Toast teams up with Eclective Hospitality Group

Toast the cloud-based restaurant technology platform, today announced that Eclective Hospitality Group, Ireland’s largest hospitality group, has implemented Toast across its portfolio, highlighting Toast’s growing role as a trusted partner in Ireland as the company celebrates 3 years in market.

This new collaboration sees Toast’s technology platform deployed across 25 Eclective venues, including iconic brands like Angelina’s, Elephant and Castle and Wowburger.

Toast’s technology seamlessly connects every aspect of Irish hospitality businesses, from kitchen to customer. Eclective will utilise Toast technology to strengthen operational flexibility, provide greater ease of use and responsiveness, improve staff efficiency, and enhance the overall guest experience.

“As Ireland’s largest hospitality group employing 850 people across 27 venues, we need a technology partner that can scale with our ambitions while understanding the unique demands of running a restaurant in Ireland,” said Dave Mongan, COO at Eclective. “Toast eliminates the complexity of managing multiple systems across our portfolio. Toast gives us the tools that power service and allows us to focus on what matters most – creating exceptional experiences for our guests. This partnership positions us perfectly for our next phase of growth.”

“Delivering a great guest experience requires a restaurant to have exceptional tools and technology,” added Daniel Hanigan, Executive Chef at Angelina’s. “By leveraging technology like Toast’s Kitchen Display Systems to improve efficiency in the kitchen, our team will have more time to focus on creating exceptional food experiences.”

“Partnering with an ambitious, forward-looking organisation like Eclective represents a defining moment in Toast’s journey here in Ireland,” Ana Munoz, GM of International at Toast said.

“Working with a group of this scale and caliber is a testament to the depth and presence we’ve built in the local hospitality community over the past three years. We know that Irish restaurants want both great technology and a provider who truly understands them, and we’re the ideal choice for growing restaurant groups here and across our other international markets.”

Toast is the restaurant technology partner of choice for many of Ireland’s leading hospitality businesses, including Bewley’s, Kicky’s and OAKBERRY.

Toast’s presence in Ireland includes Customer Support, Research and Development, and Sales and Marketing teams in Ireland, and is recognised as a Certified Great Place to Work in Ireland.

Toast supports many Irish communities through Toast.org, the company’s philanthropic arm. Some of Toast.org’s programmes in Ireland over the last 3 years include a €50,000 donation to Airfield Estate for a new community garden that supports local food education. Toast.org’s continued community investment reflects Toast’s on-going commitment to supporting communities that make Irish hospitality thrive.

Bosch launches series 6 Air Fryer

Bosch – Europe’s leader in food preparation appliances – is proud to announce that its first ever air fryer is now available in Ireland!

Say hello to the Bosch Series 6 Air Fryer RRP €179.99, backed by 150 years of cooking expertise and designed to meet the growing demand for healthier, faster, and more convenient cooking. Available from retailers nationwide, it marks the beginning of a new era for Bosch as it expands its renowned range of innovative kitchen solutions into the booming air fryer market.

The air fryer is one of the most sought-after kitchen gadgets in Ireland. In fact, air fryers were officially added to the CSO’s basket of goods and services in 2024 – a clear indicator of how much of a kitchen staple they’ve become.

So what makes Bosch Series 6 Air Fryer stand out from the crowd?

Boasting a compact, space-saving design, it can feed the whole family with its generous 7.2L capacity allowing you to cook up to five portions without taking up too much room on the countertop.

Thanks to Bosch’s even-cooking technology, there’s no need to shake the drawer – your food comes out perfectly cooked all on its own. The illuminated viewing window allows you to keep an eye on your meal as it cooks so you’ll know when it’s ready to serve. It even comes with extra accessories including a grill plate and skewers, opening up endless meal possibilities.

It also uses up to 95%*** less oil, creating healthy meals that don’t compromise on taste or flavour. Best of all? It delivers quick, energy-efficient meals, saving up to 65% faster than a traditional oven and 70% on energy.

From tender meat and crispy potatoes to perfectly grilled veggies and kebabs, this air fryer is ready to handle whatever’s on the menu. Bosch is all about reliability, so customers can rest easy knowing the Series 6 Air Fryer comes with a 2-year warranty as standard – giving you extra peace of mind.

Also making its debut in Ireland is the Bosch Series 4 Air Fryer RRP €149.99. With a 6.1L capacity, it’s slightly smaller than the Series 6 but built with the same Bocsh technology. Both products are available in electrical retailers nationwide, it’s compact, easy-to-clean, and promises to simplify midweek cooking – making it the perfect choice for busy Irish households.

For more detailed information, visit www.bosch.ie or book your free product consultation at the Home of Innovation showroom in Dublin 12 today. 

See our Geo smart pro air fryer review

ERP Ireland Encourages Public to Embrace Tech Reuse, Repair, and Recycling This World Earth Day

Tuesday, 22nd April is World Earth Day and the European Recycling Platform (ERP), Ireland’s only pan-European compliance scheme for WEEE and Waste Batteries, is calling on households to stop tech hoarding and consider reuse, repair or recycling their old or broken electrical items.
Whether its cluttering kitchen cupboards or stashed away in the infamous man drawer Irish homes, attics and garden sheds are full of forgotten electrical items. According to new Coyne Research commissioned by ERP, 1 in 3 adults claim they are holding on to unused electrical items because they haven’t got around to recycling them (32%). A further 15% say they are holding onto old electronics because they might repair them in future.
“Irish homes are full of old and forgotten mobile phones, laptops, tablets and gadgets that we haven’t touched in years,” says James Burgess, Country General Manager at ERP. “World Earth Day, just after Easter, is the perfect moment to take stock and do something positive for the planet. We want people to consider how their old tech can have a new lease of life, either by being repaired, or by being recycled so it’s components can be used again.”
Time to Close the Loop
ERP’s research also reveals a shift in how Irish consumers view technology as refurbished tech grows in popularity.
  • 44% of consumers have bought second-hand or refurbished electronics before (44%).
  • Gen Z are leading the charge, with 3 in 5 (60%) opting for refurbished tech, compared to just 1 in 4 (26%) Baby Boomers.
  • Smartphones top the list of most commonly purchased refurbished items (51%), followed by laptops (26%) and tablets (14%).
  • Quality, price, and warranty matter most to consumers when purchasing refurbished motivators.
  • And tellingly, there’s been a +6% increase in people holding onto old electronics with the intention to repair them in the past year but not getting round to it.
This World Earth Day, ERP is reminding the public that repairing and recycling are both central to ensuring a circular economy in Ireland.
“We need to move away from a throwaway culture – and that starts at home,” continues Burgess. “We’re asking everyone to take a moment to clear out those forgotten items and consider bringing them for repair where possible or taking them to a local recycling centre if needed. Don’t let them gather dust – let them make a difference.”
Free Recycling
This week, ERP Ireland launches its ERP Free Electrical Drop Off Events schedule for 2025 with events announced for Cavan, Clare, Fingal Dublin, Kerry, Meath, and Monaghan. The programme offers householders an accessible central collection point to bring their unused and broken electrical items and used batteries for recycling. ERP Ireland also partnered with Lidl Ireland to offer a series of free household electrical recycling events at some of their stores.
Find your nearest ERP FREE Electrical recycling Drop Off event at www.erp-recycling.ie

Banish tap water contaminants with the world’s most advanced kitchen water purification system

Swedish water and beverage brand Bluewater collaborated with top nutritional scientists to offer health aware consumers the ultimate kitchen gadget that removes 99.97 percent of toxic chemicals from kitchen tap water and then remineralises it ~

Amid growing evidence of how municipal tap water is contaminated by toxic ‘forever chemicals’ such as PFAS, Sweden’s water purifier and beverage brand Bluewater today launched its ground-breaking Kitchen Station 1™ water purification system that removes up to 99.97 percent of toxic chemicals and other contaminants.

Designed to allay consumer fears about tap water quality, the compact Bluewater Kitchen Station ensures drinking and washing water is squeaky clean, while also adding a unique blend of liquified minerals harvested from age-old northern Swedish mountains for enhanced health.

The mineral solution — dubbed ‘Liquid Rock’ by Bluewater — is delivered via an IoT infuser system steered via a smartphone app allowing users to adjust the mix of minerals according to their taste preferences and wellbeing needs. But the benefits don’t stop there. Integrated into the system is the Bluewater O, a user-friendly control enabling easy switching between municipal water (for doing the dishes) and the purified re-mineralised water. The O enables users to visually check water quality by shifting from an orange shade during the speedy water purification process to an all-blue colour when it is fit to drink.

“The Kitchen Station 1 is the world’s most advanced kitchen water purification solution designed for the municipal water realities of the twenty-first century and meeting the desire of modern consumers for healthier lifestyle options,” said Bluewater founder and CEO Bengt Rittri (photo below). He adds: “An aesthetically pleasing yet functional addition to any kitchen, the Bluewater Kitchen Station boldly unveils the future of water purification while additionally ending the need for people to continuing buying single-use plastic bottles!”

A highly regarded Swedish environmental entrepreneur who founded a world-leading indoor air purification company called Blueair before shifting his focus to water ten years ago, Mr Rittri notes that consumer surveys have increasingly revealed the depth of consumer worries about the potential contaminants lurking in their tap water.

In March, a Bluewater poll of 2,000 men and women in London indicated that 4 out of 10 Londoners do not trust tap water. The reality behind those fears was underlined by an investigation by Bluewater at three locations across London – Battersea, Harrow, and Heathrow – that revealed worryingly high levels of toxic PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ substantially exceeding new limits proposed by the European Union and the US Environmental Protection agency.

The Bluewater Kitchen Station  is the result of several years of intense research and development, which included identifying the perfect mix of minerals needed to deliver a health-enhancing formula and superior taste. The result utilizes minerals sourced from virgin Swedish mountain rock that are liquified hygienically and then bottled to be added to purified water via a unique dosing system.

The ‘heart’ of the Bluewater Kitchen Station 1™ is the brand’s state-of-the-art Spirit compact under-sink purifier, which delivers up to 900 liters of purified water daily from an existing kitchen tap. Bluewater Spirit harnesses the company’s unique SuperiorOsmosis™ filtration solution, verified in independent tests to remove 99.9 percent of toxic PFAS chemicals from tap water, providing customers with the peace of mind that they are drinking healthier, better-tasting water.

Designed for residential and commercial settings, the Bluewater Kitchen Station 1™ is easy to install and maintain. It utilizes a customer’s existing tap, making it a game-changer for health-aware consumers with top-of-the-range kitchens or living in rental accommodation. Priced at £4,150 for the entire system, including installation, both outright purchase or finance packages are available. The Kitchen Station  is now available for directly from Bluewater or via select dealers throughout the UK.

Product Highlights

Hyper efficient, quiet running compact under-sink Bluewater Spirit purifier, removing up to 99.7 percent of toxic PFAS chemicals and other contaminants from lead to bacteria…
System uses a customer’s existing taps, delivering a powerful clean water delivery rate of around 3 litres per minute…
Unique intuitive sink-mounted visual at-a-glance water quality monitor that shifts from orange showing unclean water to blue confirming purified water…
Ground-breaking smart mineralisation solution automatically adding a perfect mix of essential minerals…
Smartphone App providing personalized water mineralization choices
Low energy usage and service requirements

Cook smart and eat healthy with the GeoSmartPro Smart Air Fryer

GeoSmartPro, a British-based start-up specialising in building smart home products that  seamlessly fit into any home, has launched its latest innovation – the GeoSmartPro Air Fryer.  The sleek and ergonomic design of the air fryer is perfect for families and those who enjoy  entertaining and batch-cooking healthy and economical meals. The 8L capacity air fryer is  available to order now – an ideal as Christmas gift. 

The GeoSmartPro Air Fryer is designed with you in mind. It has an ergonomic design, is  energy-efficient and space-saving. The non-stick cooking basket is dishwasher safe and  despite its larger basket, it takes up less countertop space than standard air fryers. Our non stick surface is PTFE & PFOA free. With its 8L capacity, the GeoSmarPro air fryer has one of  the largest capacity of any air fryer on the market, making it ideal for families. 

The Pro AirTech technology used in the 1800W GeoSmartPro Air Fryer circulates hot air  evenly across the basket, maintaining the nutritional value of food while creating a crispy  finish with 80% less fat than traditional cooking methods. The adjustable tray allows users to  create upper and lower compartments in the basket so different types of food can cook at  the same time, just like in a traditional oven. However, the GeoSmartPro Air Fryer is up to  75% more energy efficient and 50% quicker than a traditional oven. 

The clear view window and internal light function make it easy to keep an eye on meals to  avoid overcooking and burning. The heat-resistant handle ensures safe and comfortable  handling when serving up. 

The GeoSmartPro app offers features that can help make busy days easier. Users can turn  on the device remotely so that food is ready when they need it to be. Notifications are sent  to smart devices such as phones and watches to remind users to turn or stir their food, or  tell them when it’s ready – ideal for busy professionals and parents.  

The app also allows users to power off/on and select preset functions. 

  • Power off/on 
  • Select preset functions (including drumsticks, steak, cake, fish and more.) ● Custom set temperature and time  
  • Turn off/on light 
  • Use voice assistant with Google Home  
  • Set timer 
  • Notifications to shake food 
  • Recipes  

The smart APPliance  

For the busy cook the GeoSmartPro app offers features that can help make those hectic days easier.  The app allows users to turn the device on remotely so that food is ready when they need it to be. 

Uzair Rafi, GeoSmartPro founder, said: “Over the past few years we’ve seen the popularity of air fryers  rise thanks to the healthier, more energy-efficient cooking they offer. However, we wanted to elevate  the air fryer to make it more suitable for the modern-day, practical consumer. We appreciate that  busy parents, professional and less experienced cooks could benefit from features such as  notifications, a viewing window and pre-set functions. 

“We also wanted to create an appliance that was less dominating on the countertop. Using our sleek  design and technology we were able to keep that large capacity basket vital for so many users whilst  it took up less room in the kitchen.”  

The GeoSmartPro Air Fryer is £189.99 and will be on up to 30% OFF for BLACK FRIDAY SALE, available  to order from GeoSmartPro and Amazon. Watch out for our review soon.

Review – Hazel Quinn Slow Juicer

Having manzy gizmos today in your kitchen is not uncommon and for me a juicer was one thing I have had and went through a few of them in my time, now I am no juicer expert either so let me get that clear from the offset however like I said I have had a few and this one has been the simplest one I have tried and giving the best results with no lumps at the end of my glass which is disgusting in my opinion, not only that it takes the labour out of doing the work which with technology today has made people terrible lazy but this Slow juicer is a gift to use it is simple to set up simple to clean and looks great especially in this mint green colour.

It will take you literally 5 mins to get going after you read the manual so you know where you are at and after that if you are into juices you will get better lump free ones with this one and might be a better taste to them too. It is no a huge juicer either and will fit in any kitchen and requires a plug nearby, you get all you need in the box as you will see in the full video review below and you are good to go how much more simpler do you want it.

The design is nice and the unit feels robust and solid and after using it for a few weeks it has not caused any issues, I would suggest peeling skins of your Apples and Oranges though and what we have here in my house is Apple and Orange juice and sometimes carrot juice. You will see how simple it is to use via the manual and it is a very short process from putting the desired fruit into the hopper and watch the magic happen.

Check the video below for more and see what to expect and this is not expensive either.

 

One Button Assembly

Our original horizontal insertion and one union joint installation not only reduce the tremble but also help to avoid the occurrence of anomalies such as juice leakage and electricity leakage, and thus make the operation more secure.

Unique Auger

Safe bladeless design and fine grinding are achieved by our customized auger. Its screw threads thoroughly squeeze and liquefy ingredients while preserving the freshest taste, texture, and nutrients for your ideal daily diet.

New Upgrade Filter-free Technology

By removing the sharp and porous strainer that might cause finger cuts and bacterial growth, this human-centered machine makes creating fresh and highly nutritious juice with fiber-rich pulp easy. Moreover, customers can achieve 5 seconds of convenient and quick rinsing for the auger without a brush or any other tool. Simple cleaning, convenient use, and healthy drinking are realized in one step.

Stable Juicing,Intelligent and Safe

The body is fixed horizontally with two shafts, the juicing is stable and does not shake, and there is a lower support design to increase stability; high-end safety configuration, automatic shutdown in case of blockage and super load, automatic protection of the machine overheating, which can automatically stop after 20 minutes of continuous operation to ensure safety.

BUY 

Video Review

7 Best Kitchen Gadgets for Students

While a greasy slice of pizza is fantastic, we know there comes a time when a warm home-cooked meal is all you need. 

You probably won’t be able to recreate your family’s prized shepherd’s pie on your first go, so we’ve decided to lessen the load with seven essential kitchen gadgets that will help you create delicious meals. 

Blender

First on our list of essentials to take to uni is a blender. The beautiful thing about blenders is that they are versatile and can handle many things. From whipping up milkshakes to creating creamy soups, a blender can be a student’s best friend in the kitchen.

You should look for a compact, easy-to-clean blender like the Breville Blend Active. Thanks to the screw-top lid, you can take your blended creations on the go without having to change containers. 

Meat Thermometer

Getting your meats cooked to perfection can be challenging for even the best cooks. 

To ease your worry about undercooked chicken and potential illness, we recommend packing a meat thermometer before your move-in. 

Meat thermometers make the perfect kitchen tool as they take the guesswork out of cooking meat. They provide you with an accurate reading of the meat’s internal temperature, ensuring that your food is safe to eat!

Kitchen Scale

When you’re trying your hand at cooking, it can be demoralising seeing seasoned cooks casually throwing in ingredients and their dishes turning out perfect at the end. However, when it’s your turn, you ruin the whole meal, and it’s time to call the back-ups; takeaways! 

Accurate measurements are crucial in cooking and baking, which is why a kitchen scale is valuable. Instead of relying on guesswork or measuring cups, a scale allows you to measure ingredients by weight. This ensures consistency in your recipes and helps you achieve the desired results whenever you cook or bake or if you need more you could also check out the best outdoor refrigerator for your kitchen.

For the best and most accurate results, try the Salter Digital Scale. This scale allows you to weigh multiple ingredients in one bowl – hooray for fewer dishes!

Can Opener

Can openers are small but easily forgettable tools to pack, but best believe there will come a time when your recipe calls for a can of kidney beans. 

If you’ve been caught out without a can opener, you know the hassle of opening cans without an opener is a huge hassle. Opt for a sturdy and easy-to-use can opener that effortlessly opens cans of all sizes. This way, you’ll have quick access to your favourite canned ingredients: soup, beans, or vegetables.

If you want to take things up a notch, check out the JML Hands-Free Automatic Can Opener

Sandwich Toaster

It’s not every day that you want to come back to your flat and whip up a meal fit for a king. So, for those days, we suggest getting a sandwich toaster so you can turn basic sandwiches into warm gourmet delights. 

For a charming addition to your student kitchen, look no further than the user-friendly Cookworks Sandwich Toaster. This sandwich toaster fits snugly into your shared kitchen space and offers the convenience of quickly preparing delicious sandwiches. It also comes with a handy 1-year guarantee! 

Silicone Cooking Utensils

Your utensils are the foundation of any cooking, so getting the best type is important. For students, we highly recommend a set of silicone cooking utensils over metal. 

Silicon utensils are our go-to as they’re heat-resistant, easily cleaned and non-scratching. Also, thanks to their non-stick properties, they’re perfect for flipping pancakes, stirring, and sautéing. 

Our go-to recommendation for silicone utensils is Argos Home’s 8 Piece Utensil Set. This practical set comes with a caddy that provides a neat storage solution, ensuring that your utensils are always within reach.

Vegetable Chopper

Investing in a vegetable chopper is a surefire way to speed up your cooking process. Vegetable choppers make a super handy addition to your kitchen arsenal, as they can create perfectly diced carrots and thinly sliced onions. 

In addition to making things quick, vegetable choppers make it easier to have healthier meals. With vegetable prep becoming so easy, you can give yourself as many food options as your options for student accommodation in Birmingham

Whether you buy all 7 or 1 of our suggested gadgets, we know that you’ll be the best student chef around with these tools. Bon appetite! 

 

Drop – The Irish start-up that brings tech to the kitchen

http://youtu.be/-zTkP2xrG-U

 

Drop is a new kitchen innovation created by four Irish techies that just so happened to have an empty stomach and an idea at the same time.

Drop is a teardrop shaped measuring plate that pairs with an iPad app to turn cooking into something that doesn’t bring on sighs of complaint. It brings you through preparation, cooking and even serving – but it also has a few tricks up it’s sleeve that make it even more appealing. The Drop app knows that there’s a high chance that we just used our last bottle of vanilla extract, or whatever ingredient you can’t find in the back of the press – so it suggests alternatives to these ingredients with the click of a button, pretty neat right?

As well as that, say you only have 300g of flour, but you need 400g, just tell the app this and it’ll automatically adjust the amount of all the other ingredients so that whatever you’re making still turns out great.

What really makes sure of this device’s success though is it’s tie in with Harvey-Norman stores, as Co- founder and CEO Ben Harris says that they’ll be “in every store in Ireland”. This is a great achievement for them as it will ensure great sales, speaking of which, the device is set to cost €99.95 and can be bought on the 24th of November.