As we approach the end of the year, we often see lots of conversations about new trends in kitchen design and innovation in commercial catering equipment. From the latest and greatest appliances to sustainable design, it’s a time of inspiration and forward-thinking. But in the real business world, how important is innovation? Our managing director, Marios Poumpouris shares a practical perspective on this hot topic.

At Chiller Box, our work is shaped by our clients, many of whom are small, independent businesses, new ventures, or single-site operators. Our clients are often more focused on functionality and cost rather than the latest technology. I believe that innovation has its place, but our experience shows it’s not always the top priority.

Innovation versus practicality

For many clients, the initial outlay of costs is a critical factor. They are less interested in ‘all-singing, all-dancing’ equipment and are more concerned with finding affordable solutions that meet their specific needs. However, there are times where innovation can be extremely valuable. For example, for one of our clients we supplied a piece of equipment for washing reusable water bottles. Standard dishwashers wouldn’t have been fully effective due to the shape of the bottles, but an innovative solution provided time savings and met strict hygiene standards. For this client, innovation was well worth the investment.

We also had a client purchase a fabulous food cabinet which was capable of transitioning between hot and cold displays, helping them to manage seasonal menu changes. This was really valuable to the client from a space point of view and allowed them to adapt their menu offerings more seamlessly between the seasons. In both these cases, innovation was critical, but only because it served a clear, client-specific purpose.

Sustainability

While sustainability is a growing consideration, it’s often driven by cost rather than ethics for smaller operators. Energy efficiency has become a higher priority as costs rise, and clients recognise that investing in quality equipment can save money in the long run.

We recently had an enquiry from a small business about achieving net-zero and this has made us question whether we will start to see a shift in attitudes from other small businesses too. Although larger brands lead the way in sustainability, driven by corporate social responsibility (CSR), efficiencies and demand from consumers, this could be an early sign that smaller businesses are beginning to follow.

Innovation and sustainability often go hand in hand, with advances in energy-efficient appliances, labour-saving designs, and durable materials. However, for many of our clients, these benefits are only appealing if they offer cost savings or can improve the running of the kitchen.

Working in smaller spaces

Smaller kitchens and the rise of dark kitchens has added another layer of complexity to commercial kitchen design. Operators now demand more functionality from limited spaces, requiring careful consideration of layouts from our designers and the use of multi-functional equipment.

Understanding innovation

Staying informed about the latest innovations is essential for the Chiller Box team. From attending trade shows to working closely with suppliers, our team ensures that our knowledge on the latest products is always up to date. This allows us to advise our clients on the most suitable equipment for their needs, budget, space and long-term vision.

More and more, clients are doing their own research online first and coming to us to ask about particular products so it’s really important our team are aware of what’s new on the market. However, our view is that innovation is only as valuable as its relevance to the client. We would never push the latest products if they don’t meet a client’s specific needs, goals, and budget.

Looking ahead

Innovation is undeniably important in the world of commercial kitchen design, and we love learning about new products from our suppliers, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Our two decades of success at Chiller Box is down to the effort we take to understand our clients, what they need, what they can afford, and what will work best for their business.

If you would like to learn more about how we can help your business with your next venture, get in touch via our contact us page.