Catering Equipment & Services
Balmoral's Cafecino XL (left) is a high-volume hot beverage machine which dispenses drinks by cup or pot. The judges were particularly impressed by the product's "exceptionally speedy service for large volumes" (Balmoral claims it can dispense 40 servings of black coffee in 10 seconds) and felt it was economical and compact.
For more information please contact: matty.grant@rbi.co.uk
Two products shortlisted this year hail from Rational UK. The CalcDiagnosis System (below left) and CleanJet (top left) are both new features on the company's ClimaPlus Combi oven. The former is designed to slow the accumulation of limescale and give operators a reading of the level of scale in their oven's steam generator, while the latter feature is a robot arm and cleaning agent delivery system. The judges felt that the CalcDiagnosis System could save operators "a lot of money" and act as a form of preventative maintenance and the CleanJet was seen as a great time-saver.
For more information please contact: matty.grant@rbi.co.uk
Williams Refrigeration's Glycol Chillers (left) use a remote refrigeration system based on technology that combines lower running costs with faster chilling power than traditional remote systems. "Williams has taken something that was around 10 years ago and reworked the technology," commented the judges. "Incredible recovery times."
For more information please contact: matty.grant@rbi.co.uk
Equipline Ram Frozen Fry/Appetiser Dispenser (left) is an automated floor-standing unit that dispenses pre-set loads of frozen fries or appetisers at the touch of a button. It has a freezehold facility of up to two hours. "It's knock-out, goof-proof and exciting," said the judges.
For more information please contact: matty.grant@rbi.co.uk
According to the judges, Costa thermal sleeves (left) for paper cups are "stylish - like the trends in coffee - and eminently practical". Unique to Costa in the UK, the thermal sleeves are made from corrugated card and slip over a hot takeway drink to prevent scalding.
For more information please contact: matty.grant@rbi.co.uk
The judging panel
The final judging for the New Product Awards will take place on Monday 22 January at the NEC and the awards will be presented at the show.
Members of the following panels will tour the stands to judge the shortlisted products in each category:
CATERING EQUIPMENT & SERVICES
Kathy Bowry, editor, Catering Update (chair)
Alan Hill, food and beverage manager, Gleneagles
Carl Lindsay, Wood Hall Catering
Ian Neill, chief executive, Wagamama
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