HOBART'S QUICK-COOK OVENS COULD BE A BOON FOR DELIS

ROSEANNE HARPER

TROY, Ohio -- Hobart Corp. here -- under a licensing agreement with Quadlux, a Fremont, Calif., technology company -- is producing quick-cook ovens that industry experts say have big potential for supermarket delis.

The ovens use light technology, which means that food is cooked purely by light, instead of by heated air or microwaves.

Hobart, a leading manufacturer and supplier of food equipment, linked up with Quadlux to produce the high-tech ovens in volume at its Baltimore manufacturing facility, said Brad Blackburn, product line director of cooking at Hobart.

Several supermarket chains have already been using FlashBake ovens that were manufactured for Quadlux under contract before Hobart became involved. They include Giant Food, Landover, Md.; the Atlanta division of Kroger Co., Cincinnati; Ralphs Grocery Co., Compton, Calif.; and Bi-Lo, Mauldin, S.C., according to Hobart.

"And we have new orders coming in already," Hobart's Blackburn said. Officials at the chains named could not be reached for comment at press time.

Hobart will feature the FlashBake oven at the Food Marketing Institute Show in Chicago next week.