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Global foodservice dinnerware giant RAK Porcelain has launched its own Western Hemisphere based subsidiary – RAK Porcelain USA – to address the needs of the North American hospitality market. Led by industry veteran Gene Williamson, RAK Porcelain USA will be headquartered in Metro New York. Its expandable modern North American distribution center is online and poised to service from Weirton, West Virginia. “We’ve had a great initial distribution partnership with the HLC Dinnerware company, now is the time for RAK to build on this customer base and take the brand to the success level it currently enjoys around the world,” says Williamson who is President/CEO of the RAK Porcelain USA. “In 10 short years, the RAK brand is on its way to becoming a global leader in trendsetting hospitality tabletop. Now, we intend to bring that leadership to the U.S. market. We are immediately expanding the inventory of RAK products here in our U.S. distribution center to include our newest product launches and additional items to our existing collections.” Launched in 2005, RAK Porcelain has grown quickly to become a world leader in supplying premium quality dinnerware to over 14,000 hotels in 160 countries around the world. Recently, RAK launched several new “high alumina” dinnerware collections and its first collections of world class, stainless steel flatware. Designed by German designer Mikaela Dörfel, the initial collections of flatware are designed to coordinate with RAK’s existing high alumina dinnerware ranges. “Since its inception ten years ago RAK Porcelain has developed a reputation of working with the world’s Top Chefs, Food & Beverage Directors and designers including France’s Marc Meurin, who has earned two Michelin stars at Louvre-Lens museum restaurant, and Catalonia-based dinnerware designer Gemma Bernal,” says Claude Peiffer, CEO of RAK Porcelain, Europe “We are excited to bring that same hospitality driven tabletop leadership to North America, on very aggressive scale.” Created in 2005, the RAK PORCELAIN company is part of the Ras Al Khaimah based RAK CERAMICS group, the world leader in the ceramic tiles industry. RAK PORCELAIN dinnerware products and innovations are perfectly suited to the hospitality market and have proven their extremely high level of technical, functional and economic performance in a record-breaking time with such clients as Hilton Hotels, Sofitel, Marriott, and Italy’s Star Hotel Group. We recently received Seasons Greetings from our readers at EAGM in Kenya. And, in their greeting, they took a moment to give a few tips on making good decisions on the selection of hospitality tabletop, specifically dinnerware. We thought we'd pass these along, proving that - while there are many ways that restaurants and hotels can get their dinnerware - working with true tabletop professionals is the way to go throughout the world. 7 Things to Consider when buying Dinnerware/Crockery 1. Budget – Know how much you want to spend on the dinnerware. Prices range varies from item to item depending on quality. However remember that high quality dinnerware is ultimately a lasting investment. 2. Number of people – How many people the dinnerware is intended to serve, the frequency of washing is key in determining what to buy. Banqueting and outside catering functions need more lightweight and durable/toughened crockery compared to fine dine outlets. 3. Level of formality and purpose – the right dinnerware is also dependent on how it is used. Foodservice operators should choose dinnerware that matches the environment they want to create and/or theme of their outlets. 4. Material – Dinnerware can be made from a variety of material i.e Porcelain, Glass, Bone China, Earthenware, stoneware, ironstone or melamine. Depending on the use, the material becomes a point of reference. 5. Number of pieces – Buyers should always choose dinnerware with pieces that seem most practical based on their culinary preferences. Some ranges are not complete hence the reason to prefer complete ones if need be. 6. Replaceability and Continuation – When buying a dinnerware, consider how easily a particular item can be replaced and if a range is continuing. Consider a range that is likely to remain around or can be complimented/matched with others. 7. Shape, Color and pattern – No buyer should be limited in his or her choices of dinnerware. There is much more available in different shapes, colour and pattern. The theme of your outlet, tastes and preferences should guide you accordingly. NB – Always work with professionals to guide you in your choice of the best options. Thanks, EAGM, for these simple and easy to remember tips. EAGM was stablished in 1951 in Mombasa, Kenya, is a privately owned family business currently being headed by the third generation of the family.
They represent top tabletop brands to both hospitality and to the retail trade in the eastern African continent, starting in Kenya, and now recently beyond. In the last 20 years EAGM has expanded regionally to Uganda, Tanzania and has recently begun operations in Southern India. The Mombasa, Kenya base today serves as the Head Office for the entire EAGM group.
“With high demand from the hotel industry, we are confident the Outdoor Perfect Resort collection will be a success,” said Bryan O’Rourke, CEO and president at Cardinal International. “Hotels carrying the Cabernet collection can now carry the same drinkware shapes and dishwashing racks for Outdoor Perfect Resort, with equivalent trust, clarity and durability.” Cardinal decided to work with Eastman on account of the company’s technical expertise in shatter, impact and stain resistance, as well as the clarity of Eastman Tritan™ copolyester following thousands of dishwashing cycles — including those in commercial dishwashers.
For more information on the new OUTDOOR PERFECT RESORT collection of plastic drinkware from Cardinal International, go here: Cardinal Int'l Takes The Party Outside with New Plastic Drinkware Line
For more information on SHIFT or any of the other hospitality tabletop products from Crucial Detail, go here:
Crucial Detail: SHIFT Plate Collection - May The Forces of Nature Be With You Now, with the additions of the SAGEBRUSH and AGAVE designs to the collection, chefs and operators have lighter colored hue options to present their culinary creations, while still retaining the rustic, handcrafted look that the original ARTISAN brought to hospitality tabletop so successfully. Each piece of ARTISAN collection dinnerware looks and feels as if it was hand-thrown, creating a rustic and unique presentation. The lush, vibrant glazes of ARTISAN react differently with each firing, so every piece is truly an original. The wide range of available colors and items in Tuxton's ARTISAN collection give chefs more flexibility in their menu presentations, while the product's durability, backed by company's chip warranty, means not having to worry about back-of-the-house practicality issues.
Tuxton China, Inc. is a family-owned and operated company based in the USA and in China. Started in 1999 by the Lam family, Tuxton has become a leading wholesaler of high-quality dinnerware and oven ware products for the foodservice industry.
For nearly two decades, Tuxton has been anchored by its core values of passionate dedication to customer service, excellence in product quality, high integrity, embracing innovation, and last but not least, a positive and humble attitude. These values, along with Tuxton’s dedication to its employees and customers, continue to drive the company today. For more information on the ARTISAN collection from Tuxton or any of their other wide range of hospitality dinnerware options, go here: Tuxton China: ARTISAN Collection Adds Texture to the Hospitality Tabletop
If you ever wonder which type of server to choose....not to worry - Service Ideas has a plethora to choose from. Questions on whether you need a glass-lined or stainless steel lined carafe?....what to serve your hot and cold beverages in?.....whether you should choose push-button top or flip top? We love how Service Ideas has a complete lineup of servers so they can give you exactly what you need. Not sure....Service Ideas can help guide you to the right solution. It's what they're great at....Service. Ideas. Since 1946, Service Ideas has been providing better beverage serving solutions to the hospitality industry. Still family owned and managed, Service Ideas remains committed to bringing innovative beverage serving products and creative relationships to the hospitality industry. So, whether you are looking for classic or contemporary styling, BPA-free plastic or stainless steel, Service Ideas has jsut the right beverage server for you hotel, restaurant, or banquet facility. For more information on Service Ideas, their wide range of beverage serving carafes...or, any of the other extensive lineup of beverage service items, go here:
Service Ideas: The One Stop Shop for Hospitality Beverage Carafe Servers Recently, TabletopJournal sat for a conversation with the creators of Odd Standard, one of our industry’s most creative hospitality tabletop design firms. In a tabletop design world world where much looks the same, Odd Standard is a company that definitely has taken the road less traveled. Our video interview is above. The ambition at Norwegian design firm Odd Standard is to make great products for chefs and restaurants; exploring different materials, old craft techniques and modern technology. Some odd and some standard, the products are meant to come in limited numbers, from their own workshop and from their portfolio of very skilled collaborative craftspeople. Who is Odd Standard? Constance Gaard Kristiansen and Tonje Sandberg, are two Norwegian product designers with extensive background from development and production of tableware. They worked together in Figgjo for many years, and while working alongside one another, found a common fascination for the experience of eating, and how tableware products could enhance this experience. Wanting to explore all the possibilities that different materials and techniques offer, they started the firm Odd Standard in June 2014.
Still often overlooked when it comes to tabletop, Bon Chef puts that same dedication and attention into its flatware and cutlery collection. For more information on Bon Chef’s tasting spoons or their wide range of flatware, go here:
Bon Chef: Tasting Spoon Collection Adds Savory Satisfaction to Buffets Here is the finale of this 3-part series of the panel discussion held at the recently completed HX2015 show in New york's Javits Center. Included is the audience Q&A.
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Ment'or Inspiring Culinary Excellence Archives
November 2021
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