Appliance pioneer elected to Hall of Fame

The National Kitchen & Bath Association inducted Surjit Kalsi into the Kitchen & Bath Industry Hall of Fame, which honors individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the industry.

Kalsi is chairman of Capital Cooking Equipment. Beginning his professional career in 1957, he has applied his creativity and expertise as a design engineer, and is credited with changing the face of the appliance industry. Kalsi introduced the concept of commercial quality ranges for residential use and developed the world's first all-stainless steel outdoor barbecue line. His vast contributions include the invention of the world's first pyolytic self-cleaning oven, the low input natural gas pilot, the universal gas burner, retention flame burner and the first dual flow gas burner. He is considered one of the foremost experts in cooking range design and manufacturing, according to the NKBA.

"Surjit Kalsi's advancements in appliance technology and design have paved the way for today's popular application of commercial grade ranges in residential kitchens. His products have elevated home cooking to a new level," says David Alderman, NKBA's 2011 president, in a release.

"I am humbled and deeply honored to receive the news that I am to be inducted into the 2011 Kitchen & Bath Industry Hall of Fame," says Kalsi. "It is a rare and uplifting feeling that what I did for survival is being recognized by the NKBA selection committee as 'changing the face of the appliance industry.' I am indebted to the committee."