GFEN presents the prestigious GFEN Blue Flame Award to a Natural Gas Product Manufacturer Rep. See the list below for past recipients of the Product of the Year Award.

For the 2008 awards, please have all nominations submitted by March 14, 2008. Information will remain confidential. This year's award will be presented at the NRA Show in Chicago May 17 - May 20, 2008. If you will be in attendance at NRA 2008, please feel free to contact GFEN and schedule a booth visit by the GFEN technical committee.

The Gas Foodservice Equipment Network (GFEN) presented the 2007 GFEN "Blue Flame" Product of the Year Award to Market Forge for ECO-Tech Plus Steamer.

Download spec sheet for Market Forge for ECO-Tech Plus Steamer

Lund-Iorio, Inc. enjoys over 100 years of combined foodservice experience in the specification and sales of foodservice equipment and supplies.

Steve Ducolon, CFSP

Equipment, Supply and Tabletop Specialist
- With Lund-Iorio since 1999
- CFSP, Certified Food Service Professional
- Serving Southern Califorina

The Gas Foodservice Equipment Network (GFEN) presented the 2006 GFEN "Blue Flame" Product of the Year Award to Thermal Engineering Corporation (TEC) for its new Searmaster II Charbroiler during the recent National Restaurant Association Expo in Chicago.

Accepting the "Blue Flame" award are (left to right): Benji Berry, TEC Southeastern Regional Manager; Curt Alexander, GFEN Chairman; Bill Best, TEC Chairman and CEO; Tim Cole, GFEN Technical Committee Chair; Tom Stroozas, past GFEN Chair; Rachael Harper, President of TEC; and Renee Perks, TEC Director of Communications.

The prestigious award, which recognizes outstanding innovation and technology in foodservice equipment, was presented to Bill Best, TEC's Chairman and CEO, by Tim Cole of the Gas Technology Institute and Chair of the GFEN Technical Committee, Tom Stroozas, Past GFEN Chair from Piedmont Natural Gas, and Curt Alexander of CPS Energy and presiding GFEN Chairman.

TEC's new line of flare-resistant infrared char-broilers is cutting edge technology. The Searmaster II employs 100% sheet steel infrared burners, in combi-nation with TEC's patented secondary radiant emitter panel system, to provide unprecedented cooking inten-sity, range and uniformity, with virtually no flare-ups. And for chefs who desire some visible flame, the cooking grids may be elevated with an optional grid elevation bracket.

TEC's new burners are not susceptible to impact breakage or water damage. They will not backflash, even when severely overfired or underfired. TEC's radiant infrared glass panels are placed less than an inch above the burner tops, which have roughly the same surface area. The perforated stainless burner apertures produce a flameless glow and are specially configured so that the glass above emits 100% radiant energy into the cooking surface, with at least 95% cooking uniformity.

TEC originally began to use radiant panels as sec-ondary infrared emitters in 2000 and has manufactured a series of consumer grills that employ glass emitter panels above ceramic burners. The Searmaster II represents a great advancement of the radiant secondary emitter concept by employing it with the new and unique all-metal burner. Users can rapidly sear foods or slow cook for hours, all while retaining the foods' natural moisture. Plus, this innovative technology allows for cookware to be used directly on the cooking grids or on the emitter panels themselves. This new grilling system also provides a wide spectrum of heating range — from barely warming to searing with great intensity. In short, the Searmaster II is a versatile piece of cooking equipment that is certain to get the attention of operators in all types of commercial foodservice operations. According to Curt Alexander, GFEN Chairman, "The manufacturers who receive the GFEN Product of the Year Award have reached new heights of present day technology and are recognized through this award for exceeding the needs and expectations of customers nationwide. TEC has demonstrated such credibility and is distinguished as the recipient of this year's award."

Upon receiving the award, TEC's CEO and Chairman Bill Best expressed his appreciation by saying, "On behalf of all of the people at TEC that helped develop the Searmaster II, we express how honored we are to receive the Blue Flame Award from GFEN. We are all aware of the judges' many years of experience, and their knowledge of the industry adds even more significance to this valuable recognition."

For more information about the TEC Searmaster II, call Thermal Engineering Corporation in Columbia, SC at (803) 783-0750 or visit their website at www.tecinfrared.com

For more information about the Gas Foodservice Equipment Network and the Product of the Year Award, visit www.gfen.info or call (202) 824-7153.

The Gas Foodservice Equipment Network (GFEN) presented its 2005 GFEN Blue Flame Product of the Year Award to Rinnai for its Continuous Flow Water Heaters during the recent NAFEM Show in Anaheim. The prestigious award, which recognizes outstanding innovation and technology in foodservice equipment, was presented to Brian Rountree, Rinnai's Gas Utility Development Manager by Curt Alexander, Chair of the Education/Technical Committee and GFEN Chair, Tom Stroozas, Past GFEN Chair from Piedmont Natural Gas, Boris Mladjen of Enbridge Gas Distribution and Frank Schooler of the Southern Gas Association.

The new REU-V3237 unit, designed specifically for the high use of a commercial foodservice facility is unsurpassed when it comes to performance. With it being able to deliver nearly 10gpm of continuous hot water it is singled out as one of the highest capacity tankless (continuous) water heaters available today. And, with the increasing price of energy, Rinnai's ability to reduce the cost of heating water from 30% - 70% over traditional tank type water heaters can be a real plus to keeping operating costs in check.

Anytime you can come across a product that reduces the equipment footprint, and still perform at or beyond the replacement technology, we consider this to be a real asset as it can allow for more seating or other revenue producing options. And, with the freedom for rooftop or other outdoor locations, the infiltration of make up air required for traditional gas water heating systems is totally eliminated.

With literally thousands of units now employed within the foodservice community, we now have a tankless water heater with PROVEN reliability to merit the accolade of being awarded the GFEN "Blue Flame" Award for 2005.

Upon accepting the GFEN Blue Flame Product of the Year Award, Rountree commented, "Rinnai would like to thank GFEN for their diligence in serving the foodservice market through innovative products and committed members. Rinnai is committed to innovative technologies and will continue to innovate, improve and deliver natural gas products to the industry. As a member of GFEN, Rinnai is excited to have the opportunity to help direct the focus of GFEN via the manufacturers' committee to make the natural gas industry a success for all."

According to Curt Alexander, GFEN Chairman, "The manufacturers who have received the GFEN Product of the Year Award have reached a pinnacle of present day technology and are recognized through this award for exceeding the needs and expectations of customers nationwide. Lang has presented such credibility and is distinguished as the recipient of this year's award. Both the dedicated utility and manufacturer members of GFEN are in touch with their national account and local end user contacts to share education and technology and to further our common goal - profitability."

For more information on the Rinnai Continuous Flow Water Heaters, call Rinnai headquarters in Peachtree City, Georgia at (678) 715-6210 or visit their website www.rinnai.us

For more information about the Gas Foodservice Equipment Network and the Product of the Year Award, visit www.gfen.info or call (440) 552-7837.

The GFEN Blue Flame Product of the Year Award was presented to Lang Manufacturing, Inc. at the recent NRA Show. Participating in the award ceremony are (left to right): GFEN Chairman, Roger Harris of Clearwater Gas, David Ek, President & CEO of Lang, Education/Technical Committee Chair, Melisa Marks of Southern California Gas Company, Tom Stroozas of Piedmont Natural Gas, Gary Rupp, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Lang and GFEN's First Vice Chair, Brian Rountree of Atlanta Gas Light Company.

Garland receives the GFEN Blue Flame 2003 Product of the Year Award at the NAFEM Show. Participating in the award ceremony from the left are Roger Harris of Clearwater Gas in Florida and GFEN's First Vice Chair, Bruce Goodyear, an Independent Garland Product Specialist, Michael Durham of Piedmont Natural Gas and Chairman of GFEN's Education & Technical Committee, Jim Fuller of SW Gas, GFEN Chairman, and Jacques Seguin, Garland Group President. At the far right is Rick Burr, Garland's Vice President Sales - USA, Jeff Grun, Sales Associate with Jones-McCormick of North and South Carolina, and David McCulloch, CEO of Enodis

Ultrafryer receives the GFEN Blue Flame Product of the Year Award at the National Restaurant Association Show. Pictured left to right: Michael Durham, GFEN Technical Committee Chair, William Collins, General Manager of Ultrafryer Systems Inc, Jim Fuller, GFEN Chairman and Roger Harris, First Vice Chair.

At NAFEM 01, the GFEN Blue Flame Product of the year Award was presented to Gene Tippmann (center) President of AccuTemp Products Inc. for the company's high performance, high efficiency gas griddle. Presenting the crystal flame were GFEN Chairman, Tom Simpson (left) and GFEN Technical Committee Chair, Tim Cole (right).

Tom Moskitis (right), GFEN's Executive Secretary presents the GFEN Blue Flame Product of the Year Award to Mark Whalen, VP Sales and Marketing of Jackson MSC during the NRA Show.