We are a dedicated team of engineers, technicians, culinary arts experts, educators, and energy specialists. We use our expertise to encourage the commercial foodservice industry to become more sustainable in their purchasing decisions and operations.
As Frontier Energy's Foodservice Division, we believe in a diverse energy future invested in conservation, efficiency, and new technology. Our rigorous, unbiased lab and field research is the foundation of everything we do, from our educational events to our program work. As the most highly regarded commercial foodservice testing lab in the United States, we are the leading source of energy efficiency information for the foodservice industry.
What began as a small energy monitoring project in the back of a cafeteria kitchen has evolved into a fully-equipped Center for commercial foodservice energy research and education. The FSTC is owned and operated by Frontier Energy, Inc., a professional energy consulting firm providing exceptional services, programs, and tools that encourage the intelligent use of energy.
Vice President, Frontier Energy
David oversees the day-to-day operations at the FSTC. Over his twenty-plus year tenure, David has been instrumental in overseeing the development and maintenance of over 40 test methods for American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) ratification. He also manages the Center's appliance testing and evaluation program. David is the past Chairman of the ASTM F26 Committee on Food Service Equipment and the acting chairman for the F26.06 Subcommittee on Productivity and Energy Protocols.
Director of Education
Richard is Director of Education at the FSTC. Richard is a contributor to the US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, working with the USGBC to incorporate food service into the LEED criteria. He currently focuses most of his efforts on technical outreach - translating the FSTC's 30 years of research into practical information. Richard has over 25 years of experience creating and presenting seminars on energy efficiency and authoring numerous research reports and articles in magazines, newsletters, and web publications. Richard is the author and creator of the online Foodservice Energy Efficiency Expert (FE3) training and certification program.
Senior Program Manager
Todd Bell is a Senior Program Manager with Frontier Energy’s Food Service Technology Center and is responsible for Frontier Energy’s energy audit/site survey services, which examine the cooking equipment, HVAC, lighting, refrigeration, water heating and sanitation systems in commercial foodservice operations to identify utility saving opportunities. Essentially the “man in the trenches”, Todd visits commercial foodservice sites ranging in size from relatively modest full-service restaurants, to very large production kitchens found in hotels and corporate campus dining facilities. Further duties include speaking engagements at a myriad of energy efficiency and sustainability workshops and seminars designed to help commercial foodservice operators reduce energy use and operating costs. Todd is a primary resource at the FSTC for restaurateurs and architects building new restaurants and commercial foodservice facilities.
Chef Consultant
Mark oversees the "Try Before You Buy" program at the FSTC. With 20 years in the food service industry and 15 years in the kitchen, he is eager to share his knowledge and expertise with the industry. Duesler has experience in a wide variety of full-service restaurants including small family-owned operations, volume and multi-course fine dining, and chef-driven farm-to-table concepts. Given his exposure to multiple dining concepts, Mark has a deep understanding of the unique needs specific to individual operations. Sharing this knowledge with operators allows them to make more informed decisions on proper equipment selection and usage.
Is An Electric Kitchen Worth It?
Nation's Restaurant News, October 2019
The FSTC's Richard Young lends his expertise to this article about the advantages and challenges the foodservice industry faces as it considers the future of electric commercial kitchens.
A Range of Debate
Home Energy Magazine, September 2019
The FSTC's Richard Young adds much needed clarity to the gas vs. induction rangetop debate, emphasizes the goal of reducing carbon through replacing gas space- and water-heaters, and describes the benefits of induction cooking.
Best Practices: Hot Water Delivery Systems
Foodservice Equipment Reports, August 2019
Resident FSTC water expert Michael Slater details the best methods to keep foodservice hot water delivery systems effective and efficient.
As an extension of our mission, the FSTC and Frontier Energy are committed to minimizing the environmental footprint of our operations with regard to solid waste, energy and water consumption, and pollution. We do this by harnessing the collective enthusaism, intelligence, and mindfulness of our team members. We do it because we value human and environmental health, and we recognize that such values are not mutually exclusive with good business practices.
As a certified California Green Business, we are leading by example when it comes to energy, water, and waste reduction.
