Offering busy operators flexibility, versatility, and performance in their kitchen will be the clear message from Jestic Foodservice Solutions at HRC 2024 (stands H2061 and H2059)

Jestic’s expert sales team will be on-hand to advise and inspire operators seeking the best solutions to everyday challenges – often in space-limited kitchens. Featuring a range of top brands including Henny Penny, Duke, Moduline, Antunes, XpressChef and MKN, the team will be on hand to make life simpler and more efficient in every kitchen.

Showcasing a diverse range of premium catering equipment brands, from frying to holding and everywhere in-between – Jestic has the best solutions for every kitchen demand. Offering visitors expert insight on how to make the best use of innovative technology to ensure that every outlet can deliver best in class service, reduce costs through efficient energy usage and that the whole team can be confident operating the equipment.

From an innovative MKN combi steamer which simplifies intelligent cooking processes to the pioneering Henny Penny F5 frying range with its seamless touch-screen operation and the Duke Ready Flex cabinet with its industry-leading hot-holding technology, Jestic has the right range to make life simpler for every operator in every channel.

Steve Morris, Jestic Sales & Marketing Director says “We understand that operators are facing more challenges than ever before in their kitchens. Jestic can help offer equipment solutions which perform brilliantly, are simple to use for the whole team, and can fit into the most compact of spaces. Alongside our leading brands, the team is out in the market every day and can share insight and advice from across the whole Foodservice sector to help customers solve common challenges and do better business. With a focus on simple operation, flexibility, versatility and the best possible results, all the equipment we’re bringing to the show will help kitchens run efficiently, serve great food, and keep customers coming back for more”.

The Beginning of a New Era – RATIONAL introduces a new product category: the RATIONAL iHexagon delivers the highest food quality in the shortest possible time. 

RATIONAL is starting the new year with a World Premiere: With the new iHexagon, the world market leader has succeeded in coordinating steam, hot air and microwave technology so intelligently that the highest food quality is possible in the shortest possible time, evenly across all racks in the 6-1/1 unit. After introducing the combi-steamer and the iVario, this marks the third instance in the company’s history where it has pioneered a new product category. 

At the end of February, Markus Paschmann, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer at RATIONAL, presented the iHexagon in an online keynote speech together with RATIONAL experts from Research & Development and the project team. The focus of the presentation was on the core element of the new model: iClimateBoost. The cooking assistant intelligently adjusts steam, convection and microwave heat to the respective food. This allows operators to produce the highest food quality in the shortest possible time.

Markus Paschmann says: “With the iHexagon, we are the first on the market to succeed in combining hot air, steam and microwave heat in the cooking cabinet so intelligently that the energy is distributed evenly across all six racks.” This means that the user achieves consistently excellent results across all levels and can even simultaneously cook various types of food. Despite our culinary expertise in the market, achieving this milestone presented a formidable challenge for us.” We weren’t satisfied with the quality of the food at the beginning,” Paschmann continues. But the product developers quickly found the solution: The microwave has been set against the most powerful heating power that RATIONAL has ever developed. This has restored the balance of power. Together with the fresh steam, the two types of energy are intelligently controlled to produce succulent food with the desired browning and rich roasted flavours. “It fills me with pride to present such a technical masterpiece and launch it on the market. With the iHexagon, we are demonstrating that we recognise our customers’ challenges and are responding to them with innovations,” explains the CEO.

The iHexagon is aimed in particular at customers whose business concept is focussed equally on quality and speed. The iHexagon is capable of generating substantial quantities, it is ideal for preparing meals for large gatherings or catering events, such as buffets. Secondly, thanks to its speed, it is able to quickly serve fresh food or heat up snacks in just a few seconds, even during rush hour. This translates to an end of queues and a boost in sales instead. 

The iHexagon is of particular interest for kitchens that are geared towards standardised dishes and processes. This is where ConnectedCooking, RATIONAL’s digital kitchen management system, really comes into its own. MyDisplay, for example, which shows the most important functions individually on the display, can be set up via ConnectedCooking and distributed to all cooking systems, enables operation at the touch of a button and makes life easier, especially in kitchens with lower skilled staff.

The concept of the iHexagon is rounded off by autonomous cleaning with iCareSystem AutoDose. Cleaner and care cartridges are integrated into the cooking system and therefore securely contained. There is no contact with chemicals, and incorrect dosing is prevented. Instead, you’ll experience enhanced workplace safety and reduced costs.

All in all, it makes the iHexagon an intelligent specialist for certain applications; RATIONAL continues to see the iCombi and iVario as the primary solution for all other professional kitchens. For this reason, the company has also decided to employ product and application specialists for sales who can provide expert advice and identify whether the iHexagon is the right choice.

The iHexagon is now available in Germany, the UK and the USA, with other countries to follow gradually.

Markus Paschmann sums up the market launch as follows: “With the iHexagon, we have created a new, intelligent product category with performance features that are unique on the market. We are already speaking of a New Era.” Detailed information is available at rational-online.com, where you can also watch the keynote speech again.

We understand, that when it comes to commercial refrigeration, chefs want equipment they can rely on. With the ability to work through hot kitchen climates, fit into their workspace and not drain their bank with high energy bills.

But what if refrigeration could do more for them? With Adande, we put the customer first with a vast list of highly efficient pros to make chef’s lives easier. To keep it simple, we’ve put together the majority of reasons to choose Adande in the video below, including points such as:

-Flexibility that allows you to switch from fridge to freezer

-5-year parts warranty

-Blast chill functionality option

Discover more by watching below. Or contact the Adande team today CET@adande.com or 01502 537135

Subscribe here for more informative videos and testimonials from Adande.

Rational the leading provider in all hot food preparation extends a warm invitation to visitors at the Hotel, Restaurant and Catering Show 2024, taking place 25- 27 March, at ExCeL, London.

Visitors to the Rational stand, H2011 are invited to to explore and engage with the Rational experts as they introduce you to their innovative, intelligent cooking systems, the iVario advanced bratt pan and the iCombi Pro combi-steamer.

Arena Shows: a culinary experience

Rational has introduced a packed programme of Arena Shows, where visitors can embark on a culinary journey like never before. The exclusive 12-seater arena offers visitors an intimate experience, where they can witness the artistry of Rational cooking, showcasing the powerful performance of their cooking systems, and to sample the plated dishes.

The fantastic lineup of Rational chefs and special guests include:

Simon Rogan MBE, Rational Ambassador and Chef/Owner L’Enclume
Tom Barnes, Rational Ambassador and Executive Chef of Umbel Restaurant Group
Keziah Whittaker, Young MasterChef Winner 2023
Rehan Uddin, Rational Ambassador and Head Chef Owner of Indi Yang
Holly Charnock, Rational Ambassador and Head Chef at Woodlands Primary School
Rational Corporate Chefs

Visitors are invited to register their interest to attend the arena shows at: HRC 2024 Registration | RATIONAL (rational-online.com)

In addition to the live cooking demonstrations, the stand features the iVario Experience Island where visitors can join a professional Rational chef for personalised cooking sessions, to experience the appliance first-hand. It’s a unique opportunity to witness and participate in the cutting-edge culinary technology Rational has to offer.

Showcasing on the stand will also be the new cleaning system for iCombi Pro tabletop units, iCareSystem AutoDose. The integrated cleaning and reserve cartridge system enables autonomous cleaning, increasing work safety, saving time and ensuring HACCP hygiene safety.

Rational are also proud sponsors of the Healthcare Chefs‘ Knowledge book, hosting the launch of the book alongside a cooking demonstration with Shelley Pearson-Smith and Erica Bell, Chef of the Year 2022 from Stepping Hill Hospital.

On 26 February at 3 pm (GMT), RATIONAL will once again demonstrate its innovative strength worldwide: Markus Paschmann, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at RATIONAL, together with colleagues from Research & Development and the project team, will unveil a world first during this online event. The company announces that it will be unveiling something the market has never seen before and promises to introduce a new product category alongside the iCombi and iVario. Markus Paschmann says: “The new product will be faster, more flexible and capable of more than anything we have ever developed before.” 

If you want to be one of the first to see how RATIONAL is once again revolutionising the world of professional kitchens, you can watch the free English-language keynote presentation online – with subtitles in many other languages here.

New for 2024, the Helios range of countertop induction hobs.  More efficient, more settings, modern design, colour touch screen controls also with a dial knob.  100 power settings and precise temperature settings.  Built in timer.  All in a great modern stainless steel case.

These units are available in singles, twins and woks.  And each is available in either 2.5kW, 3.0kW or 3.5kW.  They all come with five years parts and labour warranty handled by our own engineers, allowing you and your customers to buy with confidence, with that CookTek reliability.

CookTek next generation of countertop induction hobs are available now from MCS Technical Products.

At the last ceda Board Meeting in December 2023, Derek Maher confirmed that he was stepping down as a Director of the Association due to retirement.

Crystaltech are a long-standing ceda Member and Derek has been actively involved in the Association for many years, sitting on the Technical Support Group, including serving as the Chair.

Derek joined the Board in 2016 and served as Chair between 2019 and 2021. His tenure as Chair was dominated by Brexit and Covid where his calm, measured, determined and considered manner were critical in the work that ceda undertook to support and guide the Industry.

Commenting on his time in the Industry; “Like many ceda members my wife, Maxine, and I started from our garage and grew steadily over 43 years. As I often say being a specialist in “Washing Up” was never my vision when I left school but I’m proud of the business that we built. I am also incredibly proud of my membership of ceda. It is a true community of, often competing, members all striving to raise standards in the industry. I can look back over my time and see real significant improvements that have been made, driven by ceda, that have benefited Members and the wider Industry.. I will continue to assist Crystaltech and ceda technically when the need arises.”

Current ceda Chair, Kirstin Hatherley commented; “Derek has given so much to ceda over the years and as an Association we have a lot to be thankful to him for. On a personal level, he has been incredibly supportive of me and I am very grateful. I wish him a happy retirement.”

His support of the Association was undertaken at the same time as building Crystaltech into the business it has become demonstrating the dedication, commitment, long hours and vast work ethic that Derek is known for.

Adam Mason, ceda Director General added; “Derek is among the most selfless people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He has given a great deal to ceda over the years and many Members have benefitted directly from his expertise on water treatment, tender documentation and achieving ISO and Health & Safety accreditations. He has championed the work of the Association to the Operator and Facilities Management sectors. I thank him both professionally and personally for everything that he has given to ceda and the Industry and wish his wife Maxine and he a long, happy and healthy retirement.”

We believe in the quality of our product and the trust we’ve built with our distributor network. We’ll always support the engineers that service, and the end users of our machines where we can. A way to do this is by being as transparent and giving the best advice possible. Our YouTube channel has allowed us to display our expert industry knowledge in a user friendly, easy to access way, for free!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel today to learn more!

Want to know more about how Maidaid can help? Drop the marketing department an email on, marketing@maidaid-halcyon.co.uk

Alternatively, reach out to the team today on,

01280 845300 – also our business Whatsapp number & sales@maidaid-halcyon.co.uk

Rational’s first TrendTalk in 2024 will focus on the topic of sustainability in restaurants. How can restaurants become more sustainable? What do guests want? How can aspirations and reality be harmonised? 

RATIONAL the leading provider in hot food preparation equipment has once again been able to attract high-calibre speakers to answer these and other questions. This time the industry experts are Kaj Török, Chief Sustainability Officer of MAX Burgers, the award winning Swedish QSR brand which was the first worldwide to offer a climate positive menu. Andrew Maxwell, Director, and board member of Boojum, Ireland’s largest chain of Mexican quick service restaurants. Also joining the panel are Rational’s very own Dirk Friedlein and Stephan M. Leuschner who will discuss their insights how sustainability has impacted the strategy of restaurant chains globally.

The 90-minutes-TrendTalk takes place live online on Tuesday 20th of February at 15.00. Interested parties are invited to register here free of charge: https://www.rational-online.com/en_xx/lp/ghost-kitchen-talk/register/

Elevate your cooking with the most universal, practical, and versatile cut for the chef.

At Sammic, we are committed to enhancing your kitchen processes. That’s why we present the Déli-cut, the perfect ally for chefs seeking a dynamic, versatile, and functional cut. This innovative 4x4x8 mm Brunoise-style cut is especially practical for cooking, sautéing, dressing salads and recipes, cooking fillings, and much more. And the best part? No special machine needed! Simply by combining a julienne disc and a dicing grid, you can achieve this cut with your Sammic vegetable preparation machine​.

Versatility in your kitchen

Are you going to cook tacos, pintxos, soups, fillings, salads, stir-fries, etc.? With this 4x4x8 mm brunoise type cut, your options are unlimited. Déli-Cut is, par excellence, the most versatile cut on the market, allowing its use in 90% of culinary preparations.

Déli-Cut: a cut for all Sammic vegetable preparation machines

The best aspect of our Déli-Cut is that you don’t need additional machines. With just an FCE/FCES disc and an FMC/FMS grid, available in both the Compact and Heavy Duty lines, you can achieve this universal cut, adding consistency and quality to every dish you create.