KENNESAW, GA.—The University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents approved the naming of the Michael A. Leven School of Culinary Sustainability and Hospitality at Kennesaw State University. Michael Leven, a veteran hospitality industry executive and President and CEO of the Georgia Aquarium, made a commitment of $5 million to name Kennesaw State University’s School of Culinary Sustainability and Hospitality. The gift represents the largest single contribution from an individual in the University’s 52-year history.In addition to naming the School, Leven’s philanthropic gift will be used to support an endowed faculty chair as well as scholarships for culinary sustainability and...

MANCHESTER, N.H.—Xeros, the innovator of an ultra-low water laundry system, announced that Jonathan Benjamin’s role has expanded from President of North America to President of Global Commercial Laundry. In his new role, Jonathan will steer the growing business and will be responsible for product development, sales, marketing, and operations worldwide. The company also announced that Jaret Christopher has joined the company as General Manager and Senior Vice President of Global Technology. In his new role he will be responsible for the strategic direction of Xeros’ technology initiatives including the development and commercialization of the company’s Internet of Things (IoT)...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its outstanding efforts in food recovery. The entertainment and hospitality company received two national Food Recovery Challenge awards for reducing food waste and, in the process, conserving natural resources.“MGM’s zero waste leadership has turned mountains of food scraps into compost to help fight waste and climate change,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest.MGM Resorts and MGM Grand Las Vegas are two of the 32 recipients that received the 2014 Food Recovery Challenge Award, and the only recipients in Nevada. The award was...

GLENVIEW, ILL.—For the sixth consecutive year, ITW Food Equipment Group–North America (ITW FEG) has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Partner of the Year–Sustained Excellence Award. The group earned the award for its continued leadership in protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency and will be honored at an April 20 ceremony in Washington, D.C.“ITW Food Equipment Group–North America is thrilled to have won this award for another year,” said Chris O’Herlihy, Executive Vice President, ITW FEG Worldwide. “We are committed to increasing energy efficiency across our extensive portfolio of innovative food equipment products and doing our...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton Worldwide announced that it will begin to eliminate the use of cages for egg-laying chickens and gestation crates for breeding pigs in its global food supply chain. The announcement was made in conjunction with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the nation’s largest animal protection organization.  Initially all hotels in the Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton and DoubleTree by Hilton brands will be required to switch all egg usage to cage-free by December 31, 2017, ensuring that chickens are not confined in cages. All...

TROY, OHIO—Hobart’s FT1000 Advansys flight-type dish machine has been awarded the 2015 Kitchen Innovations Award, which recognizes foodservice equipment and technologies that improve kitchen operations and benefit restaurant operators. The FT1000 is going to be on display in booth 4031, as well as the Kitchen Innovations Pavilion, at the 2015 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago, May 16 to 19.“In today’s market, with energy, water and labor costs on the rise, we know that our customers want and need a reliable dish machine that saves them time, energy and money,” said Megan Dyer, Product Line Manager for Hobart Warewash....

CHICAGO—Master-Bilt, manufacturer and supplier of a full line of premier commercial refrigeration, will introduce new glass and solid door shallow depth back bar refrigerators to its line of Fusion bar equipment at the NRA Show, May 16 to 19, at McCormick Place in Chicago, booth #4241.The new 26-inch deep back bars are ideal for narrow or tight spaces, and are available in 48, 60 and 72-inch lengths and, at 35-3/8 inches in height, can stack up to three tall boy beer bottles vertically. Two epoxy-coated shelves adjust on one-inch increments for maximum space usage. Door locks, an adjustable temperature...

CHESTNUT RIDGE, N.Y.—BioHitech America, a green technology company that provides an innovative data-driven solution for food waste removal, along with their U.K. distributer GreenComm Environmental Ltd. and their Israel distributor Ramona Municipal Services announced two new customers overseas: Athenaeum Hotel, a small family-owned five star hotel in Mayfair London that was recognized as one of the best hotels in the world by Travel + Leisure in 2014 and Nir Etzion Hotel & Catering Hall in Israel, one of the leading hotels in Israel with a large conference center for groups of up to 350.“We are thrilled to be working...

SHELTON, CONN.—SAVOR…Chicago, the food service provider for McCormick Place, has become the first food service provider in Chicago to be certified to an international sustainability standard. SAVOR…Chicago achieved Level One certification to the ASTM Standard pertaining to the Evaluation and Selection of Food and Beverage for Environmentally Sustainable Meetings, Events, Trade Shows, and Conferences. The Food and Beverage standard is one of nine standards developed by the meetings, conventions, exhibitions and events industry to provide event planners and suppliers with specifications for producing events in a more sustainable manner.Shaun Beard, SAVOR… Senior Vice President, commented, “We are excited to...

MANCHESTER, N.H.—Xeros, the innovator of an ultra-low water laundry system, announced a new partner program in North America aimed at commercial laundry suppliers that will resell and service Xeros’ award-winning polymer bead cleaning systems. Xeros is offering resellers attractive margins as well the ability to build a monthly recurring revenue stream from services and sales of the Sbeadycare all-inclusive laundry management program to hotels, commercial and industrial laundries, dry cleaners, fitness clubs and spas. Resellers can learn more about the Xeros Partner Program at The Clean Show 2015, at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, on April 16 to...