving
adjustable slide rings along the length of the evaporator you can aim
your airflow. It was in research, development and testing for several
years and results are showing improved location cooling and fairly
impressive energy efficiency vs. standard evaporator units. Cool Tube
is retrofitable. www.cooltube.com
Technomic Information
Services doesn't need an introduction to foodservice pros but you
should know they have a free subscription offer of three months to one
of their six industry newsletters. Email Patric Noone at pnoone@technomic.com to sign up.
Advanced
Composite Materials, a world leader in silicon carbide technology, made
a food service debut at NRA 2008 with a patent-pending revolution in
microwave cooking - the Silar® Microwave
Grill & Flatstone. ACM claims
that used in high speed microwave/convection or impingement ovens, the
shelf will reach cooking temperatures in as little as 5 seconds
and reduce cook times by up to 90%. Demonstrations and tasting
impressed me and I took others back to see the performance. Their
website lists compatible microwaves: www.silarwave.com/product_gr_fs.html.
We're
following a lot of waste and water technology since we feel this is a
major area for innovation. I found a very simple and interesting waste
filtration product buried back in the technology section. It's
from Rhino Environmental Solutions of Canada. Their device captures wet waste from drains in
sinks, which it contains in a filtration membrane, allowing
cleaner water to flow to the sewer system. Their system also has
positive FOG (fat, oil, & grease) benefits to our over-taxed sewer
infrastructure. See their website at www.rhinofiltration.com - there's a
video.
Grovac offered a new
twist on vacuum marinating with a system and additive to eliminate
bacteria on food to extend shelf life, cut down on food deliveries and
to eliminate off-taste products with several models of
marinators. The Grovac technology works with a variety of foods:
beef, poultry, seafood, shellfish, game meats, pork, produce.
www.grovac.com
Our friends
at Follett continue their
innovation of the ice segment of the industry with their introduction
of the Ice Manager. The new twist on their remote ice delivery
system allows a diverter valve to direct ice to different locations
from one source. Pretty cool (yes pun intended). www.follettice.com/products/chewblet-horizon-icemanager.asp
Everpure is the first, to
our knowledge, to pick up on a European trend for treating, chilling,
carbonating and serving high quality luxury water in foodservice
establishments to replace bottled water. We have predicted for a while
that this trend will catch on and expect different systems to be
offered in the coming years. There is a major environmental benefit
here. You can check out www.everpure.com but I could not find mention of
this device anywhere; their most recent press releases, which should be
proclaiming this exciting new product, are from 2005.
My pick of
the show for best new innovation: Somat's introduction of
their eCorect waste reducer. Picking up on Asian technology, Somat has
introduced a pulp- and compost-generating package that is compact, economical
and highly beneficial to operations and the environment. I was so
excited about this I stayed around pitching the system to passersby. www.somatcompany.com/ecorectnews.htm
My pick of
the show for most unusual product goes to Crustastun which I found in
a small booth in the basement level, run by a delightful husband, wife
and daughter team from the UK. They introduced the "world's only
humane stunning system for lobsters, crabs and crayfish." A push
of a button gently kills (Monty Python comes to mind with that
statement) crustaceans which the developers claim improves texture and
taste through stress reduction. The product was Best Technical
Innovation of 2007 by the Seafish Industry Authority and was featured
as one of several Best Innovations by Time Magazine in 2006. See
it at www.crustastun.com.
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