11 FEDA Manufacturer Members Honored with Kitchen Innovations Awards
Date postedFebruary 23, 2026
The National Restaurant Association Show announced the recipients of its 2026 Kitchen Innovations (KI) Awards, which include 11 products from FEDA manufacturer member companies.
This year’s awardees reflect the challenges operators are managing, including workforce constraints, tighter margins, and limited room for disruption during service, according to show organizers. The selected solutions address those pressures by helping kitchens maintain consistency and speed during peak service.
“Operators are no longer experimenting with technology; they are relying on it,” said Tom Cindric, president of exhibitions for Informa Connect Foodservice Group. “This year’s Kitchen Innovations recipients reflect how kitchens are using equipment and technology that support consistent execution, faster workflows, and better decision-making under real operating conditions.”
Winners were evaluated by an independent panel of operators, consultants, and industry experts. The 2026 KI Awards recipients will be showcased in the Kitchen Innovations Showroom during the National Restaurant Association Show, which will be presented May 16 to 19 at McCormick Place in Chicago.
Click the + sign next to each company name to learn more about their KI Award.
Randell HCI Drop-In Combination Well
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, it includes the ability to choose flat or angled positions for ultimate flexibility. Lock-in-place pan adapter bars ensure that whatever pan configuration is chosen, it stays put.
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, it includes the ability to choose flat or angled positions for ultimate flexibility. Lock-in-place pan adapter bars ensure that whatever pan configuration is chosen, it stays put.
6-Burner Programmable Induction Range
This new offering from Hatco can effectively manage up to six cooking stages per program, based on time, power level, or temperature setpoint. That helps 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.
This new offering from Hatco can effectively manage up to six cooking stages per program, based on time, power level, or temperature setpoint. That helps 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.
FT2000 Flight-Type Dishwasher
The Hobart FT2000 Flight-Type Dishmachine was designed using real-world insights to reduce labor time on machine cleaning and staff training with easy-open load and unload ends and removable side panels, plus color-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.
The Hobart FT2000 Flight-Type Dishmachine was designed using real-world insights to reduce labor time on machine cleaning and staff training with easy-open load and unload ends and removable side panels, plus color-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.
Pizza Prep Table with Refrigerated Catch Pans
This new pizza prep is designed for operators who can't afford to waste toppings. As pizzas are made, cheese and other toppings that miss the crust 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.
This new pizza prep is designed for operators who can't afford to waste toppings. As pizzas are made, cheese and other toppings that miss the crust 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.
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 degrees Fahrenheit to cook food up to 50% faster than traditional burners. Large, 12-inch-by-12-inch 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.
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 degrees Fahrenheit to cook food up to 50% faster than traditional burners. Large, 12-inch-by-12-inch 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.
SYPP
This compact, flexible beverage dispenser can produce cold and sparkling beverages in up to eight flavors available as bag-in-box containers, bottles, or jugs. This solution is compact, sleek, and sophisticated, sharing the modular design of Marco’s other undercounter hot, cold, and sparkling water systems.
This compact, flexible beverage dispenser can produce cold and sparkling beverages in up to eight flavors available as bag-in-box containers, bottles, or jugs. This solution is compact, sleek, and sophisticated, sharing the modular design of Marco’s other undercounter hot, cold, and sparkling water systems.
M-iQ Cup Flight-Type Dishmachine
This dishwashing machine comes with all the benefits of the 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 a professional solution for catering companies and foodservice at festivals, ideal for quick turnarounds of clean reusable dishware or simply for storing it dry.
This dishwashing machine comes with all the benefits of the 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 a professional solution for catering companies and foodservice at festivals, ideal for quick turnarounds of clean reusable dishware or simply for storing it dry.
Steam Shell Griddle
This new griddle technology combines high-heat searing with integrated steam to deliver faster, more consistent cooking. An 8-inch vertically traveling, counterbalanced platen 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.
This new griddle technology combines high-heat searing with integrated steam to deliver faster, more consistent cooking. An 8-inch vertically traveling, counterbalanced platen 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.
PowerLuxe Battery Powered Buffet Equipment
These efficient warming trays and induction ranges are powered by advanced battery technology, allowing operators to take their buffet anywhere. 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.
These efficient warming trays and induction ranges are powered by advanced battery technology, allowing operators to take their buffet anywhere. 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.
Planit POD Fermentation Chamber
While indirect heat cooks plant-based proteins, the POD Fermentation Chamber's passive convection system regulates airflow, and an A-frame humidification design directs condensation away from food. Results include 72% less labor and less expertise needed to produce great results.
While indirect heat cooks plant-based proteins, the POD Fermentation Chamber's passive convection system regulates airflow, and an A-frame humidification design directs condensation away from food. Results include 72% less labor and less expertise needed to produce great results.
Tri-Temp Pizza Prep Table
The Tri-Temp Pizza Prep Table simplifies 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. 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.
The Tri-Temp Pizza Prep Table simplifies 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. 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.