Welbilt Brands receive two 2021 NRA Kitchen Innovation Awards
Welbilt Brands receive two 2021 NRA Kitchen Innovation Awards
2021 awardees to be recognized for innovation that represents the gold standard of foodservice equipment
Chicago, IL — March 16, 2021 — The National Restaurant Association Show, the premier event and resource to learn about foodservice technology innovations, unique ingredients, and emerging trends in the restaurant industry, today announced the recipients of the 2021 Kitchen Innovations (KI) Awards. The honorees are recognized as the year’s most forward-thinking and cutting-edge innovations that have meaningfully improved foodservice operations.
“Innovation is what keeps our industry moving forward, and we are proud to recognize these 16 recipients as the year’s best equipment advancements that improve back-of-house operations to benefit foodservice operators,” said Tom Cindric, president of Winsight Exhibitions. “These companies leverage technology to create products that increase efficiency, productivity, and the bottom line, which is needed now more than ever as restaurants continue to operate through the ongoing challenges brought on by the pandemic.”
The KI Awards program has earned a reputation for defining the gold standard of foodservice equipment innovations. These recipients reflect the trends and topics most important to foodservice operators today—and showcase the future of the industry—while generating industry growth through a focus on automation, efficiency, safety improvements, sustainability, waste solutions, and more. All KI award recipients will be featured on The Show To Go, a cost-free digital marketplace where operators can connect directly with the suppliers to learn more about each of these innovative solutions.
Created for the unique challenges of cooking high volumes of fresh-breaded, heavy sediment, bone-in chicken products, this 120-lb. fryer employs a unique automatic filtration system. The sloped-bottom frypot features multiple oil-return ports sequentially controlled to funnel high pressure oil spray throughout specific parts of the frypot for effective washdown without clogging. A lengthy list of features includes automatic direct internet connection, real-time data collection and remote diagnostics.
Large ice used to require large, bulky machines. Manitowoc’s CrystalCraft Premier, model number USE0050, charts a new course for large cubes through a reimagined evaporator design resulting in a compact gourmet ice machine. Small in size, but big on features, the machine includes onboard water filtration for crystal clear cubes, and a membrane touchpad for effortless operation.
The KI Award recipients are selected by an independent panel of judges comprised of industry leaders and internationally-recognized food facility consultants, multi-unit executives, and design experts. The 2021 Kitchen Innovations judges are:
- Dan Bendall (Principal, FoodStrategy, Inc.)
- David Chislett, FCSI (Executive Principal, Ricca Design Studios)
- Richard Eisenbarth, FCSI (President, Emeritus, Cini-Little International)
- Foster F. Frable, Jr., FCSI, Associate AIA (Founding Partner, Clevenger Frable LaVallee)
- Randy Homer (Program Manager – Food & Beverage Experience Development, Disneyland Resort)
- Frank Inoa (Senior Director, Design & Engineering, Arby’s/Inspire Brands)
- Jim Krueger, Jr., CMCE, NRAMF (Chief, Air Force Food & Beverage Policy, Procedures, Business Development & Strategic Initiatives, Air Force Services Center (AFSVA))
- Steve Otto (Director, Capital Equipment Purchasing, Darden)
- Jim Thorpe (Senior Food Service Designer, Aramark)
For more information about the KI program and this year's award recipients, visit 2021 Kitchen Innovations Awards and connect with the Show online on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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The National Restaurant Association Show, Hotel-Motel Show is owned and operated by Winsight LLC in equity partnership with the National Restaurant Association.
About Winsight LLC
Winsight LLC is a business-to-business information, event and market intelligence company serving the restaurant and noncommercial foodservice, convenience and petroleum retailing and grocery industries. Winsight provides research and analytics, branding solutions, face-to-face opportunities, lead generation initiatives, and content marketing services through products including subscription data products, reports, research tools, research programs, fully custom studies, conferences, custom marketing services, meetings, print, digital trade media and tradeshows, including the National Restaurant Association Show. Winsight LLC is a portfolio company of Pamlico Capital.
About Welbilt, Inc.
Welbilt, Inc. provides the world’s top chefs, premier chain operators and growing independents with industry-leading equipment and solutions. Our innovative products and solutions are powered by our deep knowledge, operator insights, and culinary expertise. Our portfolio of award-winning product brands includes Cleveland™, Convotherm®, Crem®, Delfield®, Frymaster®, Garland®, Kolpak®, Lincoln™, Manitowoc® Ice, Merco®, Merrychef® and Multiplex®. These product brands are supported by three service brands: KitchenCare®, our aftermarket parts and service brand, FitKitchen®, our fully-integrated kitchen systems brand, and KitchenConnect®, our cloud-based digital platform brand. Headquartered in the Tampa Bay region of Florida and operating 19 manufacturing facilities throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, we sell through a global network of over 5,000 distributors and dealers in over 100 countries. We have approximately 4,400 employees and generated sales of $1.2 billion in 2020. For more information, visit www.welbilt.com.