Weekly Roundup – Week of 7.11.2022
July 15, 2022
This week’s roundup highlights our top relevant food-and-beverage-related news stories of the week, curated from our team of strategists and food enthusiasts:
Ordering Feelings Instead Of Food?
Philadelphia cream cheese opened a limited-time-only multisensorial dining concept called Feeladelphia, created in partnership with the two head chefs and owners of Michelin-starred Contra and Wildair. Here diners order feelings, not food, and are given a sensorial experience with cream cheese-infused dishes. The article states that “guests will explore, taste, and discover a range of feelings with each new dish as they are fully immersed with captivating visuals, stimulating sounds, and sensorial surprises to enhance each feeling.” Read The Story.
Have Consumers Reached Their Threshold For Digital Activities?
One study says “yes.” Fewer than 30% of respondents surveyed said they were very likely to use digital options at least some time, according to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll. The study indicates that more than half of consumers plan to leave pandemic behaviors behind such as grocery delivery (66%) and attending virtual activities (62%). In contrast, the study suggests that technology born out of the pandemic—curbside delivery, contactless ordering and payment, and tech that alleviates “repetitive or dangerous tasks for staff will continue and improve.” Read The Full Article.
The Rise Of 24/7 Autonomous Kitchen Robots
SJW Robotics and Compass Group Canada have partnered and are piloting 24-hour automated kitchens, called RoWok™, that cook made-to-order meals. Using multiple technology platforms—robotics, AI, machine learning, data science, and cloud connectivity—RoWoc is able to produce more than 60 hot and fresh meals per hour in only 100 square feet of space. Michael Hachey, Compass chief innovation officer, states that “by partnering with RoWok, we are adapting to different needs in the market and augmenting existing hot food service models that typically require labor and a full-service kitchen.” Learn More.
Increasing Cultivated Meat Production While Reducing Costs
SCiFi Foods, a cultivated beef maker has reduced its production cost 1000-fold by creating beef cells in a bioreactor – a large specialized vat. The company states that cultivating beef cells is different than cultivating other proteins such as seafood or chicken cells. Using bioengineering such as CRISPR, SCiFi has created beef cells that can adapt to be grown in single-cell suspension. “This development will let SCiFi grow more cells at once, dramatically increasing the company’s yield,” co-founder and CEO Joshua March said. Once SciFi’s facility is fully functional, this single-cell suspension process will help make its hybrid plant/cultivated meat burgers more affordable to consumers. Get The Details Here.
New Products & Concepts Worth Sharing
From “slimy” cereal to RTD cocktails and Drumsticks tattoo sweepstakes, FOODBEAST highlights several product launches and food concepts. Kellogg’s pairs Nickelodeon green slime and one if its iconic cereals to create Apple Jacks Slime cereal which turns the milk in your bowl green – available nationwide for a limited time. Hip hop legend, LL COOL J, and rapper and entrepreneur, Bun B, have teamed up and created a new food court experience called Trill Mealz Food Court – showcased at the Rock The Bells Festival on August 6th. Attendees will enjoy a variety of classic foods and live entertainment. Dos Equis launched its first-ever spirits product, a new ready-to-drink margarita featuring Blanco Tequila and real lime juice. And, Drumsticks is awarding five superfans a year’s worth of free Drumstick Sundae Cones if they are willing to get a Drumstick tattoo. Find The Full List Here.
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