Hupfer UK is redefining general-purpose trolleys for catering environments with the launch of VARIOCART, a best-in-class solution with higher load capacity, improved handling, and better green credentials than comparative trolleys.

Built with strength and design in mind, VARIOCART has extra-strong welded seams and a smart shelf connection to deliver 300kg load capacity (100kg per shelf) – an unbreakable trolley, even in the most demanding of environments.

Stainless steel shelves with 11 levels for individual configurations, designed to fit 600mm x 400mm Euro containers (two Euro containers or four water crates per shelf) to save work and time, while adjustable board heights and an optional ergonomic handle improve handling to enhance safety throughout the catering operation.

VARIOCART meets the growing demand for sustainability because it is delivered flatpack to cut transport space by 75%, reducing storage costs and carbon footprint through optimised deliveries. It is made from approximately 85% recycled materials and climate-neutral shipping is available too.

The new VARIOCART makes work easier and safer – its ergonomic handle offers caterers a more upright walk and the adjustable top shelf ensures an optimal working height of up to 900mm.

Hupfer UK will buy back VARIOCART trolleys at the end of their lifecycle to be recycled (or arrange for local recovery if it’s more eco-friendly to do so) under its Buy Back Promise. Users will receive the per-kilo price of the recyclable material on the buy-back day, whilst supporting a closed-loop circular economy.
Marc Sumner, sales and marketing director for Hupfer UK, said: “This is a revolutionary new trolley that will shift perceptions on general purpose trolleys.

“It’s stronger, safer, greener, and more durable than anything we’ve produced before – the result of many years’ development, combined with the German manufacturing excellence that our customers have come to expect.

“It’s ideal for any catering environment, but there’s more to VARIOCART than its performance and durability. We’ve taken steps to ensure a range of sustainability benefits for organisations that are looking to buy greener products as they embark on their own net-zero journey.”

Find out more and order today: www.hupfer.com

To mark three decades of manufacturing from their Telford factory, Hoshizaki has invested £100,000 into a state-of-the-art innovation and training centre.

Home to the core collection of Hoshizaki ice machines and refrigerators, the impressive innovation centre not only acts as a showroom for customers to see Hoshizaki products in person, but also acts as a hub for key product demonstrations and training days to take place– both of which can be arranged in-person or online thanks to Hoshizaki’s investment in a high-tech system meaning high-quality livestreaming is made possible.

Simon Frost, Managing Director UK & Ireland is delighted to see the innovation centre open in all its glory:

“We are thrilled to have opened our state-of-the-art innovation centre in line with the 30-year anniversary of Hoshizaki’s Telford production centre. When Hoshizaki first began manufacturing from Telford in 1994, we had around 20 employees and were producing an average of 20 units per day. Now, we have 175 employees at Telford, and the capacity to make over 170 units per day.”

Frost finalises:

“Year-on-year, Hoshizaki UK continues to grow and evolve. We are committed to investing in our company and our customers, and our new innovation centre is a perfect example of putting words into action.”

As well as investing in a new innovation centre, Hoshizaki UK is also working on a major factory expansion which will see the Telford site gain 40% more storage space, a 230% increase in foaming areas for better flow, and, intriguingly, discussions about incorporating solutions for new market trends like the growing interest in instant withdrawal casino UK platforms. This development aligns with their goal of enhancing production processes to meet dynamic customer demands, with the projected production unit capability reaching an impressive 50,000 units per year. By addressing such trends, Hoshizaki UK demonstrates its commitment to staying ahead in adapting to diverse market needs while advancing their technological footprint.

To arrange a product or training demonstration at Hoshizaki’s innovation centre, please contact uksales@hoshizaki.uk.

For more information on Hoshizaki UK’s portfolio click here.

Premium combi oven manufacturer Retigo is delighted to announce they have become an official member of the Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI). This exciting new development marks a significant milestone for Retigo and opens up a world of opportunities for both their dealers and customers.

Retigo UK Managing Director, Aneta Juroskova commented “By joining the FCSI, Retigo UK is demonstrating our commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and excellence in the foodservice industry. As a member of this prestigious global network, we are now part of a community of industry experts, consultants, and professionals who are dedicated to driving innovation and best practices in both commercial kitchen design and equipment usage .”

For Retigo’s wide range of dealers and customers, this exciting new partnership means access to a wealth of resources, knowledge, and expertise that will enable them to better serve their clients. Through partnering with the FCSI, Retigo’s dealers will have the opportunity to collaborate with top consultants and industry leaders, gaining insights into the latest trends, technologies, and solutions in the foodservice sector. This will empower Retigo’s dealers to deliver even more exciting, tailored and innovative solutions to their customers, helping them stay ahead of the curve in a highly competitive market.

For more information about this new partnership visit the Retigo website.

Retigo have been designing and manufacturing premium combination ovens for 31 years and this year the company celebrates 4 years of its UK subsidiary Retigo UK LTD. They provide all UK based support services including sales support, technical support, installation support, marketing and chef support. For more details, contact their office at ukoffice@retigo.co.uk or 0330 223 4411.

www.precision-spares.com is your new one-stop shop for Precision Refrigeration’s spare parts. The online platform has been designed to offer customers convenient access to genuine spare parts anytime, anywhere.

Featuring an extensive catalogue of spare parts, the user-friendly interface makes it simple for customers to browse from their desktop or mobile and easily locate the components they need. All spare parts are readily available in the UK, and orders will be processed and dispatched promptly for next working day delivery.

Precision always strives to provide a first-class service, and the webshop is backed by a dedicated customer support team who are available to assist with queries or technical issues. The webshop also uses an encrypted checkout to facilitate safe transactions, prioritising customer security.

“We are thrilled to introduce www.precision-spares.com as an extension of our commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences,” said Nick Williams, Managing Director at Precision Refrigeration. “This platform is a testament to our dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction, providing a seamless solution for customers to access genuine spare parts for their Precision products.”

Explore Precision’s new spare parts webshop today.

For more than 60 years, Fagor Professional has been leading the charge by manufacturing an extensive portfolio of top-quality catering equipment. Now, in a move that aligns manufacturing innovation with the very latest energy-efficient technology, the company is proud to unveil the iKold generation of commercial refrigeration.

Designed with the kitchen professional in mind, the extensive range includes upright cabinets, refrigerated and preparation counters, display cabinets, and ice makers. Guaranteeing optimal food preservation at the best value price-point, the iKold generation units utilise natural R290 and R600a hydrocarbon refrigerant combined with CFC-free, high-density water-based polyurethane insulation to achieve outstanding energy savings of up to 45%. The units are so efficient, that several of them have achieved a top-rated Class-A certification on the industry-recognised ETL list.

Intended to operate in the challenging, hot and humid conditions of a professional kitchen, the iKold Generation has been independently tested to withstand the daily rigours of the kitchen whilst maintaining an even temperature within the unit. In doing so, the range has been awarded a maximum climate class 5 rating in independent testing. Innovative technology including Multiflow, an optimal air circulation system that guarantees a balanced and consistent flow of air helps to maintain a uniform temperature and preserve food for longer.

Renowned for manufacturing a wide range of professional catering equipment, operators will be pleased to know the iKold models have been designed to perfectly integrate with an existing Fagor Professional setup including cooking blocks, ovens, blast chillers and even warewashers. Ideal for many kitchen setups, the units are available in two ranges – ADVANCE and CONCEPT. Despite being entry-level units, the ADVANCE range is designed to offer a more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable product for the professional kitchen. Alternatively, for those operators looking for one of the widest product portfolios on the market, the CONCEPT series adapts to suit the individual needs of the chef and features a robust, ergonomic and highly functional design.

Functionality and ease of use are also guaranteed with the iKold Generation. Featuring efficient LED lighting strategically located on a strip down the entire side of the chamber, the operator can clearly see the contents, minimising the need to keep the door open for longer. Simultaneously, the iKold range features electronic evaporator fans that not only consume less energy but also prevent heat generation within the chamber itself. Externally, a choice of swivel castors or legs, including marine-compliant variants, full-length ergonomic handles, easy-to-operate, intuitive controls and accessible door pedals all aid functionality in a busy kitchen environment.>

On the launch of the iKold Generation, Lee Donkin, Commercial Director at Fagor Professional UK comments:

“We’re proud to be launching the state-of-the-art iKold Generation of commercial refrigeration from Fagor Professional. As a brand known for manufacturing a complete range of standout kitchen equipment, operators will be pleased to know the new iKold appliances are designed to meet the needs of today’s chef, while also fitting effortlessly into an existing kitchen suite. Featuring the very latest technology and advanced insulation for standout efficiency, the iKold appliances come in an array of sizes and formats, delivering efficiency, optimising the flow and maintaining food preservation in a busy kitchen environment.”

Featuring more than 35 individual units, the new iKold range includes features single and double upright refrigerators, double, triple and quadruple door/drawer counters, pizza, sandwich and salad counters, ingredient and sushi displays, bottle coolers, ice machines and even glass frosters – each uniquely designed but able to complement other products in the Fagor range.

For more information on the new iKold Generation from Fagor Professional, or to find out about the other catering equipment appliances in the portfolio, please visit www.fagorprofessional.com or email uksales@fagorprofessional.com

Combi oven manufacturer Retigo has officially announced award-winning celebrity chef and author Dipna Anand as its new brand ambassador.

The announcement was made during a special ceremony at the company’s stand at the recent HRC event.

Ms. Anand, who regularly appears with James Martin on his Saturday morning ITV show and co-owns the Brilliant Restaurant in London, has been dubbed the “Curry Queen”. She will represent the Retigo brand at various events throughout the year and across her social platforms.

Kicking off her new role, she conducted three live cooking sessions at Retigo’s stand at HRC throughout the day on Tuesday 26th March.

Having recently discovered the brand, Dipna has already integrated Retigo combi ovens into her kitchen and has been impressed with their quality.

“I heard about Retigo only a few months ago and I was impressed with the quality of Retigo combi ovens,” she said. “My team and I at Brilliant Restaurant love it, and also the support we have received from Retigo has been phenomenal. I look forward to our close partnership; we have a lot of brilliant new projects in the pipeline.”

Retigo, with over 30 years of experience in designing and manufacturing combi ovens, is celebrating the third anniversary of its UK subsidiary this year.

Craig Barnett, the company’s national sales manager, expressed his pride in the collaboration with Dipna, stating, “We are extremely proud of our cooperation with Dipna. She’s such a down-to-earth, genuine person and at the same time so professional – she’s got the same values and passion for what she’s doing, exactly the same as Retigo. The partnership just fits perfectly.”

Leading international manufacturer, Classeq, has unveiled its new undercounter range of warewashing machines. Described as ‘powerful creations made wonderfully simple’, the new warewashing machines are available and made in Britain.

Classeq’s ethos is strongly embedded in the two new warewashing machines, the Classeq C400 and C500. The machines have combined maximum efficiency, ease of use and reliability, with pure lines and the cleaning power to shine bright in the busiest kitchens and bars. Each machine can be set on installation as either a glass, or dishwasher, giving increased flexibility and value.

The repositioning of key components in the C400 and C500, now makes servicing and maintenance even quicker, reducing maintenance costs throughout the life of the machine.

It couldn’t be easier for operators to choose which machine is best for their establishment. When purchasing, users have a simple choice relating to size, power and whether they wish to incorporate an optional integrated water softener.

Classeq’s Managing Director, Andy Salter, says:

“2024 is an important year for us and we’re delighted to be presenting the market with a new undercounter range that builds on our Classeq proposition – which is renowned for reliability, ease of use and simple maintenance.

“We understand the challenges that catering businesses are facing and the need for machines to be reliable and durable. We remain 100% dedicated to providing machines which are genius in their simplicity and shine bright in every kitchen”.

The new Classeq C400 and C500:

• There is a simple set up, commissioned on install as a glass or dishwasher in a short space of time.
• The machines are simple to use and simple to clean and maintain with simple click in, click out wash arms, double filtration system, and moulded basket rails.
• There is a new Bluetooth app for operators and service technicians which gives access to user guides, machine settings, performance data and service information.
• The repositioning of key parts within the machines makes servicing and maintenance simpler and quicker reducing the maintenance costs throughout the life of the machine.

All machines are all fitted with the following features:

• Colour coded display
• Reduced rinse water consumption
• Energy saving standby mode
• Drain pump, rinse booster pump, detergent, and rinse aid pumps.
• Double skinned door and cabinet to reduce noise and limit heat loss
• Hygiene and service reminders.
• Deep clean mode and refresh cycle.
• Optional audible alarm.
• WRAS Compliant – Type AB air gap
• Three power options: 13A, 30A Single Phase and 13A Three Phase

For more information visit www.classeq.co.uk  or email hello@classeq.co.uk

RATIONAL, the global market leader in hot food preparation, has taken user-friendliness to a new level: The iCombi Pro and iVario Pro cooking systems now include a search assistant. The free software update makes it fast and easy for users to find the applications they require.

“Numerous cooking paths, programs and settings can be found easily.” says Graham Kille, Director Product Management, at RATIONAL UK. “In a busy kitchen, unplanned situations always arise. As a result, the employee does not immediately find the right cooking path and this where the new search function can be used.”

With the latest software update, RATIONAL now offers a way to quickly get to what the operator is looking for, without having to spend time searching for information. “The new search assistant works in a similar way to a search engine on the Internet,” explains Graham. “Just tap the magnifying glass on the panel display and type in a keyword. Just type a few letters and the search assistant immediately returns results from iCookingSuite cooking paths, usage examples include programs and settings. To make things even faster next time, the search history is automatically displayed.

According to Graham, the new search assistant is the finishing touch in terms of user-friendliness and makes the iCombi Pro and iVario Pro even easier to use: “Even when things get hectic, users can find what they need quickly and reliably. This saves time and eliminates unnecessary stress.”

RATIONAL cooking systems networked via ConnectedCooking, RATIONAL’s digital kitchen management system, receive the software update automatically – users only need to confirm the download. Alternatively, the software can now be downloaded online and loaded onto the iCombi Pro or iVario Pro using a USB flash drive. For more information, go to rational-online.com.

With space at an increasing premium and operators looking to drive cost efficiencies wherever possible, Hobart is introducing its Compact Kitchen solution – a suite of just four innovative, space saving machines that it says can provide total cooking and warewash performance for operations with restricted kitchen footprints.

The lineup, including a compact Minijet combi oven, multifunctional Precipan, High Speed Steamer and the company’s groundbreaking Two Level Washer combine to make the ultimate compact kitchen solution for operators looking to do more with less.

With every piece of catering equipment having to earn its footprint in the modern professional kitchen, the Peterborough-based manufacturer – an expert in innovation, with a reputation for developing machines that make kitchen life easier – has created the Compact Kitchen solution to help small kitchens operate more efficiently and help operators to reduce kitchen space requirements to increase profitable dining capacity.

Hobart UK MD Tracy Southwell comments: “Gone are the days when machines could sit idle for hours on end. Modern kitchens demand equipment with the shared attributes of multifunctionality, efficiency and maximum performance. Allied to this, with fewer trained chefs in work since the pandemic, simplicity of operation and a user-friendly interface are now absolute must haves. Our Compact Kitchen solution is the answer to all these challenges, and more, providing the perfect canvas for operators to drive efficiencies, minimise costs and maximise output.”

The Full Compact Kitchen Lineup:

Hobart High Speed Steamer

A key part of the Compact Kitchen solution, the Hobart High Speed Steamer is a revolutionary product with unique cooking abilities that provides chefs with a fast and cost-effective way of producing the highest quality dishes in a smaller footprint.

This innovative piece of equipment uses ‘dry’ steam under pressure to dramatically reduce cook times compared to traditional methods; fish, meat, eggs and rice are cooked in minutes, and shellfish and vegetables in seconds, combining space and time savings in just a 600mm width footprint.

Further space savings can be made by stacking the High Speed Steamer in a tower configuration with a Hobart Combi Oven (creating the Hobart Combi Tower), enabling even greater productivity within a compact 920mm footprint. The optimum use of kitchen space.

The Hobart Precipan

Hobart’s multifunctional Precipan brings total flexibility, versatility and simplicity to the commercial kitchen, giving chefs the tools to master multiple methods of cooking in one compact footprint, optimising kitchen space, improving workflow, and saving on equipment costs.

Chefs can use the Precipan to sauté, steam, boil, poach, simmer, fry, grill, smoke or braise, opening up an infinite world of menu possibilities, from à la carte dining, right through to larger scale catering operations.

Chefs can also maximise the Precipan’s potential as a 24-hour-a-day workhorse to batch cook stocks and stews overnight, before resuming normal daily cooking routines in the morning.

For additional versatility, smart multi-temperature zoning of the Precipan’s cooking base allows chefs to cook with precision, allowing for temperature boosts exactly when required.

The Hobart Minijet Combi

Hobart boasts one of the most reliable and easy to operate ranges of combi ovens on the market including the space-saving Minijet – an innovation that delivers all of the performance of a full-sized oven in a compact package, whilst still being able to accommodate full sized gastronorms. In addition, the oven can be used with either single or three phase electricity and is perfect for smaller kitchens where space is limited.

The Hobart Two Level Washer

When space is limited and maximum output is required, this award-winning machine doubles the capacity and productivity of a conventional dishwasher within the same footprint as a single hood.

During lower periods of demand the bottom chamber can be disabled to minimise energy consumption and then re-enabled when there is a requirement for higher volumes – helping kitchens keep up with fluctuations in customer footfall without using additional kitchen space.

With the option to use the lower chamber as a dedicated utensil washer or as a standard dishwasher, the Two Level Washer tackles the demands of both front and back-of-house teams by washing different types of ware simultaneously, saving time and space, and keeping up with the kitchen flow.

Dealers and end users should visit www.hobartuk.com/compactkitchen today to find out more about the innovative, space saving lineup.