National Restaurant Association Show announce 2019 KI winners

Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the prestigious foodservice industry award recognises innovative new kitchen equipment

The National Restaurant Association Show has announced the 2019 recipients of its prestigious Kitchen Innovations (KI) Awards, honouring equipment that increases efficiencies and productivity in the kitchen. All of the winners will be showcased in the Kitchen Innovations Showroom at the 2019 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, which takes place 12-18 May in Chicago.

15 years in, the KI Awards have come to define the very best of foodservice equipment. “Forward-thinking and cutting-edge, this is the equipment that generates industry growth through a focus on factors such as automation, efficiency, safety improvements, sustainability, waste solutions, and more,” says Scott Redler, COO and co-founder of Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and co-chair for the 2019 National Restaurant Association Show. “We are honoured to showcase their dedication to the industry.”

Award winners are selected by an independent panel of foodservice industry leaders, consultants, executives and design experts. The 25 recipients address industry concerns such as labour, inventory management, cleanliness, energy and water efficiency, food safety, sanitation, cross-functionality and space-saving measures.

Full list of winners of the 2019 KI Awards

  • Antunes – Jet Steamer JS-1000
  • Apex Supply Chain Technologies – AXCESS 2000.H Pick-Up Station
  • Baxter Manufacturing – BV400G VersaOven
  • Bear Robotics – Penny
  • Bluewater USA – Bluewater PRO 400 Water Purification System
  • Chicago Bar Shop – SinkTech
  • Chowbotics – Sally the Robot
  • CM Systems LLC – ComplianceMate
  • Cornelius® Marmon/Berkshire Hathway Company – NitroPro™Mini
  • Ecolab – Advanced Health Department Intelligence (HDI)
  • Grindmaster – PrecisionBrew Air-Heated Shuttle Brewers
  • Henny Penny – FlexFry
  • Henny Penny – Space$aver Team Combi
  • Hobart Corporation – FT1000e Low Energy Series
  • Hoshizaki – MODwater
  • Jamix – Kitchen Management System
  • Lancer – TwinPour Beverage Dispenser
  • Manitowoc Ice/Welbilt Corp. – Indigo NXT
  • Merco, a Welbilt Brand – Visual Holding Cabinet with Tray Tracking Technology
  • RATIONAL USA – UltraVent Plus
  • Tortilla Masters Equipment – TM-105 Ventura Flex PL Tabletop Corn Tortilla Machine
  • Unox – Data Driven Cooking
  • Vollrath Company – Modular Induction Dry Well Drop-In
  • VT Burner Technology in conjunction with Venancio USA – VT Burner
  • Vulcan, a division of ITW Food Equipment Group – Versatile Chef Station

The independent judging panel for the 2019 Kitchen Innovations awards is comprised of foodservice industry leaders. The full panel is:

  • Dan Bendall (Principal, FoodStrategy, Inc.)
  • David Chislett FCSI (Executive Principal, Ricca Design Studios)
  • Jeff Cook (Chief Engineer, Restaurant Solutions Group, McDonald’s Corporation)
  • Richard Eisenbarth FCSI (President/COO, Cini-Little International)
  • Foster F. Frable, Jr. FCSI Associate AIA (President, Clevenger Frable LaVallee)
  • Randy Homer (Program Manager, Food & Beverage Operations Asset Management, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts)
  • Jim Krueger, Jr., CMCE, NRAMF (Chief, Air Force Food & Beverage Policy, Procedures, Business Development & Strategic Initiatives Air Force Services Activity (AFSVA) Food & Beverage Branch)
  • Steve Otto (Director, Capital Equipment Purchasing, Darden)
  • Jim Thorpe (Senior Food Service Designer, Aramark)

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