Professional kitchen design and equipment are rapidly evolving to meet modern demands.

Today, efficiency often means kitchen equipment that can accomplish more with less human intervention, thanks to AI and advanced technology. 

Indeed, technology is reshaping the possibilities for food and beverage services. 

Technological Advancements The 2024 National Restaurant Association’s Kitchen Innovations (KI) Awards further highlight the significant impact of technology on foodservice equipment. “The evolving landscape of technology—including AI, robotics, and autonomous systems—has expanded the KI Awards to recognize innovations that not only improve back-of-house operations but also reduce labor, waste, and energy consumption,” says Tom Cindric, president of the National Restaurant Association Show.

Among the 25 KI award-winners are Lab2Fab’s PizzaBot, which automates pizza preparation from dough to baking; Atosa USA’s Robotic Auto Seasoning and Auto Packaging Station for French fries; and UNOX’s CHEFTOP-X Digital.ID combi oven, which uses an optical sensor to identify food and automatically start cooking programs, with AI that provides feedback and tips to minimize environmental impact.

Multifunctional Equipment The demand to do more with less is also driving the development of multifunctional kitchen equipment. MEIKO recently introduced a bottle-washing system that converts its M-iClean UM/UM+ dishwasher into a bottle washer in under five minutes. The system can clean up to 640 bottles per hour, making it an eco-friendly solution for establishments moving away from single-use plastics.

The system uses separate channels for wash and rinse water, directed through nozzles positioned at the bottle openings. This ensures that every bottle is thoroughly and hygienically cleaned, inside and out.

Additional Kitchen Trends The COVID-19 pandemic brought lasting changes to kitchen design. For example, country clubs are increasingly incorporating outdoor dining, making kitchens accommodate more seating further from the kitchen by adding service stations.