The simple way to measure utilities usage with Sicotronic

Ki-Tech Solutions & Innovations are pleased to announce the launch of their comprehensive utilities monitoring and management dashboard for ceda members.

A fully integrated monitoring system to effectively capture electric, gas and water usage levels, actual cost-in-use and operational carbon data, with an intuitive dashboard to provide individual appliance and site recording with expansion available to measure and compare site performance across an estate.

The most cost-effective way to measure energy usage in a commercial kitchen environment, giving the operator the insights necessary to make better decisions and optimize equipment use, the system can be complemented with additional functions such as temperature monitoring, door sensors and much more.

Conduct an energy study and capture utilities consumption with complete confidence complete with a CO² statement of usage.

Contact us today:
connectwithus@wearekitech.co.uk
03300 552779

Novameta is introducing Multi Cold, a new refrigeration concept developed to give professional kitchens greater flexibility, better space efficiency, and solutions tailored to specific operational needs.

Designed for modern foodservice environments, Multi Cold is not limited to one fixed format. Instead, it enables refrigerated solutions to be developed in a wide range of sizes, dimensions, and configurations, depending on the customer’s workflow and kitchen layout. From stand-alone refrigerated cabinets to double-sided Cooling Counters, pass-through units, and other tailor-made formats, Multi Cold is built around the real needs of the operator.

The concept is suitable for a wide range of professional kitchen environments, from quick-service restaurants to other foodservice operations that require flexible, tailored refrigeration solutions. Depending on the project, Multi Cold can integrate different elements and accessories into one refrigerated unit, allowing the solution to be adapted to specific workflows, service concepts, and operational needs.

For more information email: valdas@novameta.lt

In 2026, RATIONAL will celebrate two milestones: 50 years ago, the global market and technology leader in thermal food preparation launched its first combi oven. Combining heat and steam in one unit has fundamentally changed the way professional kitchens work. The 1.5 millionth combi oven rolled off the production line just in time for this occasion. The anniversary unit, which features a golden dial, was handed over to the St. Nikolaus Children’s Hospice in Bad Grönenbach at the beginning of February.

RATIONAL presented its first combi oven, the CD 101, in 1976 — three years after the company was founded by Siegfried Meister. The combination of steam and convection enabled chefs to use a variety of cooking methods, such as roasting, baking and steaming, with just one appliance for the first time. Four years later came the CD 201, the first floor-standing combi oven to meet the demands of large kitchens with high production volumes.

This laid the foundation for five decades of continuous development, from the introduction of the ClimaPlus Combi (1997), the first combi oven with precise climate control, to the SelfCookingCenter (2004), which could adjust settings automatically, to the iCombi Pro (2020), which achieves the desired result automatically at the touch of a button. Each generation has introduced innovations that continue to make working in professional kitchens easier, more efficient and more sustainable.

The clear goal behind all these developments has always been to offer customers the best appliance for cooking. “Thanks to our high production volumes, we are able to achieve a high degree of automation in manufacturing and assembly and to use technologies that are far from standard in our industry. This ensures that every unit meets the exceptional quality and durability our customers expect,” says Martin Hermann, Chief Technical Officer at RATIONAL. Profit maximisation is not the company’s priority; instead, RATIONAL focuses on maximising customer benefit – a principle firmly rooted in the corporate culture through the ‘bottleneck-concentrated strategy’. The numbers show that this strategy continues to work: around 50% global market share, around 180 million meals prepared daily in RATIONAL appliances and, just in time for the 50th birthday, 1.5 million combi ovens produced.

“50 years of RATIONAL combi ovens and 1.5 million units are not just figures; they are an expression of the high level of satisfaction and trust that our customers have placed in us worldwide for decades. We’re proud of that. It motivates us to continue prioritising customer benefit in the future,” says Markus Paschmann, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer at RATIONAL.

In early February, the anniversary unit featuring a gold-coloured control dial was presented by Markus Paschmann and Martin Hermann to the St. Nikolaus Children’s Hospice in Bad Grönenbach, where children with life-limiting illnesses and their families receive comprehensive support throughout the stages of illness, end of life and bereavement. RATIONAL deliberately chose to donate this special anniversary model to a place where invaluable work is carried out for families every day – and where freshly cooked, delicious meals help create a sense of normalcy. “We are extremely grateful for this gift,” says Marlies Breher, Chairwoman of the Süddeutsche Kinderhospiz Foundation. “It helps us reliably make a small but meaningful part of the day possible.”

For more information, go to rational-online.com

Rational, the global leader in hot food preparation technology, will showcase its latest innovations at Hotel, Restaurant, and Catering Show, taking place 30 March – 1st April 2026 at ExCeL London.

Visitors to Stand S210 will be able to experience the cooking systems shaping professional kitchens today and tomorrow. The iCombi Pro combi oven remains an essential part of modern operations, while the versatile iVario Pro technogically advanced bratt ban shows how much more efficient and flexible a kitchen can be when multifunctional technology is put to work. Looking ahead, the iHexagon will also be on demonstration, bringing together steam, hot air, and microwave technology in a single unit to deliver even faster, high‑quality results, offering a glimpse of what the future of cooking will look like.

In addition, Rational will highlight ConnectedCooking, its digital platform that simplifies kitchen management, enhances workflow visibility, and ensures seamless connectivity across all compatible devices.

Arena Shows: An Exclusive Culinary Experience

Throughout HRC, Rational will host a series of exclusive Arena Shows, giving visitors a close-up view of how its intelligent cooking systems perform in real-service environments. With only 15 seats available per session, these demonstrations offer the chance to watch Rational expert chefs prepare dishes live, enjoy freshly cooked samples, and gain practical insights into enhancing kitchen efficiency, speed, and consistency.

Demonstrations include the iVario Pro and iCombi Pro, along with a new addition to the Arena experience: sessions showcasing the iHexagon. Taking place on Tuesday 31 March is a special demonstration by Simon Rogan MBE, Rational Ambassador and Chef/Owner of L’Enclume. Visitors to the Arena will have the opportunity to see and sample dishes from Simon, the award-winning chef and restaurateur.

Visitors are encouraged to secure their place in these popular demonstrations by registering at:

HRC 2026 Registration | RATIONAL

Rational invites all HRC attendees to visit Stand S210 to see these technologies in action. From hands‑on demonstrations to expert advice, this is a chance to discover the future of cooking with Rational and how the appliances transform kitchen operations alongside consistent, reliable results.

Classeq launches Wi-Fi connectivity across its full range of dishwashers, glasswashers and utensil washers with the introduction of Clean Connect.

Designed to bring greater control, visibility and simplicity to high-volume warewashing environments, Clean Connect enables operators to remotely monitor their machines through a single online portal – providing real-time insight without needing to be on site.

In busy professional kitchens and bars, warewashing is mission-critical. When machines perform, service runs seamlessly. When they don’t, disruption is immediate. Clean Connect gives operators instant visibility of performance, usage and maintenance requirements – helping teams protect wash quality, drive efficiency and avoid unnecessary downtime.

Wi-Fi connectivity and access to the Clean Connect portal is available at no extra cost across Classeq’s full warewashing range*, delivering measurable benefits across multiple areas:

Quality wash results:
Regular cleaning is essential for consistent wash quality and long-term machine performance. Clean Connect allows operators to check whether drain down, refresh and deep-clean cycles are being completed correctly, helping maintain standards across every shift and site.

Energy efficiency:
By comparing operating hours with powered hours, customers can identify unnecessary energy consumption and adjust usage patterns accordingly – driving smarter, more cost-effective operations.

Hard water management:
Limescale build-up remains one of the most common causes of machine failure. Clean Connect enables operators to monitor cycles completed without salt and proactively prompt teams to refill – protecting machines and avoiding costly repairs.

Preventative maintenance:
Like mileage on a vehicle, wash cycles accumulate over time. Clean Connect allows servicing to be scheduled based on real usage data rather than fixed time intervals, supporting preventative maintenance strategies that maximise lifespan and reliability.

Multi-site visibility:
From single-location operators to national estates, Clean Connect enables customers to monitor machine status across multiple sites within one simple dashboard, with the ability to drill down into individual machine data as required.

Multiple machines, one portal:
Even smaller venues often run separate machines in kitchen and bar areas. Clean Connect enables managers to oversee both from one interface. Scale this across hotels, stadia, universities or contract catering operations, and the operational value increases significantly.

Service, rental and leasing support:
For customers working with service partners, rental agreements or leasing models, Clean Connect enables wash cycle tracking, smarter servicing schedules and improved asset management – benefiting operators and suppliers alike.

Made in Britain, Next Day Delivery, Two Year Warranty
Wi-Fi connectivity and Clean Connect adds value, but it isn’t about complexity it’s about simplicity, and ease of visibility.

Every machine will continue to deliver great results with or without a Wi-Fi connection, just like every machine continues to be built in Staffordshire, available with next working day delivery and a two-year warranty as standard.

Clean Connect helps operators maintain standards, support their teams and maximise the performance and lifespan of their equipment.

To find out more or request a demonstration, visit: www.classeq.co.uk/clean-connect

*Wi-Fi connectivity is available on all models manufactured after the 1st February 2026. The Classeq Bluetooth App is required for Wi-Fi set-up.

Maintaining consistent quality across manufacturing operations requires more than robust processes; it relies on regularly refreshing skills, reinforcing standards, and creating opportunities for teams to reflect on how products are built. At Foster and Gamko, this is supported through an Operator Quality Training programme delivered across all manufacturing plants.

The training forms part of an ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and shared understanding across sites. A key benefit observed has been a greater willingness among operators to ask questions and raise potential issues early. By providing a structured environment focused on learning rather than inspection, the sessions create a safe space to explore challenges, share knowledge, and identify opportunities to improve consistency.

“We’ve noticed operators are happier to ask questions and learn since we started this refresher training.” – Adam Randall, Plant Manager

Greater build consistency supports reliable operation, reduces the likelihood of issues in the field, and helps protect uptime in busy commercial environments where equipment cannot afford to fail. It also reflects Foster’s commitment to going the extra mile by investing in its people as well as the products they build, recognising that skilled, confident teams are fundamental to the business.

“Every set of trained eyes is a chance to quality check” – Adam Randall, Plant Manager

By reinforcing quality at every stage of manufacture, the programme ultimately delivers what matters most to Foster and Gamko customers: dependable performance, long-term value, and confidence that their refrigeration will stand up to the demands of daily service.

Hoshizaki UK is equipped to address the unique requirements of the growing bakery market, having launched its new BAKER series.

The impressive multifunctional units within the new BAKER series are capable of freezing, thawing, retarder-proving, storing, and temperature maintenance. Each also come equipped with 8 pre-set programmes for easy setup, with the option for bakers to also customise bespoke settings as required. Designed with the user at the heart, Hoshizaki’s intuitive touch-screen display interface is simple to use, and includes a convenient progress bar, to enable operators to plan ahead and monitor progress with ease.

Simon Frost, Director at Hoshizaki UK & Ireland, discusses the popularity of bakery products;

“The European bakery market is worth over £180 billion, according to findings published by Bakery Assist, and is only projected to grow. To seamlessly cater to this growing demand, operators should consider investing in specialist equipment.

Our new BAKER range delivers exactly that, while benefitting from all the key features the rest of the Hoshizaki range boasts, making us a leading cold-solution expert. Thanks to its multifunction capabilities, the units are a great solution to save space, compared to having one dedicated piece of kit for each stage of bakery journey. This makes it particularly appealing for smaller businesses looking to capitalise on the continued trend for baked goods.”

Boasting a Climate Class 5 rating, the BAKER series is capable of operating efficiently in ambient temperatures of up to +40^oC. Combined with key features such as an auto-closing door, and smart air distribution to ensure rapid temperature recovery despite frequent door openings, operators can start making a return on their investment straight away.

For more information on Hoshizaki, please visit www.hoshizaki.com

Limescale is one of the most common – and preventable – causes of breakdowns in commercial kitchens. When water treatment isn’t considered early, combi ovens, dishwashers and steam equipment can suffer reduced efficiency, increased energy use and costly call-backs.

Specifying the right commercial softener at design stage protects high-value equipment, supports manufacturer warranties and reduces reactive maintenance long after handover.

WaterCare works alongside ceda members to ensure softening systems are correctly sized and suited to each installation – helping you deliver reliable, long-term performance for your clients.

Planning an upcoming project? Book a free site survey with our service team to assess water quality and ensure the right solution is specified from the outset:

https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1yuz7jTj6RsGWCoQDOnStPw2fkdtz

Are you looking to develop tailored, expert-led training programmes for your teams, but unsure what professional training can look like?

See us in action on our free, virtual training events, giving you a short taster of what our training can offer, and as a bonus, learn about a trending topic from our leading experts!

Our next event is “Leadership in an Ageing World” on Tuesday 24^th March from 12pm-1pm in collaboration with the charity, ProAge. You can register for this on LinkedIn or get in touch and we can register you manually.

Gain an understanding of how shifts in demographics are influencing skills, recruitment, and retention challenges. We will explore the dynamics of managing a multigenerational team, highlighting both the key benefits and common challenges.

In the session, you will:

1. Understand how changing workforce demographics are shaping skills, recruitment, and retention challenges.
2. Recognise the key benefits and common challenges of managing a multigenerational team.
3. Identify and apply leadership behaviours that build inclusion and enable people of all ages to contribute and perform.

Get in touch for more information about our free events or for a discussion about developing training initiatives for your teams. Please contact courteneyabbott@maguiretraining.co.uk for an informal chat.

Maidaid has officially relaunched its popular C Range of commercial warewashers, introducing a series of operator-led improvements designed to enhance performance, usability, hygiene, and sustainability and unveils there is more to come!

Developed in direct response to customer feedback, the new C Range delivers meaningful advances in design, energy efficiency, cleaning performance, and operational reliability — making it one of the most advanced warewashing solutions in its class.

The machines promise to offer:

• Smarter Design for Busy Commercial Kitchens
• Faster Cleaning & Easier Maintenance
• Industry-Leading Energy & Water Efficiency
• Certified highest hygiene standards

The re-relaunch of this range is the first step In a programme of changes and innovation from Maidaid who are committed to offering their ‘Next Generation of Commercial Dishwashers’.

To find out more go to: www.maidaid.co.uk/news/