Hatherley Services MLP Award First Choice Training
Hatherley Services MLP Award First Choice Training
Hatherley Commercial Services’ engineer Sam Clarke has become the first candidate on the First Choice Group’s managed learning programme (MLP) to complete all his ACS assessments and become fully gas safe accredited.
Martin Dagnall, Technical and Training Manager at First Choice Group, said: “I was very proud to present Sam with a technical achievement award and personal gift from First Choice Training.
“This award was to recognise Sam’s hard work and dedication during his MLP to become a gas technician.”
First Choice Group have a variety of training courses and assessments to cater to both experienced gas engineers and new entries.
Clarke was one of the first candidates on the programme and took just over 1 year to complete this and become fully accredited. He completed five weeks’ training at First Choice’s training centre in Cannock as well as working with colleges to produce a portfolio of demonstrated work.
First Choice Group Training is certified by Logic Certification to run courses and carry out assessments under the Nationally Accredited Certification Scheme for Gas Fitting Operatives (ACS). As well as the Managed Learning Programme for Non-Domestic Catering new entrants.
In addition, First Choice Group Training runs its own City & Guilds accredited electrical competency course.
As an approved training partner for key manufacturers and leading brands, First Choice Group Training delivers training in fully functional professional kitchens which utilise the manufacturer’s own equipment while harnessing the very latest in educational technology.
For technicians undertaking their reassessments, First Choice Group understand the importance of returning to work as soon as possible. Often technicians will be off the road for a relatively short period of time and this is due to our 100% focus on catering and also our commitment to a maximum of 2 to 1 assessments. We are focused on assessing the technicians in a calm and relaxed atmosphere.
Our training exposes the risks involved within gas engineering and how to prevent gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. We also promote and instruct the importance of taking care of your gas appliances.
Full details of First Choice Group Training’s calendar of training courses and events can be found here.
Gas Safe Kits are also available and stocked from First Choice, a must have for all gas trained catering engineers to have as part of their van stocks (part number 706003 or 706020) https://www.firstchoice-cs.co.uk/media-centre/van-stock-brochures/, page 104.
Merrychef Launches Ready Recipes – A Tailored Online Recipe Resource
Merrychef Launches Ready Recipes – A Tailored Online Recipe Resource
Merrychef, a leading high-speed oven brand from ceda Platinum Partner Welbilt, today launches the innovative ‘Ready Recipes’, a downloadable resource which provides hundreds of recipes at the click of a button. Designed with chefs, caterers and independent businesses in mind, the recipes are carefully tailored to the Merrychef product portfolio for the perfect result, every time.
Boasting a library of over 600 recipes, with more to come from Merrychef’s development team, the dedicated Ready Recipes website provides free and instant online access to a range of model-specific cooking profiles which are easily transferred to the customer’s personal e-cookbook. This e-cookbook is then downloaded to the customer’s Merrychef high speed oven via a USB, allowing customers to develop their menus with ultimate ease.
An intuitive filter system allows operators to search through a library of model-specific recipes. Each recipe featured has been rigorously performance-tested at the Merrychef culinary centre to ensure operators achieve perfect serving temperatures and top-quality results, with each recipe precisely honed to the customer’s exact model. Caterers can also filter through the extensive library of recipes by course or cuisine which further enhances customisation.
For recipe choice with extra finesse, Merrychef has also uploaded a variety of signature dishes to the new Ready Recipes website. Created by chefs from around the world, these show-stopping dishes are accessed via the ‘Chefs World’ tab on the culinary website.
Colin Lacey, Managing Director of Merrychef, commented: “Thanks to the launch of Ready Recipes, customers will be able to take full advantage of the incredible culinary capabilities of Merrychef high speed ovens. We want to help our customers expand their menu choice and ensure they are able to easily deliver the high quality, fast-paced food service that has become synonymous with Merrychef ovens.”
For more information on Ready Recipes and tips on how to create a profile, please visit
https://www.merrychef.com/culinary
Electrolux Professional Adds Comprehensive Beverage Systems and Soft Serve Range to UK Offering
Electrolux Professional Adds Comprehensive Beverage Systems and Soft Serve Range to UK Offering
ceda Platinum Partner, Electrolux Professional, has launched its Beverage Systems and Soft Serve range to the UK market, in a move which consolidates its position as the OnE global business partner providing Food, Beverage and Laundry.
The hot, chilled, and frozen beverage equipment portfolio incorporates the high-quality finish and performance currently associated with Electrolux Professional’s extensive range of commercial kitchen equipment. Crucially, it now ensures a comprehensive foodservice solution can be offered to all customers, contributing to greater profits and superior sustainability.
Alex Reed, UK & Ireland Foodservice Sales Manager at Electrolux Professional, comments: “We know that there is an increasing demand for high-quality beverages, whether that is a premium cappuccino or a perfectly-served ice cream. By expanding our foodservice offering to incorporate beverage, we are ensuring that customers can access this expanding revenue stream.
“It also presents a single point of contact for those in the foodservice market, which provides consistency and helps to overcome issues associated with having multiple suppliers.”
There are a number of product types in the range, including:
- Coffee brewers, grinders and espresso machines;
- Chilled beverage dispensers and juicers;
- Frozen granita dispensers, frozen cream dispensers, and soft ice cream dispensers.
Within each of these categories there are a variety of customisation options, offering a significant amount of versatility for a number of applications.
The range has been subject to several years of R&D, following the acquisition of three major beverage brands. This is underpinned by a two-years parts and labour warranty, which is in line with Electrolux Professional’s foodservice range and beyond the industry standard.
There are a number of unique features across the range, best highlighted by the innovative functionality of the PrecisionBrew line of shuttle coffee brewers. For example, the Java-Tate technology provides gentle stirring of the coffee to maintain a consistent quality and taste, helping it to last up to twice as long as other coffee brewers.
Alex continues: “Our range of beverage equipment has been designed to bring a host of innovative features to the market, as well as a convenient single point of contact for customers. By operating as the OnE global business partner in food, beverage and laundry, we are able to provide an unparalleled level of consistency across the brand.”
He concludes: “To support the launch of the new beverage line, we have also made a significant investment into our Center of Excellence, transforming it into a fully operational showroom. This highlights our ability to both test and demonstrate foodservice equipment, instilling confidence in our customers and allowing for a truly unique hands-on experience.”
To view Electrolux Professional’s range of beverage and soft serve products, please visit: https://professional.electrolux.co.uk/
Rational Underlines Commitment to the UK
Rational Underlines Commitment to the UK
In the face of Brexit, ceda Platinum Partner Rational moves to support UK customers.
“Whatever happens, Rational is totally committed to the UK market.” That’s the statement of intent from the UK’s largest combi oven supplier, and one of the world’s top foodservice equipment brands. Rational UK’s managing director, Simon Lohse, says, “The company is very positive about its future in the UK, and is making plans to ensure that any potential disruption does not impact on its customers.”
Rational has already invested heavily in areas such as increased stock in the UK. In addition, while the company normally builds to order, it has recently introduced a new policy tailored to help speed up response times for UK customers, so that it can keep up with demand.
Rational invented the combi steamer back in the 1970s and its SelfCookingCenter is now the UK’s favourite combi oven. In the VarioCookingCenter, Rational has another market-leading appliance. Rational UK was one of the German company’s first overseas divisions. The subsidiary was established in 1991 and has seen continued growth, year on year. In the UK and Ireland, the company has a workforce of 72 and, despite tough economic conditions in 2019, Rational UK sales continue to grow
In addition to increasing stocks in the UK, Rational have a number of contingency plans, so whatever happens in the face of Brexit, Rational will continue to deliver a high level of support to the UK and Irish market.
Rational is working closely with its key UK distributors to ensure that they are aware of the plans and the support the company can offer them.
Key to the continued success of Rational UK has been its relationship with its parent company. Lohse comments, “Our German colleagues have been hugely supportive in the investments we have had to make in the UK to prepare for any Brexit scenarios. We hope our forward planning for future growth, and our continued investment in the UK market, will give our customers and distributors some peace of mind.”
RATIONAL is the leading provider in hot food preparation equipment and, with the VarioCookingCenter and SelfCookingCenter, the company delivers all a commercial kitchen’s thermal cooking requirements. Together, the two appliances offer the best cooking solutions. For information and brochures, or to come to a free VarioCookingCenter Live or SelfCookingCenter Live demonstration, call +44 (0)1582 480388, freephone 0800 389 2944 or visit www.rational-online.com
WaterCare are proud to announce the launch of WaterCare Recycling initiative.
WaterCare are Proud to Announce the Launch of WaterCare Recycling Initiative
Building on WaterCare’s core philosophy of providing the eco-friendliest water treatment products available on the market today, it was a natural decision for them to progress this and develop a new area of our business dedicated to the recycling and re purposing of ALL water filters.
Therefore, WaterCare are now able to recycle and re-purpose ALL types of plastic and aluminium water filters using their newly operational recycling facility at their Head Offices in Harlow, Essex. They are also able to regenerate the expired resin from within these water filters to be used in future manufacture of new water filters.
The added value and service this new operation provides means that not only can you purchase your water filters, made right here in the UK by WaterCare, but you can also utilise this facility and help reduce plastic waste from filters to zero. In addition, all components of any expired, unwanted or end-of-line water filters will be re-purposed or regenerated for future manufacture in their products.
WaterCare’s ability to use the recycled, high quality, raw materials in the production of their water filters is a key element in their efforts to protect the environment and continues their aim to become the most sustainable producer of water treatment products. It also offers their clients the opportunity to deliver a strong and transparent message, both internally and to their customers, that they are passionately committed to reducing plastic waste throughout the industry through the supply of sustainable, eco-friendly water filters from WaterCare.
How do you get involved? Simple!
Either send your unwanted water filters back to WaterCare for recycling or contact them with details on how many you have to return, and they will have them collected from you, free of charge! *
What type of Water Filters can you send back to WaterCare Recycling?
Any Water Filter! WaterCare can recycle all major brands of filter; Brita, BWT, Everpure, 3M and all other manufacturers.
*Free Collection is dependent on location and volume. Please contact WaterCare for more details and to discuss your requirements on 01279 780250 or email info@watercare.co.uk.
TAG Team Defend Cyclone24 Title & Beat Lap Record
TAG Team Defend Cyclone24 Title & Beat Lap Record
A team from TAG Catering Equipment UK Ltd have beaten the Welsh record and defended their 2018 title by winning the non-stop 24-hour track cycling challenge Cyclone24.
Cyclone24 is the UK’s original velodrome cycle challenge that pitches teams against each other over 24 hours in a relay format. The TAG Team won the 2018 Newport event and once again took the track this year from 20th to 21st October at The Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales.
Starting at midday on Sunday the team of six lead by Project & Creative Director, Tyron Stephens-Smith rode 3884 laps, equivalent to 971,000 metres or 603 miles. The total distance ridden is further than London to Inverness.
This also beats the Welsh velodrome record of 3836 laps previously broken by TAG in 2018. The team also posted the fast lap time of 14.624 seconds.
“2018 was a real challenge and one of the hardest things I’ve done both mentally and
physically” commented Tyron.
“To return for 2019, take the win, beat the lap record and post the fastest lap time is beyond anything we could have imagined. But it was tougher in every way than 2018!”
The TAG Team took on the challenge in 2019 intending to raise £1,250 for the Velindre
Cancer Centre in Wales. Velindre is Wales’ premier cancer centre providing treatment, care and support to patients and their families.
“Velindre have been great in treating someone close to the team and we are delighted to
have so far raised over £2,000. Thank you to everyone who has donated, it has made the
challenge worthwhile” concluded Tyron.
If you’d like to donate to the challenge please visit the TAG team’s GoFundMe page at
https://www.gofundme.com/f/y5x5ay-24-hour-bike-race
Rational has once again won the "Smart Label" award, which was announced at Host in Milan
Rational has once again won the “Smart Label” award, which was announced at Host in Milan
A great joy for ceda Platinum Partner Rational, the world market and technology leader in the field of hot food preparation, at the international hospitality trade fair Host in Milan: one of the innovations to be exhibited at Host in October this year is the VarioCookingCenter, which has won the “Smart Label” award.
Functionality, technology, environmental sustainability as well as ethical and social implications – these are the features assessed by Fiera Milano and POLI.design in order to give recognition to the most innovative products and companies with the Smart Label award. Both the small combi-steamer, the SelfCookingCenter XS, and the company’s networking solution ConnectedCooking have in the past received the award.
“For us at Rational, innovation means offering the people working in commercial kitchens the best appliance for cooking. In our developments, we always take into account the energy balance of the units – so it is no coincidence that environmental sustainability is the issue we want to focus on at this year’s Host,” says Enrico Ferri, CEO of Rational Italia.
130 million meals are prepared with Rational units every day. The company, which is specialised in large and commercial kitchens, currently holds over 600 patents and a market share of more than 50% for multifunctional appliances. Its customers include restaurants, hotels, canteens, hospitals, schools as well as fast food chains, supermarkets, confectioners and butchers.
“Our extensive cooking research has also produced the VarioCookingCenter, a multifunctional cooking appliance for boiling, frying and deep-frying – all in one unit. This allows you to reduce your space requirement in the kitchen by up to 30%, and also save up to 40% in electricity,” says Ferri, describing the award-winning product. This is made possible by the mesh-like structure of the patented VariBoost heating system, which transfers the heat to the food through the thin pan base quickly and consistenly. On the command of the built-in cooking intelligence, the system immediately withdraws the heat to prevent sticking and overcooking. Even delicate products such as rice pudding, béchamel sauce or risotto succeed every time with the VarioCookingCenter.
“Together, the SelfCookingCenter and the VarioCookingCenter make a well-coordinated team. Because they have the same user interface, users will find it intuitive to operate and the multifunctionality ensures that virtually almost every application in the professional kitchen is covered,” says Ferri.
Instanta Introduces New Products As Part Of Range Changes
Instanta Introduces New Products As Part Of Range Changes
Boiling and chilled beverage equipment manufacturer and ceda Silver Partner Instanta has made some changes to its popular range of boilers, ensuring customers have the right products available to meet their needs.
As well as making some range modifications to bring products in line with market demands, Instanta has added two new products. The first, a new SureFlow 19 litre 6kW filtered counter-top boiler (CTS19F/6), means customers can now benefit from an increased capacity for higher volume use as well as a faster heat-up time. This new product joins the current 10 and 17 litre models. In addition, these three filtered counter-top products, along with our CTS10 product, have been reengineered to have the same footprint, with a reduced width of just 244mm.
The other new product is a five litre slimline under counter boiler, UCB5, and at just 135mm wide, is ideal for compact areas while still being able to provide a high volume of water. The new UCB5 is available with either the standard or high tap for filling tall jugs or cafetieres.
Modifications to existing UCB7 and UCB12 models will see them change from 7 and 12 litre models to 10 and 15 litre models, becoming UCB10 and UCB15.
Dave Wilson, operations director at Instanta, comments: “We believe it’s important to regularly review our product range to make sure it’s meeting the needs of the catering market, which evolves and changes as with any sector.
“We hope these changes are beneficial to customers and always welcome feedback from customers and suppliers to help future development.”
The new products can be found online here or call 01704 501114.
Hoshizaki See Through Launch Of Unique Glass Door Refrigerator - the Gram Eco Plus KG140
Hoshizaki See Through Launch Of Unique Glass Door Refrigerator – the Gram Eco Plus KG140
Boasting the same award-winning credentials as 5th generation ECO Plus models, yet with a transparent new twist, the innovative Gram ECO Plus KG140 accomplishes what the market once deemed to be an impossible task: a glass door storage refrigerator that boasts excellent efficiencies. In fact, so efficient is the ECO Plus KG140 that it has even been listed in the topten.eu’s famous energy efficiency ranking thanks to a Climate Class 5 classification and a remarkably low energy consumption of just 965 kWh/year.
Speaking of this groundbreaking achievement Simon Frost, Director of Hoshizaki UK & Ireland enthuses:
“Hoshizaki is thrilled to once again be leading the way with market-leading product launches such as our latest edition, the ECO Plus KG140.
Having spent significant time developing and testing the ECO Plus KG140, Hoshizaki is delighted to be launching this revolutionary product to the UK market and to be providing operators with a unit that brings together everything that is required from a durable, functional and aesthetic storage refrigerator.”
Unlike conventional storage refrigerators, the ECO Plus KG140 provides caterers with a clear view of the contents of their fridge without the need to open the cabinet door. This not only reduces the amount of times the refrigerator door is opened throughout prep and service, but also encourages productivity at the same time as it enhances the aesthetic of the commercial kitchen.
Complete with vast storage capacity, efficient air circulation, low noise consumption and a multitude of hygiene-led features, this double door refrigerator truly ticks all the boxes, particularly for large restaurants and bakeries.
For more information on the ECO Plus range, or for more information on Hoshizaki, please
see www.hoshizaki-europe.com or call 01322 616 900.
Maidaid Halcyon Celebrates Its 45th Anniversary
Maidaid Halcyon Celebrates Its 45th Anniversary
Maidaid Halcyon is celebrating 45 years as a prominent catering equipment
supplier.
The company was first formed as Maidaid Ltd back in 1974, by founders who identified the need for under counter cabinet glasswashers for use in the UK hospitality industry. This was a time when the majority of pubs only hand washed using a countertop rotating brush and dried each glass by hand.
After three hard years of trying to sell the concept, the breakthrough eventually occurred with a major pub group. Where single orders from pub tenants or owners turned into regular order stream, resulting in dramatic growth for the company.
Maidaid machines are still the product of choice for this pub group, now being supplied by one of their loyal distributors.
As the company grew it merged its Halcyon and Maidaid brands enabling the company to offer the unrivaled range it continues to present today.
Once the company decided to focus on warewashing it felt the time was right to introduce larger rack and flight machines into its regular range. Maidaid Halcyon are one of the few warewashing suppliers that consider a rack machine a stock item.
The success of this approach has resulted in the company keeping stock of basic models which have recently been reengineered for improved energy efficiency, serviceability and end-user interface.
Now, the business is recognised as one of the UK’s leading suppliers of glasswashers, dishwashers, utensil/potwashers, racks & flight machines and icemakers.
Maidaid Halcyon also provide a range of ancillary products including water softeners and water treatment devices as well as best quality specialist detergents.
The company is delighted that its efforts in providing a first-class service have received industry-wide recognition, winning awards from CEDA, Catering Insight and ENSE in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
The Maidaid Halcyon range can now be considered one of the most comprehensive from any warewashing equipment supplier.
During its 45 year history, Maidaid Halcyon have achieved an almost unbeatable reputation within the distributor catering industry, citing its employees as a major contribution.
Sales Director, Julian Lambert, from Maidaid Halcyon, said: “We will continue to work hard to add further customer satisfaction. Maidaid’s employees are our company’s greatest asset and therefore every effort is made to further develop their product knowledge and appreciation of the company structure and the key role they all play in the delivery of a service they can be proud of.”
To find out more about Maidaid Halcyon’s range, visit www.maidaid.co.uk, email sales@maidaid-halcyon.co.uk or call 0345 130 8070.
