Pep Up Menus & Profits

Merrychef ® Launches Patented Panini Press

If 80% faster cooking times, ventless cooking, and easy installation wasn’t enough, then the very latest Merrychef® accessory is surely the icing on the cake.

The new Merrychef® panini press launches this month as an accessory for the conneX® 12 and the eikon® e2s and will deliver consistent, compressed sandwiches with perfect grill marks every time. Simply the easiest-to-use panini press available on the market, it is quickly installed (as it rests on the internal cavity stubs), and offers additional versatility to operators creating paninis, bagels, subs or sandwiches. With 3 kits available; a high opening for thicker sandwiches, bagels or ciabatta, a low opening for thinner foods such as quesadillas or flatbreads, as well as the option to deliver grill marks on either the top only or both sides of the food, the Merrychef panini press is flexibility personified.

Colin Lacey, Managing Director of Merrychef® considers this to be a significant addition to the accessory range for the brand: “We’ve received quite incredible feedback on our new Merrychef® panini press. It seems that this has really hit the spot for our customers. Personally, I believe its appeal is in its ease of use. It couldn’t be simpler to create food with perfect grill marks that help to create the perfect looking panini in less than 40secs. It’s also easy to take in and out of the oven - it simply replaces the cook plate and sits on the internal cavity stubs so doesn’t stop you using your oven when the panini press is not in use”.

Operated using a unique Merrychef® paddle, the food/ sandwich can be slid in effortlessly between a top grill plate and a bottom plate and when the paddle is removed, the grill lowers to compress the food. When the panini press isn’t being used, food can still be cooked as usual on the top of the press, further increasing its flexibility.

Merrychef conneX® Range Wins Prestigious NRA Kitchen Innovations Award

Guildford, UK - Merrychef® is thrilled to announce its new conneX® range with automated panini press, has been awarded a prestigious and much sought after NRA Kitchen Innovations Award!

Each year, the Kitchen Innovations Awards celebrate forward-thinking, cutting-edge equipment that makes a significant impact on the foodservice industry. The winning equipment is selected by an independent, expert-led panel of judges from a variety of backgrounds, and the 2023 Awardees will be showcased in the Kitchen Innovations Showroom in the South Hall at NRA (May 20th – 23rd Chicago).

Colin Lacey, Managing Director of Merrychef®, is thrilled with such a prestigious accolade:

“Merrychef® is elated to have been awarded such a significant honour. The Kitchen Innovations Award program has earned a reputation for defining the gold standard of foodservice equipment innovations, and recognises new and enhanced technologies that elevate automation, efficiency, safety and sustainable solutions within the foodservice industry. Since its launch, the Merrychef® conneX® series has once again transformed the high speed cooking sector, no more so than the conneX® 16, which boasts a large 16” cavity in just an 18” wide footprint. This, along with our very latest accessory, the automated panini press which will deliver consistent, compressed sandwiches with perfect grill marks every time, makes the conneX® range the must have equipment for many hospitality venues.”

The breakthrough conneX® 12 and conneX® 16 are quite simply the quietest, fastest and most connected ovens Merrychef® has ever developed, delivering speeds up to 80% faster than other cooking methods. Ventless, compact and with cool to touch sides, the ovens will slide effortlessly into small spaces and operate quietly, suiting front of house positions. Easy to install, with energy saving efficiencies, standard power units operate off a 13-amp plug, with quick pre-heat and cool down times and reduced energy in standby.

The panini press is available with 3 kits; a high opening for thicker sandwiches, bagels, or ciabatta, a low opening for thinner foods such as quesadillas or flatbreads, as well as the option to deliver grill marks on either the top only or both sides of the food, the Merrychef panini press is flexibility personified. For further information on the Merrychef® panini press, conneX® range or any of our high speed ovens, please visit, https://info.merrychef.com/connex

Funnybones Expands Vegan Dessert Range An Instant Hit with Caramelised Biscuit Cheesecake

Funnybones has expanded its plant-based dessert offering with a brand-new caramelised biscuit cheesecake. As caramelised biscuit popularity continues to soar, and cheesecake remains one of the nation’s favourite desserts, Funnybones has combined the two trends, and made it vegan to boot

The new cheesecake arrives frozen, meaning operators won’t need to worry about unnecessary food waste, and requires just a few hours to defrost in the refrigerator before it’s ready to serve. The traybake format means operators have the freedom to dictate their own portion size and shape, for maximum flexibility.

Funnybones Development Chef, Tom Styman-Heighton, explains the focus behind the new product launch;

“We’re continually adding new products to our extensive range, and we choose what makes the cut based on popular trends and customer demands. Caramelised biscuit is a flavour that’s taken the food industry by storm, and when you pair that with a menu staple like a cheesecake, you’ve got an instant winner. By making this cheesecake vegan, we’re also ensuring that diners following a vegan diet can enjoy this sweet treat too..”

The biscoff-esque cheesecake has a recommended serving size of 100g, meaning operators can delight up to 24 customers per case.