Birmingham, OH – The Optimax® KC-1 model of batter breading machines has received a 2012 Kitchen Innovations Award by the National Restaurant Association. The NRA award was given in recognition of the machine’s notable operational efficiencies, cost effectiveness and ergonomic qualities. The machine is part of the foodservice equipment product line from Bettcher, a leading worldwide developer of equipment for the foodservice industry.
The NRA’s Kitchen Innovations Awards recognize new, cutting-edge kitchen equipment in the foodservice industry. An independent panel of judges comprised of internationally recognized food facilities consultants, multi-unit executives and design experts selected the 2012 award recipients in recognition of significant innovations that improve quality, productivity, service and sustainability.
The new Optimax® KC-1 Automatic Batter-Breading Machine is also an industry first: the introduction of a flexible, compact, tabletop breading machine for restaurant and foodservice kitchens.
Foodservice operators will be interested in Bettcher’s innovative batter breading machine because of its unique ability to improve the quality and consistency of freshly breaded foods. It is a breading solution that makes it easy to move away from the boring freezer-to-fryer platform in favor of a new, exciting way to feature a variety of fresh foods.
The Optimax® machine is ideal for preparing the full range of fresh-breaded menu offerings – from chicken, fish and seafood items to onion rings, eggplant and other vegetables.
The Optimax® Batter-Breading Machine comes at a time when foodservice establishments are looking for new ways to distinguish themselves from their competitors.
Instead of relying on the same pre-breaded frozen products so often purchase from the same outside food suppliers, the Optimax® machine makes it possible for restaurants to develop a unique flavor profile for their very own fresh-breaded foods, with special recipes that are proprietary to them. It offers an easy, cost-effective way for restaurants to add “signature” items to their menus and differentiate themselves from other foodservice establishments, while building stronger customer loyalty.
In addition to fresh, flavorful food, customers expect consistency in the quality and composition of the menu items they choose. The innovative design and operating functions of the Optimax® machine ensure the preparation of consistent-quality breaded food items at all times – order to order and cook to cook.
The Optimax® machine is the first and only equipment that allows foodservice operators to batter and bread a variety of fresh food items in their own kitchens. The machine liberates managers from having to pay higher prices for pre-breaded frozen food items, allowing them instead to transition easily to locally grown, freshly breaded food items. Increasingly, this type of local sourcing is becoming an additional menu-selling feature.
Since the Optimax® is an automatic batter breading machine, it delivers key operational benefits. For example, kitchen labor is used very efficiently. Training on machine use and cleanup is so easy, operators become proficient almost immediately.
With the Optimax® machine in their kitchen, foodservice managers can turn their focus to improving menu quality, while at the same time reducing food and ingredients costs. They can source fresh foods, and then effortlessly batter and bread them for the ultimate in fried or baked food quality.
The efficient process of the Optimax® machine also translates into significantly lower food costs, helping establishments to reduce them at a time when upward price pressures on food ingredients are very real.
The Optimax® KC-1 batter breading machine model will be featured at the NRA’s 2012 Kitchen Innovations Award showcase during the NRA Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago on May 5-8 in Chicago. It is also on display at the Bettcher exhibit booth #5418.
Optimax® KC-1 batter breaders are part of Bettcher’s comprehensive lineup of batter breading machine models plus breading tables, food prep carts and related equipment for the foodservice industry. For more details on these breading machines, including warranty information, call 800-321-8763. You may also visit http://www.bettcher.com/breading-machines.
About Bettcher Industries, Inc.
Established in 1944, Bettcher Industries brings nearly seven decades of successful innovation to the food processing and foodservice industries. The company is a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative precision cutting tools for the food processing segment. It also makes a variety of products including the Whizard® Power Knife, Optimax® batter breading machines, DuraSift® breading tables, and food prep carts that are used in restaurants and other foodservice operations.
Headquartered in the United States, Bettcher Industries is an ISO 9001:2008-certified company with manufacturing, distribution and service in more than 50 countries around the world.
Source: Bettcher Industries, Inc.
