CHICAGO — The National Restaurant Association (NRA) has released the recipients of the 2019 Kitchen Innovations (KI) Awards and its Food and Beverage (FABI) Awards.
The 25 selected 2019 KI Award recipients address the concerns of operators with topics such as labour, inventory management, cleanliness, energy and water efficiency, food safety, sanitation, cross-functional and space-saving measures. Winners were chosen by an independent panel of judges comprised of industry leaders and internationally recognized gastronomic consultants, industry executives from multiple establishments and design experts. Each product honoured with the award will be featured in the interactive Kitchen Innovations Showroom at the NRA Show 2019, held May 18 to 21 in Chicago.
The 2019 KI Award recipients are:
- Antunes – Jet Steamer JS-1000
- Apex Supply Chain Technologies – AXCESS 2000.H Pick-Up Station
- Baxter Manufacturing – BV400G VersaOven
- Bear Robotics – Penny
- Bluewater USA – Sistema de Purificação de Água Bluewater PRO 400
- Chicago Bar Shop – SinkTech
- Chowbotics – Sally o robô
- 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 – Dispensador de bebidas TwinPour
- 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, uma divisão da ITW Food Equipment Group – Chef Versátil
The FABI Awards recognizes the most delicious, unique and exciting products and beverages of the year that benefit both restaurant operators and consumers. These are products that are trailblazing new paths in terms of taste, creativity, packaging and profit potential. Each award-winning product will be showcased at the 2019 NRA Show exhibition halls and participants will be able to try out the products at the FABI winners’ tasting events, which will be held during the four days of the fair.
The 2019 FABI award recipients are:
- Atalanta Corporation: DeMedici Imports – A L’Olivier Basque Pepper Fruit Vinegar
- Before the Butcher: UNCUT Breakfast Sausage Patty
- Beyond Meat: Beyond Beef
- Bravadough! by Wild Flour Bakery, LLC: Gluten-Free Vegan Cookies
- The Coca Cola Company: Odwalla Craft Ades
- Corto Olive Oil Co.: La Padella Saute Oil
- Fora: FabaButter
- G.S. Gelato: Plant-Based Cold-Brew Coffee Frozen Dessert
- Grecian Delight Foods: ReadyCarved Al Pastor Pork Slices
- Grecian Delight Foods: ReadyCarved Natural Halal Shawarma Slices
- Grecian Delight Foods: Skhug Sauce
- Green Spot Foods: Jasberry Rice
- Impossible Foods: Impossible Burger
- Kronos Foods: Turducken
- La Colombe Coffee Roasters: Cold-Brew Shandy
- LP Foods: Sauté and Serve
- Mama La’s Kitchen: Cajun Boudin Eggrolls
- Natalie’s: Holistic Cold-Pressed Juice Line
- PepsiCo Foodservice: Half Naked
- PepsiCo Foodservice: Sabra Breakfast
- Rodula: Traditional Crinkly Greek Pie, Vegan
- Sabinto Tartufi: Black-Truffle Pate
- Sevillo Fine Foods: Fire-Grilled Edamame
- Sevillo Fine Foods: Slow-Roasted Yellow Bruschetta
- Sud’n’Sol: Edamame Spread
- Sud’n’Sol: Slow-Roasted Green-Tomato Segments
- Trident Seafoods: 10g Protein Noodles
- Tyson Foods Inc.: Jimmy Dean Sausage & Gravy Stuffed Hash Brown
- Venice Bakery: Gluten-Free Vegan Cauliflower Pizza Crust
- Venice Bakery: Gluten-Free Beet Root, Sweet Potato and Zucchini Pizza Crusts
- Wagshal’s Imports: Caviaroli Drops by Albert Adria
- Wagshal’s Imports: Caviaroli Flavour-Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil Caviar and Caviaroli Vinegar Pearls