Posted by Julie Franks, jfranks@mdg.agency on 12 March 2025
National Restaurant Association Show Announces 24 Kitchen Innovations Award Recipients for 2025
CHICAGO (March 12, 2025) — The National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show® proudly announces the 2025 Kitchen Innovations (KI) Award winners, recognizing the most groundbreaking advancements in foodservice equipment and technology. These award-winning products address critical industry challenges, from streamlining kitchen workflows to improving sustainability and consistency, setting new standards for efficiency and performance. The 2025 KI recipients will be on display in the Kitchen Innovations Showroom, where attendees can explore solutions designed to enhance operations and drive growth.
The Show, taking place May 17–20, 2025, brings together a comprehensive cross-section of the foodservice industry—from equipment dealers and quick-service operators to educational institutions and independent restaurant owners. Attendees will not only explore innovations like the KI Award-winning products but also discover the latest trends, ingredients, and technologies across every area of foodservice.
“The KI Awards celebrate solutions that are not just innovative but truly impactful for foodservice operations,” said Tom Cindric, President of Exhibitions for Informa Connect Foodservice. “This year’s recipients demonstrate how technology and design are revolutionizing kitchen operations, creating seamless integration between back-of-house efficiency and front-of-house service, all while enhancing consistency and delivering exceptional customer experiences. The National Restaurant Association Show is where these advancements come to life, giving attendees a chance to experience them in action, speak with the innovators behind them, and find solutions that fit their business.”
For more than two decades, the Kitchen Innovations Awards have recognized foodservice equipment that addresses real-world challenges and drives progress across the industry. An esteemed panel of industry leaders, including representatives from global brands like Walt Disney World Resort, Aramark, and Cracker Barrel, evaluated each submission based on its real-world impact and lasting value to foodservice operators.
Richard Eisenbarth, President, Emeritus at Cini-Little International and a long-standing KI judge, highlighted this year’s recipients and emphasized the evolving landscape of foodservice: “The 2025 Kitchen Innovations Awards spotlight solutions that embody the industry's evolution: doing more with less. From AI-driven monitoring to productivity-enhancing robotics, these innovations are reshaping kitchens, helping restaurants adapt and excel in today's dynamic culinary landscape.”
The 2025 Kitchen Innovations Award recipients are:
Alto-Shaam, Inc.
American Metalcraft
This compact, wireless heat source helps operators keep any flat-bottomed, heat-conductive container of food at safe temperatures. Its aluminum surface heats up to 190°F in just seven minutes. Choose to power up by AC adapter (included) or by battery (sold separately) for portable convenience. The battery charges in less than two hours yet keeps hot food warm for over three hours. The unit pairs with others for larger food vessels, and can pair with compatible holders, available in a variety of finishes, to integrate into any buffet presentation.
Automated Fresh Brew: SimpliciTea 1500
Appliance Innovation
A Fresh Tea Revolution has arrived! Historically, fresh brewed iced tea was a demanding menu offering. With tea beginning to degrade as soon as the brew process is complete, many operators struggle to maintain tea quality without continuously discarding and re-brewing. The SimpliciTea 1500 simplifies and vastly increases the profitability of fresh brewed tea. This proprietary storage and dispense technology keeps tea fresh and eliminates tea and sugar waste. It automatically brews fresh tea—so operators will no longer run out during peak demand. A simple touch-screen interface allows customers to choose their perfect sweetness level and add flavors to further customize their fresh tea. Manual cleaning is also a thing of the past as the SimpliciTea1500 is equipped with fully automated self-cleaning.
Chillstream™ Undercounter Frozen Food Dispenser
Atosa USA, Inc.
Chillstream™ redefines frozen food dispensing with a space-saving, horizontal design, perfect for countertop and floor model cooking equipment. Unlike traditional vertical dispensers that take up valuable space, especially in compact or high-traffic kitchens, it enhances efficiency without compromising performance. Chillstream™ dispenses up to five different frozen products, including fries, chicken nuggets, and mozzarella sticks, with front or side-exit dispensing. It ensures consistent portions, reduced waste, improved food quality, and a more organized, streamlined kitchen workflow.
Bridge Appliances
From coffee shops to hotels, QSRs to full-service restaurants, operators want to serve high-quality eggs but struggle with space, labor, quality, and consistency. Enter OMM. Simply load up to 36 eggs into this compact, countertop cooker and touch a screen. About three "hands-free" minutes later, out come perfectly cooked, sunny-side-up eggs, in pairs, on a convenient peel. Now any operator can serve fresh, high-quality eggs with ease.
CHrisper Station
The Carter-Hoffmann CHrisper Station is crafted to expertly hold fried chicken and other crispy foods, maintaining high product quality. Engineered with an advanced heat duct system, hot convection air, and radiant heat airflow enable double the standard holding time, reducing food waste. Our patent-pending dual-door design features two flip-up doors per side allowing for easy pass-through, improving food retrieval, and enhancing workflow efficiency. The CHrisper Station isn’t just another holding cabinet—it’s the most efficient solution available that boosts overall guest satisfaction, improves workflow efficiency, and reduces food waste.
Charter House Innovations
Industrial-style robot arms may be fun to watch but don’t fit every operator’s tight space, budgets and service times. The compact RoboFry X4 retrofits to any fryer and hood and uses two slim, vertical basket handlers that fill, place, and dump simultaneously. Twice the basket-handling capability means the unit is 50% faster, while ROI comes in half the time of the competition. It’s the most straightforward and cost-effective fry automation solution available.
Scraegg Egg/Porridge/Soup Cooker
CookUp Group Inc.
Dual Fuel Gravity Charcoal Oven
Doyon
The Doyon Dual Fuel Gravity Charcoal Oven goes “hybrid” by generating 60% of its heat with charcoal and 40% with electric heating elements. Our patent-pending airflow system provides a rich, authentic barbecue-smoke flavor, while the heating elements reduce charcoal consumption by 20%. This oven ensures consistent results across nine racks and offers a broad temperature range from 180°F to 450°F, suitable for roasting, smoking, finishing, and hot holding.
Digital Kitchen Application Platform
Ecolab
Software developers have increasingly focused on tools to aid kitchen functions, but the resulting array of unconnected and dissimilar apps can be bewildering and frustrating for crew. Ecolab’s integrated Digital Kitchen App is easy to use and can organize operational task management, food waste monitoring, recipe management, food labeling, tracking of remote monitoring, cold storage, and even employee communications. The system seamlessly integrates hardware, software, and services in an easy-to-navigate solution.
PFAS (PFOA/PFOS) Reduction Systems
Everpure from Pentair Water Solutions
There’s increasing concern over substances known as “forever chemicals” that can have lasting and harmful impacts after extended exposure. Everpure from Pentair Water Solutions has introduced PFAS filtration systems and cartridges, targeted specifically to foodservice, that reduce PFOA/PFOS. Because they range from 1,000-gallon to 4,000- and 10,000-gallon capacities, the line allows operations to apply them to low-volume ice and fountain applications, beyond just drinking water protections.
Kitchenless
Kitchenless introduces a proprietary steam injection technology that’s integrated to a QR code-based mixing unit in a countertop that produces chef-quality dishes without traditional kitchen equipment and staff. Qeamer’s operating parameters, such as steam amount, mixing speed, rotation direction and speed, and braking intensity, all are matched to the specific needs of each prepackaged meal, ensuring perfect results. Operators benefit from reduced labor costs, minimized waste, and optimized energy consumption, making it a powerful alternative to traditional cooking.
Lab2Fab LLC
The FIZZBOT™, initially developed by the Yum! Automation team in RED INNOVATION LABS BY YUM!™ and is now being commercialized in partnership with The Middleby Corporation, opens up fully automated, POS-integrated beverage dispensing in a remarkably compact format. It handles fountain drink production from start to finish in just 20 seconds, providing a completed drink every eight seconds during continuous production or up to 450 drinks per hour. The system includes hygienic labeling and sealing of up to three sizes of cups which are stored onboard. FIZZBOT™ supports diverse beverage menus with control for up to 28 different flavors—using carbonated and non-carbonated waters—plus ice.
NEO Undercounter Ice Machine w Filtration
Manitowoc
Manitowoc is helping resolve an age-old pain point by introducing the first commercial, standard-size undercounter ice machine with an onboard integrated water filtration system. Current standard-size machines require a separate water filter located outside of the machine, which needs space and diligence to install and maintain. NEO tracks ice making cycles and alerts the user when it’s time to change the filter, however, it can run without a filter in bypass mode for house-filtered water.
Marco Beverage Systems
How can the new hire create a perfect latte the first day on the job? This milk system could be their best “pal” by handling the most time-consuming part of sophisticated drink builds: milk foaming. MilkPal can deliver hot milk, cold milk, hot foam, or cold foam, dialed in to the desired volume and consistency, at the tap of a user-friendly touchscreen. On its way to cutting drink prep time by up to 20%, the low-profile MilkPal can also reduce milk waste to almost zero by delivering precise portions. The unit stores up to 25 drink-specific recipes for precise results. Plus, with automated cleaning, it makes a once time-consuming closing process a breeze.
Metafoodx Platform for Foodservice Operations
Metafoodx
Comprised of a mobile AI food scanner and a cloud-based dashboard, Metafoodx helps operators automatically track menu-item consumption, monitor leftovers, and capture food temperature with its IR temperature sensor. Using real-time data, the system enables accurate production forecasts based on true consumption and automatically generates operation and temperature logs for compliance and optimization, elevating dining quality and experience. The result: streamlined efficiency, optimized menus, and less waste.
Middleby Marshall
With its successor to the well-known CTX oven, Middleby Marshall innovates with new top and bottom infrared emitters that more evenly distribute heat and boost the temperature limit by 33%. As a result, meats sear and cook evenly in one pass. The cooling fan has moved inside to reduce noise and heat, while a “cool skin” safety feature keep workers safer and more comfortable. Controls include 15 presets for time and temperature plus a one-button self-cleaning mode that cuts down on labor.
Gravity Beverage Fountain System
Newton CFV
Fountain beverage is the most profitable category for many operators. The Gravity fountain system provides a wealth of data they need to optimize menu, prevent sellouts and minimize labor for upkeep. The control platform uses IoT to report immediate sales metrics and dynamically reprioritizes drink brand icons on the customer GUI according to demand, even graying sold-out icons until the respective product is refilled. CFV technology eliminates the need to adjust brix ratio when new drinks are introduced and over time.
Total Oil Management by Open Kitchen
Powerhouse Dynamics
Whether one or hundreds of restaurants are monitored, this system gives operators insights they can use immediately to ensure high equipment uptime, improve product quality, and control their oil consumption and cost. An element of the Open Kitchen solution, it does not require human input of data—everything is pulled from the fryer controller and from oil tank systems. The solution works with many brands of fryers with digital controls and connectivity.
PreciTaste
In a fast-paced kitchen, it’s easy to lose track of what food was placed on the grill first and what should be served next—especially for new employees. The Grill Station Assistant uses advanced Vision AI technology to precisely monitor every item on the grill and help the grill operators keep the quality to high standards. The system automatically overlays virtual squares on a video display of the grill in the kitchen and gives the crew simple visual cues about each item’s readiness to serve. No timers, no buzzers, and far less food waste. It works with most grills and requires minimum, compact hardware.
Renau Corporation
Renau’s Smart Kitchen System (SKS) Hub provides operators with a comprehensive digital overview of their kitchen. From visual management to remote monitoring, the SKS Hub assists staff with the most important food safety practices such as cook and hold times and task reminders. The SKS Hub is compatible with Renau’s wireless food probes to help track and log food temperatures. Data logging does not require a subscription, and the system can be configured for both local and cloud networking.
The Surface Unlimited Induction Table
Spring USA
The Surface Unlimited Induction table is a gamechanger for operators looking for flexibility in their ambient and warm food serving operation. This revolutionary design replaces hot wells, eliminates the need for pans, and offers ambient serving alongside induction warming with advanced induction technology that allows for virtually unlimited placement of any size, induction-ready food vessel on the table’s surface. Mounted beneath an NSF-certified engineered SmartStone surface, three 1800-watt, double hob undercounter induction ranges equipped with multiple intuitive sensors allow for numerous vessels to connect – instead of the traditional 1:1 ratio required by standard induction ranges. A proprietary mounting bracket provides seamless side-by-side installation of up to four of these unique ranges with a hidden piano hinge control panel. Dedicated to quality and performance, this table is made in the United States of foreign and domestic parts and meets all electrical certification requirements.
Dynamic Response Refrigeration™ with Smart Control™
Traulsen
The state of the art of refrigeration control steps forward again supporting substantial improvements in both energy savings (20% to 50%) and noise reduction (30%). Traulsen's Multi-Patented Smart Control operates in conjunction with a variable-speed compressor to sense real-time changes in operating conditions and adjust such critical functions as defrost cycles and compressor power to optimize performance and reduce energy usage. The updated compressor runs at lower vibration and better balance to substantially reduce noise.
TRM - True Retail Merchandiser
True Manufacturing Co. Inc
This system of “plug and play” modular, medium- and low-temperature cabinets are fully self-contained, reducing installation time by 30% to 50% over similar systems using remote or hybrid units and long refrigeration lines. The True TRM lineup can cut refrigerant use by up to 87%, and with R290, it meets future EPA standards. The refrigeration deck on each can be repaired onsite, or fast-swapped with a new unit and bench-repaired elsewhere. Either way, the system is still running while repairs are underway meaning no need to remove product and no product loss.
The Kitchen Innovations Awards have long been recognized as a defining moment for breakthrough foodservice technology, with award recipients gaining exposure to thousands of industry professionals, from independent operators to large multi-unit brands. Being showcased at the National Restaurant Association Show allows these innovations to reach the buyers, dealers, and decision-makers who drive industry-wide adoption.
In addition to exploring the award-winning solutions, attendees can take part in programming focused on foodservice equipment, including:
- Discovery Theater Session: A discussion on how cutting-edge kitchen equipment is reshaping foodservice operations. (Saturday, May 17, 11:00 a.m. CT)
- Equipment Professionals Meetup: A networking opportunity for operators, consultants, and equipment specialists. (Saturday, May 17, 12:00 p.m. CT)
For more details on the Kitchen Innovations Awards and to register for the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show, visit nationalrestaurantshow.com. Connect with the Show online on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for event updates.
About The National Restaurant Association Show
Awarded by Trade Show Executive as the 2024 Gold 100 Grand winner of the largest trade show managed by an independent organizer, the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show® is the Western Hemisphere's most influential foodservice event showcasing industry innovations and trends. Each year (starting in 1919), the Show brings together restaurant operators and foodservice professionals for four days of celebrity-led demos, exhibits, sampling, education, and networking. The Show unites a global community and enables exploration of the latest advancements in food, beverage, equipment, technology, and solutions driving the industry forward. The Show is owned and operated by Informa in partnership with the National Restaurant Association. Visit www.nationalrestaurantshow.com for more information.
About Informa
Informa is a leading international B2B markets, live and on-demand events and digital services group. They connect businesses and professionals in 30+ industries with the knowledge they need to learn more, know more, and do more. Informa has hundreds of global brands, products, and services and employs 11,000 employees in ~30 countries worldwide.
Informa Connect is a content-led, live and on-demand experiences business that connects professionals with knowledge, ideas, and opportunities. Informa Connect, a community of over 1,000 colleagues globally, offers connection through events, media, and research. They service a number of different industries including Foodservice, Finance, BioTech and Pharma, Pop Culture, Marketing, Law, Energy, HR, Sustainability, and Construction. Visit www.informaconnect.com for more information.