Stem Locks Protects Against The Unexpected : New Product Is A Game-changer For The Food And Beverage Industry

Stem Locks (www.StemLocks.com) is a revolutionary new patent-pending product that will virtually eliminate the hassle and expense of stemware breakage and spillage. Designed and invented by veteran restaurateur, Leonard Cohen, the Stem Locks system is comprised of no-slip clips that lock on to most popular non-stick service trays and hold stemware firmly in place, preventing against unexpected mishaps between the kitchen or bar and a diner's table. A brief video has been developed to demonstrate the unique qualities and benefits of Stem Locks at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9OGsuNCRDc

Cohen was raised in the restaurant industry, currently owns two popular fine dining establishments on California's Central Coast, and has owned wineries in the past. His idea for Stem Locks was born on New Year's Eve at his downtown San Luis Obispo establishment, Ciopinot.

"We were serving one-hundred and fifty flutes of Champagne to our guests, and the entire wait staff was buzzing around the dining room," he recalls. "Someone shoved a chair out in front of a server, who attempted to steady one flute on her tray and ended up spilling everything onto the ground. As we mopped up the mess, I thought, 'Someone should invent something to prevent situations like this.'"

Cohen began researching existing products that might help prevent such headaches, but failed to find anything sufficiently cost-effective or flexible to implement in his businesses. Estimating that each tray in his restaurants cost him around $200 per year in stemware breakage alone, he started dreaming up a device of his own. The result is a kit of five sturdy plastic clips, a strap to affix to the underside of a tray (allowing the server to tip the tray any direction without toppling stemware), two adhesive anchors to hold the strap, and a spacing tool for strap placement.

"I was fortunate to have a restaurant where I could test prototypes," says Cohen. "My two lead servers used prototypes for six months, which we tweaked considerably along the way."

In the end, Cohen says that the device exceeded the expectations of wait staff, as well as his own. "We found that the Stem Locks went completely unnoticed by customers, and that bussing tables was especially efficient."


Stem Locks are extremely affordable to adopt, as each clip is universally adaptable to most serving trays. Furthermore, Stem Locks can potentially save businesses thousands of dollars in stemware, as well as other expenses like wine spillage, dry cleaning, complimentary dishes for guests, and the potential liability of broken glass.
Cohen is proud that Stem Locks is made in California, produced from recycled plastics, and distributed through Sysco, the global leader in food distribution to the service and hospitality industries. Wholesale distribution is coordinated through Sysco's private supplies and equipment provider, Supplies on the Fly (www.SuppliesOnTheFly.com). For access to Stem Locks, buyers should contact their local Sysco sales representative or go directly to www.SuppliesOnTheFly.com. Additionally, Stem Locks� are available to consumers via Instawares (www.Instawares.com).


"I think of Stem Locks as a seat belt," Cohen says. "No matter how experienced a driver you are, you need a seat belt to prevent against the unexpected. When I show veteran servers how the Stem Locks work, they usually roll their eyes and say, 'Hmmm, where were these when I worked in the industry. These sure would have saved a lot of spilled drinks, broken glass and unhappy customers?!?'"


About Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen was born into a restaurateur family on California's picturesque Central Coast. At the age of six ye