#United States #Chicago #Kitchen Innovations #Foodservice Technology #Restaurant Awards

Celebrating Innovation at the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show

The National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show®, a pivotal event in the foodservice industry, announced the 2025 Kitchen Innovations (KI) Award recipients on March 12, 2025. This year’s recipients represent the forefront of advances in foodservice equipment and technology, designed to tackle key challenges in the industry such as workflow efficiency, sustainability, and consistency.

A Spotlight on Progress

Set to take place from May 17 to 20, 2025, in Chicago, the show will feature the awarded innovations in the Kitchen Innovations Showroom, promising attendees an immersive look at solutions crafted to enhance operational efficiencies and spur growth in foodservice operations.

As stated by Tom Cindric, President of Exhibitions for Informa Connect Foodservice, the Kitchen Innovations Awards are not just about recognizing innovative products; they highlight advancements that materially affect foodservice operations. Each honoree has set a standard for the industry, reflecting how technology and design intertwine to achieve smoother interactions between kitchen efficiency and stellar customer service.

Tom emphasized, "The KI Awards celebrate solutions that enhance the consistency of food offerings while ensuring exceptional customer experiences. Attendees can engage with the creators of these innovations, exploring firsthand how these solutions can transform their businesses."

A Legacy of Recognition

The Kitchen Innovations Awards have a storied history, having acknowledged foodservice equipment that resolves real-world issues for over 20 years. An accomplished panel of industry professionals assessed each submission, representing major brands such as Walt Disney World Resort, Aramark, and Cracker Barrel. Entries were evaluated based on their potential impact on foodservice operations and enduring value.

Richard Eisenbarth, President Emeritus at Cini-Little International and a veteran judge of the KI Awards, commented on the emerging trends in foodservice.

"The innovations showcased this year reflect the industry's evolution, helping establishments do more with less," he stated. “From AI-integrated monitoring to robotics enhancing productivity, technologies are reshaping kitchens, empowering restaurants to thrive in today’s ever-changing culinary environment.”

Meet the 2025 Kitchen Innovations Recipients

Here are the standout products recognized during this year’s awards:

1. Origin™ Convection Ovens - Alto-Shaam, Inc.
2. BuffetBoost™ Warming Block - American Metalcraft
3. Automated Fresh Brew SimpliciTea 1500 - Appliance Innovation
4. Chillstream™ Undercounter Frozen Food Dispenser - Atosa USA, Inc.
5. OMM Automated Egg Cooker - Bridge Appliances
6. Carter-Hoffmann CHrisper Station
7. RoboFry X4 - Charter House Innovations
8. Scraegg Egg/Porridge/Soup Cooker - CookUp Group Inc.
9. Dual Fuel Gravity Charcoal Oven - Doyon
10. Digital Kitchen Application Platform - Ecolab
11. PFAS Reduction Systems - Everpure from Pentair Water Solutions
12. Kitu Kitchenless - Qeamer
13. FIZZBOT™ - Lab2Fab LLC
14. NEO Undercounter Ice Machine w Filtration - Manitowoc
15. MilkPal - Marco Beverage Systems
16. Metafoodx Platform for Foodservice Operations - Metafoodx
17. LongWave IR Oven - Middleby Marshall
18. Gravity Beverage Fountain System - Newton CFV
19. Total Oil Management by Open Kitchen - Powerhouse Dynamics
20. Grill Station Assistant - PreciTaste
21. Smart Kitchen System Hub - Renau Corporation
22. The Surface Unlimited Induction Table - Spring USA
23. Dynamic Response Refrigeration™ with Smart Control™ - Traulsen
24. TRM - True Retail Merchandiser - True Manufacturing Co. Inc

The recognition of these innovations marks a significant milestone for breakthroughs in foodservice technology. Being showcased at the National Restaurant Association Show offers these products exposure to thousands of industry professionals, ranging from independent operators to large multi-unit brands.

Program Highlights

Attendees at the 2025 show can also engage in specialized programming focused on foodservice equipment, including:

• - Discovery Theater Session: Insightful discussions about revolutionary kitchen equipment transforming foodservice operations (Saturday, May 17, 11:00 AM CT)
• - Equipment Professionals Meetup: A networking event for operators, consultants, and equipment experts (Saturday, May 17, 12:00 PM CT)

For more details regarding the Kitchen Innovations Awards and to register for the National Restaurant Association Show, visit nationalrestaurantshow.com. Stay connected with the show on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for the latest event updates.

The National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show operates under the stewardship of Informa Connect in collaboration with the National Restaurant Association.