The National Restaurant Association Show named the recipients of its 2022 Kitchen Innovation (KI) Awards on Thursday.
The KI Awards recognize the year’s most forward-thinking and cutting-edge equipment innovations that can meaningfully improve foodservice operations. The 2022 recipients showcase advancements in automation, efficiency, space-saving, safety and sustainability.
An independent panel of judges comprised of industry leaders and food facility consultants, multi-unit executives and design experts selected these 11 awardees:
Converge Multi-Cook Ovens from Alto Shaam can cook three different foods simultaneously in three separate compartments—all at different temperatures, fan speeds, humidity levels and cook times.
Botrista DrinkBot from Botrista Technology features a proprietary bag-in-box format to deliver infused teas, lattes, flavored lemonades, iced coffees and more, all within five square feet.
Duke Waterless Well from Duke Manufacturing offers an intuitive touchscreen for each well that allows operators to program three temperature settings and communicate service diagnostics and alerts.
Kitchen Controller from Frontline International is an automated oil management system that monitors oil quality via a handheld fry-vat sensor and recommends actions such as skimming, topping off or changing out to extend oil life.
Frymaster’s FilterQuick Intuition 30-lb. fryer has been redesigned with enhanced touch-screen technology, automatic internet connection and a variable-speed filter pump and combustion micro fans.
Active Compression for Clamshell Griddle by Garland/Welbilt allows operators to set the gap between top and bottom cook surfaces regardless of load; consistent compression cuts cook times almost by half.
Refrigerated Pizza Prep Table from Hoshizaki America includes an easy-access cooling system, a single refrigeration circuit with separate temperature settings for the rail and cabinet and a night mode.
The IBEX Oven from ITW-Food Equipment Group combines solid-state radio frequency (RF) technology with convection heating to deliver fast results and high food quality across the menu.
Kuvings’ Commercial Auto Blender Chef CB1000 offers one-touch operation that automatically closes and vacuum seals the container to pull out air for smoother blending, then shuts down the blender and self-opens—all in 25 seconds.
T&S Brass and Bronze Works’ EasyInstall Hose Reel Cabinet provides an all-in-one streamlined design and comes pre-assembled for quick installation in the field.
WMF’s 5000S+ Fully-Automatic Coffee Machine minimizes staff oversight in crafting espresso drinks, including an auto-clean system that eliminates hygiene issues related to milk.
The award recipients will exhibit in the KI Pavilion at Chicago’s McCormick Place during the National Restaurant Association Show, which runs from May 21-24. The Show is owned and operated by Winsight LLC, the parent company of Restaurant Business, in equity partnership with the National Restaurant Association.
“While the Kitchen Innovations Showroom is always an exciting display of equipment innovations, this year will be like no other,” Tom Cindric, president of Winsight Exhibitions, said in a statement. “Awardees from 2020, 2021 and 2022 will all be on display, making this the largest Kitchen Innovations Showroom in the Show’s history.”