An immense amount of research is conducted when Cambro designs a new product. We look at the challenges chefs have and the solutions that are available to them. When we see a frequently occurring problem with no current solution, we know we have an opportunity to make an impact on the foodservice industry. Recently, we created two new products that are unlike anything else available.
When chefs store food pans and food boxes on shelving, the most efficient way was to stack them—until now.
“Storage is a constant issue and it is a constant thing that can either make your life much harder or way easier,” said Cody Stone, Executive Chef at Proof on Main.
Previously, Proof on Main stored items like herbs, chili peppers and ginger in Camwear Food Boxes stacked up to 6 containers high.
“It is inevitable that you need the [container] on the bottom or right in the middle, so now you have to pick up this precarious stack of items to move it. Hopefully there’s a landing zone for that, right? Probably not. After you get the item that you need, then you place everything back and then you can proceed to the next task,” said Stone.
After Stone installed Camshelving® with a Universal Storage Rack, he was able to create drawers with his Camwear® Food Boxes that eliminated the need to juggle containers.
“Having those sliding shelves has really helped out with organization and being able to not have to move a huge stack of something to get to what you actually need; you can just grab it and go,” said Stone.
“It’s already a stressful job, we don’t need to be adding more to an already challenging environment. It needs to be as easy as possible.”
Disposable deli containers are a staple in nearly every foodservice kitchen because they are small and convenient, but they are also incredibly unsustainable. There was never a legitimate alternative until CamSquares FreshPro Translucent Minis were brought on the market; they are the food industry’s first commercial grade ½ qt. and 1 qt. reusable deli containers.
“We use a lot of delis, kind of a crazy amount, to be honest. Their shelf life is only so long before they’re obsolete,” said Stone. “It definitely has saved us dollars on purchasing quarts and pints specifically, which with current prices is pretty high. They’re like $100 a case.”
Although deli containers are designed for single use, many chefs reuse them, and eventually, deli containers become cracked or smelly and they have to be thrown away. Which is not only bad for the environment, but also raises food safety concerns.
“We use a lot of them in portioning and we have quite a bit of loss…cold to hot cycle or a cook struggling to get the lid off and then cracking the rim of it and then inevitably a little piece of plastic has the potential to get into food. Hopefully they catch that, but if they don’t, then unfortunately that could potentially end up on a table and that’s never ideal,” said Stone.
“Having [the Translucent Minis] be a little more sturdy is nice to know [breakage] is not going to happen."
Proof on Main won a contest through Webstaurant Store, where they chose the Universal Storage Rack and Translucent Minis as part of their prize.
“When [our local Cambro sales rep] came to assemble, he really took the time to talk to us and see what was going to work best, which was nice,” said Stone.
“I’m a huge fan of Cambro, I always have been and always will be. You all make a good product that lasts a long time and withstands a lot of abuse.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: ADRIANA DESIDERIO IS THE DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER AT CAMBRO.
