Building Blocks | March 2023

Innovation eye IS IN THE beholder OF THE

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also covered automated salad dispensers, induction burners, speed ovens, and combi ovens. Additional unattended food sales opportunities, expanded ventless technology, and new shelving units were also touted as innovative. In an industry that still cooks over fire, I began to question what really counts as innovative. Certainly, it cannot not just be that if it is new it is innovative. Or, because the manufacturer says it is innovative, it must be - right? For my own sanity, I decided to put some parameters around what I consider to be innovative. Here are some of my thoughts: Does more with less. Does the innovative product or practice allow the operator to do more with less? More “In an industry that still cooks over fire, I began to question what really counts as innovative.”

I was in Orlando for the NAFEM Show earlier this year. This is the foodservice equipment industry’s marque, bi-annual event. After a four-year absence, everyone was truly excited to be together and to see what the manufacturers were ready to show-off. The foodservice equipment manufacturers were equally as excited to have a live audience to share the “features, advantages, and benefits” of their latest and greatest products. The term “innovative” was thrown around quite a bit throughout the three-day show. It was applied to anything from robotic arms to pizza ovens to hot fridges. The term What does innovation mean to our operations? Check out this pre-article interview with Scott & Marlon now!

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