What we learned at Commercial Kitchen 2019

Billed as the two days a year where the who’s who of equipment buyers come together in one focused, dedicated environment to meet the industry’s most innovative suppliers, Commercial Kitchen returned June 4-5 to the Birmingham NEC.

Visitors to the busy True Refrigeration stand found a range of industry-leading commercial refrigeration products on display, including options for counter/undercounter and upright storage, prep tables and glass door display cabinets.

Front and centre were example configurations of our highly customisable TCR Counter, as well as products suited to back of house kitchen operations, and a dedicated pizza concept area, featuring our TPP prep tables complete with 2/1GN drawers, configurable with a range of different food pan arrangements.

True showcased a range of industry-leading commercial refrigeration products from our extensive range

Award for Innovation

During the first day of the show, visitors were invited to vote on their favourite new products being displayed as part of the Commercial Kitchen Innovation Challenge. 24 shortlisted products from across the industry were put forward, with 13 finalists selected.

On day two, each finalist was invited on stage to make a 90 second pitch to a panel of industry judges, comprising Phil Shelley, immediate past chair of the Hospital Caterers Association; Simon Woplin, head of innovation at Ambassador Theatre Group; Mark Kendall, commercial director at Cedabond; Jack Sharkey, MD at Vision Commercial Kitchens; Martyn Clover, head of food at Tortilla; and chef and food consultant Jay Morjaria.

For its energy-leading credentials, and the huge number of configurations available, True’s TCR Counter range was recognised as the only commercial refrigeration product to reach the final stages. Scott Jones took to the stage to tell the judges more:

The judges deliberated, and later in the day awarded True a Silver award for innovation, stating “We love the energy savings, and the incredible 552 different configurations available. True is a company that puts its money where its mouth is, with a 5 year parts and labour warranty.”

True’s TCR Counter range, recognised for innovation in the field of commercial refrigeration

FEJ Awards

Taking place on the first night of the Commercial Kitchen Show, the Foodservice Equipment Journal Awards are an annual event celebrating the achievements of multi-site foodservice operators in the UK and the catering equipment providers that supply them.

200 senior executives filled the Westminster Suite of the Hilton Metropole to celebrate innovation within the industry from a kitchen and back-of-house perspective.

True once against sponsored the Operator of the Year for Multi-Site Kitchen Projects category at the event, the award which recognises operators that have successfully managed significant site and kitchen roll-outs in the last 12 months.

The finalists in this category were all household names: Brewdog, Greggs, Marston’s, Miller & Carter and Pret a Manger.

On the night, the FEJ Operator of the Year for Multi-Site Kitchen Projects was awarded to Marston’s, for successfully developing a food-led offer that is driven by ongoing investment in energy efficient catering equipment and provenance-based menu development across its 1,600-strong estate.

Continual assessment of consumer trends and preferences has enabled Marston’s to employ a more responsive approach to food and drink innovation, and a focus on improving customer service, reducing fridge to table times and refining consistency over multiple sites has seen some notable work undertaken by its food development teams over the past year.

Did you miss the show? Get in touch with a member of our team to find out more about the products on show.