The kitchen is the focus at

Whether due to natural disasters or the economic downturn, it’s been a year of volunteering time and donating goods to food banks and community kitchens. Now comes the opportunity to honor operators and employees for outstanding community service and to cite those entrepreneurs living the American dream. The National Restaurant Association’s 2012 Restaurant Industry Awards…

Manitowoc Foodservice has modernized its culinary center in Cleveland to accommodate more high-tech customer meetings, culinary demonstrations by three full-time chefs, and hands-on training. The re-do includes a complete floor-to-ceiling remodeling of the demonstration kitchen, which showcases an A-to-Z range of Manitowoc brands, from Frymaster fryers, Lincoln, Merrychef and Garland ovens, Varimixer mixers and Cleveland…

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Subway is continuing to test its bistro concept and the breakfast market. Some 16 units have opened since the first Subway bistro debuted in Washington, D.C. The chain is expanding on a case-by-case basis. Espresso drinks, panini sandwiches and muffins are among the items on the menu. Subway is based in Milford, Conn.

Upscale steakhouse chain Smith & Wollensky is moving its corporate headquarters to Boston from Las Vegas to be closer to its financial backer, Hub private-equity firm Bunker Hill Capital. The chain opened unit No. 10 in Boston last summer. Smith & Wollensky was founded in New York in 1977. smithandwollensky.com  

Marble Slab Creamery and MaggieMoo’s Ice Cream and Treatery are merging into one concept, which retains the Marble Slab name and integrates both chains’ products into an updated, contemporary store. The first remodeled unit opened in August in St. George, Utah. Most MaggieMoo’s locations will transition to Marble Slab’s new look during the next 18…