As more and more food service establishments welcome the return of diners after the pandemic, the struggle to attract customers has become more intense. Therefore, front-of-house installations such as counters and waiters are more important to create attractiveness and fully display food.

So how can the manufacturers of these devices help convey the "must eat" impulse, and what does the distributor need to know when specifying these devices?

One supplier in this field is the German brand Venta, which has created a modular buffet system with design and flexibility for operators and guests. The heat preservation and heating system produced by induction technology is hidden under the table top, which means that guests can see a neat display of the buffet. If a thermal bridge is added, heat can also be provided from above, which can also include lighting to enhance the food display effect and make the entire buffet counter look stylish.

You can choose a table top with stained glass or compact panel materials, and a variety of finishes including concrete, marble, linen or wood design, which means it should be easy to match the style of the room and enhance the food display effect.

A skirting board that matches the style of the table can be added to the buffet table to increase the height, thereby enhancing the overall appearance of the food display. When used without front blinds and side blinds, the Venta system should appear to be open in the site, so be cautious.

Signature FSE supplies the Venta brand to the UK. MD Paula Sherlock emphasized: “One of the main features of the Venta buffet system is that its food warming table uses on-site induction instead of point induction. This is different from other brands, which means that each induction zone can be accepted. A variety of dishes. This allows the operator to choose to add a variety of dishes of different colors, shapes and capacities in each sensing area to create a more beautiful buffet display.

“Venta’s plate heater system allows the use of mobile plate heaters in custom-made Venta tables to integrate with the decor of the venue. This is a very useful device to ensure that food stays warm for as long as possible, Guests provide the best experience while maintaining a seamless appearance when placed at the buffet table."

She added: “The minimalist design of the Venta tables means they are suitable for both classic and modern environments because they are integrated with the interior design architecture. All Venta Stage tables can be nested together to provide space-saving storage Flexibility in options and operations."

According to Gary Thacker, the head of the British National Accounts, the Dutch-based brand Fri-Jado designed counters and display equipment as “all about food”. "Of course, creating perfect storage conditions and reducing energy consumption are essential for counters and servers, but if customers cannot clearly see and try to buy the food inside, then sales will not be able to achieve their full potential in their lifetime.

"Our equipment portfolio is designed to present food in the most irresistible way, and innovative patented technology allows operators to rest assured that their customers can enjoy food in the way expected."

An example of achieving these goals is the company's Modular Convenience Counter (MCC). They combine the latest airflow technology, design and thin shelves to put food under the spotlight in these modular hot and cold counters.

Thacker emphasized: “The Fri-Jado MCC series aims to provide a complete 360-degree view of food, providing up to 30% of the display area and up to 75% of the product visibility, as well as the highest total display area. In order to obtain greater display capacity, MCC Cold uses thin, transparent and adjustable shelves that look like they are floating, creating the ultimate food experience for customers."

This series uses a variety of green technologies to minimize consumption. The freezer uses the environmentally friendly refrigerant R290, which has a low global warming potential of 3, and the OmniCold low-speed airflow can provide accurate heat preservation temperature.

The thermal units in this series utilize a patented thermal blanket retention system, air curtain technology and hot air circulation on each shelf to achieve continuous energy savings of up to 40%.

Thacker added: “The MCC series is composed of high-quality, durable components that extend the service life of the equipment. When appliances reach the end of their usable life cycle, their recyclability rate is as high as 99%-further help in the process protect environment.

"In the past 25 years, we have adopted a four-stage approach to ensure the success of takeaway-we call it'Food To Go, The Fri-Jado Way'. These four steps are: food solutions, packaging solutions , Innovative equipment and complete solutions. Together, it is this four-stage approach and the continued support that Fri-Jado provides to dealers, distributors and their customers that enable us to develop our global reputation."

Professional display can also play an important role in more niche food service establishments. For example, it is said that Hoshizaki's sushi display cabinet series combine innovative features with modern and elegant design, aiming to highlight and maintain the freshness and appearance of fresh fish, meat and perishable products.

Roz Scourfield, National Sales Manager of Hoshizaki UK, commented: “The eye-catching round glass windows create an attractive display of fresh ingredients and are equipped with anti-scattering film to protect the glass fragments.”

The sushi box series is designed to maintain the most natural humidity and food safety temperature, including during peak service hours when the door is frequently opened. The smoothly diffused airflow is designed to work without any forced air circulation. This method should create suitable conditions to avoid unpleasant dehydration and weight loss of stored items.

In order to further control the temperature, the operator can flip the inner tray (for delicate fish, down for storage of less demanding fish), set the most suitable internal temperature for different fish, which means that they will not dry out and lose Taste or downsize.

Hoshizaki has also expanded its professional sushi box product portfolio with new LED models. By providing LED lights as a function of the sushi box, the manufacturer aims to provide catering suppliers and customers with a clear and bright view of the contents of the glass box while operating in an energy-saving manner. They also offer sustainable HNC HC models, as well as a range of sizes with left or right hand openings.

Scourfield said: "Our new LED light sushi box is a perfect example of how Danish design principles and Japanese engineering techniques can be combined to create innovative and sustainable food and beverage solutions."

Elsewhere, the Epta brand Eurocryer, which specializes in tailor-made cold storage solutions, recently launched Cornice, a self-service island on both sides with a semi-vertical cabinet and available in hot and dry versions.

Epta Product Strategy Manager Giorgio De Ponti explains: “Cornice stands out for its attention to detail and fully customizable aesthetics: from the choice of materials, colors and heights, to the customization of the front panel. What is worth mentioning is the back and the end. And the high transparency of the top, the product can be fully seen from all observation points. Finally, in order to ensure the highest level of hygiene, the shelf and deck are made of stainless steel and can be removed for easy cleaning."

He emphasized that Eurocryer products make food look attractive because: "The careful design of our cabinets ensures the perfect ratio between the glass surface and the structure to ensure excellent ergonomics. The display table and objects are at the right height 'To improve interaction with consumers and encourage more rotations, while supporting operations to facilitate replenishment."

He added: “Finally, thanks to our exclusive technology, we guarantee the best freshness and preservation of each product, making them more attractive.”

De Ponti advises dealers: “In addition to elegant and unique aesthetics, dealers should also consider the design and ergonomics of the refrigerated cabinet, whether it is diners or employees.

"The design of the counter must ensure the speed of service in a short time and the safety of the staff. In the design process, two basic elements must be considered: the length of the counter and its ergonomics.

"For example, in a service cabinet, the solution should have a specific length suitable for the number of people serving customers (usually each employee should have 1 meter space on their right and 1 meter space on their left, so as to More people in a short period of time). In addition, the maximum depth of the counter should be 80 cm (including the workbench) to ensure good ergonomics and prevent musculoskeletal problems on the back, arms and neck of the staff."

Design Director Ian Hodgson stated that for Trak Catering Solutions in Knowsley, each counter is created “not only to be practical, but also to seamlessly adapt to its environment, whether it’s a catering or retail environment”.

He asserted: “The ergonomic design brings a modern and stylish appearance to our counters, ensuring that employees can easily keep food in top condition at any time, combined with enhanced lighting, transparent glass and logical functions. The smooth process improves the consumer experience."

Trak has designed a new cold and hot plate system that can be integrated into its counter. It uses the latest technology to provide accurate temperature and fast turnaround time to ensure that the food is always at the correct temperature. Hodgson revealed: "We also specially designed it to have a very pleasant look and feel. We are proud of our refrigeration equipment and use the latest hydrocarbon technology to reduce the energy consumption of all our cabinets, including Custom design.

"Our hot and cold plate is still in its infancy, but we firmly believe that it will soon become the market leader in this field. We are still in the research and development stage, adopting new heating technologies for our electric furnaces. We have been researching to reduce energy consumption. As part of this method, we recently launched a new type of LED lamp and heating lamp gantry combination that is both beautiful and energy-saving."

Regarding the factors that dealers should consider when designating counters, he pointed out: "Like all catering equipment, this is to specify the right products for the job. In this case, it means focusing on the service that the customer will provide. About how The flexibility of using the server is also important. For example, if the server is designed to be used in different ways at specific times of the day, the end user may benefit. Energy consumption is very important and should not be overlooked in any response. ."

In Taylor UK, it imported ISA series servers and counters from Italy to the UK. Depending on the size and budget, ISA's refrigerated display cabinets can provide different combinations of refrigeration and shelf options.

They have large glass front panels and side panels with minimal supporting structure to maximize the visibility of the displayed products. The lower areas are raised in the cabinet, so they are almost flush with the glass bottom, so customers can see the product from a distance without having to get close and "peep". Their heated front windows are designed to prevent condensation from forming in humid environments, ensuring that displays and food are always beautiful.

Taylor UK’s marketing manager David Rees explained in detail: “ISA has been manufacturing refrigerated display cabinets for decades. Its R&D department continues to improve the technology used in all its displays to optimize energy efficiency, operational performance and aesthetic design. ISA and many international Well-known designers have collaborated to create some amazing and beautifully designed devices that will not affect the operating performance."

The brand uses the latest electronic controls to ensure accurate operating performance. The service desk and counter are equipped with ventilation and refrigeration systems, which can actively blow cold air to the entire display area to ensure that all areas maintain a uniform temperature.

Rees revealed: "A few years ago, ISA actively turned to LED lighting-this is a more effective way to illuminate refrigerated displays. LEDs do not emit heat, which is a huge advantage for refrigerated displays. The additional benefit of LED lighting is Customization. The RGB LED system allows the cabinets to be illuminated from the outside in almost any color scheme, and the internal areas and shelves can be individually illuminated to maximize the visual impact of the product."

Some ISA counters and servers also have dual-zone options, allowing different foods to be displayed safely at different temperatures. These cabinets have dual refrigeration systems to improve efficiency and operating performance. For each installation, Rees recommends that the distributor define which servers will be displayed, how the products will be provided, and the location of the equipment. "Distributors need to ensure that the type of refrigeration meets the requirements. Always ensure that there is enough space for cold air to circulate and warm air to escape from the equipment," he concluded.

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