THE VOICE OF GFEN

Whether you are interested in learning more about the savings achievable with low oil volume fryers, the latest features for Combi ovens, the effectiveness of on-­demand kitchen ventilation, or testing a new menu item using a natural gas appliance, your local utility may be able to help. Several GFEN member gas utilities have high tech facilities strategically located around the country where you can “test drive” natural gas equipment to determine which brands and models

between gas or electric appliances.

EAST COAST REGION

Piedmont Natural Gas – Charlotte, NC

Piedmont’s Natural Gas Technology Center offers

equipment, all with performance, emissions and

serves multiple purposes which range from offering a meeting space to providing a full-­scale testing facility. Originally opened in 1995 as a single space, test kitchen,

appliance demonstration area as well.

At Piedmont’s Technology Center you can conduct:• Equipment Testing and Brand Comparisons – Multiple natural gas and electric connections allow you to

different types of natural gas and electric equipment;;

production;;

and versatile workspace is ideal for demonstrating the latest natural gas foodservice appliances or for training employees on new equipment;;

a fully equipped commercial kitchen, this space is perfect for testing new cooking techniques or recipes before introducing them to your customers. The Piedmont facility also proudly boasts that it

is the “birthplace” of the Gas Foodservice Equipment Network, where GFEN was formally launched as an organization to promote the use of gas cooking technologies in 1999.

For more information on the Piedmont Natural Gas Technology Center, call Tony Cooper 704.587.6956 or email Anthony.Cooper@piedmontng.com

Put Equipment to the TestTest kitchens help you evaluate the latest natural gas technologies

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THE VOICE OF GFEN

MIDWEST REGION

CenterPoint Energy – Minneapolis, MN

You can make the most of your foodservice operation with help from CenterPoint Energy’s Commercial Foodservice Learning Center and receive continuing education credits. They have an experienced professional staff that provides information and hands-­on training to help you choose the best natural gas cooking equipment for your best results.

• Professional consultation and hands-­on or lecture-­style training;;

• Educational materials, workshops and seminars;;• Energy-­saving ideas and operating cost comparisons;;• Equipment testing and demonstrations of the latest

cooking technologies;;• Classroom style accommodations for groups up to 25.

CenterPoint Energy is Minnesota’s largest natural gas distribution company, serving more than 745,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in over 240 communities. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, CenterPoint Energy is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric transmission and distribution, natural gas distribution and sales,

interstate pipeline and gathering operations, and more than 14,000 megawatts of power generation.

SOUTHERN REGION

Alabama Gas Company/Alagasco – Birmingham, AL

Alagasco recognizes that today’s foodservice facilities constantly need to identify improved technologies that enhance the customer’s dining

Alagasco’s Center for Energy Technology is a place where restaurateurs and equipment manufacturers have the opportunity to work together and put to the test the latest innovations in natural gas foodservice equipment.

The Center for Energy Technology which was opened in February, 2010 offers equipment users, decision makers and trade allies access to a demonstration and showroom area where they can observe and test the latest natural gas equipment in real-­world applications.

• Commercial foodservice equipment technologies;;

• Multi-­zone natural gas heat pump;;• Natural gas desiccants for space conditioning and

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THE VOICE OF GFEN

with no obligation to purchase. They invite you to bring your own recipes and ingredients, and compare new,

the-­art facility.

• More than 150 pieces of equipment from more than 60 different manufacturers;;

• A one-­of-­a-­kind Ventilation and Baking Lab that

combinations of ventilation hoods;;• A Commercial Auditorium & Cooking Stage that accommodates up to 100 people;;

• A Main Hall meeting site for up to 350 people.

San Diego Gas & Electric – San Diego, CA

art facility has been designed to be a one-­stop-­shop for foodservice professionals to learn about innovative technologies designed to help save energy and money.

:• Four functioning cooking lines;;

equipment;;

• Continuous/tankless water heating systems.Alagasco, headquartered in Birmingham is the

largest natural gas utility in central Alabama and currently serves over 460,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in seven divisions.

WEST COAST REGION

Southern California Gas Company – Downey, CA

Southern California Gas boasts one of the largest consumer oriented equipment test facilities in the nation that is geared towards the commercial foodservice professional. At their Food Service Equipment Center operators learn and sharpen their skills by attending

ventilation, food safety, equipment maintenance and emerging industry trends. Engineers at their test lab perform American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) test methods on various types of foodservice

qualify it for the California Statewide Rebate Program.

you will save energy and money. SoCal’s equipment demonstration and test facility offers complimentary “test drives” of new commercial foodservice equipment

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THE VOICE OF GFEN

• A state-­of-­the-­art facility for foodservice operators to test recipes on different equipment;;

• No-­cost seminars on topics of interest to foodservice professionals.

as a testing center for the restaurant and foodservice industry. It offers a comfortable, non-­sales environment for foodservice professionals to try out their recipes on different equipment before investing in new appliances.

by industry professionals and cover a range of topics,

equipment, food safety, and waste management.

Southwest Region

Southwest Gas, Tempe, AZ and Las Vegas, NV

Centers located in Tempe, AZ and Las Vegas, NV, foodservice operators may “kick the tires” to check

facility in Tempe in February 2000, Southwest Gas has helped thousands of foodservice professionals make better-­informed decisions when it comes to purchasing equipment technologies. The Centers offer equipment demonstrations and workshops designed to help foodservice professionals learn how to make their

• Accommodates up to 12 participants in a classroom-­

• Has adjacent meeting rooms for groups of up to 100.

• 20 feet of ventilation hood to facilitate moving equipment in and out as needed;;

• Outdoor rooms with state-­of-­the-­art gas ambiance amenities.A patio or sidewalk dining area can increase a

restaurant’s seating capacity and extend the time

customers can test drive cooking appliances inside the SW Gas kitchens before they buy, new outdoor

amenities areas have been added to let them see state-­of-­the-­art gas equipment outside as well. The “outdoor rooms” feature natural gas grills, patio heaters, lights,

gas tiki torches. In addition to the facility being an important tool

for the end-­use foodservice operator, manufacturer reps and dealers make use of the SW Gas Foodservice Centers too, as a convenient place to train their service technicians in diagnostics and repairs. Use of both the kitchen facilities, outdoor amenities areas and meeting space is free to any SW Gas foodservice customer.

Chefs’ ChoiceGFEN member test kitchens make the process

of evaluating cooking, water heating, space heating and ventilation equipment a more informative, easier process.

Published by COOKING FOR PROFIT Magazine/ © 2013 Gas Foodservice Equipment NetworkApril 2013 4