Rational UK, is pleased to announce the release of their latest customer reference story videos, showcasing how the Rational iCombi Pro combi-steamer has helped Ciaran McLarnon to grow his business from strength to strength. The video is now available to view on RATIONAL TV.

Ciaran McLarnon, the founder and owner of The Focacceria and The Hundredth Monkey Bakery, is redefining the art of bread-making and Italian-inspired cuisine in Northern Ireland.

Operating from a unique space in a furniture store cafe, The Focacceria specialises in Italian-style sandwiches made on freshly baked focaccia and schiacciata, with highlights including their best selling Chicken Parm sandwich or their take on a meatball sub, all crafted with Irish ingredients. Ciaran’s philosophy revolves around combining local produce with Italian culinary techniques, creating elevated dishes that resonate with his customers.

Central to his operation is the Rational iCombi Pro, an innovative cooking system that streamlines processes and maintains consistency, allowing Ciaran to experiment and perfect his bread recipes. From award-winning bagels to crispy baked chips, the iCombi Pro’s precision has been key to scaling its operations and ensuring a high standard of quality. Its ability to bake, steam, and roast efficiently has reduced energy costs and eliminated the need for traditional equipment.

“The iCombi Pro has been completely invaluable to me,” says Ciaran. “Every part of our prep and service gets the iCombi Pro treatment to some degree, and it’s sped everything up, made it easier, and more enjoyable.“

Ciaran envisions expanding his concept to multiple cities and countries, leveraging Rational technology to ensure consistency across different locations. His ultimate goal includes establishing a wholesale bakery powered entirely by Rational equipment, setting new standards for sustainability and efficiency in baking.

With a focus on flavour, quality, and technology, The Focacceria is shaping the future of artisanal bread and Italian cuisine for Belfast locals.

Discover Ciaran‘s journey, now available for viewing on RATIONAL TV: visit rational-online.tv

Welcome to ignite, by ceda.

ceda represents over 125 companies across the UK. And each and every ceda member is a specialist. Design specialists, project specialists and equipment specialists. All exclusively serving the foodservice, catering and hospitality industry.

Quite rightly, we’re massively proud of what our members create. And so ignite is their showcase. In each issue we feature amazing projects and installations for organisations of all sizes up and down the UK and beyond.

Every year at our annual conference we honour the best of our members’ projects with the ceda Grand Prix Awards. In this special edition of ignite we celebrate the 2024 award entries…

Blue Seal Commercial pizza ovens are traditional Italian style, including traditional stone base deck ovens, as well as our newly introduced forced air electric conveyor ovens, perfect for cooking delicious deep-base or thin based pizzas. Designed for everyday professional use, these powerful electric ovens cook at high temperatures to ensure fast service and great cooking results. The Blue Seal pizza ovens are a fantastic alternative to wood burner stoves or gas ovens, which are higher maintenance and require more specialist and costly extraction systems, to take away smoke and fumes. Our deck ovens accommodate 4 x 12” pizzas per deck, they are compact, versatile and very operator friendly. The Conveyor ovens will accommodate up to 45cm diameter pizza and will produce 50 x 30-35cm pizza /hr. These fast efficient ovens are ideal for take away or traditional restaurants.

Blue Seal offer single deck and twin deck ovens, for which a single can be stacked onto the twin deck very easily creating a triple deck, maximising the output from the floor space. This can also be done with the conveyor oven, up to x3 ovens high, massively increasing production rates from the same footprint. The Blue Seal oven chambers, all function independently allowing the pizza chef to control temperatures and bake more types/sizes of pizzas at once, therefore reducing serving times for busy restaurants.

The fact that the deck ovens are only single phase power supply makes them very versatile and suitable for dark kitchen takeaway sites and certain mobile kitchen operations, that may have limited power supplies. Due to the electric power supply, the ease of installation is simplified as there are no complex regulations regarding interlocks/ ventilation and extraction requirements, as associated with gas powered or solid fuel type ovens. The ovens can also be used in professional temporary and portable kitchens, as long as there is adequate air circulation and any vented heat/steam can be dissipated into the atmosphere or directed outside, to maintain healthy & comfortable HSE working environment tolerances.

We appreciate that restaurants need un-compromised, consistent quality results from the equipment they use. That is Why Blue Seal Pizza ovens use accurate thermostatic temperature control, eco-compatible material for thermal insulation and high quality refractory stones which provide excellent heat retention.

To complement our exemplary pizza oven models, we have introduced chain driven fixed head spiral mixers to our portfolio, for dough production in traditional operations. These come in single or two speed options, both having 30 litre stainless steel bowls accommodating 20kg dough production.

These ovens & mixers compliment the rest of the Blue Seal product range very nicely, maintaining the power/performance and reliability, expected from our brand.

Take a look at our pizza range here.

Call 0121 327 5575 for more information or visit www.blue-seal.co.uk

Oven manufacturer Retigo UK are delighted to end 2024 on a high.

The Wrexham-based business is celebrating a growing team, and sales to boot, with excellent results over the last 12 months.

Retigo UK Managing Director, Aneta Juroskova, recently visited the firm’s Czech headquarters where the annual results were revealed. Juroskova is delighted with her team’s performance and reflects over the last four years of its inception. “I couldn’t be happier with the achievements of the Retigo UK team. Our year-on-year growth and market position of the brand in the UK is excelling the targets that we set ourselves and it’s great to see everyone’s hard work paying off.”

Established in the UK in 2020, the last four years have been about setting up the business, building the team, and the brand, and driving sales. Juroskova continues, “It’s been a challenging but exciting journey. I’m lucky to have a great team of professionals working alongside me, the support of the directors and owners in Czech, as well as the loyalty of our UK customers.

“But it’s the quality of our product that is ultimately helping us achieve the success we are experiencing. We have a highly reliable collection of combi ovens, and an excellent suite of accessories to match. We receive nothing but positive feedback from our customers, technicians, and the all-important end-users; the chefs.”

2025 is set to be an innovative year for Retigo, with a push forward in terms of sustainability and AI. Juroskova is positive about the future and is relishing the opportunities that 2025 will bring, “The industry is still catching up with increased inflation rates and the cost of living of the last couple of years, but I think that markets in general are going to stabilise.

“We are passionate about what we do and we will continue pushing forwards, innovating and delivering the high quality products, training and service our customers have come to associate with Retigo UK.”

The Groups will bring together ceda Members, the Academy, the Board, Partners, and where required, external specialists, to focus on some of the most important topics that the industry faces.

In an effort to keep progressing and driving the organisation forward, we have set out seven areas of focus; Technical Support, Community Development, The Future Workforce, Apprenticeships & Skills, Sustainability, the Main Contractor sector and Mental Health & Wellbeing.

This structure will allow for a more focussed and proactive approach to our work, deeper engagement with Members and Partners, more Board responsibilities, to more closely link the Board, Academy and Membership, and drive growth, resource and demand.

“The creation of these new Working Groups is significant and because of the growth that we have experienced in membership numbers and engagement, they are also necessary.” says Adam Mason, ceda Director General.

“We need to stay ahead of the curve as an organisation to best embrace the opportunities and face down the challenges of our Members and the wider industry. The development of these Working Groups will focus our attention as to what is impacting the industry, so that we can deliver the support and services that our Members require.”

ceda’s pre-existing Technical Support Group – which has successfully brought together Members, Partners and external specialists to deliver technical support including documentation, training, training standards, member helpline – will continue to drive the Technical Support remit. A review will take place to ensure the TSG remains relevant, proactive and is delivering services and solutions that make a difference.

Community Development will be ceda’s R&D department where new, creative and innovative ideas to advance the industry and the people within it are discussed and agreed, with a focus on performance, efficiency, productivity and profitability.

The Future Workforce Group will create a Future Workforce Strategy for the industry. This will focus on developing pathways into the industry, covering all relevant job roles, and promoting the industry in universities and colleges.

Work to expand the remit of the existing Apprenticeship Standard Review Group to incorporate a broader skills agenda will be undertaken. This will highlight where the skills gaps exist within the industry now and what the future needs will be, working in conjunction with the Future Workforce Group we will then provide solutions to fill the gaps.

The Sustainability Group will bring together Members, Partners and external specialists to deliver solutions that grow knowledge of sustainability within the industry focussing on translating generic terminology into industry-specific and relevant language, deliver solutions to better benchmark the energy efficiency of equipment and deliver solutions that support manufacturers to provide embodied carbon data.

The Main Contractor Group will be responsible for highlighting the challenges that exist in the construction sector working with main contractors – both general issues and those specifically pertaining to our sector. Once key priorities have been identified the Group will then deliver solutions that mitigate risk, create a more efficient process and promote the importance of early engagement with catering contractors.

The Mental Health & Wellbeing Group will seek to work with external stakeholders to deliver industry specific resources, training and support that is available to the entire membership.

Mason adds, “We have more and more people putting their hands up wanting to be directly involved in helping to shape and steer our agenda which is a very powerful thing to propel us forward into 2025 and beyond.”

“Bringing diverse thoughts, opinions, expertise, passions and experience, that we will embrace and harness, will really accelerate our work. Let’s not forget that these people give their time to ceda on a voluntary basis. They are involved because they want to see our industry achieve all that it can.

“Having people now putting themselves forward to be a part of the solutions that we create and deliver is special.”

The Chalhoub Group, a premier luxury goods retailer and distributor based in Dubai, UAE, is the largest retail operator in the Middle East. With over 14,000 employees across 14 countries, the Group is recognized for its commitment to excellence and innovation, serving as a member of the International Association of Department Stores since 2023.

Downloads:

• Frost Top to Hot Plate Technical Drawing
• Frost Top to Hot Plate Specification Sheet

The Perfect Solution for CEDA Members

For commercial kitchens, maintaining efficient, cost-effective water systems is essential. That’s why we’re excited to announce that we now distribute the Monarch Softener range – a cutting-edge solution designed to meet the unique demands of the foodservice industry. Whether you’re battling hard water buildup in dishwashers or ensuring your kitchen runs smoothly, Monarch softeners deliver unmatched reliability and performance.

Built for Commercial Kitchens

1. WRAS Approved

Monarch water softeners meet the highest standards of quality and durability, ensuring your kitchen operations remain compliant and efficient.

2. Space-Saving

With compact, slimline units, these softeners are perfect for commercial kitchens where space is often at a premium.

3. Powerful Flow Rates

Capable of delivering flow rates up to 78 litres per minute, these softeners are ideal for high-demand kitchens, ensuring consistent water pressure and supply.

Smart Features Tailored for Foodservice

Proportional Brining Technology

Save on operating costs with proportional brining, which minimizes water and salt usage without compromising performance.

Customer Protect Programme (CPP)

Monarch softeners are equipped with an advanced CPP, offering:

• Leak Detection: Early detection of plumbing issues to avoid costly downtime.
• Timed Regeneration: Delays regeneration until 2 a.m, ensuring uninterrupted kitchen operations during peak hours.
• Smart Learning Technology: Tracks water usage patterns, optimizing regeneration schedules to reduce salt and water consumption.
• Automaton: Effortlessly adjusts to BST and GMT, so you never have to worry about reprogramming.

Ease of Installation and Use

• Digital Display with 2-Level Programming: Simplifies setup and adjustments, allowing your team to get started quickly.
• Complete Kit: Includes a water hardness test kit and drain hose for hassle-free installation.

A Package That Delivers Value

• Free 10kg Bag of Salt: Get started immediately with the included salt pack.
• Comprehensive Warranty: Enjoy peace of mind with a 5-year parts and 2-year labour warranty.

Why Monarch for CEDA Members?

By adding the Monarch Softener range to your kitchen, you’ll not only protect your appliances from hard water damage but also boost efficiency and reduce operating costs. These softeners are designed for the fast-paced demands of commercial kitchens, ensuring smooth operations and long-term savings.

Contact us today to find out how the Monarch Softener range can transform your water system and elevate your kitchen’s performance!

For more information on the monarch range follow the link below :

https://www.aquacure.co.uk/plumbsoftwatersofteners

Or Contact our ceda representatives to receive an exclusive 10% off for ceda members:

Merry Christmas from Hupfer UK. We’re heading into 2025 with a new focus on dealers and distributors, and we’re looking forward to strengthening our relationships in the new year.

With industry stalwart Martin Allen now in place as National Sales Manager, we’re well-placed to work with dealers to provide a wide range of solutions for storage, transportation, kitchen logistics, regeneration, warming and presentation. All are built with energy efficiency in mind and to the highest German manufacturing standards.

If you want to meet and discuss our solutions call or email the Hupfer Sales Team:

Marc Sumner, UK Sales and Marketing Director – marc@hupferuk.com / 07917 155573

Martin Allen, National Sales Manager – martin@hupferuk.com / 07955 285663

For now, we hope you all enjoy the festive break with your families and look forward to seeing you in the new year.