Almost three years ago I posted an article highlighting the many upsides to using biodigesters to break food waste down. In that article, I featured two companies whose machines reduce food waste to a liquid that can be disposed of safely in the sewage system. There are certain technologies for hospitality that are no brainers because of their fast ROI and effectiveness—LED lighting, guestroom energy management systems, ozone in the laundry, for example. Biodigesters certainly belong in that group. In my article posted this past week, I take another look at biodigesters. I found a dozen companies currently selling the machines...

NATIONAL REPORT—There are many ways to reduce food waste to landfill. Proper portioning, smart ordering, partnering with local farmers, and food donation programs come to mind. One easy way to break down and eliminate food waste on-site is by using a biodigester. This machine, available in various sizes, biologically digests organic material. Microbes, enzymes and other bacteria break down the waste. Most food, including fat, greases, and even animal manure, can be processed in a biodigester. Byproducts include carbon dioxide and water, which can simply be discharged into a municipal sewer system, or a soil amendment which can be used...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—There’s an old saying about restaurants: the condition of the restroom is a good indication of how clean they keep their kitchen. Many diners use it as a rule of thumb, and even customers who don’t subscribe to this thinking can be put off by a bad-smelling restroom. Something so far away from food prep can have a real impact on how an establishment is perceived. What might be surprising is where the offending odors actually come from—and how the cleaning process itself can sometimes make things worse. Restroom floor drains, other types of floor drains, and grease traps...

BEACON FALLS, CONN.—North American society has long embraced and treasured vintage items. You name it, from cars and clothing to coins and collectibles from the entertainment, gaming, and sports industries and others, there is market appeal for things which stand the test of time. The same admiration applies to some equipment being employed in the commercial laundry industry. When The 2025 Clean Show is held August 23 to 26 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, check out the line-up in the LAVATEC booth (1303). There you will find an array of new tunnel wash systems, washer extractors, and...

Over the years, I have come across many instances of hotels or convention centers with rooftop hives for the production of honey. Oftentimes, that honey is used in a special drink. A number of years ago, the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort in Lincolnshire, Ill., partnered with a local brewery, Tighthead Brewing Company in creating custom honey beer. At that time, Executive Chef Pierre Daval told me, “The beer is awesome. It has a crisp, refreshing taste. There is an awesome flower aroma.” This past week I learned that the Sheraton Dallas has unveiled House Honey Lager, a collaborative creation with popular Dallas-based craft beer brewery, Manhattan Project...

BEACON FALLS, CONN.—LAVATEC plans to honor several exceptional customers at The Clean Show, which is being held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. The inaugural class of LAVATEC’s Hall of Fame will be inducted during a 30-minute ceremony on Sunday, August 24 at 3 p.m. in booth 1303. Mark Thrasher, LAVATEC President and Managing Partner, talked about the importance of creating an event that recognizes highly valued customers. “We are getting close to reaching our 9,000th machine installation in North America. One of the things we have in common with the majority of our customers is an appreciation for...

PAUL, MINN.—Ecolab Inc., a global sustainability leader offering water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services that help protect people and the resources vital to life, announced the launch of Ecolab RushReady, a new AI-powered program within its Ecolab KitchenIQ platform. Designed to help restaurant leaders improve shift performance and profitability, RushReady combines real-time data, intelligent recommendations, and human coaching to tackle the complexities of daily operations and elevate the overall experience for guests. The engagement begins with a connection into each restaurant’s unique data sources, enabling the platform to work on transforming back-of-house operations through: RushReady AI-driven recommendations that help...

NEW CASTLE, PA.—Berner International, North America’s leading manufacturer of air curtains, announced the launch of its newly redesigned Intelliswitch digital controls across the entire Architectural Series. The updated controls replace the traditional push-button interface with a sleek, touchscreen display and smart control capabilities offering effortless operation, streamlined setup, and energy-saving features. Engineered in-house by Berner’s controls and Internet of Things (IoT) experts, the new Intelliswitch digital controls represent a significant advancement in how air curtains are installed, configured, and managed. With built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, seamless integration with the Berner AIR Basic app, and support for BACnet/Modbus BMS protocols,...

HUNTINGTON, N.Y.—Emerald Ecovations, a leader in sustainable solutions for foodservice and janitorial industries, announces the launch of over 50 additional compostable molded fiber and clear PLA Plant to Plastic foodservice items. This innovative lineup furthers Emerald Ecovations’ commitment to supporting green practices across foodservice industries. “We are thrilled to introduce these groundbreaking products, each designed with the dual goals of environmental responsibility and performance excellence,” said Ralph Bianculli, CEO of Emerald Ecovations. “Our molded fiber and PLA solutions help our customers significantly reduce their environmental footprint, directly contributing to measurable savings in trees, water, plastics avoided, and compostable waste diverted from...

If you happen to have a 150-million-year-old cave to use for dinner and a show, why not use it? In Vietnam’s north, such a cave has become the extraordinary setting for an immersive theatrical show and a fine dining celebration of hyper-local Vietnamese cuisine. On May 30 this year, Asia Premier Cruises (APC) Corp. welcomed its first guests to the 2.5-hour cave dining and entertainment experience at the majestic 4,000-square-meter Dragon Pearl Cave, about a 30-minute drive from Halong City. At 45 meters above sea level, Dragon Pearl Cave is one of the largest caves in the Bai Tu Long area of...