The secret to Hobart’s success? Customer-back innovation

Hobart’s Customer Back Innovation programme (CBI) is the manufacturer’s long-term commitment to excellence, listening and learning. Its dedicated R&D teams have been known to work with operators for upwards of five years, studying the many and varied challenges they face, and working to develop appropriate solutions. 

Hobart’s exacting process has laid the foundations for two of the manufacturer’s newest innovations. 

The Hobart Chef’sCombi strips away unnecessary functionality to concentrate on what really matters to working kitchens and features a new type of operating system, created by chefs for chefs. Its innovative design makes it not only powerful and intuitive, but also quick and easy to maintain. 

The manufacturer spoke to chefs across multiple sectors and asked them what they needed most from a combi oven. From interface design and cooking functionality to training requirements and menu flexibility, every detail of the Chef’sCombi has been directly influenced by those who use it. For example, recurring issues flagged during research were short staffing and, as a direct result, lack of in-depth training. 

Because of these factors, simplicity became a guiding design pillar. Hobart’s expert teams knew they had to deliver a powerful oven that could still be operated confidently by a brand-new or low-skilled user. That’s where features like the CombiGuide (an in-built cooking assistant that ensures the best cooking results, no matter who is operating the Chef’sCombi) and the simple scroll and swipe operating system (CombiOS), which can be customised to specific kitchen requirements, were developed.

The common issue of staff shortages has also influenced Hobart’s warewash innovation and SmartVisionControl; intelligent, patent-pending AI-powered technology. Currently unique to its latest large capacity FLOW Line Collection, but with potential for future machine development – it automatically detects the incoming wash ware and then selects the best programme to deliver clean dishes at the lowest possible running cost, irrespective of the operator.

Using AI technology, FLOW-line washers are now able to check what type of ware is going through the machine. The technology is then able to ‘recognise’ and understand the level of soiling and will automatically adjust the water pressure and the speed of the belt accordingly. This means kitchens can have one single flow of ware, negating the requirement for restacks or removal of items for second runs, which can use more energy, electricity and chemicals. 

Hobart’s CBI programme brings together customer insights and cutting-edge technology to produce machines with innovative new features that are specifically designed to make kitchen life easier for operators.

Find out more at www.hobartuk.com/innovation