The catering landscape is evolving rapidly; driven by changing consumer expectations, rising food costs, and the ongoing need for efficiency. In 2025, successful kitchens are investing in tech-forward, sustainable, and flexible solutions that do more with less.
Whether you’re running a restaurant, hotel, school, or production kitchen, here are the top trends defining commercial catering this year.
1. Smart Equipment = Smarter Kitchens
Gone are the days of trial-and-error cooking. In 2025, kitchens are investing in intelligent appliances with features like:
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Touchscreen interfaces & programmable recipes
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IoT connectivity for remote monitoring
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Built-in diagnostics and auto-cleaning functions
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Energy usage tracking and reporting
Top Investment:
➡️ Combi ovens with adaptive cooking logic (e.g., Rational iCombi Pro, Unox ChefTop Mind.Maps)
Why it matters:
These tools reduce labour costs, increase consistency, and allow even novice staff to deliver high-quality results.
2. Sustainability Is No Longer Optional
Environmental pressure, energy costs, and customer values are pushing operators to go greener. Kitchens are focused on:
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Energy-efficient equipment (look for EcoDesign-rated models)
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Water-saving dishwashers and ovens
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Food waste tracking systems
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Refillable chemical and cleaning solutions
Top Investment:
➡️ High-efficiency induction hobs, low-energy combi ovens, and water filtration systems
Why it matters:
Sustainability isn't just ethical — it directly reduces utility bills and improves brand image.
3. Flex Kitchens & Mobile Catering Setups
Kitchens are adapting to flexible formats, pop-up concepts, and ghost kitchens. This has led to demand for:
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Compact, multi-functional equipment
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Stackable ovens, modular refrigeration, plug-and-play cooklines
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Easy-to-transport catering setups for events or offsite locations
Top Investment:
➡️ Countertop combi ovens, mobile holding cabinets, and modular cooking suites
Why it matters:
Adaptability allows caterers to expand revenue streams without costly renovations.
4. Regeneration Stations & Bulk Cooking
With ongoing staffing shortages, batch cooking and regeneration are becoming kitchen staples. Operators are investing in:
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Blast chillers + combi ovens for safe storage and precise reheating
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Holding cabinets that preserve texture and moisture
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Food portioning and vacuum-packing tools
Top Investment:
➡️ Cook-chill-regenerate workflows using combi ovens and blast chillers
Why it matters:
Reduces waste, lowers prep time, and improves consistency during peak hours.
Labour-Saving Tech & Automation
With wage pressure and staff shortages, kitchens are investing in equipment that reduces hands-on time:
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Self-cleaning ovens
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Programmable cooking paths
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Automated fryers and dishwashers
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Touchless handwash systems
Top Investment:
➡️ Ovens with overnight cooking, self-diagnostics, and cloud recipe sharing
Why it matters:
Less manual intervention = fewer mistakes and less training required.
6. Data-Driven Kitchen Management
Operators are leaning into data tracking to drive efficiency. The latest systems offer:
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Predictive maintenance alerts
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Live inventory updates
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Cooking logs for HACCP compliance
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Usage analytics by staff or shift
Top Investment:
➡️ Connected kitchen platforms and integrated POS/oven dashboards
Why it matters:
Data-backed decisions help reduce downtime, improve food safety, and plan smarter.
Final Thoughts
In 2025, catering is about precision, efficiency, and flexibility. Kitchens are investing in smart tools that allow them to scale without burning out staff or budgets. Whether you’re upgrading equipment or planning a full kitchen redesign, focusing on tech-forward, energy-smart solutions is the key to staying competitive.
Ready to Future-Proof Your Kitchen?
At Catercombi, we help caterers across the UK invest wisely. From energy-efficient combi ovens to modular kitchen redesigns. Book a free consultation or equipment demo today.