Innovative 3D food printer cuts food waste and boosts creativity in the kitchen
Last Updated : 17 December 2020Foodini technology set to become a common kitchen tool in ‘’sustainable houses’’
Brussels, 16 December - Barcelona-based Natural Machines developed the first kitchen appliance based on 3D printing technology, called Foodini. The Michelin-starred brothers of Cocina Hermanos Torres introduced the 3D food printer in their kitchen to prepare creative dishes that would be impossible to do by hand. It's also in alignment with the restaurant's sustainable processes, demonstrated by creating a zero-waste dish with the help of the 3D food printer. Not only restaurants but also home kitchen users could benefit from the technology soon. The latest FutureKichen video features Hermanos Torres’ use of Foodini. Funded by EIT Food, the FutureKitchen video series ‘infotains’ (entertain and informs) about food technology.
Creative meal designs and zero waste cooking
After contributing to develop Foodini with Natural Machines, today the Hermanos Torres chefs, Javier and Sergio 3D print around 100 dishes per day. They prepare the food for printing, put it into the Foodini capsules and print their desired shapes. Foodini is a WiFi IoT (Internet of Things) connected kitchen appliance and includes an app with pre-loaded designs. Customers can also design their own creations, save them and print again. Hermanos Torres appreciate that the 3D device allows them to design visually appealing meals that would be impossible to create by hand.
The machine helps them cook in a sustainable way: “Zero waste cooking is a fundamental part of our kitchen.” said Sergio Torres. “We use all the parts of the food which gives us new opportunities in terms of taste and texture. For example, from a fish we even use the skin, the bones and obviously, the meat”, adds his brother Javier Torres.
Future of food with Foodini
The 3D food printer is currently mostly used in professional kitchens, but Lynette Kucsma, Co-founder and CMO of Natural Machines sees it entering our homes, too: “We believe that in 10 to 15 years, 3D food printers will become a common kitchen appliance in both home and professional kitchens, similar to how an oven or a microwave are common appliances in kitchens today. The printer would enable people to become food manufacturers themselves."
An estimated 20% of the total food produced is lost or wasted in the EU. Food technologies such as Foodini help tackle this problem. Instead of manufacturing in a central location and shipping out the final product, the mini-manufacturing kitchen appliance encourages to produce locally and customise the ingredients, e.g. using all food, including those with imperfect appearances. Food that is normally bought packaged can be printed in the amounts and shapes needed.
Foodini can also support users in preparing healthy food as they can determine the ingredients, such as the amount of salt or sugar.
ENDS
The press kit of Natural Machines includes photos and videos showing how Foodini works.
Background
The video is part of the FutureKitchen project funded by EIT Food and launched on FoodUnfolded. The project engages especially a young audience in a conversation about food tech. It aims to make them curious, reflect on our food systems or even consider careers in food tech.
Upcoming videos will cover dysphagia, zero-waste mycoprotein and industrial hemp.
About Food Unfolded
FoodUnfolded, powered by EIT Food, is a global, digital platform that creates and shares original content on the latest food and agricultural innovations. It aims to connect the general public through entertainment and education on the most relevant topics of today, including health, nutrition and sustainability.
About EIT Food
This activity has received funding from EIT Food, the innovation community on Food of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) under Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.
EIT Food is Europe’s leading food innovation initiative, with the aim of creating a sustainable and future-proof food sector. The initiative is made up of a consortium of key industry players, startups, research centers and universities from across Europe. It is one of six Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KIC) established by the European Institute for Innovation & Technology (EIT), an independent EU body set up in 2008 to promote innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe.
Press Contacts
Davide Carrino
Media Manager
EUFIC – European Food Information Council
marie-christine.thurm@eufic.org
Marie-Christine Thurm
Communication – FutureKitchen Virtual Reality Series
EUFIC – European Food Information Council
marie-christine.thurm@eufic.org
Justine Vanhalst
Project lead contact – FutureKitchen Virtual Reality Series
Matís ltd. - Icelandic Food and Biotech R&D
justine@matis.is