Italian food is one of the most popular cuisines in the UK. This feature looks at what products can help chefs create the best pizza and pasta dishes that Mama would be proud of!
The Authentic Professional Pasta Machine
Cuisinequip has seen a real and sustained increase in the use of professional pasta making machines. The company’s client base for the Bottene machines it supplies includes small independents just starting out like Franzinia Trattoria in Brixton through to larger national multiples like Jamie’s Italian.
Bottene machines are made by a highly respected family company in Marano Vicentino, Italy, tracing its roots back to 1805. Their range is extensive right from the original Bigalaro hand extruder to the PM 80 model that is suitable for 80-100 seat restaurants. There is also the BE90 ravioli maker that can produce many forms of ravioli. Core to the requirements of multiple site operations would be the Inver 3, PM 50, Inver 7 and PM 80 models that are proven to work on diverse menus in 50 seat, 50-70 seat, 70-80 seat and 80-100 seat restaurants respectively.
One of the main advantages of using a Bottene machine is that the operator can totally control the ingredients used. Examples are gluten-free, egg-free with beetroot juice, spinach, eggs, squid ink, chestnut puree, and cocoa. They are a natural match to the high-quality pasta cookers from our sister company Valentine Equipment.
One of the main advantages of using a Bottene machine is that the operator can totally control the ingredients used
Cooking Perfect Pasta
Valentine pasta cookers marry naturally with the Bottene fresh pasta making machines from our sister company Cuisinequip and are designed and manufactured in Switzerland.
The Valentine pasta cooker helps professional kitchens to offer a wider selection of menu options because the standard unit allows the operator to use a mixture of standard gastronorm containers and baskets according to the menu being offered. As consumers continue to move to healthier eating, and vegetarian and vegan options, then freshly prepared and versatile pasta is in demand.
This compact Valentine pasta cooker is made from high grade stainless steel and has a one-piece pressed pan which is fully insulated. A rear tap unit connected to the water supply allows for ease of filling and assists with the removal of starch when cooking pasta. The unit can be connected to the waste water system via the back of the unit.
The pasta cooker is offered with a seven or ten-kilowatt power option. The thermostat offers a wide range of temperatures and has a separate switching system to allow the operator to vary the power according to what is being cooked. An internal overheat thermostat is fitted for added operator safety.
This compact Valentine pasta cooker is made from high grade stainless steel
Imagine cooking 50 or 300 portions of pasta perfectly al dente without any supervision - this is all possible with the RATIONAL VarioCookingCenter®.
With the AutoLift feature, the automatic raising and lowering system reduces manual lifting and allows you to achieve accurate cooking time after time. The appliance automatically fills with water and brings it to boiling point in record time and drains it away after use. The concentrated power of the VarioBoost® heating system means that it keeps bubbling away, even when the pasta is loaded.
The appliance automatically fills with water and brings it to boiling point in record time
Tasty and authentic homemade stocks and sauces made with quality ingredients are the backbone of any Italian eatery.
Large volumes of sauces tie up hob space and require constant monitoring, this all costs valuable chef time. The VarioCookingCenter® intelligent cooking creates consistent results - working four times as fast and using up to 40 per cent less energy than conventional cooking appliances -with no compromise on the traditional flavours that make Italian cuisine so popular.
The VarioCookingCenter® offers diversity, ensuring the Mediterranean flavours created by traditional cooking methods can be replicated. With the ConnectedCooking platform chefs have access to thousands international recipes, including staple Italian dishes.
Cook with us!
Here at RATIONAL we pride ourselves as a company of chefs for chefs. Attend one of our free Cook Live events at a location near you and experience the variety of cooking methods, excellent food quality and ease of use of the VarioCookingCenter®.
The VarioCookingCenter® offers diversity, ensuring the Mediterranean flavours created by traditional cooking methods can be replicated.
Welbilt
“Whilst sourcing quality ingredients and toppings will undoubtably help operators to create a stand out pizza, without a quality oven, creating a perfect pizza will prove to be a difficult process.
Designed to cook a high volume of pizzas to perfection time-after-time, the Lincoln Impinger 3240 provides operators with an easy-to-operate pizza baking solution. Featuring patented FastBake® technology, which can cook up to 35% faster without increased noise levels, as an option, the Lincoln Impinger 3240 allows for rapid heating, cooking, baking, and crisping of an impressively high volume of pizzas to a consistently high standard time-after-time.
For operators looking to incorporate a taste of Italy despite restricted space, then a smaller countertop high-speed oven, such as the Merrychef eikon® e2s, reigns supreme. Capable of cooking an entire pizza from frozen in just 90 seconds, or reheating a pasta bake in just 45 seconds, consistent, quality results can be achieved with very little training, thanks to Welbilt’s easyTouch® icon-driven user panel.
For establishments looking to cook larger pizzas, then the Merrychef eikon e4s offers an option for 14” pizzas meaning that whatever your need, Merrychef has the ultimate high-speed solution that can open up a world of new menu opportunities without ever compromising on food quality.”
Capable of cooking an entire pizza from frozen in just 90 seconds
In these challenging times…
The Staff Canteen team are taking a different approach to keeping our website independent and delivering content free from commercial influence. Our Editorial team have a critical role to play in informing and supporting our audience in a balanced way. We would never put up a paywall – The Staff Canteen is open to all and we want to keep bringing you the content you want; more from younger chefs, more on mental health, more tips and industry knowledge, more recipes and more videos. We need your support right now, more than ever, to keep The Staff Canteen active. Without your financial contributions this would not be possible.
Over the last 16 years, The Staff Canteen has built what has become the go-to platform for chefs and hospitality professionals. As members and visitors, your daily support has made The Staff Canteen what it is today. Our features and videos from the world’s biggest name chefs are something we are proud of. We have over 560,000 followers across Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and other social channels, each connecting with chefs across the world. Our editorial and social media team are creating and delivering engaging content every day, to support you and the whole sector - we want to do more for you.
A single coffee is more than £2, a beer is £4.50 and a large glass of wine can be £6 or more.
Support The Staff Canteen from as little as £1 today. Thank you.
