Leading Commercial Kitchen Equipment Distributor Announces Top 10 Picks for 2009

Warrenville, IL (PRWEB) June 13, 2009 -- Cook's Direct (www.cooksdirect.com) today announced its 2009 Top 10 Picks for the commercial kitchen and restaurant industry selected from hundreds of exhibitors who participated at the recent National Restaurant Association (NRA) National Restaurant Show in Chicago, according to a company announcement. The Top 10 innovations for this year, geared specifically to address the diverse and often challenging needs of the commercial kitchen and food service industry, range from small accessories that improve efficiency and productivity to "big ticket" products designed to accelerate food preparation cycles, enhance employee safety and most importantly, function in an eco friendly environment.

"We have noticed a significant paradigm shift this year in the way new products address energy conservation and environmental concerns," said Jeff Breeden, Chief Operating Officer for Cook's Direct, a lead player in the food service products sector (http://www.cooksdirect.com/), which has been "catering" to the needs of commercial food establishments since 1997. "We were impressed with this year's product launches and improvements in previous year's models. There were many great ideas to pick from," he added.

The Picks:

The top 10 picks for 2009 may seem eclectic when examined cursorily. However, each product represents a unique mix of cutting edge technology and innovation in its own right. The winners include:

Turbo Stock Pot from Eneron

The Turbo Stock Pot from Eneron is a high tech commercial stock pot that uses state-of-the-art composite technology to yield consistent and stable results while at the same time significantly reducing energy consumption. The unique design of the cookware enhances the heat transfer process from the gas flame to the stock pot reducing the cooking time by up to 50%. This innovative heat sync design improves heat transfer while at the same time providing strong mechanical integrity to the stock pot. Turbo pots can be used in two modes to save energy: Speed Mode or Savings Mode. Because of the unique design of these pots, to cook in speed mode the Chef simply uses the burner at the normal setting and with the Turbo Pot, food will cook in up to half the normal time. In the Savings Mode, the burner is turned to a lower than normal setting and food cooks at a normal pace, saving energy.

Versa Food Service System from Cambro

Pegged as the most versatile product available to create a complete foodservice or buffet line, the Versa Food Service System includes the Versa Food Bar, Cashier Station, Work Table and several accessories. The Versa Food Service System features a durable and attractive modular design with hundreds of easily configurable options that are perfect for all occasions. It is ideally suited for restaurants, cafeterias and outdoor catered events because of its portability. Service providers can use the straight or corner connectors to connect food bars, work tables and cashier stations to create a professional, consistent and uniform look. Moreover, two separate food bars can be easily connected with a single Versa connector to optimize space utilization. Most importantly, the Versa Food Service System is 100% compliant with the new 2010 Health Department regulations.

Spin Fresh Fryers

Spin Fresh Fryers from the Canadian company SpinFry Inc. have once again reinforced the belief that frying does not have to be unhealthy if the right products are used. The Spin Fresh line of fryers feature an avant-garde design that incorporates less oil waste and lower energy consumption soon to be validated through a Texas A&M research study. As a result, fried foods, vegetables, pre-cooked or raw pasta spend comparatively less time in the oil or water because of the moist convection cooking process. Reduced time in the oil means the oil does not permeate the food and coating as much. Moreover, excessive oil or water is gently spun off leaving food cleaner, crispier, more nutritious and reduces calories.

Cold Air Buffet from Bon Chef

The Cold Air Buffet from Bon Chef is a true one-of-a-kind product that allows food service operators to proudly display their cold cuts and salad presentations out in the open without any compromise to food quality whatsoever. Cold air passes along the surface of the buffet keeping foods at safe temperature with out placing them in food pans or cold crocks. Single sided buffets can be used back-to-back to create an eye-catching double-sided presentation which preserves not only food quality but also adds to its visual appeal while maintaining both taste and texture.

MRS-Envi-RO 600 Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System from Everpure

To ensure consistent taste and quality in coffee, tea and other water based beverages from location to location and day to day, you need a reverse osmosis water filtration system like the MRS-Envi-RO 600. This award-winning reverse osmosis system, designed specially for the food service industry, was the most environmentally friendly reverse osmosis system on display at the 2009 NRA Restaurant Show. Unlike most conventional reverse osmosis water filtration systems, which are usually only about 20 percent efficient in producing water, the MRS-600 provides as high as 80 percent efficiency. This means operators can avoid literally sending thousands of gallons of water down the drain thus conserving precious resources and saving on sewage costs. The product has received the Kitchen Innovations Award presented annually by the National Restaurant Association Restaurant Show for the second time in a row and is a phenomenal value for the investment.

Hobart Blue Tooth Combi Oven

The Combi Oven from Hobart deploys the latest computer technology available today to automate the baking process with the primary aim of reducing operator training costs and human error. All the operator has to do is to simply scan in the pertinent barcode and press the Start icon on the combi oven. The product allows food service operators to create an unlimited number of baking recipes, each with a distinct barcode. The oven provides seamless connectivity through a Bluetooth-enabled computer, PDA or cell phone. Ingredient barcodes can also be scanned into the oven to activate pre-stored recipes for even faster results.

Power Soak Prewash System

The Power Soak Silverware Pre-Washing System from Power Soak Systems, Inc. is one of Cook Direct's Top 10 Picks because of its exceptional cleaning capabilities, speed and operational simplicity. All you do is turn it on, and the Power Soak cleans using a calculated combination of constant rolling motion, heated water and low foaming soap. The natural scouring properties of these forces create an environment that provides superior cleaning up to three times faster by eliminating your soak tub. The Power Soak is also compact, so you don't give up a lot of floor space and it's environmentally friendly. The unit is entirely self heating by using the heat generated from the system's water friction and pump motor during the agitation process and they have a tank size of only twelve gallons which is usable for up to eight hours. You'll see an immediate impact on your water consumption just by reducing the use of your dish machine.

Silar Microwave Flatstone

The Silar Microwave Flatstone is a ceramic composite microwave heatable oven insert that allows you to bake and toast in a microwave oven through an entirely new technology: microwave-conduction baking. This technology speed-bakes fresh doughs and flatbreads to perfection. Even fresh-dough pizza can be baked in a microwave in 2-3 minutes with a crispy crust. It provides superior quality foods that are cooked evenly and uniformly just as they would be if they were baked in a traditional oven. Inserts are designed to rise to cooking temperatures in as little as five seconds, and can reduce cook times by up to 90%. Further, the Silar Microwave Flatstone is compatible with all commercial microwave manufacturers.

Mini Disk from Minipack America

As consumers drive the foodservice industry to look for green alternatives to their cooking methods, food sourcing and all their packaging, the Mini Disk is a unique solution to packaging of baked goods for catering, restaurants, bakeries and specialty stores or other outlets of baked goods. The simple recycled corrugated disk converts into five distinct sizes and up to fifteen different shapes with the ease of a fold. Manufactured from recycled materials and coated to resist oil, you can even add custom graphics or your logo. The disk works with the Galaxy pack to apply a heat sealed film wrapped sanitary package that is also an added attraction for display.

Pour Master

The spill-proof bowl from POURfect Bowl called Pour Master is a line of bowls suited for measuring, mixing and pouring without the fear or danger of spills. Available in six convenient sizes, Pour Master Bowls are both dishwasher and microwave safe. Thoughtful features such as an egg cracking ledge which keeps the cracked egg inside the bowl, and a two tier measuring guide built right inside the bowl make it the ideal companion and commercial kitchen accessory. Moreover, the unique gull wings fold ingredients back into the bowl toward the pouring spout which completely eliminates the possibility of overspill.

About Jeff Breeden and Cook's Direct:

Jeff Breeden is a well-known Food service Industry professional and has been recognized for his work at Cook's Direct and as a member of the National Association of Food Equipment Dealers, (NAFED). During the past 12 years, he has assumed a wide gamut of roles including new product development, national account sales, and brand development. In his current responsibility as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Merchant for Cooks Direct, he utilizes his experience and expertise to find innovative equipment and supply solutions to meet the evolving needs of restaurant and institutional food service operations. Cook's Direct provides a complete range of commercial kitchen equipment including all types of kitchen supplies and heavy duty restaurant equipment to restaurants, hotels, resorts, catering companies, corporate cafeterias, educational institutions such as universities, colleges and schools, correctional facilities and other large food service operations in the US and Canada. The company was founded in 1997 and is known for its innovative products, unflinching commitment to customer service and expert knowledge of institutional kitchen operations. Call Jeff Breeden, Chief Merchant Cook's Direct at 800-956-5571, Write to him at jbreeden @ cooksdirect.com.Visit: http://www.cooksdirect.com

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