Jim Woodward, Easy Ice SVP Field Operations, spoke to culinary students at Nimitz High School in Irving, Tx about the importance of ice and ice machines. Nimitz is one over of 1700 schools using the National Restaurant Association’s ProStart curriculum. ProStart’s curriculum is industry-driven and provides 2 years of training in all facets of the culinary industry, earning a certificate that makes them eligible for scholarships at the country’s top hospitality and culinary arts colleges.
Culinary Arts Instructor Vanessa Smith reached out to Easy Ice after learning about their ice machine subscriptions at Texas Restaurant Association’s Southwest Foodservice Expo. “Our students were interested to learn about the advantages of setting up partnerships with companies such as Easy Ice that offer quality products and exceptional customer service so that businesses can focus on their customers”, said Smith.
Woodward engaged the students with discussions about different types of ice and their uses, sanitation and safety, ice usage estimations by industry, and how to select the right size ice machine. “Visiting with Jim reinforced the importance of treating ice with the same level of importance as any other food item in the commercial kitchen, and types of hazards from lack of sanitation and care of ice machines”, Smith added.
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“These students are future chefs and restaurateurs. It’s fun to see them get excited learning about the details of commercial ice machines and other restaurant equipment”, said Woodward. “They seem to understand that the customer experience is what brings customers back, not the ice. And partnering with an end-to-end restaurant ice machine partner that takes care of everything (Easy Ice) is more beneficial to their future businesses than owning a commercial ice maker”.
Easy Ice is committed to education and kids’ causes and recently donated $2500 to Chef Robert Irvine’s charitable organization helping disadvantaged kids in South Carolina. “I know it’s cliche, but young people really are our future. At Easy Ice, we’re committed to supporting organizations like ProStart and helping kids achieve their dreams”, added Woodward.
About Easy Ice
Easy Ice is the only national company offering all-inclusive commercial ice machine subscriptions. Partnerships with Hoshizaki and Manitowoc allows Easy Ice to provide a complete end-to-end solution for industries that depend on ice. Subscriptions include all preventive maintenance, repairs, standard ice machine water filter replacements, ice machine cleanings and free breakdown ice.
Subscriptions are affordable and businesses across the country are choosing Easy Ice subscriptions over buying or leasing ice machines.
ProStart is a nationwide 2 year high school program developing future chefs and foodservice leaders through partnerships with industry. Students earn certification through hands-on training, teaching them the skill they need to succeed in the restaurant and hospitality fields.
ProStart is part of the National Restaurant Association’s Educational Foundation.
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As the Co-Founder and COO of Easy Ice, John Mahlmeister has been working in the commercial ice machine industry since 2009. Co-headquartered in Phoenix, AZ and Marquette, MI, Easy Ice is the only national provider of full-service ice machine subscriptions in the industry. Since Easy Ice was founded, the number of ice machines under its management has grown to over 30,000 units across 47 states, with no signs of slowing down.