CHICAGO—Master-Bilt, manufacturer of a full line of premier commercial refrigeration systems, showcased its full line of glass door merchandisers with the next generation BMG/BLG Plus and Fusion Plus models at the 2014 National Restaurant Show last month. These new glass door merchandisers provide extensive flexibility that businesses require for growing market segments, changing floor plans and improving traffic flow.Both models are designed with energy saving features, superior system performance and optimum merchandising. All glass door merchandisers are Energy Star qualified with standard LED lighting and four shelves per door. Both the Fusion Plus and BMG/BLG Plus offer an industry...

NEW YORK—1 Hotels, a new hotel brand from Starwood Capital Group launching in fall 2014, will feature “farm-to-table” restaurants from critically acclaimed chefs Jonathan Waxman, Tom Colicchio and Seamus Mullen. 1 Hotels will open three distinct hotel and restaurant destinations: New York City’s Central Park; Miami’s South Beach in Miami Beach; and Brooklyn Bridge Park in Brooklyn, N.Y.1 Hotels is the first luxury hotel brand to focus on sustainable living. The goal is to celebrate nature, its beauty, its perfection and purity with natural and sustainable materials. Each of the 1 Hotels will be LEED certified and every hotel...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the first-ever Energy Star label for clothes dryers. If all residential clothes dryers sold in the United States meet these new requirements, the utility cost savings will grow to more than $1.5 billion each year and more than 22 billion pounds of annual greenhouse gas emissions would be prevented. Informed by extensive input from manufacturers, retailers, the U.S. Department of Energy and environmental groups, the new specifications will recognize a selection of highly efficient electric, gas, and compact dryers that will use approximately 20 percent less energy than what is required...

MANCHESTER, N.H.—Xeros, the innovator of an ultra low water cleaning system, announced that Choice Hotels International has selected it as a qualified vendor for its more than 5,000 U.S. franchises. Xeros’ nearly waterless laundry system helps hotels significantly reduce laundry costs, increase the life of linens, and helps hotels advance their commitment to green operations.“We were one of a select group of qualified laundry vendors that showcased the Xeros system at the recent 60th Annual Choice International Convention and the franchisees showed great interest,” said Jonathan Benjamin, President, Xeros North America. “We were selected by Choice because of our...

RIPON, WIS.—IPSO introduces the Cygnus Ultra Pro control system on washer-extractors for on-premises laundry managers. Cygnus Ultra Pro builds on the features of Cygnus Ultra.  “The Cygnus Ultra Pro control system allows on-premises laundry managers to have complete control of their equipment,” said Kathryn Rowen, North American Sales Manager for IPSO. “With increased usability and flexibility, Ultra Pro gives laundry managers the tools they need to easily achieve peak efficiency.” The new Cygnus Ultra Pro control includes 10 optimized wash program options, allowing for 60 customizable wash cycles to meet the needs of any on-premises laundry room. Extra wash...

TEMPE, ARIZ.—Refresh Glass, a Tempe, Ariz.-based company that creates functional wine bottle art made from empties rescued from landfills, is helping restaurants, hotels, and retailers generate revenue while contributing to their 10 Million Bottle Rescue Mission. Hotels and restaurants that use Refresh Glass products get enthusiastic responses from guests who recognize the wine bottles they know and love while increasing engagement with their staff. The repurposed wares also help broaden their sustainability programs that the public increasingly looks for every year. “The FireSky Resort and Spa is a very green conscious resort and we have been using Refresh Glasses in our...

NEW ORLEANS—Registration for the Farm To Table International Symposium (F2Ti) is now open. F2Ti will be held in New Orleans, August 2 to 4, 2014. The annual event brings together the leading practitioners in the burgeoning farm-to-table movement to explore the cultivation, distribution, and consumption of food and drink sourced locally. The event is presented by the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, in partnership with the SoFAB Institute and the LSU AgCenter.Food pioneer Michel Nischan will serve as Honorary Chair. Nischan is a restaurateur, award-winning cookbook author, media personality and food policy advocate in addition to his...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—An alliance of food manufacturers, retailers and foodservice operators announced the release of a toolkit to help businesses in the food sector reduce the amount of food waste sent to landfill. The Best Practices and Emerging Solutions Toolkit was produced by the Food Waste Reduction Alliance (FWRA), a cross-sector industry initiative led by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), the Grocery Manufacturers Assn. (GMA) and the National Restaurant Assn (NRA).“The Food Waste Reduction Alliance has been working to tackle food waste challenges within the food sector since 2011, but we know that there are companies out there that are...

DENVER—As a company, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has always strived to involve employees and guests in the common goal of preserving and protecting the planet. Mirroring this commitment, Four Seasons Hotel Denver announces new sustainability measures at its property.“At Four Seasons, being environmentally responsible is part of who we are,” says Thierry Kennel, General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Denver. “Our Hotel guests share these same values, so we have launched several new green initiatives, such as biodegradable room keys.”The hotel has enacted the following environmentally friendly offerings: •    Recyclable coffee pods: Hotel guests enjoy Nespresso machines in their...

SEATTLE—Agrilicious has launched the first-of-its-kind national go-to source for all things local food. The website helps one find, select and celebrate the benefits of locally sourced food. Agrilicious is also about expanding the family-farmer connection, bringing together individuals, farmers, restaurants, grocery delivery, meal kit services, distributors, educators and food industry experts and advocates to share ideas, connect, and make a difference.Celebrating the best of food, farms and family, Agrilicious is not just for the foodies, locavores and farmers, it is for all those working with farmers to help get local food to the community. Most of all it is...