Designed for effectiveness, efficiency and people

Today’s commercial kitchens can be hot, noisy, crowded, confusing places to work in, especially at peak times when virtually every menu item is in high demand with a small team deployed for food production.

Consider, too, that energy consumption continues to go through the roof – literally. Some kitchen equipment operates in an “always on” state, causing operators to consume electricity and gas in a never-ending state of readiness. That readiness drives constant ventilation system use, contributes to HVAC system operation and creates an “any-temperature-but-comfortable” situation in the kitchen, where employees lose productivity and their patience.

Is it any wonder that commercial kitchen operators are seeking new approaches that allow them to excite the changing tastes of the dining public, operate with improved effectiveness, reduce their energy consumption and create a people-friendly work environment?

That’s the focus of the High Performance Kitchen initiative announced by foodservice industry leaders Enodis and Halton. Working collaboratively with foodservice operators and other allies, the companies are evaluating current products, new innovations and future technology to create High Performance Kitchens of the future. The critical challenges identified by operators and to be addressed by Enodis and Halton through the Future Kitchens initiative, include: supporting menu flexibility, accelerating service, optimizing space, managing labour and conserving energy.

Enodis and Halton were recently named Kitchen Innovations award winners by the National Restaurant Association (NRA) for leading products that address menu flexibility, speed of service, space optimization, and innovative ventilation. Products from Enodis brands Lincoln, Merrychef and Delfield and from Halton’s Vent Master received Kitchen Innovations awards in May 2005. Enodis received more Kitchen Innovations awards than any other company in the industry, demonstrating the company’s technology and innovation leadership.

The collaborative High Performance Kitchens initiative will continue innovations in these areas, while also expanding solutions for energy and labour management challenges.