Do I need a B.S. in combi ovens?
Like all new equipment or techniques, there is a learning curve involved. But most chefs agree: the time you put into learning to operate the oven and the time spent honing your cooking programs is more than repaid with radically shortened cooking times, less yield loss, and consistency. If you do need a hand, most manufacturers are more than happy to send representatives to help with the basics of programming. Most, like Rational, offer support during the presale phase when sales rep/chefs do a test-drive with interested chefs at 150 locations throughout the United States. “We encourage chefs to visit our training locations and to bring some of the items on their current menu so we can compare what they’re making with their own equipment,” says Rational’s Jotwani. “Beats the heck out of a brochure.” Electrolux offers similar pre- and post-sales support. In fact, one of Lucas’ main responsibilities is matching up combi oven newbies with one of the company’s regional chefs. “It works we
