Merrychef wins NRA 2010 Kitchen Innovation Award for new eikon series with easyToUCH technology

New product innovation is a key factor in keeping the foodservice industry running at peak performance. Equipment manufacturers push toward products that consume less energy and water, can cook foods quicker, store foods more safely, and help operators meet customer expectations during peak times. Each year, the National Restaurant Association (NRA) recognises trend-setting kitchen equipment from around the world with the prestigious Kitchen Innovation award.

This year, the Merrychef eikon™ series will recieve a Kitchen Innovation Award. All winners will be showcased with live interactive demonstrations in the Kitchen Innovations Pavilion during the National Restaurant Show in May 2010.

Merrychef's new eikon series speed ovens offer an icon-driven touch screen operation enabling instant menu management with archive capabilities, Ethernet updates, operator training and service maintenance instructions.

The easyToUCH™ technology ensures operators are never more than two steps away from cooking programme and is available in muiltiple languages, while MenuConnect® enables instant menu management and ethernet updates via a standard USB key. Incorporating advanced easyToUCH technology in the eikon series offers unbeatable ease of use via an icon driven screen and MenuConnect software.

In addition to greater ease of use and energy efficiency, the streamlined, ventless design incorporates a monitored, removeable front filter for ease of cleaning and cool-to-touch exterior. A "plug and play" function means installation has never been easier, with a new oven up and running in just three minutes.

Heralding the eikon series, Andrew McCulloch, Diector of European Operations at Subway®, said:

"The easyToUCH technology has launched modern day communication to our sandwich station, it is as simple to use as my ipod. The touch screen is familiar to all and will dramatically reduce training times and eliminate any risk of human error."

Ira Cohn, convention chair of NRA Show 2010 and president of Aramark Business and Industry Group, said:

"Each member of our panel of judges has the hands-on experience to recognise true innovation, which is what makes our KI program so exciting."

"These products will make restaurants run faster, smoother and more efficiently, which will result in better customer serice and higher quality food. Selecting the right equipment for a restaurant kitchen is crucial to creating and serving safe, nutritious and delicious meals."