What is simmering in the kitchens of commercial establishments?
It isn’t just the development of new recipes or the sampling of exotic ingredients; it's the wave of technological innovation that is sweeping across the culinary landscape, reshaping how food is prepared, presented, and experienced.
The technological revolution in the kitchens of hotels, restaurants and catering services (HoReCa) is more than that of efficiency or environmental responsibility. It's about empowering chefs to push the limits of their creativity, blending age-old traditions with innovative techniques to create dishes that are a feast for all the senses. In this new era, commercial kitchens are transforming into labs of innovation, where technology and tradition dance in harmony to create culinary masterpieces.
Chef Somsak Rarongkum, President of the Thailand Chef Association, said that the market is growing because people are spending more on dining and Chefs are experimenting with international cuisines. He added that THAIFEX - HOREC Asia will expose industry insiders to the latest culinary trends and equipment.
Huge showcase of Kitchenware
To see one of the largest showcases of kitchenware brands that are redefining cooking with innovative precision instruments, look no further than THAIFEX - HOREC Asia, open from the 6th until the 8th of March 2024 at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, Thailand.
Exhibitor UNOX sell ovens that feature digital operating systems to let you control your equipment remotely and use Artificial Intelligence to apply feedback to cook every ingredient exactly the way you want henceforth. Learn about CHEFTOP-X, one of the most powerful combi ovens that provides speed, quality, and energy savings. It is Digital ID enabled, the most advanced operation system ever installed in an oven, with a fast and intuitive interface with hyper-connection functions powered by artificial intelligence. Or discover BAKERTOP-X, a professional high-performance combi oven equipped with a state-of-the-art operating system and intelligent technology designed to perfectly handle any pastry and bakery cooking process. Artificial Intelligence enables the oven to recognize food and start the right baking program automatically. It can communicate and listen to the chefs, and learn how to act independently, advising how to achieve the desired results in the most effective way possible in terms of speed, quality, and energy savings.
In Southeast Asia, the current demand for commercial kitchenware is particularly derived from quick-service restaurants. Statista has estimated the market is worth US$276.7 million.
It would be difficult to find a fast food restaurant that does not have a Merry Chef oven. Merry Chef Ovens produce food true to taste fast and efficiently. With the largest cavity and the smallest footprint of high-speed ovens, Merry Chef ovens deliver ultra-fast speeds, up to 80 percent faster than other cooking methods. Imagine getting a 16" pizza in 90 seconds.
Among modern kitchens' sleek counters and gleaming knives, there is advanced technology like Hobart dishwashers, a symbol of sustainability and respect for resources. These innovations are a testament to the deep-rooted ethos of efficiency and environmental consciousness that has been growing among Chefs and Restaurateurs to bring about cleanliness without wasting precious water in the kitchen.
Smart dishwashers, like Winterhalter state-of-the-art cleaning solutions, can also adapt and optimise their functions based on the load, ensuring that every plate and utensil is sparkling clean, ready for the next serving of delicious food.
Automation
At THAIFEX - HOREC Asia, visitors will discover how automation to transforming the lives of Chefs. For example, precise control over temperature and cooking duration means that Chefs can deliver consistent results. Consistency results in creative dishes that can be replicated perfectly every time, which is crucial in professional culinary settings.
Equipment that can be controlled remotely and even with voice lets Chefs control the cooking process while free to do other things, like exploring new cooking techniques, which leads to innovative dishes and unique flavour profiles.
There will be a plethora of new, small and powerful gadgets, such as smart thermometers and scales, that enhance the cooking experience by providing precise temperature control and ingredient measurements. They help advance the development of new techniques that result in the creation of visually stunning dishes with unique textures and forms, significantly enhancing the visual and tactile sensory experiences for diners.
At culinary schools like Lenôtre, students are trained in the latest equipment and techniques. Chef Frederic Tual, Chef instructor at Lenôtre Culinary School in Bangkok Thailand, a THAIFEX - HOREC Asia Partner, said to make good food, you need to have good equipment.
Healthy & Plant-based Cooking
Healthy and plant-based menus can easily be developed with up-to-date kitchen equipment.
At THAIFEX - HOREC Asia, there are brands of Steam Ovens that help enhance and preserve colour, flavours, and nutrients, retaining moisture, colour, and nutrients better than traditional cooking methods. Steam Ovens minimise the need for calorific cooking oils and butter and are versatile for preparing a wide range of nutritious dishes, including grains and vegetables. Plus, steam ovens can bake foods without drying them out.
There are also advanced sous vide cookers that let flavours gently intensify in a vacuum-sealed environment, lending dishes depth and complexity.
Fusion & Global Flavours
Recent trends in integrating global flavours and fusion cuisine are facilitated by equipment that supports diverse cooking techniques. For example, multi-cookers that pressure cook, slow cook, or steam help chefs to experiment, merging different culinary traditions into innovative fusion cuisine.
Sustainability
In progressive kitchens, there is a heightened emphasis on reducing carbon footprint.
Changing old equipment to state-of-the-art equipment has benefits in terms of operating expenses and regulatory compliance.
Energy-efficient appliances and sustainable practices can reduce utility bills. Compliance with regulations can provide benefits such as tax incentives and rebates. Plus, consumers want to know the kitchen’s practices and show favour to those who demonstrate environmental responsibility.
THAIFEX - HOREC Asia exhibitors, including Franke Foodservice Systems from the Philippines, Thai Steward Services, and Epta, industrial groups that offer services and commercial refrigeration, will demonstrate energy-efficient HoReCa solutions.
A push towards sustainability has also spurred innovation in the materials used in kitchen design, waste management systems, and cleaning systems. Many of the brands on show at THAIFEX-HOREC ASIA 2024 have helped to change the way how water, food, and other resources are used, which will ensure their availability in the long term. Such resources are crucial for the ongoing viability of food service businesses. Furthermore, reducing the use of harmful chemicals in cleaning and maintenance enhances the health of workers and customers alike.
Food packaging that is clean, safe, and environmentally friendly is equally important. At THAIFEX- HOREC Asia, exhibitors such as Alterpacks and the Thai Paper Co offer environmentally friendly packaging products. Alterpacks even make use of food waste.
