FOOD & BEVERAGE
sustainability , using less water so that water bills can be reduced or so that electricity needs can be reduced so that hotels and resorts can benefit in the cost savings , too . “ If your equipment can help you save water and electricity , it can all add up to significant savings ,” Grahs says . “ If you are wasting water and energy , that ’ s profit dollars going out the door . New equipment can offer significant savings .”
The newer equipment , because it is easier and more comfortable to use , can also create a better working environment . “ This helps hotels retain personnel , too ,” Grahs says .
COOKING EQUIPMENT TRENDS Automation isn ’ t limited to dishwashers and dish rooms . It ’ s also being sought after in the ovens and cooking equipment . Combination ovens are a big trend , Alvarado says . “ In the past , they were used for banqueting and larger events , but we have seen in the past year or two the use of these for smaller , more curated type of venues ,” he says .
There ’ s a little more prep work up front , but instead of cooking five meat pies , you can do 30 at the same time , Alvarado says . “ The equipment is less labor intensive .”
Kitchen cooking equipment is also , at times , becoming more dynamic . “ The other thing I ’ m noticing is that there ’ s more emphasis on the theatrics of it all ,” Alvarado says . “ In some restaurants we ’ ve been working on , grilling apparatuses , with roots in Argentina , in which you can grill multiple cuts of steaks or seafood are being used . They ’ re dramatic , versatile , and creative , and it allows the kitchen to kind of creep into the front of the house , but they ’ re still functional .”
For refrigeration units and cold storage , touchless technology is becoming very important . “ I ’ m seeing doors that are sensor controlled so that employees aren ’ t grabbing a handle all day . Air curtains are controlled . No air gets out , and you can walk in and out but you don ’ t have put your hand on the handle ,” Prensky says .
Ultraviolet light air purification systems – both built-in and moveable units – are also trending , according to Prensky , as they can kill bacteria and viruses .
Most of the new equipment – whether it is dishwashing , cooking or refrigeration – should be able to retrofit existing hotel kitchen spaces . “ Replacement units should have the needed upgrades yet still fit into the same footprint , whether it is electrical or physical space ,” Grahs says .
Wyatt says that hotels and resorts are tending to go with brands they ’ ve previously worked with and found to be reliable . “ We have brands we have used for years that we feel better about , and we stay with those that we ’ ve had good success with ,” Wyatt says . “ With equipment , it ’ s still about performance and reliability . That ’ s the focus with the brands we select .”
One thing that has been reduced since the start of the
For ware washing , there is a bigger emphasis on test strips ( and testing ) to make sure the water is hot enough and the chemicals are strong enough .
74 hotelsmag . com May 2022