Ten tabletop and servingware items come away with honors for their contemporary looks and sensible design.

When it came time to examine the array of products in this year’s Tabletop & Servingware Competition, the judges wanted to see it all: innovation, functionality and durability.

Fortunately, that’s exactly what they found on a bright June morning at our Skokie, Ill., publishing headquarters, where they immediately set to whittling 55 product finalists to a group of 10 winners. The savvy pros had their eyes peeled for functional items with a clean, contemporary look.

Our knowledgeable panel included three dealers: Jay Chernoff, Edward Don & Co.; Anne McCabe, Boelter Cos.; and Suzanne Stark, Wasserstrom Co. Rounding out our panel was an operator, Chef Chris Koetke, dean of the Culinary School at Kendall College. Bios for all appear in the opening story.

Before they marked their scores, judges prodded and dismantled and investigated where possible. At one point, Chef Koetke loaded up a tray with glass tumblers, picked it up waiter-style, and walked around to see how steady the glasses were on top.

Meanwhile, McCabe dismantled a dispenser to investigate its ease of reassembly. And while all the judges were drawn to sturdy and unique items, they also discussed whether such items suited wide applications, and where the answer was yes, scores were high.

Drum Roll Please...

On to the winning lineup. Judges lauded Brass Smith’s Z-Space Display System as an innovative way to free countertop space around a salad bar. Working in conjunction with the Z-Guard System of posts and brackets, Z-Space uses the EZ-Clamp, a doughnut-shaped ring, and sizing rings to allow you to mount bowls, plates and vases all within sight of the customer. You can add as many as three Flexi-Rings to each EZ-Clamp, and opt for a variety of post-mounted display kits so elegantly designed trays and trivets can utilize the space above counters. 

“Finally! A basket you can clean that looks great,” said one judge while examining Carlisle Foodservice’s Duraweave Baskets. The baskets feature a classic wicker look but come with the added benefit of being mold and mildew resistant. Plus, since the baskets don’t have wire in them, so you can easily put them in the microwave for quick reheats. And they’re dishwasher safe.
www.carlislefsp.com
800/654-8210

G.E.T. Enterprises’ Allure Stemware was another hit with our judges. The plastic stemware offers a crystal-like veneer that fools the eye into thinking it’s made of glass. So just as the company’s literature reads, you’re likely to find yourself saying, “I can’t believe it’s not crystal!”  And there are no worries about breakage, so the stemware can easily be used for outdoor service.
www.get-melamine.com
800/727-4500

Another winner: Hollowick’s Arch Base Tealight Holders. The sleek candleholders feature a fine arched metal frame that holds glass cylinders. “These are nice for creating a different lighting presentation,” Chernoff said. Made with heavy-gauge steel with a durable satin black powder-coated finish, the holders come in a triple- or single-arch design.
www.hollowick.com
800/367-3015

“It has interesting designs; I’d love to use this at the Kendall College restaurant,” Chef Koetke said of Schonwald/Oneida Foodservice’s winning Signature Dinnerware. Designed by Carsten Gollnick, the collection’s dishes and cups flaunt a durable German porcelain body and great design. The diverse collection brings together an array of square, circle and oval-shaped dishes. The bowls function as saucières and are shaped in a dramatic spoon shape with a highly arched handle.
www.oneida.com
800/828-7033

Pickard China’s Cypress Charger was another dinnerware collection that had all the judges cooing. “You could definitely use this at an upscale club or hotel,” McCabe said. The 12 1/4” dinner plate features an intricate border of blue-green bands interspersed with radiating lines of 24-karat gold.  “This is perfect for finer dining, like for an executive dining room,” Stark added.
www.pickardchina.com
847/395-3800

A past winner in this competition, the Vollrath Co. drew praise again this year with its newly designed Conical Shaped Double Wall Bowls. These stainless steel bowls are straight edged and smooth surfaced with a mirror finish on the top edge and exterior. The satin interior keeps scratches well hidden, and double-wall construction ensures the bowls don’t sweat while maintaining either hot or cold temperatures.
www.vollrathco.com
800/624-2051

Vollrath’s second winning product is the Triennium line of beverage service pieces with stunning triangular shapes in 18-8 heavy-duty stainless steel. The elegant, upscale shapes, available in your choice of satin- or mirror-finished exteriors, add style to any décor. Hollow tubular handles are comfortable and stay cool to the touch, and a satin-finished interior masks aging.
www.vollrathco.com
800/624-2051

Villeroy & Boch also took home two awards this year for its Bento Party Plate and Hot Wave Caffe Warm Beverage Series. Serving cocktails and appetizers is a breeze with the Bento Plate. The stylish lightweight plate is ergonomically designed with slot for the thumb. Plus, there’s a conveniently built-in “hook” to hold a wine or champagne glass. And when it comes time for dessert, you can whip out the Hot Wave Caffe. Featuring a flowing ribbon-shaped handle that begins at the lip and wraps around the base, the cups are the perfect way to upgrade warm beverages, soups or desserts. Hot Wave Caffe is available with a dramatically curved saucer that nests the cups, and four sizes are available: 3-, 8- and 13-oz. cups and a 12-oz. mug.
www.villeroy-boch.com/hotel
609/734-7800

For more insightful comments from our judges and to find out about our finalists, read on. To read about our Smallwares winners, please click here.

“These would be great for a buffet,” said one judge while handling American Metalcraft’s new Squavy Bowls. Part of the Prestige Ceramics Line, the white bowls feature wavy contours that form an offset square shape.  Bowls are available in four sizes from 20 oz. to 250 oz.
www.amnow.com
800/333-9133

Wheel in your condiments in style with the Chuckwagon Caddy from  Bluebird Mfg. Perfect for Western-themed restaurants or a steak-and-barbeque operation, the unit adds a little fun to a commonplace table setting. You can also customize the tray to ensure a snug fit with your various condiment bottles. Better yet, with the tall arched handles in place, servers can change up a full caddy with just one hand.  www.bluebird.ca
800/461-2505

Looking to dress up your buffet line? Consider spoons and turners from the Eclipse Servingware/ Buffetware Collection. These mirrored stainless steel finish pieces are designed with long curved handles to make sure they don’t slide into chafing dishes. Plus, the noncorrosive servingware from  Cuisipro/Browne-Halco has ergonomic hollow handles that stay cool to the touch and don’t conduct heat. Choose from six pieces—ladle, basting spoon, slotted spoon, spatula, slotted spatula and fork. And did we mention all pieces are durable enough to use in the kitchen for cooking?www.halco.com
888/289-1005

Chocolate fountains are the latest rave, but did you ever stop to think about ’em from a health inspector’s point of view? Buffet Enhancements has this one covered with its handy Chocolate Fountain Sneeze Guard. Designed to enclose one-third of its fountain, the clear plastic guard is fixed atop a sturdy metal stand. With this sneeze guard in place, you’ll be all set for a hygiene-friendly chocolate fountain.
www.buffetenhancements.com
800/990-0990

If you’re looking for a coffee server with a large merchandising surface, look no further. Bunn-O-Matic Corp. brings to market its Digital Thermofresh Server featuring a compact digital sight gauge which takes up little space on the server’s exterior. The
1 1/2-gal. vacuum-insulated unit keeps coffee fresh for a good couple of hours. Better yet, the server has a volume indicator, so you’ll know exactly when to brew the next batch of coffee. A 4-hr. digital freshness indicator gives feedback on coffee freshness every 15 mins. And should you need to move around, the servers are easy to transport. www.bunn.com
800/637-8606

Having a hard time charging $10 or $12 for a poolside blender drink when it’s served in disposable plastic? Aliso Barware from Cambro Mfg. has the heft, clarity and appearance of glass, but it’s made from shatterproof polycarbonate. Now you can serve your patio and poolside guests elegantly with the full line of dishwasher-safe barware. Choose from martini, wine, pilsner glasses (designed with 14-oz. capacity to hold a full 12-oz. bottle or can and foam head) and beer mugs. All the barware is heavy and features wide bases to withstand outdoor weather and blowing winds, even when the drinks get low.
www.cambro.com
800/854-7631

“Cute for the patio” and “quite beautiful” were some of the judges’ comments about the Mini Mosaic Votive Lamps from Candle Lamp Co. The multi-colored lamps have a rustic charm and fit easily in a variety of settings. Even better, they are safe and easy to light—you can use Candle Lamp’s disposable Soft Light Liquid wax votives, which require no clean up, or use traditional votive candles.
www.candlelamp.com
877/526-7748

“You can be creative with these,” one judge noted about Carlisle Foodservice’s Yin Plates, part of the company’s Tapas Shapes line. Not only are the heavy-weight melamine dishes good lookin’, they’re tough, too—the Yin plates can withstand temps up to 212°F. Plates are NSF listed and dishwasher safe. Also part of the Tapas Shapes line is Carlisle’s Epicure Shapes entry. You can mix and match the triangular, oval and crescent plates to serve appetizers, desserts or specialty foods in style.
www.carlislefsp.com
800/654-8210

“This collection has a nice Italian rustic look,” one judge noted about Cyclamen Collection’s Trio Rust line of servingware. Made from a high-fired porcelain-stoneware hybrid, the dishes are extremely durable. Plus, they are designed to provide thermal shock resistance so they can easily withstand both hot and cold temps.  The Cyclamen Condiment set entry was another one of the judge’s favorites. Featuring a matte glaze, the set of three colorful bowls has a handmade look and sits on a long leaf-shaped tray. Finally, Cyclamen also entered its Presentation and Nova Doubles Collection. Dishes in this collection are designed with a dual-color pattern of black on the back surface of the plate, and a bright color such as orange on the plating surface.
www.cyclamencollection.com
510/434-7620

Wine and dine your guests in style with the newest collections from Schott Zwiesel/Fortessa: Pure and Carat glassware, and Oceana bone china. Pure glasses feature architectural, sharply angled bowl shapes on long stems, while Carat places a rounded bowl atop an artfully embossed stem. Both collections are crafted of break-resistant titanium crystal in 11 sizes. For your guests’ dining pleasure, try Oceana plates with wide rims rippling with a creamy white-on-white flowing wave pattern. 
www.fortessa.com
800/296-7508

Fortessa Metalware’s Scalini Flatware Collection was also a finalist. Inspired by Rome’s famous Spanish Steps, the Scalini Flatware is designed with a step pattern in the fork tines and the carved recessed end part of the spoon. Also, the collection includes a gelato spoon, which was adapted to assist with ladling sauces and liquid dishes. The flatware is available in highly polished 18-10 stainless steel and silver plate.
www.fortessa.com
800/296-7508

G.E.T. Enterprises’ vibrant Fusion line brings a cascading bowl to the table. The serving bowl features a rim cut at a dramatic slant, making it seem to spill forward. There are wells located at the foot of the bowls to securely nest other bowls, so one overturned bowl can act as a stand for another. And the bowls look like china although they’re made of durable melamine. Another finalist for G.E.T. was the white Geneva serving bowl, featuring folded-down corners and a generous bowl capacity.
www.get-melamine.com
800/727-4500

Gourmet Display entered its new Sierra Collection of melamine bowls and stands for this year’s contest. The melamine bowls and platters look like porcelain and feature scratch-, stain-, break- and chip-resistant properties. And the white bowls sit on dramatic black contoured tripod-like stands made of ABS plastic. So not only is the collection great for buffets, it would also work with outdoor dinning.
www.gourmetdisplay.com
800/767-4711

Libbey Foodservice introduced the new Endeavor DuraTuff line of pressed glassware that combines tall, sleek European looks with an innovative internal stacking feature, so you can store the glassware safely without chipping or cracking. Seven popular options include one cooler, two beverage glasses, one high-ball, one double old fashioned, and two rocks versions.
www.libbey.com
419/325-2100

Welcome to Mepra/Spaziomepra’s innovative entries. First up, a lustrous stainless steel serving tray otherwise known as the  Ergonomic Crescent Tray.  The unique shape is designed to allow waiters to serve more drinks on a smaller surface. Plus, it has no sharp corners, and it’s easy for servers to carry and balance. Then there’s the Milleusi Collection, a cluster of glass bowls, rubber wood plates and 18-10 stainless steel trays and lids for the bowls. Combined, these elements make for an elegant place setting. Also note bowls are stackable and chefs can use them to prepare and store food. To add a splash of color, there’s Collezione-Uno Glassware. The ultra-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate cups come in seven colors—each color based on precious stones such as amber, garnet, amethyst and emerald.
www.mepra.com
843/767-1994

For those of you serving the three-star market, you’ll want to take a look at Oneida Foodservice’s Courses Dinnerware Collection. The collection offers soft-cornered square, rectangular and triangular bowls, saucers, mugs and plates. Made of twice-fired vitrified china, the dishes have a strong glaze and are chip resistant. Oneida has also added to its distinguished Wedgewood Collection with  Pulse and Oberon Flatware. Pulse features a stitched pattern based on a classic rim motif, and Oberon pieces are adorned with elegant patterned bands on the tapered handles.
www.oneida.com
800/828-7033

Next up: Pickard China’s Platinum Radiance line. Blending modern and classic looks, the ivory-colored dinnerware is ornamented with a matte platinum border with radiating platinum lines. Pickard also entered the Metropolitan Gold Charger Plate, which is rimmed with a border of thick textured gold plating. “I could easily see this in a nice old-fashioned hotel,” one judge said of the striking dinnerware.
www.pickardchina.com
847/395-3800

“The Carrera Dinnerware line seems ideal for volume feeding—maybe a university setting, or outdoor setting,” one judge noted. Featuring a dynamic marble design, the Carrera line from Prolon offers dishes in shades of beige, white, jade green, medium brown and ruby red. The dinnerware is both oven and microwave safe, withstanding temperatures up to 400°F.  Along with standard bowls, plates and trays, the line also offers tortilla servers, sugar packet holders and large platters. And all the pieces are stain resistant.
www.prolon.biz
601/437-4211

San Jamar offers the new FrontLine Condiment Dispensing System with the Soft-Touch pump. Featuring a unique contoured lever, the pump—which is clean-in-place approved by NSF—requires a minimum of pressure to operate and provides smooth dispensing of sauces, dressings and other condiments. Simply drop the dispenser into a gallon jar, #10 can or its own food-safe container and pump away. You can also choose the universal In-Counter System for greater versatility.
www.sanjamar.com
800/248-9826

The Culinary Institute of America and Sant’ Andrea/Oneida Foodservice  have teamed to present the new CIA Advantage Dinnerware. Designed to withstand demanding foodservice environments, the dinnerware is made of Maxadura, a chip-resistant porcelain with added aluminum oxide. And for extra protection, Maxadura undergoes a high-temp porcelain firing process to seal the dinnerware with a strong glaze that’ll resist any metal markings and wear. And take note: The warm white plates flaunt a generous plating surface, too. Pieces feature a CIA/Sant’ Andrea back stamp.
www.oneida.com
800/828-7033

Moving on, Service Ideas’ eye-catching ZePe Beverage Dispenser was one of the judges’ favorites. The unit has a 3-hr. retention time, and the ice tube is designed to chill ice without diluting the liquid. Capacity is 13⁄5 gals. Next: the elegant Push ’N Serv Carafe with a stainless steel exterior and glass interior. The unit is ergonomically designed with the push button on the handle. You can choose from three sizes, and if you’re serving decaf, there’s a lid with orange inset. Finally, Service Ideas entered the Non-Slip Tray. Featuring molded-in rubber grips, the tray prevents drinks from slipping.
www.serviceideas.com
800/328-4493

“It’s a super well-made and beautiful chafer,” one judge said of Spring USA’s Stainless Steel Rondo Renaissance Chafing Dish. With this chafer, you needn’t worry about the lid slamming shut as the rotating lid opens gently and the cover opening is preset to stay open at 90° and 180°. Plus, there’s a water channel that returns condensation from the cover back to the water pan. The unit is all stainless down to the legs and handles. Spring also entered its Ice Bucket . Made of 18-10 stainless steel, the well-insulated bucket features a mirror-polish finish.
www.springusa.com
800/535-8974

If you’re tired of ordinary circular white plates, keep reading. Libbey’s Syracuse China presents its innovative Puzzle Plates, which are perfect for serving desserts and tapas. Part of the Vibe Collection, the small puzzle-piece-shaped dishes fit perfectly into each other, and even look great spaced out or on their own. If you’re looking for a simpler design, check out the Crescent Coupe Plates. Also part of the Vibe Collection, the plates are great for serving smaller menu samplings. Lastly, Syracuse offers its Vesuvius Plate. The 12” plate features three dramatically sculpted wells that give it a contemporary look.
www.libbey.com
419/325-2100

Tired of seeing customers swipe what looks like 17 napkins from the dispenser and go on to use just one? Consider the Limited Napkin Dispenser from Libbey’s Traex division. According to the company, testing in chain restaurants shows the dispenser cut regular napkin usage by 8% to 10%. The dispenser has a patented faceplate design that limits dispensing to one-at-a-time.
www.libbey.com
800/356-8006

Bump your buffet up a notch with the Gold-Plated Juice Dispenser  from Update Int’l. The stainless, 2.2-gal. dispenser accommodates juices and other noncarbonated beverages. Featuring an ice core center, the unit keeps drinks chilled for serving. And to keep your buffet presentation polished, the dispenser comes equipped with a drip tray. Another competition finalist from Update was an Ice Bucket featuring a chrome-plated finish and a built-in tong holder; comes with tongs, too. The bucket is also equipped with a drainage deck and handle. Capacity is 44 oz.
www.update-international.com
800/747-7124

If you’re looking into some new bright white pieces, you’ll want to check out Vertex China’s Palm Collection. Part of the Euro Collection, the plates have a wide rim accented with flowing palm tree leaf shapes. You can opt for stackable teacups, saucers, soup bowls, pasta bowls, round deep plates, rim plates and oval plates. Undecorated pieces are also available.
www.vertexchina.com
800/483-7839

“Villeroy & Boch consistently exceeds my expectations,” said one judge while looking at the Bento Etagere Plate, which goes one step beyond the ordinary with a unique playful design. Part of the Bento Series, the plate has three levels—the base plate is shaped like a three-leaf clover and attached to this are two bendable supports that each hold up a mini plate. The plates are made of super-vitrified high-alumina china, and the removable supports are stainless steel. And you can be creative with the plate by positioning the smaller plates at various angles.
www.villeroy-boch.com/hotel
609/734-7800

The Vollrath Co. brings to market its stylish Square Stainless Trays. The trays have a satin-finish rim contrasting with the glossy mirror-finish interior. Made of heavy-gauge 18-8 stainless steel, the trays include integral handles and are comfortable to use. Available in three sizes: 11 3/4"; 15 1/4" and 18 1/2".
www.vollrathco.com
800/624-2051