MKN Unveils Next Generation OPTIMA: MKN’s Smartest, Safest, Strongest Kitchen Line Yet
Premium kitchen equipment manufacturer MKN has unveiled the next generation of its flagship OPTIMA line, marking a major innovation milestone in professional kitchen technology. Blending state-of-the-art engineering with intuitive design, the new OPTIMA range delivers unparalleled flexibility, safety, and digital integration for today’s demanding culinary environments.
Designed to meet the evolving needs of chefs across hospitality, institutional catering, and maritime sectors, the modular OPTIMA range is built for performance, precision, and practicality. Combining digital and analogue controls, including a stainless premium steel rotary knob, the system offers seamless, ergonomic operation with both high-tech capability and tactile reliability.
“With the new OPTIMA, we are setting a clear strategic milestone in the evolution of professional kitchen technology.” says Wayne Bennett, Regional Vice President, UK & Ireland at MKN. “It not only reflects our decades of expertise but also underscores our unwavering commitment to developing innovative, future-oriented solutions that meet our customers’ needs and drive the industry forward,” he explains.
A standout feature of the range is its enhanced induction technology, allowing for variable power settings, accurate temperature control, and energy-efficient operation. The product line includes a wide array of equipment: from electric deep fat fryers, griddles, and bainmaries, to multicookers, braisieres, infragrills, standing boiling kettles, and modular worktops—all designed to integrate effortlessly into kitchens of any size.
Hygiene and safety remain front and centre. MKN’s patented ‘multi safe connect’ system enables pans to be moved easily and safely between units without lifting, supporting both workflow efficiency and hygiene compliance. The Frysafe electronic safety temperature limiter sets new benchmarks in fryer safety, with built-in fire protection and oil level monitoring.
Fully compatible with MKN’s Cloud ConnectedKitchen®—the same digital platform used in FlexiChef® and MKN combi steamers—OPTIMA enables smart kitchen connectivity, remote monitoring, and data-driven operations. IPX6 water jet protection and the new H2 hygiene cabinet further boost cleanliness and storage safety.
Additional user-focused innovations include one-hand operation for fryers, intelligent knob-and-electronic control interfaces, and simplified installation, all ensuring that kitchen staff benefit from enhanced usability and comfort throughout service.
Complementing the OPTIMA, MKN introduced MKN SteelPlus — a landmark sustainability initiative that positions MKN as a true industry pioneer.
SteelPlus is a new production approach for the manufacturing of all MKN appliances. Using CO₂-reduced stainless steel as an option throughout the entire MKN value chain, delivers an over 40% reduction in CO₂ emissions during stainless steel production (compared to conventionally produced stainless steel in Europe, and an impressive 80% reduction globally). This significant step forward sets a new global standard in thermal professional kitchen technology and underscores MKN’s commitment to environmentally responsible manufacturing.
With the dual focus on technological advancement and environmental responsibility, MKN is not only making life easier and safer for chefs but is also playing a pivotal role in shaping a more sustainable future for the foodservice industry.
In short, the OPTIMA range encapsulates MKN’s mission to lead the future of professional cooking with technology that supports sustainability, safety, and excellence. With over 600 employees based in Wolfenbüttel, Germany, MKN continues to set global standards in premium cooking solutions—trusted by chefs worldwide for their reliability and performance.
