The importance of doing business efficiently in the current economic climate cannot be understated. This year's crop of new products take that sentiment to heart by offering features that aim to streamline foodservice operations. Besides doing their usual tasks, this equipment can help kitchens be greener, energy usage be streamlined and allow work to be done wirelessly.

Powered commercial mixers have long been around to lighten the load and handle large volumes, but a new generation of machines boasts the versatility, speed, custom colors and compact design to consider an upgrade.

For a generation that’s grown up watching Iron Chef and considers dining out a necessity, the restaurant experience needs drama, action and stagecraft to stand out. While open kitchens and display cooking are not new concepts, more operators are giving guests “a peek behind the foodservice curtain.”

The Starbucks revolution has permanently changed the face of coffee consumption. Coffee drinkers expect high-quality brews everywhere they go, and restaurants have taken this as a cue to improve their offerings.

Griddles are fairly basic: a thick steel plate is heated from below, allowing you to grill and sauté on a big flat surface. Today, that basic formula is being tricked out with new features.