National Restaurant Association Show

May 16–19, 2026
McCormick Place
Chicago, IL

Kitchen Innovations Awards

The Kitchen Innovations (KI) Awards honor cutting-edge equipment that enhances kitchen efficiency, safety, sustainability, and profitability. Recognized categories include automation, IoT-connected appliances, energy-efficient ovens, space-saving designs, and robotics. Attendees are invited to tour the KI Showroom to explore these groundbreaking solutions and connect directly with awardees driving the future of foodservice.


2026 Kitchen Innovations Awards: Smart Solutions for Real Kitchen Challenges

From staffing shortages to razor-thin margins, these award-winning products focus on automation, sustainability, and keeping kitchens running smoothly during the busiest service periods. The winning equipment and technology are designed to help restaurants maintain quality and speed when it matters most – during peak service hours when there's no room for error. Explore the 2026 awardees below and be sure to visit the Kitchen Innovations Showroom for live demos at the Show!

Kitchen Innovations Awards logo

Meet the 2026 Kitchen Innovation Awardees

Meet the 2026 Kitchen Innovations Awardees

3MTM ScaleGard High-Flux Reverse Osmosis System

Aqua-Pure

3M™ ScaleGard High-Flux Reverse Osmosis System

Smaller than conventional RO systems, 3M™ ScaleGard High-Flux Reverse Osmosis System delivers an impressive 75% water efficiency—far surpassing the 25–50% typical of existing models—without the need for a water softener. Over five years of heavy use, that efficiency saves more than 500,000 gallons of water. Two models provide 800 or 1,200 gallons per day. A compact, integrated top housing includes a clear, intuitive display.

SP Genix Bio-Degradeable Degreaser

BDGR LLC

SP Genix Bio-Degradeable Degreaser

This innovative degreaser delivers high-performance cleaning for foodservice equipment and facilities while advancing meaningful sustainability. Made by repurposing used cooking oil, it is 100% human-safe and certified fully biodegradable within 31 days. Effective on fryers, extraction hoods, floors, and food preparation surfaces, it matches or exceeds the performance of conventional chemical degreasers—without health warnings or protective equipment requirements. Offered at the same price or less than traditional options, it removes cost as a barrier to sustainable operations.

Ultra Jar

Blendtec

Ultra Jar

The patented Ultra Jar is engineered to accelerate commercial blending while preserving drink quality. Its chamfered base enhances vortex efficiency for faster, more consistent blends, while larger side ribs reduce cavitation and keep ingredients moving. A hybrid safety blade design—blunt edges with a sharpened underside—pulverizes ingredients faster, delivering finer textures. Tests show significantly reduced blend times, by up to 50%, translating into measurable labor savings, improved throughput, and better product stability for on-premise and delivery applications.

DC:02 Food Defroster & Chiller

CNSRV Inc.

DC:02 Food Defroster & Chiller

The CNSRV DC:02 gives kitchens a smarter, more controlled way to thaw frozen food and chill hot food. By replacing running faucets and manual workarounds with engineered circulation and precise temperature control, it improves operational efficiency while significantly reducing water use, saving time and money, and delivering consistent results every shift.

Pest Intelligence Powered by ECOLAB3D™

Ecolab

Pest Intelligence Powered by ECOLAB3D™

This comprehensive pest management solution combines proven service expertise with always‑on technology to help reduce pest risk, drive operational savings, and enhance brand protection. By continuously monitoring rodent and cockroach activity 24/7, the program delivers real‑time alerts that enable teams to act quickly and effectively. Actionable insights illuminate root causes and support faster resolution and stronger long‑term prevention.

Randell HCI Drop-In Combination Well

Electrolux Professional, Inc

Randell HCI Drop-In Combination Well

Drop-in food wells offering combination hot and cold holding just got even more flexible! 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 the ability to choose flat or angled positions for ultimate flexibility. Lock-in place pan adapter bars ensure whatever pan configuration is chosen, it stays put.

6-Burner Programmable Induction Range

Hatco Corporation

6-Burner Programmable Induction Range

No large induction range delivers the same depth of programmability and user guidance as this new offering from Hatco. It 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 Dishmachine

Hobart

FT2000 Flight-Type Dishmachine

The Hobart FT2000 Flight Type Dishwasher 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 w/ Refrigerated Catch Pans

Hoshizaki

Pizza Prep Table w/ Refrigerated Catch Pans

This new pizza prep appeals to operators who can't afford to waste toppings. As pizzas are made, cheese and other toppings that miss, 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

Imperial MFG

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°F to cook food up to 50% faster than traditional burners. Large, 12" x 12" 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. With powerful 3.75 kW elements, the range provides heavy-duty performance with precise, consistent results.

Commercial Growing Unit

Instafarm

Commercial Growing Unit

The Instafarm® Commercial Growing Unit brings automated, soil-based greens production directly into commercial kitchens. Designed for chefs and foodservice operators, it holds up to 36 prefilled trays and delivers fresh, nutrient-dense harvests in as little as five to seven days. Intelligent sensors and Sun Emulation Technology automatically manage water, light, and environment, ensuring consistent results with minimal labor. With no plumbing required and a sleek, professional footprint, Instafarm® helps kitchens reduce waste, eliminate supply chain variability, and serve hyper-fresh microgreens, herbs, & wheatgrass daily.

Fresh'n Squeeze® 1800 Citrus Juicer

JBT Marel

Fresh'n Squeeze® 1800 Citrus Juicer

This high-performance, tabletop citrus juicer delivers the same high yield and better-tasting juice of its industrial siblings. Its Whole Fruit Extraction process pierces and presses fruit while separating juice from peel and seeds, producing smooth, fresh juice with up to 37% more yield than conventional juicers. Capable of processing 18 fruits per minute and handling most citrus varieties, it offers customizable pulp content, simple maintenance, and durable construction—helping operators reduce waste, increase efficiency, and drive fresh juice sales.

SYPP

Marco Beverage Systems

SYPP

Operators craving freedom and creativity will be looking at this compact, flexible beverage dispenser. It can produce cold and sparkling beverages in up to eight flavors available as bag-in-box, 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

MEIKO USA, Inc.

M-iQ Cup Flight-Type Dishmachine

This dishwashing machine is another milestone for MEIKO! It comes with all the benefits of the pioneering 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 the professional solution for catering companies and food service at festivals, ideal for quick turnarounds of clean reusable dishware – or simply for storing it dry.

Al Dente AI-Powered Cooking System

Next Robot Inc.

Al Dente AI-Powered Cooking System

Al Dente leverages proprietary ChefSight AI and PrecisionHeat AI to automate fine pasta, risotto, stews, and stir fry, batch after batch, eliminating overcooking and human variability. In a compact 32 in x 32 in footprint, two units combine to deliver four independent pots cooking four dishes simultaneously. Adaptive AI driven closed loop control continuously monitors and adjusts heat, timing, and seasoning to produce consistent chef level results, requiring only about 30 minutes of operator training.

Genesis Countertop Blender

Replenish

Genesis Countertop Blender

Replenish® is a revolutionary, fully integrated countertop blended-beverage system that redefines convenient, healthy eating by transforming flash-frozen whole-food ingredients into smooth, delicious, and nutritious beverages in about 60 seconds. Chef-crafted, functional blends are pre-packaged and sealed in a custom-engineered cup, eliminating all prep. At the heart of the system is the Replenish Genesis™ blender, powered by patented Hydroblend™ pressure-controlled, inverted, in-cup blending and Hydroclean™ automated self-cleaning and self-sanitizing.

Steam Shell Griddle

Southbend

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.

Battery Buffet Collection

Spring USA

PowerLuxe Battery Powered Buffet Equipment

Take your buffet anywhere with safe, efficient warming trays & induction ranges powered by advanced battery technology. The first of its kind to be fully UL- and ETL-certified, each unit is powered by a removable, rechargeable battery to deliver reliable, precise, & safe heating without reliance on outlets or flame. Designed for optimal style & 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

Waring Commercial Products

Planit POD® Fermentation Chamber

When there's a dedicated, purpose-built solution, why entrust an improvised set-up to produce healthful tempeh, koji and plant-based proteins onsite? While indirect heat does its gentle task, the POD Fermentation Chamber's passive convection system regulates airflow and an A-frame humidification design directs condensation away from food. Result: 72 percent less labor, and much less expertise, needed to produce great results.

Tri-Temp Pizza Prep Table

West Star Industries

Tri-Temp Pizza Prep Table

West Star has greatly simplified 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--the same one that provides a choice of dough proofing, cold holding or frozen storage in the compartments 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.