Revolutionizing stadium catering: Sodexo Live! chose CHEFTOP-X™ as their MVP combi oven at the Amex

At the Falmer Stadium – mostly known as ‘the American Express Stadium’ or simply ‘the Amex’ – the roar from the stands wasn't just for goals; it was a clear call for chips. As Craig Taylor, Head of Retail Catering for Sodexo Live!, explains, this wasn't just a wish list item; it was 'one of the biggest feedbacks from the previous season, why did we not sell chips'.

But for contract feeders in the UK, deploying traditional deep-fat fryers in a stadium is like trying to play offense with a hand tied behind your back. Stringent health regulations for operators and the logistical gauntlet of oil management, ventilation, and fire safety meant a traditional fryer was simply off the roster. But that was not the only issue they were facing:

• High volume & pressure points: On a matchday, with around 32,000 visitors, the catering team faces a fast-break scenario. Before kick-off and at half-time, there are significant pinch points, where demand surges in a very small window of time. Every second counts, and the main goal is to ensure 'everyone's getting what they want, when they want, and that it’s hot and fresh for them'.
• Staffing & training issues: Managing a large team, often with temporary and agency staff, means equipment needs to be intuitive. There's no time for a complicated playbook; it needs to be very straightforward to use – a real team player in the kitchen.

‘Unox didn't just sit on the sidelines. What separates them from the rest of the oven suppliers is their innovation, their want to be involved, and their invested interest to deliver the best quality food at the quickest possible time, and in the most efficient’ – Ryan Underhill, Business Support Director for Sodexo Live!

If traditional equipment is out of the game, the solution must come out-of-the-box. Unox was committed to helping Sodexo Live! win big.

‘The answer came in the form of the Unox CHEFTOP-X™ combi oven. We were introduced to an air fryer technology that we, to be honest, didn't really realise existed at the time.’ – Adam Jay, executive chef for Sodexo Live!

This cutting-edge technology is called AIR.Tornado and allows for an extremely fast – 3600 fan rotations per minute – circulating of hot air around the food to achieve even and crispy cooking, but with minimal oil.

Thanks to this game-changing function, Sodexo Live! can cook chips at volume in a short space of time. All of this without compromising on quality as the Unox commercial combi oven delivers a ‘really good chip that you wouldn't think didn't come from a flyer'.

Crucially, this means Sodexo Live! can sidestep the complexities related to traditional professional fryers. The CHEFTOP-X™ combi oven has become the ultimate utility player, offering the desired 'fried' result without the associated operational and compliance headaches of oil management.

1. Fan Satisfaction & Chip Sales: With the CHEFTOP-X™, Sodexo Live! finally gave the fans what they wanted. Chips are now a successful offering, enhancing the matchday experience and proving to be a crowd-pleaser.
2. Operational Efficiency & Speed: The Unox CHEFTOP-X™ delivered the 'perfect solution'. It empowered the team, improving service speed during those critical pinch points. Food is now consistently 'hot and fresh' – a victory for efficiency and customer satisfaction.
3. Simplified Staffing & Training: This all-star combi oven is ‘fully programable’, making it really easy for Sodexo Live! to teach new staff. For a team relying on temporary and agency staff, having equipment that is very straightforward to use is paramount. It means anyone can step onto the pitch and perform.
4. Strategic Partnership & Support: 'The partnership with Unox to be fantastic' according to Craig Taylor. Unox has 'been there if we've needed any technical help' and 'to provide training'. Unox is also 'very good at listening to issues', 'coming down and giving us solutions', and 'very quick at turning things around'. This kind of teamwork is invaluable.
5. Scalability & Future Growth: 'The success at the Brighton Amex Stadium isn't just a one-off win'. Ryan Underhill highlights, 'Within my role, I absolutely see us rolling the Unox CHEFTOP-X™ across our current business and ensuring it is in our bids for new business'. It’s clearly a championship-level investment.

Listen to the full Sodexo Live! testimonial: 

The success of the CHEFTOP-X™ at the Amex Stadium is a clear indicator of its potential across the broader contract catering landscape. This AI-powered combi oven is a standardisation catalyst, equipped with smart functions to automatically optimise energy and water consumption. It can be trained to recognise food and start cooking programmes autonomously. But there’s more to that; the oven can adapt and upgrade its performance based on culinary directors' feedback to deliver the same high-standard result at every batch.

These advanced capabilities translate into significant advantages for diverse contract feeder environments:

• For Corporate Canteens: The CHEFTOP-X™ ensures consistent, high-quality meals for thousands daily, effortlessly adapting to varied menus and dietary requirements. Its speed and automation help manage intense lunch rushes efficiently, while energy savings contribute to corporate sustainability goals.
• For Healthcare Facilities: Precision cooking for specific dietary needs, consistent output across shifts, and features that support strict hygiene protocols are paramount. The CHEFTOP-X™ delivers on all fronts, providing safe, high-quality food with easy-to-train interfaces for a diverse workforce.
• For Educational Institutions: Handling vast student volumes with varying meal times requires robust, efficient equipment. The CHEFTOP-X™ excels at consistent mass production, helping to control costs through energy efficiency and reduced food waste, while its ease of use benefits staff with varying experience levels.
• For Large Event Catering Companies: When catering grand banquets or multi-day conferences, versatility is key. The CHEFTOP-X™'s ability to roast, bake, steam, and 'air fry' (as demonstrated by the chips) means fewer pieces of equipment are needed, freeing up valuable kitchen space. Its rapid production and consistent results are crucial for delivering high-quality food at scale, often with temporary event staff.

Sodexo Live!'s experience at the Amex Stadium is a clear victory for innovative thinking and advanced technology. The CHEFTOP-X™ combi oven isn't just an oven; it's a strategic asset that transforms challenges into opportunities.

Is your contract catering business ready to elevate its game? Discover how the CHEFTOP-X™ can help you conquer your operational hurdles and deliver a winning performance day in day out.

The future of high-volume, high-quality contract catering is here, and it’s powered by innovation-driven, out-of-the-box solutions.