2019 WINNERS:

Ancillary cooking equipment: Jestic, Winston, CVap 7-series Cook and Hold Cabinets

The series was assessed by the PEAs judges on efficiency, functionality, design and benefits to the end-user. CVap, which stands for Controlled Vapour Technology, can prevent delicate ingredients from drying out. The cabinets also include touch controls with HACCP data download capability for temperature monitoring.


Bakery: Café de Nata, Raspberry Pastel de Nata

The Pastel de Nata is synonymous with Portugal, and over the past couple of years the tartlet has seen its fame reach new heights in the UK. The bite-size treats were developed by monks in Portugal before the 18th century and are traditionally eaten with a bica (espresso). The Raspberry Pastel de Nata from Café de Nata is a modern twist and our judges were immediately smitten with its excellent pastry and well-balanced flavour.


Beverage making and dispense equipment: The Brew It Group, Milkit, Milk Tap System

Milkit is a milk tap system developed to help cafés achieve milk dose consistency, maintain milk integrity (reducing the risk of cross-contamination) and improve barista workflow. The Milkit system sits on top of the counter and is connected to a 24-pint per gal beneath the unit, out of sight of the customer.


Coffee: Change Please, Adventurous Blend

The number of people who are homeless has doubled in the UK since 2010, and more than 4,000 people sleep rough every night. Change Please supports the homeless community by training them to be baristas, paying the London Living Wage and providing support with housing, bank accounts and mental wellbeing. The company also produces award-winning coffee blends, and the judges thought the 100% Arabica Adventurous blend was exceptionally well-balanced with a long-lasting flavour.


Condiments: Belazu Ingredient Company, Aged Malt Vinegar

Belazu’s Aged Malt Vinegar from Modena is made using the same method as balsamic vinegar production. It’s aged in oak barrels, which mellows the acidity and brings out caramel notes. The judges agreed that this product was smooth and rich with a quality and depth of flavour that makes it one of the best they had tried.


Dairy: Eurilait, Alfresco Barbecue Cheese Steaks – plain

Our judges loved this innovative new product, describing it as “a delicious, simple idea”. The cheese steaks don’t contain gluten, artificial flavours and preservatives, and can be cooked on the grill to make the perfect vegetarian alternative to a beef burger.


Desserts: Traiteur de Paris, Cappuccino individual desserts

The judges described this as an exquisite product that presents perfectly on the plate. It combines an intense coffee flavour with a crunchy, chocolate-coated crumble base, a layer of chocolate and coffee cream mix, topped with a layer of sweetened milk froth. The pie comes in individual or 12-portion versions and is free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives.


Food preparation equipment: Robot Coupe, Robot Cook Cooking, Cutter, Blender

The Robot Cook has a plethora of patented innovations and technologies built into a single appliance. It cooks, cuts and blends and can save preparation time by emulsifying, grinding, blending, chopping, mixing and kneading. Robot Coupe describe the Robot Cook as a smart assistant for the kitchen – and the judges agreed.


Fish and seafood: Direct Seafoods, Glitne Halibut (fresh)

Clearwater’s Wild-caught Canadian Sea Scallops are frozen at sea within an hour to lock in their freshness and natural moisture for minimum shrinkage and greater yield. The scallops cooked at the PEAs judging session were beautifully caramelised and delicious. They are sustainably harvested and a consistent supply is available all year round from Canada’s largest quota holder.


Fish and seafood: Clearwater Fine Foods Europe, Wild-caught Canadian Sea Scallops Clearwater’s Wild-caught Canadian Sea Scallops are frozen at sea within an hour to lock in their freshness and natural moisture for minimum shrinkage and greater yield. The scallops cooked at the PEAs judging session were beautifully caramelised and delicious. They are sustainably harvested and a consistent supply is available all year round from Canada’s largest quota holder. 


Frozen: Traiteur de Paris, Potato Gratin with White Truffle

This luxurious product was chosen for its flavour, its speed of serve and its benefits to the operator. It provides an alternative to traditional gratins thanks to the truffle (1%) and truffle oil (0.2%) flavouring the dish. The gratin comes in individual portions, which present well on the plate, and is free of artificial colours, preservatives, flavour enhancers and alcohol.


Hygiene: Winterhalter Chemicals, Winterhalter Blue Super Concentrated Surface Cleaner Sanitizer 2L C170

Winterhalter has taken the lead in its sector with its policy to manufacture chemicals that are as environmentally sound as possible. Its C170 BLUe concentrated cleaner and sanitiser is coconut derived and the surfactants are biodegradable to EU standards. It kills 99% of bacteria in 30 seconds.


Meat and poultry: Henson Meats, Henson Salt Beef

Henson Meats has a long history as a catering butcher. Salt beef is a product dating back to Tudor times, when beef was soaked in barrels of brine and saltpetre to preserve and tenderise the meat. Nowadays, foodservice customers expect a more sophisticated product, and Henson’s Beef is made with prime, grass-fed brisket and a delicate low-salt cure. The judges said: “Henson Meats’ salt beef is full of flavour but, just as importantly, it cooks well and is available for a very good price. Something an operator always looks for.”

Prime cooking: Rieber, Catering Circle

Rieber’s ‘pop-up’ catering concept, the Catering Circle, is a system that can be configured into a square, a circle, a triangle or rectangle, combining a multipurpose steel container with cooking, hot or cold display, sink, beer font, self-ventilation and refrigeration. The judges commended the mobility and flexibility of the system, with rapid connectivity for the caterer.


Refrigeration: Hoshizaki, Gram Baker Pro GA 950

The GA 950 is a three in one piece of kit, acting as a refrigerator, a freezer and a prover. The control system and steam generator facilitates the precise setting of time and temperature throughout the whole cycle, including air humidity control in the retarding and proving phases. Its ideal for confectioners and pâtisseries, but also ideal for heavy-duty operations. It’s rated with Climate Class 5 and suitable for use in ambient temperatures of up to 40°C.


Soft drinks: Coca-Cola European Partners, Coca-Cola Signature Mixers, Herbal Notes

The judges loved the sophisticated herbal variant from the Coca-Cola Signature Mixers collection, a group of four mixers specially designed to pair with dark spirits. Herbal Notes is a crisp, floral mix that delivers tart, herbaceous notes of lemongrass and dill, pairing beautifully with amber whiskies and rum.


Snacking: Supernatural Food, Boundless Activated Nuts & Seeds – Rosemary & Cayenne

These healthy snacks flavoured with cayenne and rosemary also contain almonds, cashew nuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, maple syrup and salt. They are vegan approved, gluten-free, and high in protein. As our snacking winner they provide an important dose of protein and a delicious grab-and-go burst of energy.


Special diet: Bidfood, Simply Puree Level 4 Cottage Pie

Whether customers are demanding dishes for food intolerances, allergies, medical conditions, or wellbeing, hospitality operators are expected to deliver. Our winner this year provides a solution for a specific sector of hospitality and does it exceptionally well. Bidfood’s Simply Puree Level 4 Cottage Pie is created especially for people with dysphagia. Bidfood’s texture modified dishes were a hit with the judges, who praised the comforting taste and aroma.


Tea and hot chocolate: Shibui Tea, Earl Grey Teabags

Shibui Tea is a family-run company that has worked to reduce the plastic in its packaging, with most of its teas available in compostable and recyclable packaging. Shibui is a Japanese word that describes something that appears simple but has a complex nature and our judges agreed. The Shibui Earl Grey Teabags are a flavoursome blend of rich Assam and Ceylon black teas flavoured with citrussy bergamot, creating a decadent and luxuriant beverage.


Technology: Syft, SyftForce Rota and Team Management App

The judges were looking for innovation, benefits to the operator, convenience and money-saving credentials in this category, and SyftForce hit all the buttons. The staff management app was launched in 2015 and was acquired by www.indeed.com in 2019. It is a free team management tool that can plan and post shifts, set team permissions, clock-in and clock-out staff and fill vacant jobs.


Warewashing: Meiko, M-iClean US Glasswasher with Integral GiO Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment

Chef-restaurateur John Campbell’s testimonial speaks of how the machine produces crystal-clear glassware, and what an advantage that is to the business owner. The judges commented on the quality of the results and the intelligent energy management system that gradually shifts functions into standby mode when the machine is idle, saving electricity.


Wine and spirits: Booker, Alfred Button & Sons, Lovely Lemon Sherbet Shimmer Gin

The judges were full of admiration for Booker for stocking Alfred Button Lemon Sherbet Gin, which has a ‘mystical shimmer’ and packs a citrusy punch. It was perfect as a simple gin and tonic, but worked just as well as a dash in a glass of Prosecco. As one judge said: “It will complete any celebration.”


Winner of Winners (Food & Drink): Belazu Ingredient Company, Aged Malt Vinegar


Winner of Winners (Equipment): Meiko, M-iClean US glasswasher with integral GiO reverse osmosis water treatment