Latest news with #iQ
The Independent
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
ResQ - Turning data into action for an unbeatable customer experience
Despite the sector moving rapidly into an AI-powered era, human conversation is still critical in managing customer service and sales. Every interaction counts, and relying on sample-based QA or outdated coaching models is no longer enough. ResQ is an outsourced call centre business, and iQ is its next-generation AI platform that helps service businesses elevate the performance of their people and their processes. Built by a contact centre, specifically for contact centres, it provides real-time visibility, actionable insight and quality assurance across 100 per cent of customer interactions. Many contact centre businesses are focused on using AI to automate customer interactions and drive down cost. ResQ's focus isn't on replacing people – it's about supporting them to perform at their very best. IQ listens to every call, flags risk, tracks sentiment and identifies what top-performing agents are doing differently and shares it across the team. This empowers managers to coach with precision, not guesswork, and gives agents timely feedback they can act on straight away. ResQ's blue-chip clients are benefitting from increased first-call resolution and conversion rates, reduced cost-to-serve through more efficient operations, fewer compliance breaches, reduced risk exposure and faster onboarding and upskilling of agents with intelligent coaching tools. When teams are supported by the right technology, they're more confident, more consistent, and more commercially effective. Unlike many generic AI tools, ResQ iQ is contact-centre specific, system-agnostic and easy to integrate into existing workflows. It delivers the kind of clarity and oversight that helps you scale without losing control – whether your operation is onshore, offshore, in-house or outsourced. By surfacing data you can trust and turning it into action at the point of need, ResQ iQ helps leaders focus on what really matters: improving outcomes, reducing risk and creating better customer experiences – all without adding headcount or overhead. In a world where AI is often used to automate conversations, ResQ iQ uses it to improve them. It's about making sure every customer interaction, no matter who answers the call, meets the standard your brand demands and your customers expect.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Happy Belly Food Group's iQ Food's QSR Announces the Signing of a Franchisee and Real Estate Location for the City of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 18, 2025) - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company"), a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands across Canada is pleased to announce the signing of a new franchise agreement and the securing of a prime real estate location in Toronto's Avenue and Lawrence area. This milestone marks the third brand within our portfolio to become operational in this high-potential neighborhood. The upcoming location is expected to open in late Q3 of this year and will be led by a seasoned multi-unit franchisee who currently owns and operates several Heal Wellness restaurants across Toronto. The brand launching at this site will be iQ Food Co. ("iQ"), a Toronto-based QSR concept known for its vibrant selection of nourishing, clean-eating dishes-including healthy bowls, smoothies, sandwiches, soups, and salads-crafted to appeal to a wide range of tastes and lifestyles. Happy Belly 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: "Our rapid expansion of the iQ Food's brand reflects both our strong execution capabilities and the significant untapped potential we saw in the concept prior to acquisition," said Sean Black, Chief Executive Officer of Happy Belly. "Since completing our 100% acquisition of iQ on September 18, 2024-at which time the brand operated four locations-we have acted swiftly to scale the business. Key milestones include the appointment of Randall Papineau, former VP of Growth and Operations at FRESH Restaurants, as President of Emerging Brands; opened a location in partnership with Oliver & Bonacini at the Queen's Cross food court in CF Toronto Eaton Centre; and the signing of three area development agreements to fuel nationwide growth. These agreements will bring a combined total of 65 new iQ locations to Canada-20 in Alberta, 25 in Ontario, and 20 in British Columbia. This momentum affirms our confidence in the brand and positions iQ for sustained national expansion." Happy Belly 2 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: "Today marks a significant milestone with the first franchise agreement signed under our 65-unit area development plan for iQ. This will mark the seventh (7th) iQ location to open and operate this year, representing a 75% increase in unit count and putting us on track to double system sales within just 12 months of acquiring the brand. It reflects our commitment to growing iQ through disciplined, organic expansion, with a clear focus on key urban markets across Canada. iQ has firmly established itself as a leader in the premium healthy eating category, strategically located in high-density urban and business districts. With a strong and growing base of health-conscious customers-ranging from downtown professionals to local residents-the brand is also scaling its catering services to extend its reach. This strategy continues to drive brand awareness, customer loyalty, and sustained word-of-mouth growth." Happy Belly 3 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: "As we enter the second half of 2025, our focus remains on accelerating growth through organic development and targeted acquisitions. With a growing pipeline of restaurants across Canada, we expect to announce new projects in the coming months as we secure additional franchise partnerships and premium real estate. These efforts mark meaningful progress toward our goal of building a disciplined, scalable growth platform. Happy Belly currently has 551 contractually committed retail franchise locations-spanning planning, construction, and operational-and we continue to expand this pipeline into 2025 and 2026 by aligning with the right partners and sites."We are just getting started. About iQ Food Co. iQ is a flagship brand in Canada's premium healthy eating market and is strategically located in urban and central business districts. iQ serves a variety of delicious and wholesome food options such as healthy bowls, smoothies, sandwiches, soups, and salads, along with other flavorful clean-eating dishes that the whole family can enjoy. iQ caters to thousands of health-conscious customers from local businesses, while expanding into catering services to service an even greater audience in downtown densely populated areas. This strategy has fostered strong brand recognition and a loyal customer base driven by word-of-mouth and, most importantly, satisfied customers. FranchisingFor franchising inquiries please see or contact us at hello@ About Happy Belly Food GroupHappy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company") is a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands across Canada. Happy Belly 4 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Sean BlackChief Executive Officer Shawn MonizChief Operating Officer FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:www: or email hello@ you wish to contact us please call: 1-877-589-8805 Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release, which has been prepared by management. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-Looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur and include the future performance of Happy Belly and her subsidiaries. Forward-Looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the business plans for Happy Belly described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis and other disclosure filings with Canadian securities regulators, which are posted on To view the source version of this press release, please visit
The Herald Scotland
05-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Build skyscrapers as tall as you want, just stop building eyesores
In theory, yes, this is a good thing. Parameters will hopefully prevent dull 30-storey eyesores from sprouting up where they don't belong. The 'Map of Appropriateness' has designated Cowcaddens, Anderston, Trongate, Gorbals and Tradeston as the most desirable places to plonk these new beasts. By all means, use these things to hide the M8 wherever possible. Then there is the design guidance. If you read between the lines, it seems to say, we are sorry that the majority of new developments we have allowed to go forward are utterly monstrous, bland monuments to bad taste that reveal just how little some of these companies care about Glasgow. The iQ Student Accommodation complex at 225 Bath Street comes to mind. Our city's new skyscrapers should be slim, elegant, and vertical. Everything should be high quality, chosen with care. There is no 'right' way to do it, no particular shape – just please stop with the blocky, heavy beige units, the guidance reads. These new towers should have three distinct sections at the base, middle and top. No more monoliths. They should be topped with a distinctive crown, nature-based solutions are encouraged, and please build them a step back from the street so they don't dominate the landscape. This is progress, finally. For far too long the city and its successive administrations have been hamstrung by a lack of confidence and cash. They seem to operate with the gusto of a spotty teenager at their first school disco. Forget fun, adventure, anything interesting. Glasgow has slipped into a pattern of uncontroversial, safe, defensive design in all categories. On a local government level, this lack of design ambition, from the Glasgow 850 graphics to the George Square redevelopment, has led to an epidemic of ugliness. Then there's the fact that most architecture is led by developers so, the cheaper the better. Maximise units, minimise costs. It would be nice to live in a city where the folk steering the ship had a bit of pizzazz. Now, the whole point about encouraging taller buildings is to try and get our city centre population back up to a sustainable level again. To make Glasgow a thriving metropolis, to compete with other European cities by taking over the sky. Forget about the derelict and empty buildings that could be brought back into use for a moment, and let's focus on the future. The sunny Glasgow Sky City future promoted in the 3D renders. Skyscrapers can be beautiful, and many of them are. I love a city break where your eye is drawn to a mix of different building designs. Architecture that challenges your imagination, plays with your perception and takes the breath right out of your lungs. Humans sure can build some incredible landmarks. And beautiful cities inspire visitors. And visitors spend money in the local economy. The mysterious, shambolic Glasgow Tower observation deck could soon have some competition. Picture: Christine MontgomeryTall buildings might also give Glasgow a chance to correct its past blunders in vertical tourism. French firm Magnicity, which operates observation decks in Paris, Rotterdam, Berlin and Chicago, has said they are 'closely following the recent decision by Glasgow City Council to allow skyscraper development in several key areas of the city'. Hervé Cacheur, deputy CEO of Magnicity, described Glasgow as a 'promising destination'. The mysterious, shambolic Glasgow Tower observation deck could soon have some competition. The next stage of this new building policy should be to intertwine it with the never-going-to-happen-at-this-rate Clyde Metro plan. If Cowcaddens, Anderston, Trongate, Gorbals and Tradeston are set to be the city's most densely populated locations, these are the areas where we should be building transport hubs. I've seen it happen in Vancouver, where a series of enormous apartment buildings are dumped in places that cannot cope with any more vehicular traffic. It creates infuriating traffic jams, clogging up previously quiet roads and adding undue stress on urban infrastructure. The Tall Buildings Design Guide is not a silver bullet but rather a long overdue step in the right direction when it comes to developing Glasgow. I want to be optimistic that it will encourage better architecture in the city, but I'm not expecting to live in a photorealistic rendering of the future. There's every chance that Scotland could be on the cusp of a great big building boom, so yes, we need to lay down the law when it comes to how the city looks. Perhaps the next step should be to take it further. Asking for buildings to have three distinct sections is too lenient. Let's enshrine some City Beautiful Urbanism into policy. Overhaul the whole planning department, start thinking about civic pride in grand, sweeping ways, and choose more master planning over piecemeal development. It's fine to take away any limits to how tall our skyscrapers can climb, just make them fun. If we want to welcome these cathedrals of commerce into Glasgow with open arms, please make them beautiful. After all, hell is a place where nothing connects with nothing.
News.com.au
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
12 Best Waffle Makers for a Better Breakfast in 2025
There's a reason why breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day, and as Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation says, 'Why would anyone ever eat anything besides breakfast food?' Sure, you could opt for something nutritious to start your day, but for a morning treat, a stack of waffles just can't be beaten. Unlike making a crepe or pancake, to whip up irresistibly fluffy and golden waffles you really do need a waffle maker. So if you want to surprise mum on Mother's Day with breakfast in bed (or need to give a few hints to the kids), now is the time to buy one. There are multiple waffle makers on the market, but our favourite is the Smart Waffle by Breville. This is the ultimate high tech appliance with all the bells and whistles you could imagine, and it makes delicious waffles for everyone in the family, with 12 browning presets and six waffle settings. We also love the Duraprès Fill N' Flip, which works as a classic waffle maker, or you can make mouth-watering stuffed waffles. The Breville Crisp Control is another great option to cater for all tastebuds, including those who like them soft and fluffy and others who want a crunch. To help you pick the perfect waffle maker, we've tested some of the best on the market and curated our favourites. Read on to find one to suit you and your kitchen. OUR TOP PICKS Best waffle makers What You Need To Know Topping our list is one of the most advanced appliances you can have in your kitchen: the Smart Waffle by Breville. Using Waffle iQ technology, it automatically determines how long it needs to cook based on the waffle type and browning settings you choose, and it will give you a countdown on the LCD screen. You can set your waffle machine to 12 browning levels and choose to make a classic, Belgian, chocolate or buttermilk waffle, or customise your own recipe. This gives you 60 waffle combinations. It is surrounded by a No Mess Moat so if any batter spills over it won't cover your countertop. Plus, the thermal pro heating evenly heats the plates so the sides of your waffles won't be overcooked and the middle won't be raw. Like most Breville appliances, it is also built with an 'A Bit More' button, so you can brown it that extra bit longer without having to restart the machine. Boasting an average 4.8-star rating on Amazon, plenty of shoppers think this Breville waffle maker is more than worth the price. 'So in love with this machine. Makes really great waffles and clean up is super easy,' raves one shopper. They went on to say, 'I was hesitant at first to buy because of the price tag but I feel like it was worth the investment. You can also use it for other things – not just waffles – in order to get the most use of the appliance.' 'Heats up quickly, releases the waffles without a single spot of sticking.' Duraprès Fill N' Flip Waffle Maker. Picture: Rosalyn Fannin/checkout shop now at the good guys Tried and Tested by Rosalyn Fannin, checkout Shopping Writer I'm normally a pancake person – they're simple, quick, filling and you don't need a special machine to make one. But after trying the Duraprès Fill N' Flip, I don't think I'll be going back. This compact waffle maker does double duty, cooking both a regular waffle and stuffed waffle. Making the traditional waffle was easy enough – just fill the well, close the lid, flip, serve when finished and it's job done. But I was surprised how easy it is to make stuffed waffles. It's pretty much the same process, except for placing the 'waffle ring' on top of the bottom plate. I filled the bottom well with the usual amount, dolloped some Nutella and then covered it with more batter. The end result was AMAZING! I also tried a savoury ham and cheese stuffed waffle as a lunchtime treat, and it delivered. The waffle was cooked to perfection, and the cheese was ooey, gooey and delicious. I'm all set for my next batch of waffles, as the maker comes with a recipe for original waffles, red velvet waffles and pizza waffles! It did take a little bit of trial and error. I found that flipping the maker straight away rather than letting it cook initially on the first side resulted in them being a bit lopsided. Greasing the top plate with butter was also a bit tricky at first. But once you get the hang of it and you follow your recipe, you'll make your new favourite meal in no time. My only real criticism is the lack of a timer. There is a light indicator on both sides, but there's no indication when it's time to flip or when it's finished cooking. The manual recommends using a separate kitchen timer, so having one on the machine would have made life a bit easier. Nevertheless, this waffle maker served up some amazingly delicious plain and stuffed waffles. And while it can easily fit in my kitchen cabinets, I think the Fill N' Flip will take up permanent residency on the countertop. 21% OFF What You Need To Know Producing five traditional heart-shaped Scandinavian waffles, the Crisp Control by Breville is the perfect appliance to suit everyone's tastebuds. The variable temperature controls let you choose from multiple darkness settings – there are 25 levels. So if you prefer your waffles crispy but someone else likes them fluffy and another is somewhere in the middle, everyone is catered for. It also gives you some leeway to experiment with different waffle recipes and textures to find which setting satisfies your sweet tooth and what works best for savoury meals. Tried and Tested by Kara Byers, eCommerce Content Lead We're a family of waffle lovers, but because we all like them cooked differently - and have limited space in our kitchen - buying a waffle maker always felt just a bit too hard. Until this nifty little number caught my eye - lovely looking, compact, PFOA-free and with a variety of cook settings - ideal for our needs. As with all appliances, there's a knack to it. You definitely need to preheat it before use (trust me, don't wing it), make sure you pour the batter right in the middle so it spreads evenly and, don't believe what you read on cook time - I found 3.5 minutes on dark cooked a medium crisp waffle (not the 21/2 to 3 as stated in the instruction manual). It heats up fast, never sticks, makes super cute heart-shaped waffles and is so easy to clean. When the box arrived from Amazon, my three year old daughter and my partner were both equally excited to see it, their reactions made me excited to use it and it's not waned once since then. I have never eaten so many - perfect - waffles in my life. I love using this low-tox appliance and my family absolutely love eating the waffles it makes too. Yum. Best vertical waffle makers What You Need To Know Sunbeam has earned their reputation in the kitchen appliance world as reliable, easy to use and selling at a decent price point. The Shade Select Vertical Waffle Maker ticks all these boxes. It sits upright on your bench, where you pour the batter into its funnel-like spout. Prior to cooking, you can choose from five browning or 'shade' options. Once full, the auto-detection feature will start counting down the timer and display on the LCD screen how long is left until the waffle is fully cooked and ready to eat. Tried and Tested by Tahnee-Jae Lopez-Vito, checkout Senior Shopping Writer I've always been a little hesitant to purchase a waffle maker since they tend to look messy, bulky and a batter explosion waiting to happen, but this Sunbeam waffle maker has changed my mind. I absolutely love how the funnel makes it so much easier to pour compared to making pancakes in a pan, especially when you can adjust the fluffiness and crispiness with a simple twist of the knob. The timer is also a nice, convenient touch. Plus, it just looks fantastic on the kitchen bench and doesn't take up much space. What You Need To Know This Cuisinart smart waffle maker is a fan favourite appliance, with 4.5-star ratings at both The Good Guys and Myer. This is thanks to its no-spill spout for easy clean-up, audible alerts after cooking and its three year manufacturer's warranty. Included with the machine is a measuring scoop to get the perfect amount of waffle batter each time and a recipe book, so you can make a wide range of waffles to suit everyone. These include recipes for those who are gluten free, or options for those wanting to try something a little different, like polenta and chive waffles and buckwheat waffles. Tried and Tested by Julia Tanevski, Social and Content Producer This waffle maker makes it so much easier to fill the machine with the perfect amount of batter every time, minus the mess! If you're like us and have family members with different waffle-cooking preferences (we're on team ultra-crispy here), the five different browning settings allow you to choose exactly how well done you would like your waffles to be cooked. And it sits vertically, meaning it's awesome for easy storage in our appliance-cluttered kitchen. What You Need To Know Big enough to feed the whole family, this Cuisinart Waffle Maker can make four thick Belgian waffles in one go. It's super simple to use thanks to the light indicator. It turns green when preheated and ready to cook, then red when it's cooking and then back to green when it's time to serve. You can also choose from five browning settings via the control knob under the light. While cooking, the locking system keeps the lid closed and in position to prevent any leaks and spills. When you've finished, it's easy to store as the power cord wraps around the maker and it can stand upright. Averaging a 4.9-star rating at Kitchen Warehouse, many cooking aficionados can't get enough. One Amazon shopper said 'I'm so impressed that I've jumped online, two days after purchase, just to tell everyone that this Cuisinart 4 capacity waffle maker is perfect,' adding 'every single waffle has turned out great.' Another called it a 'Brilliant waffle maker. 4 super thick, Belgian style waffles in minutes! Even baking, crisp control scale, stores upright to reduce cupboard space. Simply perfect!' Best mini waffle maker JJYP Mini Waffle Maker JJYP Mini Waffle Maker. Picture: Cindy Du/checkout Tried and Tested by Cindy Du, checkout eCommerce Producer If you have the urge to indulge in a waffle but don't want to spend a fortune on a waffle maker, then this is the one for you. It's super easy to set up, made from non-stick material, and foolproof to use – I'm no chef, and while my waffles didn't exactly come out café-worthy, they still tasted amazing. I loved that I could make healthier versions too, from sugar-free to blueberry, and really customise them to my taste. Just keep in mind, it only makes one waffle at a time, so it's not the best option for bigger families or those who host often. And for me, I sometimes had to cycle the waffle through twice (2-5mins) to get that crispy, golden finish I was after. That said, I still managed to whip up a cute little stack of waffles. Plus, it barely takes up any benchspace, a huge bonus. Because it's basically just a hotplate, I even cooked an omelette shaped like a waffle, which of course is just a fun shape to eat. To be completely honest, this isn't the most top-quality waffle maker on the market, but for around $25, it's a great little buy if you don't want to spend big and you're just after something to satisfy the occasional (or daily) waffle craving. Best waffle maker for families What You Need To Know The Cuisinart Waffle Dippers machine is a great option for making breakfast, brunch, dessert, birthday party treats or a sweet snack. It makes six crispy waffle sticks that you and your kids can dip into your favourite sauces and toppings for the ultimate sugar rush. There are five browning settings to suit everyone's preferred taste and texture, along with red and green indicator lights so you know when it's ready to cook and serve. Topping it off is its two year warranty, which is just the icing on the cake. 'I love this product,' raves one Myer shopper. 'All you need to do is pour in the batter, close the lid and wait for the green light to flash, and you've made some delicious waffles!' Another customer called it a 'cute little waffle maker is easy to use and clean. And it's great for making snacks!' Best easy-to-clean waffle maker Breville the No-mess Waffle, $169 (down from $259) at Amazon Australia SAVE $90 Breville the No-mess Waffle Breville the No-mess Waffle. Picture: Amazon Australia $169 AT AMAZON AU Other ways to buy: $199 AT BING LEE $207.20 AT MYER $209 at breville What You Need To Know This no mess waffle maker by Breville is surrounded by a moat to prevent your batter from overflowing onto your kitchen counters. It also cooks the batter that's split over so you can nibble on these little bits of waffle. There are seven browning settings to customise the crispiness of your waffles, including 'light and fluffy' or 'golden and crispy.' The light indicator lets you know when it's ready to cook, and it will cook waffles evenly every time using the thermal pro heated plates. This machine has received plenty of rave reviews online. One Amazon reviewer enjoyed its functionality, saying, 'We LOVE the little drip tray (moat) that runs around the outside of the cook surface … no messy batter dribbling down the outside of the machine. Used the batter recipe in the owner's manual and it made 8 LARGE waffles.' Another said they experimented with the different browning settings and made their perfect waffle, saying 'this waffle iron is the best we've ever used by a mile. 'Heats up and cooks quickly and evenly, and the spill over rim is really useful. Have had no issues with sticking, and though the plates are not removable, it is easy to clean. It's a bit pricey, but if you're into waffles, it's worth it.' Best multipurpose waffle maker Healthy Choice 3-in-1 Sandwich, Panini and Waffle Maker, $59.95 (down from $79.95) at Amazon Australia 25% OFF Healthy Choice 3-in-1 Durable Sandwich, Panini and Waffle Maker Healthy Choice 3-in-1 Sandwich, Panini and Waffle Maker. Picture: Amazon Australia $59.95 AT AMAZON AU Other ways to buy: $79.15 AT WOOLWORTHS $79.95 AT MYER What You Need To Know You can pretty much make all your meals for the day using the versatile Healthy Choice waffle maker. It is one of the most useful kitchen appliances available, with the ability to cook waffles, sandwiches and paninis when switching between the removable plates. The light indicator lets you know when it's ready for your batter and when it's finished cooking, plus the cool to touch handles lock the lid in place for more even cooking. It's flat design also makes storage easy. Tried and Tested by Marina Karris, Senior Content and Social Video Producer for This clever space-saving appliance has three interchangeable plates, so you can swap between the sandwich, waffle and grilling functions, then clean with ease. Not only can it whip up jumbo jaffles and crispy waffles, but it can also grill a juicy steak! Simply switch between the three large removable plates depending on what you're cooking. Once you're done, detach the non-stick cooking plates and wash in warm, soapy water. Gone are the days of awkwardly angling the sponge into the waffle/jaffle maker's nooks and crannies to fish out those year-old breadcrumbs. Best novelty waffle maker KITment Heart Mini Waffle Maker, $20.39 at Amazon Australia KITment Heart Mini Waffle Maker KITment Heart Mini Waffle Maker. Picture: Amazon Australia $20.39 at amazon au What You Need To Know This little machine loves you just as much as you love waffles, by cooking one heart-shaped waffle for you to enjoy. It is extremely compact and lightweight, so it's super easy to store. Or you can pack it to take along on your next caravan trip or when you're staying at an Airbnb during a holiday and want to share the waffle love. Most of the five-star reviewers on Amazon love it's smaller size and think it's the best feature. 'Certainly IS a small waffle maker! About the size of an adult woman's palm, but that is fine and all you need if single with not much storage space,' says one shopper. Another added it 'Makes great waffles and is tiny (which is what I wanted) it's about the size of a Big Mac. Highly recommend.' Best waffle iron Nordic Ware Cast Aluminium Stovetop Belgian Waffler, $115.83 on Amazon Australia Nordic Ware Cast Aluminium Stovetop Belgian Waffler Nordic Ware Cast Aluminium Stovetop Belgian Waffler. Picture: Amazon Australia $115.83 AT AMAZON AU What You Need To Know Designed to cook directly on the stovetop, the Nordic Ware cast aluminium waffle iron is the ideal waffle maker if you're looking to go old school. Instead of fiddling with cords and settings, you just pour in your batter, hold it above the stove, occasionally turn it to cook both sides and it's ready to eat. One Amazon shopper says it 'Works like a charm,' and loves that fact that it 'Doesn't need a cable. Easy to clean and can take it camping!' A second says, 'I bought this couple of weeks ago and I haven't stopped making waffles ever since. 'Weekly waffle making has turned into 3-4 times … ever since this arrived. Makes crispy waffles so easy to cook and remove, easy to clean and store. Best money ever spent.' How we choose our products Multiple cookware and kitchen appliance brands make their own waffle makers. To curate our roundup, our team of experienced writers tried and tested a wide selection of them and gave our honest reviews. We also spent hours reading reviews, ratings and articles from everyday Aussies to see what they thought of their appliances, and weighed up if they are worth the investment based on their size, capacity, settings, functions, how many waffles they can make at a time and price point. What to consider before buying a waffle maker Size: Most waffle makers can take up a decent amount of space on your kitchen counter or inside your cabinets. They can also be heavy and bulky. Always check the dimensions and weight of the waffle maker before you buy to make sure it is suitable for your kitchen. Waffle type: You can cook waffles in several ways with many different recipes and types to choose from, including Belgian waffles, stuffed waffles, thick waffles or thin waffles. However, the type of waffle you make will also come down to the capabilities of the machine. See what types of waffles your maker can cook up and its settings. Plates: Some more versatile waffle makers have the ability to remove the waffle wells and add other plates to cook different meals. These removable plates also make for easy cleaning. Check if the plates can be removed or if your maker can only be used for waffles. Number of waffles: If you are feeding the family, you'll need a lot of batter and a maker that's up to the challenge. Look for waffle makers that can cook multiple waffles at once to increase efficiency. If you're just cooking for yourself or a couple of people, a mini waffle maker should be sufficient. Settings and features: While a regular waffle maker will have some basic power settings and perhaps a light indicator, more advanced models will come with a multitude of settings and features. Check to see what features are included, like darkness and temperature settings to make crispy waffles, a steam vent for fluffy waffles and sound alerts to prevent overcooking and leave you with evenly cooked waffles. Power: When making multiple waffles at a time (and why wouldn't you?), you need a maker with enough power to cook them fast and thoroughly. Look for waffle makers that have a higher wattage of around 1000 to 1500 watts to get the job done faster. Clean-up: Making waffles can get messy, and it's worse when they stick to the plates and bits of waffle are left to burn. Make sure it has a non-stick coating to help lift your waffles from the plates. It's also a great idea to buy a maker that has a moat-like feature to prevent the batter overflowing onto your kitchen counter. Price: A basic waffle maker can cost around the $50 mark, but if you're after all the high tech features and settings, you'll need to spend a few hundred dollars. Weigh up whether all the additional features are worth the added cost or if you're willing to spend less to get a slightly lower quality maker. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AMERICAN STYLE WAFFLES AND BELGIAN WAFFLES? American style waffles and Belgian waffles are two of the most common waffle types, and while they have subtle differences between recipes, they typically have different textures, shapes and thicknesses. Traditional waffles are thin and crispy. Similar to pancakes, they are made with baking powder and taste sweet even before you add your toppings and condiments. Their pockets are not particularly deep, which means your syrup will likely pool in and around the waffle. You'll normally find them on a breakfast menu served with maple syrup. On the other hand, Belgian waffles share the same crispy exterior, but are thick and fluffy on the inside. This is created by using yeast in the recipe rather than baking powder. If you want to make them extra fluffy, you can add some whipped egg whites as well. The pockets are deeper to fit more toppings like fruit and whipped cream, and are often eaten as a dessert rather than at breakfast time. HOW DO YOU MAKE WAFFLE BATTER? A basic waffle batter contains all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, eggs, milk, vegetable oil, a pinch of salt and some vanilla extract. Whisk your wet and dry ingredients into separate bowls and then stir them together until combined. Leave the batter to sit and thicken for about five minutes. Pour the batter into the waffle maker, close the lid and cook according to the manufacturer's instructions. When ready, serve with your favourite condiments, like syrup, butter, fruit or chocolate sauce. If you want to make Belgian waffles, just replace the flour with active dry yeast, use warm milk instead of chilled and let it rise in the fridge overnight rather than resting for a few minutes. IS IT BETTER TO MAKE YOUR OWN WAFFLE BATTER OR USE A STORE BOUGHT MIX? There is no right or wrong answer to this and it all comes down to personal preference. You're in complete control of everything that goes into your own batter. You can choose your ideal flavours and textures and use fresh ingredients to avoid preservatives and additives. You'll also be able to tailor it to your diet, using gluten-free or dairy-free products. The downside is the time it takes to whip up, needing to stock up on all of the ingredients beforehand and there's often more to clean up. Store bought waffle mix is super simple and quick. Most just need some water added and a bit of a mix or stir and it's ready to go. And each time you use it, you'll get the same delicious result. However, many of these mixes use preservatives and additives rather than fresh and natural ingredients. They are also harder to tweak to suit your preferred taste and texture. WHICH TYPE OF WAFFLE MAKER IS BEST? There are a few different types of waffle machines on the market to choose from, each with their own pros and cons that can make them more or less suitable to your kitchen and cooking needs. Classic waffle makers: Produces thin, American style waffles The waffles are usually round or square Are usually smaller and more compact Belgian waffle makers: Makes larger and thicker waffles with an airy texture Are bigger and take up more space in your kitchen Can take longer to cook due to the thickness Vertical waffle makers: Are less likely to leak or overflow Thinner design allows for easy storage Usually only produces Belgian style waffles Interchangeable and removable plate waffle makers: A versatile kitchen appliance to cook multiple types of food Often easier to clean Not specifically designed for waffles, so may not produce the most consistent results CAN YOU BUY A ROTATING WAFFLE MAKER? While rotating or flip waffle makers are still very popular overseas, it is harder to get your hands on one in Australia. This is mainly because most manufacturers internationally make 110 volt waffle machines, whereas Australian appliances use 240V. There has been a recent resurgence in rotating waffle makers after Meghan Markle used a Cuisinart WAF-F30 Round Flip Belgian Waffle Maker on her lifestyle and cooking show With Love, Meghan. It is available on Amazon US, but you will need to pay for shipping and buy an adaptor to use it. The Duraprès Fill N' Flip is one of the best quality flippable waffle maker you can buy in Australia, and is a great alternative, as we found in our tests. CAN YOU COOK WAFFLES ON A STOVE? The short answer is no. Unless your frying pan has waffles plates or wells, you'll be making pancakes instead. Stovetop waffles makers do exist in the form of a waffle iron. They are not as popular as regular waffle makers and requires a lot more effort. You need to hold the iron over the stove and manually flip it over so it cooks evenly on both sides. WHAT ARE THE BEST CONDIMENTS TO EAT WITH WAFFLES? There are no rules to what you can put on your waffles and what tastes the best – it all comes down to what you enjoy most. If you're looking for some inspiration, here are some of the most popular sweet toppings and condiments to use: Maple syrup Butter Whipped cream Ice cream Honey Lemon juice and sugar Fresh fruit, including banana, strawberries, blueberries and raspberries Fruit compote or jam Chocolate sauce or Nutella If you're less of a sweet tooth and are after something more savoury, you can try some of these: Bacon and eggs Avocado Fried chicken Cheese Cream cheese Smoke salmon Sautéed mushrooms Grilled tomatoes More Coverage 'Excellent' coffee machine that's a bargain buy Sellout drink bottle that's 'worth every cent' More kitchen content: Best pancake makers Best rice cookers Best stick blenders Looking for more amazing kitchen appliances to improve your cooking process and make a delicious breakfast? Sign up to our free checkout newsletter to get the latest on all the newest best products as well as the biggest deals and sales events. Rosalyn Fannin Shopping Writer Rosalyn has been working as a shopping writer and producer since 2022, and joined the team in November 2024. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Communications and Media from The University of Notre Dame in 2020. She is an expert in helping buyers get the best bang for their buck and make quality investments, covering a wide range of products - from appliances and tech to fashion and beauty. Her previous media experience includes over three years writing for 9Product Reviews and at Nine Entertainment as well as interning at 2GB and Seven Network. In her downtime, Rosalyn plays The Sims, watches netball and spends time with her nephews, niece and cats.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The Only Way To Make A Side-By-Side Look Cool Is By Putting A Scion iQ Body On It
Side-by-sides are purpose-built off-road toys that are specifically engineered to be durable, safe, capable, and oodles of fun. They're referred to by many names, including UTV, which can either stand for Utility Terrain Vehicle or Utility Task Vehicle. In this case because we're talking about a two-seat UTV, we'll call it a side-by-side. Regardless of what you call them, I've never been a huge fan of side-by-sides, at least until I saw this magnificent Frankenstein build. The Scion iQ is an iconic automotive oddity, partially as it was the world's smallest four-seater when it was sold. It always stood out to me as a cute, silly, and likable engineering exercise. Seeing a lifted one with massive cut-out wheel arches and long-travel suspension mobbing through the desert and gliding over whoops is not only hilarious, but also a million times cooler than seeing some run-of-the-mill side-by-side doing the same thing. My beef isn't so much with side-by-sides as it is with anything that's not a car; I'm not a big motorcycle person, I'm not a big UTV person. For whatever reason, my interest stops pretty much as soon as the vehicle has less than four wheels, and/or as soon as it's not road-legal. I know side-by-sides are brilliant and capable vehicles that can easily compete with and sometimes beat old fashioned 4x4s when the going gets rocky, I'm not questioning that. I just think road-legal vehicles are cooler for some reason. Read more: The 2024 Lexus GX 550 Turned Me Into A Believer The off-roaders at All American Sender have had this Scion iQ for a while now, with minimal modifications like all-terrain tires and coilover suspension to give it some basic off-road capability. After two seasons of sending it harder than an iQ has ever been sent before, the humble city car finally gave up the ghost. Rather than attempting to revive the car with a new powertrain, they made the decision to strip it down and bolt the iQ body structure onto a manual 2019 Yamaha YXZ side-by-side. The 2019 Yamaha YXZ 1000R has a fuel-injected 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine that produces 110 horsepower and is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. It also has selectable 4x4 drive modes, a locking front differential,13.2 inches of ground clearance, and four-corner independent double wishbone suspension with 16.2 inches of travel up front and 17 inches of travel at the rear. Dropping the iQ body onto this platform is a massive undertaking, but it produces the coolest side-by-side ever. Unfortunately, the build isn't very well documented on the All American Sender YouTube channel as of now. There is footage of the completed build on their Instagram and on YouTube Shorts, so they may upload the remainder of the build soon. I get a ton of joy out of watching it mob through the desert on their Instagram, so maybe it will tickle you too. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
