The Rational brand is synonymous with the combi-steamer. What isn’t as well known is their advanced bratt pan, the Rational iVario. However, for some chefs and operators it’s their best kept secret!
Gael Daval, executive head chef at St Paul’s Girls School first experienced the iVario (branded Frima) at his previous role, 15 years ago. “When I was at Charterhouse College, the Frima was vital to producing batches of stew or bolognese, but we also used it as a deep fat fryer,” he says. “It was a completely different style of cooking, and it immediately impressed me!”
When Gael joined St Paul’s acquiring the same capabilities as he’d had at Charterhouse College was a priority. “At the time the kitchens here only used the old-fashioned bratt pans,” he explains. “I sat down with the bursar and explained the amount we could cook with the iVario in a fraction of the time. It was a very easy decision for me!”
Over the years Gael has always been happy to recommend Rational cooking systems to other chefs. “People often ask me about what they should get for their kitchens and the iVario is usually the first thing I suggest,” he says. “I’ve already had a few visitors here who’ve been impressed with it. The time savings, the quality of the food, the reduction in energy use – if anyone is thinking about whether it could help them, I say just go for it!”
“I’m already learning a lot about what the iVario can do, it’s very impressive,” says Gael. “Being able to prepare chips in one pan while making custard in the other saves a lot of time, but not as much as being able to set up batches to cook overnight. We always work to tight schedules here, delivering 800 covers in just ninety minutes. Anything that reduces our daily workload helps!”
To discover how the iVario can help to answer many of the cooking challenges facing chefs and operators today, attend a 10 minute Live online demonstration: register here