Technology has had a significant impact on our lives in recent years, more so than perhaps in the previous 50. All sectors have had to reinvent themselves, especially with the advent of the Internet, which has led to unprecedented globalization. While this has enabled the marketing of products from one end of the world to the other, it has also highlighted the need for new human resources capable of using these technologies to benefit the company.

And while the raw materials used in the restaurant industry are inextricably linked to the skill of the chef and his team, the food industry has similarly had to digitalize: smart technologies and languages ​​have transformed the various aspects of the restaurant industry at a rapid pace, leading chefs and owners themselves to reformulate their business plans with Catering 4.0.

Like a mechanical or textile company, the new restaurateur must necessarily deal with management software, advertising through digital channels, and latest-generation machinery to monitor performance and make the right decisions, improve customer relationships, and provide an ever-improving product and service that keeps pace with new needs.

For this reason, many companies have been founded with the mission of supporting businesses throughout the digital transformation process. Marketing, sales, and customer service now go hand in hand, and many restaurants rely on digital consulting firms, such as the Italian company Digital Sales , to provide support in innovating and introducing new processes and methods, creating new value for the company and thus achieving digital transformation.

What are the new technological solutions for restaurateurs?

Let's begin by exploring two exciting new materials gaining popularity in Italian kitchens. The first is smart paint, which incorporates sanitizing and disinfecting agents to reduce bacterial growth by more than 99% and ensure the highest levels of hygiene on countertops without the use of harsh detergents. This new technology is particularly valuable today, where sanitization and hygiene are top priorities in all sectors, especially the restaurant industry.
Still speaking of materials, nanotechnologies, although already in use, are expanding their color palette and becoming a must-have due to their high resistance to scratches, abrasions, and acidic solvents, thanks to their ability to self-regenerate when exposed to heat sources and repair minor surface scratches. Furthermore, being water-repellent and mold-resistant, they not only resist dust but also ensure battery life reduction, which, as with smart paints, is crucial to the current climate.

And for kitchen tools, what are the main innovations?

As far as kitchen equipment is concerned, the main technological innovations essentially concern two main fields:

• Thermostatic circulators (CT) for low-temperature cooking, also known as CBT or sous vide cooking. This technology allows chefs to combine sous vide with the bain-marie technique, ensuring uniform cooking of food and achieving surprising results in terms of quality, tenderness, and flavor. This uniform cooking process preserves all the organoleptic and color properties of the food, thanks to the lack of oxygen and therefore oxidation. This cooking method also allows for freezing food even for long periods, eliminating waste and saving on supplies , a key trend of the past year and certainly also of 2022. (Should we include links to the 2021 trends that also address waste?)

• Increasingly high-tech ovens allow chefs to manage complex functions much more easily thanks to the ease of use provided by the IoT (Internet of Things). This allows them to choose between different processes and monitor the various kitchen appliances, reducing costs. The LEDs on these new ovens, featuring a different color scheme, allow for the different activated functions to be differentiated and monitored with minimal effort. Furthermore, through Wi-Fi and remote connections, the different systems can communicate with each other, a useful feature for large restaurant chains looking to engineer their own systems.

Why invest in technology and smart kitchens?

Naturally, technology can enable process standardization and the ability to produce qualitatively identical dishes, reducing waste due to returned dishes and thus optimizing costs, time, and the team's labor. Not only from a management perspective, but new technological tools have enabled new philosophies among chefs; as reported in the Hyle Restaurant article , chef Davide Oldani, an ambassador of Italian cuisine around the world and holder of two Michelin stars, commented on the use of technology as follows:

“ I'm increasingly focused on the essence of things, on the basic recovery of sensations. For this reason , I'm making extensive use of vaporizers, extractors, and freeze-dryers, all recently purchased machines. Then there's the issue of energy saving, and I'm thinking about the importance of induction cooking [...]”

Technology has thus made it possible to increase the "wow" effect among diners who dine at restaurants; today, customers don't just visit restaurants to eat; they want a 360-degree food experience. It's no longer simply about the food, but about the emotions to be conveyed, the chef's thoughts and philosophy to be conveyed to the diner. It's clear that offering excellent quality food and impeccable service is essential, but the challenge is to engage all of the diners' senses in a journey that begins with the company that supplies the raw ingredients and ends with a well-prepared dish.

Direct contact between company and chef: Online communities are born

For this reason, chefs and restaurateurs have recognized that technology can be a valuable tool for communicating directly with supplier companies, acquiring information on the sustainability of livestock farming, fishing, and products. This attention to information can be achieved through technology, and therefore tools that enable direct contact between companies and chefs, even if they are geographically dispersed.

The first online communities seeking to offer this service are emerging; among them is Conkilia , which created a platform to connect top seafood producers and industry professionals. Through the marketplace, chefs and restaurateurs will have access to product sheets containing all the necessary information—format, processing, origin, sustainability certifications, and usage tips—as well as a dedicated consulting service to support them with any additional information they may need and throughout the purchasing and post-purchase process.

Thanks to the use of technology, professionals will be able to schedule orders, improving inventory management, thus reducing costs and using a product that will always be available without waste or stockouts.

If you want to find out more about the Conkilia platform , register for free and if you don't find what you need or need support, contact us via WhatsApp on 080 442 6081 .