Experience UK Guide 2023 | Page 22

SECTOR SPOTLIGHT
Memorable , immersive dining open to everyone

Creating theatre with food & beverage

Creating theatre within food and beverage operations adds value to an attraction , stimulating all the fun senses through memorable , immersive and entertaining elements .

Dining is no longer simply a functional retail transaction it becomes more of an event . The appeal for all and especially families , and children of all ages , offers the transformational power to reinvent the very nature of food and beverage spaces . By creating talking-point experiences as part of the restaurant and dining areas , venues can not only drive greater footfall and revenue spend , but also communicate messages and their brand identity , plus enhance the overall visitor experience .
Increasingly sophisticated technology such as augmented reality ( AR ), 3D projection mapping and HD screens means all elements of a dining space can be utilised from tabletops , ceilings and floors to walls , windows and unique architectural elements .
Restaurants are constantly evolving with the use of smart technology to aid more efficient operations and deliver methods to drive the customer experience while meeting ever demanding expectations . Virtual assistance is no longer a distant reality in the restaurant industry , the use of voice technology in apps , QR codes , and self-ordering kiosks is here now . Kitchen management systems that track and reduce restaurant food waste through weighing and photographing the items utilising AI technology automatically recognises food waste items and drives behavioural change .
One emerging technology in the food and beverage industry is the metaverse and how this could transform entire swathes of the industry . The ‘ foodverse ’ is becoming increasingly prominent . This digital world for food is bringing the food and beverage space onto the blockchain for the first time . The aim is to leverage cutting-edge technology to enable consumers to benefit from new approaches to exploring food and to enable brands to offer new perspectives on food and beverage consumption . One of the first companies to explore this idea was OneRare , a Dubai-based foodverse platform that allows chefs and restaurants to create entirely new experiences for consumers . These include virtual restaurants , as well as using non-fungible tokens ( NFTs ) associated with popular foods and celebrity chefs .
Recognising the scale of the opportunity , global food and beverage brands have already taken their first steps into the
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