AI, delivery, and transparency are shaping the future of our menus

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 Jelle Steenbergen   Sander v.d. Meij

AI

Transparency in food is two-pronged. Blockchain technology is already revolutionizing food safety and supply chains. Programs like the IBM Food Trust use this tamper-proof system of multiple redundant digital ‘ledgers’ to clearly document a product’s path to market and pinpoint any potential problems. A foodborne illness for example can be traced back to its source in literal seconds. 

This development helps meet the growing desire to know what exactly we’re eating. Nutrition and (sustainable and responsible) sourcing are more important than ever. A future menu will need to communicate this information clearly and honestly. It’s one thing to say your superfood salad is locally sourced, but soon you’ll have to prove it.

The players in the growing delivery market are betting on convenience, and using big data to—literally—deliver. The next big thing? Predictive analytics and mobile kitchens. Leader in this area is Zume. Their data fueled predictions use anything from event calendars to weather forecasts to give them an indication of what pizza will get ordered where. 

This allows them to tailor their inventory or prepare product in advance. State of the art mobile kitchens kitted out with connected technology and available anywhere optimize the process further. It’s not hard to see the menu options compressing to only the most in demand items that can be quickly prepared on the road.

AI

Big Food companies like McDonald’s are betting consumers want computers figuring out what we want for us. Digital menus have been the standard for a while now, but the drive-through and self-service kiosks at the Golden Arches are now backed up by mountains of AI-guided data. The promoted offerings vary by time of day and current weather. There have even been pilots where car license plates are used to personalize orders. Artificial intelligence technology is being put to work on menu engineering and is on track to shake up everything we thought we knew.

Technology is becoming a serious role player in the food space. Food companies are becoming more like tech companies, with potentially exciting changes headed for our menus. We’ve lined up three forces that will shape the future of our menu.

  3 min

Technology is getting a serious role in food space

Trendwatch

AI, delivery, and transparency are shaping the future of our menus

AI

Big Food companies like McDonald’s are betting consumers want computers figuring out what we want for us. Digital menus have been the standard for a while now, but the drive-through and self-service kiosks at the Golden Arches are now backed up by mountains of AI-guided data. The promoted offerings vary by time of day and current weather. There have even been pilots where car license plates are used to personalize orders. Artificial intelligence technology is being put to work on menu engineering and is on track to shake up everything we thought we knew.

The players in the growing delivery market are betting on convenience, and using big data to—literally—deliver. The next big thing? Predictive analytics and mobile kitchens. Leader in this area is Zume. Their data fueled predictions use anything from event calendars to weather forecasts to give them an indication of what pizza will get ordered where. 

This allows them to tailor their inventory or prepare product in advance. State of the art mobile kitchens kitted out with connected technology and available anywhere optimize the process further. It’s not hard to see the menu options compressing to only the most in demand items that can be quickly prepared on the road.

Transparency in food is two-pronged. Blockchain technology is already revolutionizing food safety and supply chains. Programs like the IBM Food Trust use this tamper-proof system of multiple redundant digital ‘ledgers’ to clearly document a product’s path to market and pinpoint any potential problems. A foodborne illness for example can be traced back to its source in literal seconds. 

This development helps meet the growing desire to know what exactly we’re eating. Nutrition and (sustainable and responsible) sourcing are more important than ever. A future menu will need to communicate this information clearly and honestly. It’s one thing to say your superfood salad is locally sourced, but soon you’ll have to prove it.

 Jelle Steenbergen   Sander v.d. Meij

Lees verder

AI

Technology is becoming a serious role player in the food space. Food companies are becoming more like tech companies, with potentially exciting changes headed for our menus. We’ve lined up three forces that will shape the future of our menu.

  3 min

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Food Inspiration Magazine is the online magazine for foodservice professionals in search of inspiration and innovation. With the magazine we collect, enrich and spread inspiration. The free subscription magazine is published eight times per year and is an abundant source of inspiration for food and hospitality professionals. Our readers can be found in the U.S., Northern Europe, Latin America and Asia.
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