Cronin Insurance: here to support you with all your insurance needs

Cronin Insurance (an NFP Company) has partnered with ceda to provide you with a range of insurance solutions to support and protect your business. Having worked with ceda for a number of years, Cronin have a good understanding of the bespoke insurance requirements of businesses like yours, and offer a tailored service designed to meet your individual needs.

Visit our ceda member page

Get in touch

Darren Cronin
Managing Director
Tel: 07484 871 288
Email: darren@cronin-insurance.com

As a ceda Associate Member, we’re here to support you with all your insurances, including:

Commercial Combined

Contractors All Risks

Public & Employers Liability

Personal Indemnity

Directors & Officers

Legal Cover

To discuss how we can help you, please get in touch:

Visit our ceda member page

Precision blast chiller dubbed the heartbeat of Wahaca’s kitchen

News

From tacos to taquitos, quesadillas to churros, Wahaca serves up delicious and sustainable small plates inspired by the vibrant flavours of Mexico at their newest restaurant in Paddington Square. Always with the planet in mind, they champion British suppliers and source ingredients as locally as possible, adding seasonal specials throughout the year. Over 50% of Wahaca’s menu is plant-based, and by using free-range chicken and pork, grass-fed beef, and sustainable fish, they ensure their meat dishes are not only delicious but better for the planet too.

Paul Main is Wahaca’s Project and Maintenance Manager, he looks after the day-to-day maintenance for all 14 sites as well as refurbishments and new site builds. Paul has worked with Pete Nunn at Dentons Catering Equipment for over ten years, and he offers Wahaca “the full package.” Paul explains, “He does a fantastic design, thinks of all the details, and ticks all the boxes… I sit down with our chefs and get an idea of what we want and then Pete makes that into realisation.” Dentons specialises in engaging with clients to understand their needs and source the right equipment for the job.

When asked why Wahaca continues to choose Precision Refrigeration for their sites, Paul says, “We need robust equipment which we know is going to last us a long time, we’re busy sites… what we know we get with Precision is great units which we can rely on no matter what environment they’re in. Whether it’s the bar or the kitchen… [our chefs know] they’re going to get a product that’s working well and continues to work well.”

In the kitchen, Wahaca have a PCF40 upright blast chiller/freezer which Paul says “is the heartbeat of the Precision units… the thing that gets used the most… that we really need to be running every day all day so it’s really important that we have good equipment for that.”

Also on the line, they have VUBC121 variable temperature drawers, MCU211 counter refrigerators, and LPU150 under counter freezers, which work together to streamline their operations. While at the front of house, they have BBS900 double-door bottle coolers which “look fantastic. They’ve got a great finish to them… they get to temperature very quickly… they’re just good solid units.”

Paul also praises Precision’s sustainability and energy efficiency saying, “they’re great for the energy side of things… [which is a] massive part of our business now, and has been for the last few years. The Precision units, we find, serve all our needs in that department. They manage their temperature very well, but also… if there is a breakdown or anything that happens it’s something that we can easily resolve, and they give a great customer service.”


Don't Delay! Book your Training Courses with Parts Town UK Today

News

Due to high demand our Training Division has released several more course dates for 2025, to help you level up your skills.

CCEECC Electrical Competency Training

Master essential electrical and commercial kitchen repairs! This course provides engineers with the basic electrical competence and knowledge needed to work safely on electrical equipment and components in commercial catering.

Electrical Competency – Find out more

Rational iCombi Pro Update Training

Gain knowledge and skills needed to effectively work on Rational’s ICombi range! This course provides practical and tailored Rational training for commercial catering engineers who have previously attended the full basic training on Rational SCCWE or 5 Senses.

Rational iCombi – Find out more

Don’t miss out on these expert-led sessions. Secure your spot today!

Book Training Courses

Novameta’s Cooling Counter Wins Prestigious Global Design Award

News

The innovative Cooling Counter developed by Lithuanian company Novameta has been honored with the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD 2025.

Competing against nearly 11,000 entries from 66 countries, Novameta’s Cooling Counter distinguished itself in the Product Design discipline, under the Kitchen Furniture category, thanks to its cutting-edge innovation and exceptional design. The product was rigorously evaluated by an international jury of 131 independent design experts, who assessed both its functionality and aesthetic appeal.

According to Mindaugas Jonuškis, CEO of Novameta, this award is not only a significant international recognition for the company, its team, and its products but also a testament to Novameta’s commitment to developing innovative, energy-efficient, and sustainable solutions for professional kitchens.

“Our goal was to create a product that is not only visually appealing but also highly efficient and durable, meeting the evolving needs of modern kitchens. This award reaffirms that we are on the right path,” says Mindaugas Jonuškis, CEO of Novameta.

Novameta’s next-generation Cooling Counter stands out for more than just its design—it also excels in efficiency, quality, and longevity. Belonging to the A-class energy efficiency category, it consumes up to 45% less electricity than previous models. Additionally, it meets climate class 5 standards, ensuring reliable performance even in high-temperature environments.

“It’s not just about sustainability and efficiency; it’s about adapting to the evolving needs of modern kitchens. Today’s chefs increasingly value aesthetics, so we focus on designing products that seamlessly integrate into any professional kitchen environment,” Jonuškis adds.

Another key advantage of the Cooling Counter is its 25% larger cooling surface compared to many competitors, making it particularly valuable for commercial kitchens, where space efficiency is crucial.

According to Jonuškis, receiving this prestigious award strengthens Novameta’s reputation as an industry innovator and opens new opportunities in international markets.

“This award once again proves that Lithuanian engineering and design talent is recognized globally and can compete with the world’s leading manufacturers,” he concludes.


Faster Cleaning & Cost Savings with the New Merrychef Oven Cavity Liner

News

Global leaders in high speed ovens, Merrychef leads the way again with its new Merrychef Oven Cavity Liner. This innovative new product significantly cuts cleaning time at the end of service, helping staff as well as saving money for operators.

Developed at the home of speed cooking in Sheffield, Merrychef has created an innovative product accessory that delivers a 90% reduction in cleaning chemical usage, a 90% reduction in oven cavity protector usage and a 76% reduction in labour time to clean ovens^. This new accessory will revolutionise the ease of cleaning for the best-selling Merrychef conneX®12 and eikon e2s high speed ovens*. Cavity liners for other models are already in development.

“The world of foodservice is challenging,” asserts Merrychef Managing Director, Colin Lacey, “Our customers are being affected by rising costs across all areas of their business, from energy and food ingredients to employment costs. Staff recruitment and retention remains a major issue. At Merrychef, we are constantly thinking about how we can make our equipment easier to use and to maintain, to provide ongoing savings for our customers. The new Merrychef Oven Cavity Liner is a simple accessory that has huge potential to save operators money and improve staff productivity and morale. Let’s face it nobody enjoys spending time cleaning their oven cavity at the end of a busy day.”

As well as improving productivity by reducing cleaning time and chemical usage, a cleaner oven helps to reduce downtime and maintenance costs as well as extending the life of the oven. Reduced chemical usage is also more sustainable and kinder to the environment.


Convotherm Arms Customers with Carbon Data

News

Global leader in combi ovens, Convotherm, continues to lead the way in the development of the commercial kitchen of the future, and has partnered with an external sustainability expert to share the Product Carbon Footprints (PCF) for selected Convotherm maxx pro models*.

Convotherm complies with CIBSE TM65 and has worked with an external partner to create PCFs to give easy access to the data that matters to operators. PCFs calculate the total amount of carbon emissions created throughout a product’s lifecycle, from manufacture and transport to use and disposal. They provide a clear understanding of the environmental impact of a product, helping identify areas to reduce emissions and improve sustainability.

Arndt Manter, Director of Product Management, Convotherm explains further,

“We believe that operating sustainably is essential for the future of our business and the planet, and we are committed to providing carbon impact information on our products, to support our customers in their end goal to measure and improve the sustainability of their kitchens and commercial environments.  The data platform we are using with our partner ImpactLoop, delivers a significant effect as it focuses only on the asset level data that matters and the actions that make a difference.”

Reducing carbon footprints can lead to cost savings through energy efficiency and improved resource management. Convotherm maxx pro’s PCFs contain calculations for both Embodied and Operational Carbon and meet the TM65 methodology which is imperative to the foodservice and hospitality industry when commissioning updates or new installations of commercial kitchens.

Jonathan Butler, Sales Director, Welbilt UK & I praises Convotherm for leading the way in sustainability initiatives,

“In our industry, there is a lot of talk about sustainability and what manufacturers are doing to arm operators with the information they need to make positive changes, and I’m delighted Convotherm has taken a lead in this area and worked with the team at ImpactLoop to create PCFs for these key Convotherm maxx pro models.  This puts us in such a strong position in the marketplace, and we look forward to sharing the data with our customers.”

For further information on Convotherm, please visit www.convotherm.com

Please contact Convotherm for the data required for the Convotherm maxx pro model at joshua.bruce@welbilt.com or bill.perry@welbilt.com

*ImpactLoop Product Carbon Footprints are available for Convotherm maxx pro 10.10 Electric Spritzer EasyTouch (maxxproeT10.10), maxx pro 20.20 Electric Boiler EasyTouch (maxxproeT20.20), maxx pro 6.10 Electric Spritzer EasyTouch (maxxproeT6.10), and maxx pro 20.10 Electric Boiler EasyTouch (maxxproeT20.10).


Foster EcoShow Multideck continues to impress

News

Foster’s award-winning range of EcoShow Multideck display refrigerators is attracting more praise from the market, with customers attributing increased sales to its visually impactful uplighting feature.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust, impressed by the high-capacity EcoShow in their Holme Dunes reserve, have now invested in another unit for their head office. Café supervisor Sue Collison is a fan, appreciating the benefits from both sides of the serving counter. The huge capacity offered means that daily loading is no longer required, in fact restocking now only takes place 2 or 3 times a week. Customers of the reserve’s café also benefit from fresher, tastier cakes and pastries, as a result of improved temperature control. “The sales have definitely gone up since we had the EcoShow without a doubt” she says.

EcoShow multidecks offer a wealth of benefits:

  • 80% energy saving on previous models
  • Outstanding visibility of products, maximised through impactful uplighting and insulated glass doors and side panels
  • Huge capacity – the EcoShow range can store between 306 and 884 cans, and that’s without double stacking!
  • All models are fitted as standard with Foster’s award-winning +stayclear low maintenance condenser
  • Swivel castors are supplied as standard for easy movement.

Full details can be found at fosterrefrigerator.com/ecoshow.

Don’t forget, the entire EcoShow range is available to either lease or buy on Foster’s award-winning, fully transparent interest-free credit scheme. With no deposit required (subject to credit check) and a hassle-free approval process (99% approval rating), customers can benefit from top of the range equipment without the burden of the initial capital outlay.

Check out the full product ranges from The Refrigeration Experts at fosterrefrigerator.com and gamko.com or email sales@foster-gamko.com.


Hobart Unveils Next-Generation FLOW Line Collection – the AI-powered future of large-capacity warewashing

News

Hobart is continuing its proud legacy of being first to market with groundbreaking innovation, following the launch of its next-generation large-capacity warewashers – the FLOW Line Collection.

The FLOW Line Collection – flight type machines reimagined for the modern era – is equipped with world-first patented technology; the result of Hobart’s long-term commitment to operator focused ‘customer-back innovation’ (CBI) making it 2025’s most anticipated launch. The new range has been designed to completely simplify and standardise the warewashing process, setting new benchmarks in efficiency, energy reduction, labour, water, and detergent consumption whilst maximizing wash capacity.

When the manufacturer’s global research – part of its exacting CBI process –

highlighted high staff turnover, lack of in-depth training and staff shortages as key pain points for operators, Hobart developed SmartVisionControl – patented AI-powered technology that can automatically detect incoming wash ware before selecting the best program to deliver clean dishes at the lowest running cost, irrespective of the operator. The FLOW Line Collection also includes:

  • Up to 40% reduction in rinse water consumption – less water usage means lower energy and detergent costs.
  • Enhanced Automatic Soil Removal system – the machine can detect slight changes in water quality, only removing wastewater when completely necessary.
  • Touchscreen control – ensuring a consistent, seamless, intuitive user experience across the entire range.
  • Fewer components in the rinse chamber – reducing cleaning time and eliminating dirt traps.
  • Universal curtains and color-coded rinse arms – enhanced simplicity and ease of use for operators.

Hobart UK warewash product manager, Chris Mansell comments: “The FLOW Line Collection is the direct result of our dedicated customer-back innovation programme, designed to help operators address challenges in the kitchen with the help of new AI-driven technology. By optimising performance and streamlining processes, we’re giving operators the tools to reduce costs whilst maintaining the very highest standards of cleanliness and efficiency.”

In addition to simplifying the washing process for operators, Hobart has also reviewed its machine categorisation. The traditional PROFI and PREMAX tiers are now a thing of the past; operators can choose the best package to get the most from their FLOW Line machine by choosing only the features they need. Customers can work with the manufacturer’s large warewash specialists to find exactly the right package to suit their requirements.

To find out more, visit www.hobartuk.com/flow

Hobart, redefining innovation to make kitchen life easier.


Electrolux Professional to Showcase Latest Foodservice Lines at HRC 2025

News

Electrolux Professional will exhibit several of its leading cooking, warewashing and refrigeration lines at HRC 2025, taking place on 17-19 March at ExCeL London.

A notable highlight is the UK trade show debut for the manufacturer’s recently launched NeoBlue Touch undercounter glasswasher. The range offers a reliable glasswashing solution tailored around smart savings and accessibility, making it ideal for businesses such as cafes, bakeries and pubs.

The appliance is equipped with MyEco Cycle, a smart feature developed to produce significant energy and water savings. Each cycle uses just 260W of energy and 2.1L of water, enabling operators to reduce energy consumption by up to 40% per 3L of water used, compared to the manufacturer’s previous undercounter range.

The pioneering SkyDuo concept will also be displayed at the event to demonstrate the benefits of a seamless, intuitive connection between the manufacturer’s SkyLine Combi Ovens and SkyLine Blast Chillers. Through this process, the appliances “talk” to each other during programming and operation to both streamline cooking processes and reduce energy consumption.

Alex Reed, Foodservice Partner Sales Manager at Electrolux Professional UK&I, said: “For us, HRC is an ideal opportunity to promote our wide portfolio of foodservice equipment to an audience of scale at one of the UK’s leading trade events.

“More importantly, we are always looking forward to engaging with customers, dealers and other industry leaders to showcase the latest technological advancements in our energy-efficient appliances, please do come and speak to us on stand H1121.

Other appliances on display include GourmeXpress and SpeeDelight, the manufacturer’s compact, high-speed cooking solutions. By combining convection, microwave and impingement cooking technology, the GourmeXpress can roast, grill, toast and reheat, making it ideal for the increasingly prominent grab-and-go industry. The SpeeDelight, a high-performance grill, can run up to 1,000 cycles per day, ensuring quality and creativity throughout the kitchen.

Discover more about Electrolux Professional’s latest foodservice solutions by visiting the team on stand H1121.


cedaWellbeing Cup of Tea and Biscuit Event

News

📅 Date: 28th March
📍 Location: Your Office or On the Road

Join us for the Cup of Tea and Biscuit Event on the 28th of March! We’re encouraging all Members and Partners to host an in-house gathering where staff can come together over a cup of tea or coffee and have an open conversation about mental health and wellbeing.

Whether it’s in the office or a meet-up on the road, this is a chance to connect, check in with colleagues, and raise awareness about the importance of mental health.

🔹 Resources Provided: We’ll supply Members and Partners with materials to display during the event, ensuring everyone knows about the free support available for mental health and wellbeing.

Let’s take a moment to talk, listen, and support each other. ☕🍪