Highlights from the National Restaurant Association Show 2015
This past Tuesday marked the close of the 2015 National Restaurant Association Show. With more than 2,000 exhibitors in attendance, 44,000+ attendees, and more than 100,000 products, it was an impressive three day event at the McCormick Place in Chicago. We interacted and saw more new products than had ever been showcased in years past.
Warewashing Machines
Hobart, a leading name in commercial dishwashing, displayed their line of commercial dishwashers. Synonymous with being durable and dependable in the foodservice industry and food retail operations, Hobart is taking technology to a new level, along with combining advancements to save users energy, water, space and labor usage.
Food Preparation
Manitowoc FoodService introduced the Convotherm4, designed to fulfill user’s needs in restaurant kitchens. The two control panel designs deliver user-friendly functions, along with providing maximum customization. Flexible and reliable cleaning techniques have been developed to provide minimum chemical energy consumption, which helps lower operating costs to save on energy efficiency and water savings. This is a great idea, especially for the foodservice industry.
Saving energy, water, space and labor was the name of the game this year.
Thinking Foods displayed their ultimate kneading machine called the Smart Dough System. By tightly merging engineering and design, the machine brings perfection, reinvention and commitment to each user that uses this product. The touch screen provides customization, providing true individuality for all users. In addition, 3% of sales of Pink Magnolia will be donated to Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Sanitation On-The-Go
AeroGlove ™ introduced a fast, easy and clean way to put on gloves in the kitchen. The motion sensor technology drives air into the bottom of the glove, making it easy to slip your hand into the glove with ease. This prevents contamination and keeps germs and bacteria from coming in contact with your skin.
Breaking The Mold
The Donut Robot is a high quality, automated electric mini donut maker that makes approximately 153 dozen per hour. It provides consistency and durability and the best part is that it is easy to clean and offers a high temperature shut down switch.
Meet Baxter – the safe, flexible, affordable solution to outsourced labor. This smart, collaborative robot seamlessly integrates and adapts to getting tasks completed to save labor costs and fixed automation.
Reinventing Restroom Accessories
Tork introduced a stylish countertop towel dispenser that delivers one towel at a time, minimizing the risk of cross contamination. This reduces waste and refilling of towels, in a sleek container. In addition, the leaf on the towel represents the nature of “simple elegance”.
Bradley Corporation presented their new line of Verge L-Series Lavatory Systems, showing off the sleek, rimless design that minimizes standing water and the first to be molded into a round and curved shape. The single piece molded design eliminates caulk lines and seams, providing a elegant look for restrooms in the restaurant industry.
Simplifying Products for Consumer Use
Without cube corners melting into your cocktail, users can now use the Spirit Ice Vice to create a perfect chill to your glass by molding a block of ice into a seamless ice ball 2 1/2 inches in diameter. This caught our eye for the fact that it is simple and classic for drinkers.
The new Zojirushi Stainless Vacuum Creamer/Dairy Server was announced, showcasing the sleek and stylish body design. The advanced vacuum insulation technology keeps liquids cool for hours. The convenient easy pour handle and one piece lid prevent dairy from spilling, which is a plus.
Bunn displayed their My Café AutoPOD commercial coffee maker that can brew up to 16 oz of coffee or tea in less than a minute and the digital display allows for easy operation and control. The
new single tank pump design provides consistent brew quality.
In the design industry, we believe that identifying user needs should drive the process of creating products that consumers will want and utilize on a consistent basis. ChefJet™ Pro showcased that the potential for sweets is limitless. This machine allows users to make everything from custom candies to ornate cake toppers and everything in between. Built from 3DS’ Colorjet Printing technology, the 3D sweets printer has an incorporated a chef-friendly digital cookbook software and is as intuitive as they come.
User needs should drive the process of creating products that consumers will want to use.
Rubbermaid introduced the new Slim Jim Step- On, which is designed to improve user productivity, enhance the aesthetic look and promote safety. This new design maximizes space efficiency, with a slim profile. The construction of the Slim Jim provides great durability and a quiet controlled lid closure that allows for a safe and pleasant environment wherever used.
Standing Out Among The Crowd
As designers and (beer enthusiasts), our eyes landed on Beer Tubes, which can hold 100-plus ounces of beer that can be self served, allowing customers to fill their own glasses at the table at their leisure. The tubes consist of a simple three-part design of a tube, tap and base. The interchangeable parts allow for efficiency in serving, cleaning and cost-effectively replacing parts to protect your investment. We loved the “wow” factor on this, especially as this is the new up and coming at bars/restaurants.
Italforni introduced their Bull Electric Deck Oven at the show this year. The oven is equipped with a high-temperature resistant tempered stained glass, that can be turned up to 850 degrees F. A refractory stone deck is featured, along with having 1,2, or 3 decks available, allowing for multiple use at one time. This product was a show stopper.
Schaerer is an industry leader in the coffee appliance division. The Art C HC is their newest coffee maker that allows for numerous options and figurations for users. It can produce up to 350 beverages per hour, along with providing an extensive variety of beverages that can be made. The convenience of this product is something that jumped out at us, due to how easy it is to use and clean.
Along with having a sleek European look and how easy it is to use and clean, the Art C HC has no limits to how fancy your coffee or milk beverages can be. The flavor point syrup system including processes up to four syrup flavors at a time and offers flexibility when it comes to creating individual specialties. The flavor, milk and coffee can be programmed for each beverage
and can be saved using the touch screen with just a push of a button.
The 2015 National Restaurant Association Show gave our team the chance to see the newest and latest lifestyle products for all areas in the restaurant industry. For a look at our projects, check out our website at www.beyonddesign.com or drop us a note at info@beyonddesignchicago.com
Top
