Drinks on the move
Sheffield's Northern General Hospital, part of the UK's 4th largest NHS Trust, has invested in three new types of drink service system including Balmoral's Cafe on the Spot mobile beverage trolley as a means of ensuring that beverages are always available when needed. The hospital accommodates over 1100 beds and more than 5500 staff and also has to cater for an average of 90-100 functions per week, typically lectures given by visiting professors.
The trolleys have cool-to-touch surfaces and permit self-service of hot chocolate, hot milk and water as well as regular tea and coffee. One person can refill the trolleys during break times and place them back in position ready for service. The on-board water canister needs refilling after 90 cups and ingredient capacity is sufficient for 480 cups of tea, 250 cups of coffee and 163 cups of milk.
www.balmoralhouse.co.uk
Balmoral
Art installation in disguise
Hailed as "an art installation in disguise", the 20 metre long glass and steel first floor bar at Poole's Lighthouse, thought to be the UK's largest arts complex outside London, was developed from a collaboration between glass sculptor Danny Lane and catering consultants Winton Nightingale. Behind the visually striking bar front and top is an essentially practical drinks service system based on pre-assembled stainless steel underbar fittings and modular components from BarOlympic.
The system's modular design aided customisation including the irregular support posts demanded by the design.
Two stainless steel tables had to be specially shaped to accommodate the bar front's stylish curves and stacked layers of steel and emerald green glass.
www.olympic-catering.co.uk
BarOlympic
Fridge launch
Liebherr commercial refrigeration is being promoted in the UK by Apuro with a range of models from undercounter glass door cabinets offering 180 litres of chilled storage to 413 litre Gastronorm sized refrigerators and freezers. A typical model is the mid-range UKS3650 stainless steel upright cabinet which has a capacity of 352 litres and a recirculated air cooling system for rapid cool down.
Other features include digital temperature display, adjustable shelves, auto defrost and reversible door with removable door gasket and lock.
www.apuro.co.uk
Apuro
Frame academy
Signconex has introduced Signature cases for information and promotional applications in hotels, restaurants, retailing and leisure environments. The company, which was formed from the amalgamation of of three established suppliers to the sign trade (Signco, Stax Sign Systems and Innovative Displays) is well known for its Scroll showcases and display cases.
Signconex
Thermometer life boosted
Comark has upgraded its top-selling KM21 hand-held catering thermometer as the Foodcheck CF21. Improvements include a sealed battery designed to last up to 10 years, a dust and waterproof case and a doubling in the warranty period to two years. Price is unchanged at £75.
Also new is the evolution N9091, which has a thermistor sensor for maximum accuracy over the critical 0-70¡C food range. It also incorporates a ten-year life battery and dust and waterproof case plus a Lumberg connector for secure probe attachment. Price : £139.
www.comarkltd.com
Comark
Radiant, air or steam
Express restaurant conveyor ovens made by a France's Capic comprise a heated baking chamber with a speed-adjustable stainless steel chain-link conveyor. Heating is via radiant elements, air jets or superheated steam, which require power ratings of 6, 9 and 13 kW respectively. Pizzas and other products are cooked on a single 445mm wide belt or 2 x 200mm belts, travelling at the same or different speeds to suit product requirements.
All ovens are stackable Smaller countertop models are also available with a 250 mm wide x 800mm long baking chamber and single conveyor belt. Cooking is by radiant electric elements (3kW) or air jet (6kW).
Multiplicity
Pasta parade
Swiss manufacturer Gastrofrit makes a range of three compact pasta cookers based on its range of deep fryers but with water instead of oil in the electrically heated cooking tank. Two of the models are self-standing and rated at 10 kW (single basket 15 litre capacity) and 14 kW (twin baskets, 20 litre capacity). Features of the cookers include boil dry protected telescopic heating elements, automatic temperature control and a choice of different sized portion holders made of special chromed steel.
www.cateringequip.com
Cook & Hold
Ventilated tunnel
Available in gas or electric versions, Italian-made Synthesis V ventilated tunnel ovens from Zanolli have a patented system designed to prevent food drying out by surrounding it with hot-air and removing the barrier of cold air around it.
This permits baking at lower temperatures than those of traditional ovens.
Ovens are fabricated in stainless steel and offer adjustable temperature and conveyor speed. On most models, the upper and lower sides of the baking chamber have an independent power control.
www.zanolli.it
Cater-Bake UK