Michelin-quality food efficiently created with modern cooking systems.

Creating food of the highest quality takes dedication and skill. Creating it sustainably requires embracing the latest technology to create the most efficient and coherent kitchen possible.

Eight months after it opened, Unalome by Graeme Cheevers, in Glasgow, was awarded a Michelin star. With a menu that draws inspiration from Japanese cuisine and French cooking techniques, Unalome showcases Graeme’s ingenious approach to food. “I like to take my influences and combine them in new ways, in my style,” he says. “The menu is always changing as new ingredients become available as the seasons change.” Ingredients are sourced from local suppliers, with Graeme’s farm to fork philosophy being taken to the next level with herbs and vegetables being grown in-house in an advanced hydroponic cabinet.

Rational cooking systems play a key role in improving Unalome’s sustainability. “Throughout my career, I’ve used Rational cooking systems,” he says. “I knew that they would help me to create a modern, sustainable kitchen that would maximise our cooking capacity while reducing energy consumption.”

Unalome’s kitchen features an iVario Pro 2-S, an iCombi 10-1E and an iCombi XS. The iVario Pro has two pans that can be used independently. “We mainly use the iVario Pro for making stocks and sauces,” says Graeme. “During service, we use it for cooking Sous Vide, so it’s in use pretty much the whole day.” The model at Unalome also features pressure cooking. “It lets us use tougher cuts of meat, we can set it up to cook overnight and it gives us tenderness, flavourful results.”

The iVario Pro’s multifunctionality has had a huge effect on working life at Unalome. “As well as the main open plan kitchen we have a small prep kitchen,” says Graeme. “Having something that can replace five traditional appliances makes it much more streamlined and efficient.” Features like AutoLift, which reduces manual handling and eases cleaning have made it a hit with staff. “They love how easy it is to clean, plus at the end of the shift they use it to make a communal dinner for everyone, which always goes down well!”

The iCombi Pro plays an equally important role at Unalome. “We use it for everything,” says Graeme. “We bake our own bread, and it’s great for that. We can also set it going to prepare batches of canapes throughout the day, knowing that they’ll come out exactly as we want them thanks to the programmable recipes.” The iCombi’s self-cleaning function has also become popular with staff. “Not having to hang around at the end of the day cleaning it has been a big hit,” said Graeme. “Just put on the self-clean cycle and go home!”

The ability to program recipes is a key feature in both the iVario and iCombi Pro. “It’s very easy to set up new recipes,” says Graeme. “As our menu changes so often, this is hugely beneficial.”

Recipes on both systems can be uploaded and edited through Rational’s ConnectedCooking platform, which also allows Graeme complete access to full operational information anywhere thanks to the simple to use the app. “Being able to check on what they’re cooking when I’m not in the kitchen is very useful,” says Graeme. “I can also check to ensure our standards of cleanliness and hygiene are being met, and it also logs full HACCP data which saves a lot of time.”

Issues like sustainability and reducing energy consumption have become increasingly important in the past year, but modern cooking systems like Rational can also help with the shortages of staff many restaurants are struggling with. “Not only can fewer people produce more food with them, but modern cooking systems are something new staff are looking for.”

“Rational systems would always be my recommendation for anyone looking to modernise their kitchen,” says Graeme. “If we didn’t have them there would be more maintenance issues, tighter time constraints and a more crowded kitchen with the extra appliances we would need. Our Rational cooking systems reduce waste and energy use while creating a more pleasant working environment.”

RATIONAL is the leading provider of hot food preparation cooking systems and, with the iVario Pro and the iCombi Pro multifunctional cooking systems, the company delivers 95% of all conventional cooking applications. Rational’s ConnectedCooking allows operators to monitor, manage and update their Rational appliances remotely, from a PC, tablet or smartphone.  The combination of the iCombi Pro, iVario Pro and ConnectedCooking delivers the best kitchen management and the best cooking solutions. For information and brochures, or to find out about free Rational Live online demonstrations, call +44 (0)1582 480388, freephone 0800 389 2944 or visit www.rational-online.com.

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