Published February 26, 2026
By Sasha Wood
Offering a glimpse into the next generation of kitchen appliances our American cousins are adopting into their businesses, the Kitchen Innovations Awards also provides a useful bellwether of the new products soon to make their way across the Atlantic, if they haven’t already.
A panel of independent judges, who this year included international foodservice consultants and catering experts from household brands, chose a broad selection of cutting-edge equipment that’s set to enhance kitchen efficiency and sustainability including new AI-enhanced and automated technology, IoT-connected appliances and energy-efficient kitchen equipment.
All of the award-winning products will be showcased in the NRA Show’s Kitchen Innovations Showroom, where attendees can see the solutions in action.
Here’s the full list of winners:
1. Aqua-Pure – 3M ScaleGard High Flux Reverse Osmosis System
Featuring an expandable reverse osmosis platform in a compact, low-noise system, the 3M ScaleGard High Flux Reverse Osmosis System is designed to meet high water demands. With a water efficiency rate of over 70%, it provides sustainable mineral reduction for coffee brewers, espresso machines, steamers and combi ovens, making it the perfect filtration solution for coffee shops, restaurants, convenience stores and cafeterias.
2. BDGR LLC – SP Genix Bio-Degradeable Degreaser
SPGenix cleans safer with sustainability in a flash, with scientific intelligence and disruptive innovation for the food service and hospitality industry. Expired used cooking oil is transformed into the world’s first bio-degradable degreaser that has been repurposed to create the next generation of safe cleaning solutions that biodegrade within 31 days.
3. Blendtec – Ultra Jar
The patented Ultra Jar is engineered to accelerate commercial blending while preserving drink quality. Its chamfered base enhances vortex efficiency for faster, more consistent blends, while larger side ribs reduce cavitation and keep ingredients moving. A hybrid safety blade design—blunt edges with a sharpened underside—pulverizes ingredients faster, delivering finer textures. Tests show significantly reduced blend times – by up to 50% – translating into measurable labour savings, improved throughput, and better product stability for on-premise and delivery applications.
4. CNSRV Inc – DC:02 Food Defroster & Chiller
The CNSRV DC:02 gives kitchens a smarter, more controlled way to thaw frozen food and chill hot food. By replacing running faucets and manual workarounds with engineered circulation and precise temperature control, it improves operational efficiency while significantly reducing water use, saving time and money, and delivering consistent results every shift.
5. Ecolab – Pest Intelligence Powered by ECOLAB3D
This comprehensive pest management solution combines proven service expertise with always‑on technology to help reduce pest risk, drive operational savings and enhance brand protection. By continuously monitoring rodent and cockroach activity 24/7, the program delivers real‑time alerts that enable teams to act quickly and effectively. Actionable insights illuminate root causes and support faster resolution and stronger long‑term prevention.
6. Electrolux Professional – Randell HCI Drop-In Combination Well
Drop-in food wells offering combination hot and cold holding just got even more flexible. Randell’s new adjustable, multi-position pan ledge is a fresh approach to flexible food serving, offering both flush mount and a choice of recessed pan heights plus the ability to choose flat or angled positions for ultimate flexibility. Lock-in place pan adapter bars ensure whatever pan configuration is chosen, it stays put.
7. Hatco – 6-Burner Programmable Induction Range
No large induction range delivers the same depth of programmability and user guidance as this new offering from Hatco. It can effectively manage up to six cooking stages per program, based on time, power level, or temperature setpoint, helping maximize cooking speed while safeguarding product integrity, regardless of the skill level of the user. The interface enables quick and easy customization of step-by-step user instructions, alerts, and the required buttons to push.
8. Hobart – FT2000 Flight-Type Dishmachine
The Hobart FT2000 Flight Type Dishwasher was designed using real-world insights to reduce labour time on machine cleaning and staff training with easy-open load and unload ends and removable side panels, plus colour-coded parts and graphic instructions that guide staff through routine cleaning and operation. Adaptive washing evaluates incoming ware and automatically adjusts conveyor speed to optimize wash, rinse, and drying performance.
9. Hoshizaki – Pizza Prep Table with Refrigerated Catch Pans
This new pizza prep appeals to operators who can’t afford to waste toppings. As pizzas are made, cheese and other toppings that miss, fall into the catch pans below, which are directly refrigerated and can hold ingredients at food-safe temperatures indefinitely. An updated hood design features Hoshizaki’s exclusive day-night mode that keeps ingredients at food safe temperatures when the hood is open and saves operators the need to remove food or shut down the unit at night when the hood is closed.
10. Imperial MFG – Pro Series Electric Wafer Plate Range
This electric flat-top range provides heavy duty, high-performance equipment delivering full versatility. Wafer-style heating elements deliver rapid startup and recovery, reaching up to 650°F to cook food up to 50% faster than traditional burners. Large, 12″ x 12″ solid steel plates maximize pan contact and accommodate multiple pots simultaneously, while sealed elements protect against spills. Thermostatic controls prevent overheating, ensuring durability and safety. With powerful 3.75 kW elements, the range provides heavy-duty performance with precise, consistent results.
11. Instafarm – Commercial Growing Unit
The Instafarm Commercial Growing Unit brings automated, soil-based greens production directly into commercial kitchens. Designed for chefs and foodservice operators, it holds up to 36 prefilled trays and delivers fresh, nutrient-dense harvests in as little as five to seven days. Intelligent sensors and sun emulation technology automatically manage water, light, and environment, ensuring consistent results with minimal labour. With no plumbing required and a sleek, professional footprint, Instafarm helps kitchens reduce waste, eliminate supply chain variability, and serve hyper-fresh microgreens, herbs and wheatgrass daily.
12. JBT Marel – Fresh’n Squeeze 1800 Citrus Juicer
This high-performance, tabletop citrus juicer delivers the same high yield and better-tasting juice of its industrial siblings. Its Whole Fruit Extraction process pierces and presses fruit while separating juice from peel and seeds, producing smooth, fresh juice with up to 37% more yield than conventional juicers. Capable of processing 18 fruits per minute and handling most citrus varieties, it offers customizable pulp content, simple maintenance, and durable construction—helping operators reduce waste, increase efficiency and drive fresh juice sales.
13. Marco Beverage Systems – SYPP
Operators craving freedom and creativity will be looking at this compact, flexible beverage dispenser. It can produce cold and sparkling beverages in up to eight flavours available as bag-in-box, bottles or jugs. The solution is compact, sleek, and sophisticated sharing the modular design of Marco’s other undercounter hot, cold, and sparkling water systems.
14. MEIKO USA – M-iQ Cup Flight-Type Dishmachine
This dishwashing machine is another milestone for Meiko. It comes with all the benefits of the pioneering M-iQ generation of machines, plus special features for washing and drying reusable plastic dishware like cups and bowls. It delivers the perfect balance of cleaning, economy and resource efficiency. This is the professional solution for catering companies and food service at festivals, ideal for quick turnarounds of clean reusable dishware – or simply for storing it dry.
15. Next Robot Inc. – Al Dente AI-Powered Cooking System
Al Dente leverages proprietary ChefSight AI and PrecisionHeat AI to automate fine pasta, risotto, stews, and stir fry, batch after batch, eliminating overcooking and human variability. In a compact 32 x 32-inch footprint, two units combine to deliver four independent pots cooking four dishes simultaneously. Adaptive AI driven closed loop control continuously monitors and adjusts heat, timing, and seasoning to produce consistent chef-level results, requiring only about 30 minutes of operator training.
16. Replenish – Genesis Countertop Blender
Replenish is a revolutionary, fully integrated countertop blended-beverage system that redefines convenient, healthy eating by transforming flash-frozen whole-food ingredients into smooth, delicious, and nutritious beverages in about 60 seconds. Chef-crafted, functional blends are pre-packaged and sealed in a custom-engineered cup, eliminating all prep. At the heart of the system is the Replenish Genesis blender, powered by patented Hydroblend pressure-controlled, inverted, in-cup blending and Hydroclean automated self-cleaning and self-sanitizing.
17. Southbend – Steam Shell Griddle
This new griddle technology combines high-heat searing with integrated steam to deliver faster, more consistent cooking. An 8-inch vertically travelling, counterbalanced plate automatically accommodates products of varying thickness without manual adjustment. Steam Shell’s perimeter sealing gasket traps moisture while allowing controlled venting, accelerating cook times and improving yields. Operators have reported up to 50% faster cooking and 20% higher yields.
18. Spring USA – PowerLuxe Battery Powered Buffet Equipment
This new buffet range features safe, efficient warming trays and induction ranges powered by advanced battery technology. The first of its kind to be fully UL- and ETL-certified, each unit is powered by a removable, rechargeable battery to deliver reliable, precise and safe heating without reliance on outlets or flame. Designed for optimal style and performance that outperforms traditional warming solutions, they maintain proper food-holding temperatures with durable, matte-black construction for a flexible and safe buffet solution.
19. Waring Commercial Products – Planit POD Fermentation Chamber
This dedicated, purpose-built solution is designed to produce healthful tempeh, koji and plant-based proteins onsite. While indirect heat does its gentle task, the POD Fermentation Chamber’s passive convection system regulates airflow and an A-frame humidification design directs condensation away from food. The result is 72% less labour and much less expertise needed to produce great results.
20. West Star Industries – Tri-Temp Pizza Prep Table
West Star has greatly simplified pizza prep table design, allowing for greater energy efficiency and reliability. The key is the top pan rail, which is cooled by a single, main compressor below – the same one that provides a choice of dough proofing, cold holding or frozen storage in the compartments below. By eliminating the usual top compressor and its issues with flour dust, this table holds toppings colder. Quick-disconnects allow for fast removal of the entire top section.
