Robots are in the news in a big way. Headlines like “Robots are Taking More Jobs Than Immigrants” introduce stories about almost almost every industry being affected by robots, including food service. Computerized kitchens, which used to be a silly fantasy in science fiction movies and cartoons are close to being a reality.
Flippy, the fast-food hamburger flipper designed for fast-food restaurants failed its first day on the job because it couldn’t keep up with demand. The technicians who programmed the machine have vowed to re-write some code and get it back on the job soon.
So, will a robot ever be capable of replacing a chef in a fine restaurant? We found a list of must-have skills needed to be successful as a chef:
• A passion for the culinary arts. — We don’t think “passion” is programmable.
• Ability to handle criticism. — We’re pretty sure the robot will ignore criticism.
• Attentiveness to detail. — Not sure about this one.
• Creativity. — Machines do what they are programmed to do, so if the programmer is also a great chef….maybe.
• Being a team player. — We don’t think a robot can master this critical skill.
Cooking is an art, and the beautiful thing about dining in different restaurants and in different cities all over the world is that diners are able to experience so many different cuisines and styles. Chefs are often influenced by the foods they ate when they were growing up, perhaps mamma’s pasta sauce, their grandfather’s carne asada, or bouillabaisse from their favorite restaurant in Marseille. After years of learning, tasting, and experimenting, every chef develops their own style and that’s what makes food such a dynamic and important component in our lives.
We hope robots never replace chefs, servers, or bartenders because while the main ingredient in fine dining is the food, people are the spices!
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