The recent Lockhart Innovation Day at Wembley was noticeable for the range and quality of equipment on display, as well as the relaxed environment welcomed by both visitors and exhibitor staff.
The combination of location, additional activities organised by Lockhart – from Stadium tour to cooking display by Mark Sargeant – and availability of Lockhart and exhibitor staff ensured that the time out of the office was amply justified for visitors, and H & C News was also pleased to visit.
Innovation Awards
Visitors had the opportunity to take a close look and vote for selected products that had been identified and nominated for the Lockhart Innovation Award. Some of the products had not yet been launched on the market, and therefore lacked product literature to carry away and examine in detail, but all were certainly worth a close look.
Steelite International’s stylish Driftwood design triumphed on the day, and we detail below some of the products that visitors – and readers – should look out for.
Steelite’s innovative melamine range
Steelite International took the honours when its innovative new melamine range took centre stage at the Lockhart Innovation Day, and its new collection of Driftwood melamine trays won the overall new product innovation award.
At the same time, the range’s dramatic Bamboo and Slate melamine designs also caught the eye.
The Driftwood range, which is due to launch in September, was voted the most innovative new product by visitors: organisations represented – and voting! – included Giraffe, SSP, Fred Olsen, Wembley Stadium, Sodexho, Whitbread, Holiday Inn & Elior.
Visitors were impressed by the Driftwood, Slate and Bamboo melamine products which combine the aesthetic elegance of natural materials with the practicality that is essential for the hospitality industry.
The melamine range is a key element of Steelite International’s ‘Selected for You’ complementary tableware products and is NSF & SGS approved, chip and break resistant, commercial dishwasher safe, made to handle both hot and cold food and is typically 20% heavier than standard melamine, producing a stronger, more durable finish.
Available from September 2013, the Bamboo, Driftwood and Slate collections work effortlessly in buffet displays, chilled display cabinets, and as stylish sharing platters. The innovative range is expected to have wide appeal – from restaurants, hotels and contract caterers through to cafe, supermarkets, delicatessens and beyond.
Emile Henry Professional: Urban Buffet
Contemporary shapes in soothing colours, the Urban Buffet range is ideal for hotel and restaurant buffets. Elegant, versatile and resistant to both low (-20 degrees C) and high (+250 degrees C), the desired temperature is maintained.
It includes a rectangular range as well as bowls and accessories, stable and stackable design, chip resistant and able to withstand intensive use.
The Bamboo Range
Eco Friendly & Stain Resistant Bamboo Tableware which will be available shortly from Lockhart.
The range is made up of 5 items and must be hand washed.
365 Automatic Soup Dispenser
The 365 Automatic Soup Dispenser is the latest innovation from iWave foodservice solutions (via Exclusive supplier RHHall). It is a self contained dispensing station. Single push operation, this front of house self-service system enables a wide range of Soups to be dispensed in client tailored portions.
With a 12L capacity and 200 soups in the range to choose from, the free standing Soup Dispenser adds theatre, attracts customers, and can be branded to match corporate image and surroundings.
13Amp, mobile and easy to set up, it will offer a fast way to service queues, relieve other service points, add to existing menu offers, and works ideally with other innovations such as iWave and other Maestrowave products (www.maestrowave.com)
A sensor detects the cup is in place, nutritional breakdown and allergens are displayed on the screen before selection is confirmed.
Coded access for cleaning and replenishment enables staff to service the machine easily.
H&S is addressed with touch-screen display guidelines making the whole process failsafe.
Ambient soups carry 6 months shelf-life and all this comes with the RHHall Guarantee and back-up that also includes initial training.
Victor Optimax SQ refrigerated merchandising unit
The units are suited for delis, coffee shops, convenience stores and all food-to-go applications: they effectively display chilled produce whilst maintaining correct core product temperatures.
In busy food service operations where rear doors are frequently opened, many cabinets struggle to maintain temperature: with the Optimax refrigeration system and rear door arrangement, the doors are opened in such a way as to minimise loss of chilled air, reducing the load on the refrigeration system and hence energy cost.
- The first and only unit of this type on the ECA Energy Technology list: provides the opportunity to reduce your business tax bill by up to 20% of purchase price
- Independently tested and proven to meet the tough demands of EN23953:2005 MI/climate class 3: ensures all products are maintained between 1 degree C and 5 degree C at all times
- At EN23953:2005 MI/climate class 3 independent tests show that model SMR 100ECT consumes 0.34Wh/h over a 24 hour period: if you pay 14 pence per unit for electricity, the running cost is less than 5 pence per hour