The restaurant industry is inherently tied to the human experience: the taste, smell, and presentation of food have the power to evoke unique emotions and social connections. However, in recent years, this sector has also undergone a digital revolution, radically transforming the way restaurants operate and interact with customers. This phenomenon is known as Food Service 4.0, a term that reflects its alignment with the principles of the fourth industrial revolution. Transformations in the restaurant sector are increasingly driven by new technologies, digitalization, and sustainability, leading to a transformation of all aspects of restaurant activities and the entire professional equipment supply chain.
From digital menus, food delivery, and payment systems with evolved tills, to state-of-the-art equipment for kitchen preparations, digital innovation is the keyword for the restaurant of the future. What does Catering 4.0 have in store for us? Let's try to shed some light on technology and catering.
In particular, we are talking about:
- Food service 4.0: focus on technological innovation
- Food service 4.0: sustainability and energy saving
Do you want to keep up to date with the latest trends in the HoReCa and Household appliance industry? Click on the button below and subscribe to SLIM's bimonthly newsletter to receive the latest updates.
Food service 4.0: focus on technological innovation
Food service 4.0 is based on a strategy of using digital transformation processes to standardize cooking and food preservation methods, reduce waste and management costs, and consequently, improve performance. Technological innovation has revolutionized every stage, from sourcing raw materials to interacting with the customer. Today, technology is fundamental in restaurants: it simplifies work in the kitchen, while at the same time respecting the environment. The companies in the sector that have understood these potential advantages are investing in computerizing all restaurant activities, changing the organization of the kitchen layout, and redefining the professional equipment of cooks and chefs.
What are the changes that have taken place in venues thanks to technology for catering?
1. The IoT (Internet of Things) system for smart ovens
Technology applied to ovens allows cooking functions to be controlled and optimized according to the load inserted and other parameters such as the preheating temperature.
2. Artificial intelligence applied to refrigeration equipment
Refrigeration equipment equipped with digital panels with Wi-Fi connection allows remote control of the switching on, switching off, and temperature of the refrigerator.
3. IoT at the service of coffee machines
App and Bluetooth connection integrated into the new professional coffee machines allow the operation of the device to be controlled remotely. In this way, operators can accurately adjust coffee brewing settings and manage equipment maintenance remotely.
4. The introduction of data-driven cooking
The data collected by the new control systems allow the correct functioning of the equipment used in the kitchen to be monitored and managed remotely.
5. Robotics and automation
Automated systems allow for shortened preparation times while ensuring a consistent level of quality. Among the most significant examples are robotic arms capable of performing operations such as frying, grilling, and even preparing cocktails. These solutions enable restaurateurs to focus on more creative and personalized aspects of the dining experience.
These trends gained momentum in 2021 with Fipe-Confcommercio (Italian Federation of Public Exercises) and EFCEM Italia (association affiliated with Confindustria), also thanks to the Ristorazione 4.0 project aimed at revitalizing the HoReCa sector. This project included incentives and tax benefits for restaurateurs interested in streamlining their professional tools, focusing on energy savings and digitalization within restaurant technology. Today, the evolution is still ongoing, with more and more restaurants adopting cutting-edge technologies to optimize every aspect of their operations and offer a more efficient and personalized service.
If you're a professional in the field and want to delve into lighting solutions for HoReCa equipment, click the button below to download the free brochure.
Food service 4.0: sustainability and energy saving
Food service 4.0 doesn't just focus on technological innovation; it also emphasizes the importance of sustainability and energy saving. This new approach combines operational efficiency with a commitment to reducing the environmental impact of the food industry. Restaurants are adopting sustainable practices such as reducing food waste, using local and seasonal ingredients, and implementing energy resource management systems. Additionally, the introduction of eco-friendly technologies, such as low-energy consumption equipment and water recycling systems, is helping to reduce restaurants' ecological footprint. Food service 4.0 not only aims to improve the efficiency and profitability of the sector but also to promote a more sustainable and responsible food industry. The equipment of the future is a combination of technological innovation and sustainability, while also considering aesthetic design.
Equipment manufacturers must make the right choices to manage and guide this ongoing change. The current challenge in the food equipment sector lies in combining connectivity, environmental responsibility, and energy saving. These themes emerged during the latest Host 2023 Fair, the premier international hub dedicated to the hotel and food service world. For industry professionals, it was an opportunity to delve into the theme of innovation in catering, shedding light on the latest developments and technologies in terms of equipment. Discussions revolved around newly conceived electronics and hi-tech machinery with automated functions, as well as equipment with renewed aesthetic lines to meet functional, ergonomic, and aesthetic aspects.
At SLIM S.r.l. we can support companies in the HoReCa sector by offering different possibilities to customize kitchen equipment, through a proposal of innovative lighting components and solutions focusing on energy saving. Panel light indicators (standard or vandal-proof), micro LED spotlights, and optical fibre light profiles are just some solutions that can be integrated into new professional equipment, supporting functionality and aesthetics.
Are you looking for a reliable partner to support you in the design and development of lighting solutions for food service equipment? Click on the button below and feel free to contact us! An expert from our technical department will be pleased to evaluate your request together.
