In a 2006 survey of 550 SelfCooking Center® owners conducted by TNS Infratest, RATIONAL and its SelfCooking Center received exceptionally high ratings, placing the company in the top 10 percent of German manufacturing companies for customer satisfaction.

The survey, commissioned by RATIONAL, asked participants to rate their satisfaction with RATIONAL and the SelfCooking Center. Its score of 88 on the TRI*M index compares favorably with the benchmark TRI*M index score of 71 for German manufacturing companies.

The index indicates a respondent’s degree of satisfaction through questions based on service, usage, competitive advantage, and the likelihood of recommending the company or product. The benchmark score of 71 for German manufacturing companies is drawn from 30 different studies of large industrial companies operating on an international level in the business-tobusiness sector. Additionally, respondents were asked to rate their satisfaction with the SelfCooking Center as well as their satisfaction with competitive combi-ovens still in use in their kitchens.

The RATIONAL SelfCooking Center® received a 96 on the satisfaction index from owners, all who purchased the product within the last two years, while competitive combi-ovens averaged a score of 23. Among the respondents, 64 percent reported using the automatic cooking modes of the SelfCooking Center® “always” or “very often” for products such as roasts, fish, and vegetables. Owners who frequently used the automatic function of the SelfCooking Center generally had a higher satisfaction rate than those who primarily used the manual mode. CONTACT: www.RATIONALusa.com ...

For the second straight year, Tyson Foods, Inc. was awarded the Supplier of the Year by the International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) at the IFDA Partners Executive Forum held February 11 in Amelia Island, Florida. Each year, IFDA performs a survey of its distributor membership to rate the effectiveness and performance of foodservice supplier companies in five key business areas: effectiveness of product information communication, coordination with distributor sales force, effective communication of advertising and promotional information, availability of company representatives for handling account issues, and quality of sales training material. Tyson Foods was selected from a field of more than 50 suppliers for this prestigious award ...

Industry leader Frymaster, LLC, an Enodis company, is filling the knowledge gap being created by the nation’s rapid transition to trans-fat-free frying by launching www.fitfrying.com. Foodservice operators will now have a “first stop” online resource to guide them on how popular fried foods can become healthier ...

Revolution Tea, the innovative company responsible for creating the first gourmet liquid concentrate beverage program in the United States, announced it has entered a national sales and distribution partnership with S&D Coffee, Inc. As part of the partnership, S&D Coffee, a national manufacturer of coffee and iced and hot tea products, will offer Revolution Iced, a tea and herbal fruit liquid beverage program, which includes equipment, service, staff training, and marketing support ...

The French Culinary Institute announced the launch of its Culinary Technology program, which kicked off on March 18 with the start of its “Magic Potions: Transglutaminase” class. Spearheaded by Dave Arnold, the school’s director of culinary technology, and VP of Culinary Arts Chef Nils Norén, the program was created in recognition of the increasingly important role that a thorough understanding of science and technology plays in the taste, texture, and economies of food preparation ...

Eagle Foodservice Equipment introduces LIFESTOR® utility carts featuring high-strength polymer shelf panels with MICROGARD® protection, which provides protection against a broad range of bacteria, mold, and mildew that can cause stains, odors, and product degradation. The antimicrobial protection never washes out, even with repeated dishwasher cleaning. With heavy-duty posts featuring a choice of either noncorrosive stainless steel or EAGLEbrite® zinc with clear epoxy coating, these utility carts provide the ultimate in corrosion-free storage and transport of heavy loads. Easy to assemble by one operator without the use of tools, the carts feature four five-inch heavy-duty swivel casters—two with brakes—for easy mobility ...

Greg Holroyd, former VP of sales for the CF Group, joined MTS Seating as their VP of sales, lodging division. Holroyd’s 18-year tenure in the hospitality seating and table industry has provided him the opportunity to work with some of the world’s largest hospitality and lodging franchises. Holroyd will play an integral role in the continuing growth of MTS through his previously established relationships in the hospitality marketplace ...

Smucker Foodservice offers Smucker’s® Sugar Free Jams for your patrons who desire a superior sugar-free choice. Smucker’s® Sugar Free Jams deliver the best assortment to your customers with grape, strawberry, and blackberry. Rebranded to better communicate the sugar-free message, all three flavors are sweetened with sucralose ...

General Mills Foodservice brings the excitement of auto racing to foodservice operators in the “Rev Up Your Sales with Biscuits” sweepstakes. Now through May 31, 2007, foodservice operators have a chance to win their company name painted on the #43 race car driven by Bobby Labonte during a televised professional auto race, where the car will undergo a transformation from Cheerios/Betty Crocker to a Pillsbury Biscuit Sandwich paint scheme. The grand prize winner also will receive a visit from a replica show car, a VIP trip for two to a professional auto race, $500 spending money, plus a souvenir hood replica. In addition, there are three first prizes, admission for two to the Richard Petty Driving Experience; and 50 second prizes, a racing fleece jacket. Although operators submitting a “Rev Up Your Sales with Biscuits” rebate form (one for each case of Pillsbury unbaked biscuits purchased) are automatically entered in the sweepstakes, no purchase is necessary. For official rules and to enter, write your name, business, address, and phone number on an index card and send to: Rev Up Your Sales with Biscuits Sweepstakes, P.O. Box 72242, Rockford, MN 55572 ...

Cargill now uses an online tracking system, which helps verify the 20-plus key attributes of a carcass. The system, paired with the latest camera vision grading technology, provides Cargill with an unmatched technology combination used for selecting its premium brands. It retains data as it is captured through the camera vision grading process. Two key attributes it identifies for premium beef selection are ribeye area and vision yield grade. The information is saved and can be used to verify products’ acceptance into either the Sterling Silver® Premium Meats or AngusPride® Premium Beef brands. By the end of 2007, all of Cargill's North American fed-cattle plants will be equipped with the latest camera vision grading technology and will use the online tracking system ...

More than 500 energy-saving products from leading Enodis brands have been independently rated for energy saving performance, qualifying them for the Enodis Enerlogic seal and helping restaurant operators reduce energy and operating costs. Cleveland, Dean, Delfield, Frymaster, Garland, ICE OMatic, and Scotsman are among the Enodis brands with verified energy-saving performance for their equipment using independent standards, earning them the Enodis Enerlogic seal. To qualify for the Enodis Enerlogic seal, products must meet published third-party standards for energy-saving performance, with that performance verified through audited testing. Among the standards used to determine Enodis Enerlogic status are those published by EPA Energy Star, California Energy Commission, California utilities, and a variety of other voluntary standards ...

S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water demonstrates its support for its restaurant partners and the fine dining community with the launch of its 5th Annual S.Pellegrino™ Dine OutSM program benefiting Share Our Strength®, an organization working to end childhood hunger. The program has expanded into seven markets: Chicago; Fairfield County, Connecticut; Westchester County, New York; Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and Orange County, California. It presents restaurateurs with the opportunity to attract new customers and build on existing loyalty as they offer guests a chance to support their community while sampling a three-course prix fixe menu ($20 for lunch or $35 for dinner). From September 18–22 and September 25–29, patrons of participating restaurants may dine on menus selected for this program and will receive a complimentary bottle of S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water or Acqua Panna® Natural Spring Water. S.Pellegrino will donate $1 for each meal served to support Share Our Strength. For information on the 2006 S.Pellegrino Dine Out program and to see a list of participating restaurants, visit www.usadineout.com ...

Congratulations to The Montague Company on its 150th Anniversary. When founder Wilfred Weed (W.W.) Montague started his business in 1857 selling pots, pans, and general hardware items, it’s doubtful he envisioned how his enterprise would grow. Today, Montague is known for its premium quality cooking equipment. And the Whalen family is celebrating three generations at the helm. Company president since 1995, Tom Whalen’s first job at the company was running wire for an intercom system when he was in high school. He attributes the company’s success and longevity to three things: quality, respect, and good listening skills. “We’ve always tried to stay close to our customers to evaluate how cooking equipment is being used,” Whalen says. “From that interface with our customers is where most of our good ideas have come from.” For information, visit www.montaguecompany.com ...

The Manitowoc Foodservice Group announces the appointment of Michael J. Kachmer as president. Kachmer replaces Timothy J. Kraus, who retired at the end of 2006 after 18 years with Manitowoc. Kachmer joins Manitowoc from Culligan International Company, where he had held executive positions since 2000 and most recently served as CEO. Kachmer has held executive and operations roles in several global manufacturing companies, including Ball Corporation and Firestone Tire & Rubber. According to Terry D. Growcock, Manitowoc’s chairman and CEO, “Mike’s combination of operations, marketing, and finance skills are a great fit for this position. In particular, his experience in using the ‘voice of the customer’ process to deliver solutions to the restaurant, healthcare, and other commercial markets will add immediate value to the Foodservice Group” ...

Dennis Janesz, president of Foodservice Sales, Rich Products Corporation, has recently promoted Lou Lesemann to VP, category growth leader, marketing, barbeque category. In this role, Lesemann is responsible for leading all sales and marketing efforts and identifying the strategic future growth of Rich’s BBQ Category. Prior to this position, Lesemann was the director of sales and marketing for the BBQ category, and has been with Rich Products for 18 years ...

Leading culinary professionals from top hotels–restaurants in the Washington, D.C., area and around the country, will rally for the Fourth Annual Chefs on Bikes 2007 tour Tuesday, June 26. Scheduled to roll off from the Indigo Landings Restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia, on a day-long 100- plus-mile trek through the Virginia countryside, the biker-chefs—all motorcycle aficionados—will ride to raise funds for Share Our Strength (SOS) and the national campaign against childhood hunger. The chefs—and a network of supporters, as well as their restaurant customers—will contribute $1 for every mile traveled to the SOS fund. After the tour, riders will gather at a gala party and match recipes in a cook-off and BBQ competition. This year’s recipe-subject: baby suckling pig. The Chefs on Bikes charity ride was co-founded by Jean-Philippe Krukowicz, a former chef who heads Kruko, Inc., a Washington foodservice company; and Scott Hamberger, managing director at Fortessa, Inc., the tableware company, based in Sterling, Virginia. For details on how to join the charity event, as rider and/or donor, visit www.chefsonbikes.com.

Send news items to
editor@hotelfandb.com