The 2011 CESA Light Equipment & Tableware Forums, held at Ascot and Doncaster Racecourse in March, revealed the next wave of ‘must have’ foodservice designs, gizmos and gadgets for chefs.
Intricately patterned porcelain tableware, an innovative carrier that lets waiters hold and serve eight or more plates and a gadget that tells you when it’s time to change your oil: just some of the hundreds of new products launched at the 2011 Light Equipment and Tableware Forum, organised by CESA (the Catering Equipment Suppliers Association).
Buyers come to spend a day with sellers discussing new products and services
This annual event lets equipment buyers and distributors see and handle the very latest small ware designs, including the next generation of clever gadgets and gizmos destined for commercial kitchens. For 2011 there were, for the first time, two venues: Royal Ascot, on 15th March, and Doncaster Racecourse two days later.
As usual, the Forum ‘outed’ the latest trends in the foodservice market. They included:
• Sustainability: still a dominant theme, but increasingly customers apply it as much to how the product is made as what it does.
• Afternoon tea: making a comeback.
• Innovation: the foodservice market is increasingly hungry for new ideas.
• The colour purple: having a big fashion moment.
PICK OF THE PRODUCTS
Grunwerg displayed the latest versions of its Commichef cast iron cookware in the Provencale range, with a choice of new colours including plum, cream, claret and black. “There’s been a big rise in demand for the smaller pieces,” says marketing assistant Hannah Lane. “The colours allow caterers to match their décor or ambience. Purple is incredibly popular right now.”
New products on display showing buyers exactly what is new and available
Testo showed new oil testers. As well as displaying the temperature, they measure the quality of the oil. “They’re very simple to use: a green light means the oil is fine, amber that it’s borderline and red that it’s time to change,” says Warren Mansfield-Smith. Not only do the testers ensure quality is maintained, they also save oil by doing away with unnecessary changes.
Support Thiercelin’s patented plate carrier is a modular system that allows waiters to carry six, eight or more plates at a time, making service calmer and simpler. The plates are held in place by gravity and are easily removed for service at table. In the kitchen the innovative carrier saves space, since plated courses can be stacked until ready for service.
The new Speedwrap film and foil dispenser from Wrapex is much more compact than standard commercial dispensers. It features a contemporary, functional design and enhances safety as the blade is cleverly hidden in the lid. Lockable and dishwasher safe, the Speedwrap saves effort and money, as it ensures every centimetre of the roll is used. Wrapex also showed its new premium range of extra strong film and foils.
New products being displayed and demonstrated to buyers
The Nevilles website includes a key feature, Live Stock Availability, which allows visitors to check that items they want are in stock. Everything is sold via distributors, however end-users can use the site to check products and find their nearest stockist. With over 1600 product lines, Nevilles offers next day delivery and over 60% of orders are now online.
Contacto launched a new range of buffet display and table-top ideas. Centre stage was the striking Buffet Pyramid, which caterers can load with skewers and spoons of food. “Innovation drives our business,” says Stephen Goodliff. “Our new catalogue has 65 pages of new products.”
Cake related tableware is a major trend at the moment, according to David Holmes of the DRH Collection. “The demand came from retail first, but now it’s really taken off in hospitality as afternoon tea makes a comeback. Tea and cake are an increasingly significant part of the caterer’s business.” Tableware featuring brightly coloured, intricate geometric designs was another Forum showpiece.
CaterQuotes was highlighting four new bolt-ons:
Caterstock takes information from participating companies and can include it in a quote;
Catercad creates quotes direct from drawings;
Caterweb is a complete ecommerce solution;
Calterlink links direct to companies’ accounts, for ease of ordering. “We call it the 360 concept, because it allows us to offer a complete, ‘closed circle’ service,” says Stuart Campbell.
Prototypes of a new range of 100% natural cutting boards were unveiled by SJH Row & Sons. Made of laminated paper, the boards are knife-friendly, dishwasher safe and heatproof. Available in a wide range of sizes, they have non-slip feet made of silicon that can be plugged into the boards. The feet come in six colours to offer clear and simple colour coding.
Gilberts launched its new range of acrylic food display products, manufactured by Rosseto. Made of 100% recycled materials, the range includes ‘Mod Pods’, which offer a wide variety of presentation options. Stackable and available in a different sizes and configurations, the Mod Pods are light, easy to move and are ideal for all types of event, both indoor and out.
New portioners from Mitchell & Cooper promise to make life easier in busy kitchens and servery areas. There’s a range of 15 different sizes and they are all colour coded – so even for staff who don’t have English as their first language, portioning is very straightforward. Two styles of grip allow buyers to select a portioner that suits the task: the Litegrip, which is hand-squeeze only, is ideal for stiffer substances while the UniGrip, which can also be operated by thumb, is good for products like soft ice cream or sandwich fillings.
TG Woodware’s new tablet boards are suitable for both cutting and presentation. Their modern rustic finish and curved lines look as good on the buffet bar as in the kitchen. Made of acacia wood, the boards are available in a range of sizes. TG also showed salt and pepper mills in a range of colours (including purple).
FEM (Foodservice Equipment Marketing) launched a raft of products including a range from a new supplier, San Jamar. The company’s ‘Multi-Pump Centre’ is a liquid sauce dispenser suitable for both front of house and kitchen. It offers precise portion control, delivering 28ml (1oz) with a single push. The stainless steel design is available in two, three and five pump versions.
Is porcelain compatible with induction hobs? It is now. Induced Energy demonstrated how: either with a clever, food safe metal plate that fits under or inside the dish, or by using special porcelain that has been fired with a metallic film that becomes part of its base. The company also showed the invisible induction hot plate, which won a CESA/FCSI Sustainability Award.
The LETG Awards: Bunzl Lockhart Canters To The Double
CESA’s Light Equipment & Tableware Group (LETG) makes two annual awards at the Forum, this year presented by LETG chair Stephen Goodliff and CESA vice chair Nick Oryino. The 2011 Sales Professional of the Year was Susan Young of Bunzl Lockhart, who received a plaque, a bottle of bubbly, a cheque for £500 and a place on the CFSP (Certified Foodservice Professional) programme, worth £750. The Distributor Cup, which rewards areas such as development of the LET sector and sales support, was also awarded to Bunzl Lockhart, with National Accounts Manager Diane Kennet accepting on behalf of the company.
Forum who’s who:
Leading UK distributors, both national and regional, and buyers from major foodservice organisations attended the CESA LET 2011 Forums. They included 3663, Arthur Walton Ltd, Brakes Catering Equipment, Bunzl Lockhart, E Russum & Sons Ltd, Especial, Global Foodservice Equipment, Gondola Group, System 6 Ltd, The Direct Tableware Company and Trade Price Catering.
Trade media Hospitality and Catering News and Sustainability4Hospitality attended and spent the day meeting with buyers and sellers. Rowan Crowley, Publisher of Sustainability4Hospitality said, “this event is exactly what this sector needs, the ability to meet business contacts that take decisions. It has been a very worthwhile day for us as well as everyone else who attended, well done CESA.”
Visitor feedback:
Anita Collins, Bunzl Lockhart: “It’s so beneficial to be able to talk one-to-one. We found several new products and a couple of new suppliers which our Purchasing Team are now contacting with a view to trading with. A success story again.”
Ian Parsons, Bunzl Lockhart: “My team have all said how worthwhile and well organised (as always) the event was. Very useful again with a good mix of suppliers attending. “
Summit Mediratta, Direct Tableware: “These events get better every year.”
Julie Kilkelly, Especial: “I found the day invaluable.”
Teresa Reynolds, Especial: “Fantastic event.”
Exhibitor feedback:
Chris Davies, Induced Energy: “The Forum has given us the chance to spend time with people we can’t necessarily get to meet. It’s also great in terms of getting very useful feedback.”
Martin Shaw, FEM: “It really is a great opportunity for everyone who participates, both exhibitors and delegates.”
Richard Vanstone, TG Woodware: “It was great to see key decision makers from companies such as Brakes and 3663, among others.”
The Catering Equipment Suppliers Association (CESA) is the authoritative voice of the catering equipment industry, representing over 150 companies who supply, service and maintain all types of commercial catering equipment – from utensils to full kitchen schemes. For more information on CESA visit www.cesa.org.uk