Among the myriad trends and innovations that made waves at Gulfood 2024, few turned as many heads as customisation and personalisation in foodservice. From equipment that allows for personalised latte art to bespoke menu offerings tailored to individual preferences, customisation is reshaping the dining experience worldwide. Let's dive into the exciting world of personalised food service and explore how it enhances customer satisfaction and elevates the culinary arts.

 

The Rise of Personalisation in Foodservice

 

Personalisation is the process of customising products, services or experiences to meet the needs of individual customers. According to a McKinsey report, brands that excel at personalisation generate 40% more revenue from those activities than their peers.

 

Modern consumers are increasingly seeking unique and individualised experiences, and the food and beverage industry is responding with a surge of customisation options. Personalisation in foodservice goes beyond just adding a customer's name to a cup of coffee; it's about creating a memorable and tailored experience that resonates personally.

 

Customisation can take many forms, from the equipment used to prepare food and beverages to how menus are crafted. At Gulfood and on the broader global stage, foodservice innovators are showcasing myriad innovations that are making it easier than ever to offer personalised options.

 

Innovative Equipment for Personalised Experiences

 

One of the most captivating aspects of customisation in foodservice is the equipment designed to create unique and personalised items. For example, the Ripple Maker is an innovative solution that can customise coffee with high-quality images in a few seconds. Ripples are made of tiny coffee bean drops that keep the natural quality and flavour of the coffee intact. The machine has a preloaded library of ripples categorised into themes like greetings, smart quotes, and coffee humour. Coffee shop owners can also create their own ripples through the platform's website and mobile application, offering a completely personalised experience for customers.

 

Cutting-edge 3D food printers are also revolutionising the foodservice industry. Natural Machines, a startup founded in 2018 and a member of Barcelona’s Food & FoodTech Innovation Hub, introduced Foodini. This 3D food printer personalises food to improve kitchen efficiency and lower food waste. This technology allows professionals, including pastry chefs, to create tailor-made, intricate designs easily. NovaMeat's bio-printer is another example of this, replicating the fibrous texture of meat with plant-based ingredients in about thirty minutes, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional meat products.

 

Crafting Custom Menus

 

Customisation isn't limited to equipment; it's also transforming how menus are developed. More and more establishments offer customisable menu options catering to individual tastes and dietary preferences. This trend was evident at Gulfood, where exhibitors highlighted various approaches to personalised menu creation.

 

Yogut, a Swedish startup founded in 2018, specialises in personalised functional foods on demand. This award-winning FoodTech startup creates a new way to produce personalised plant-based dairy alternatives filled with gut-friendly bacteria and other healthy functional ingredients, which can be made conveniently at home. The idea is to allow people to create better dairy alternatives that are good for their gut, health, and the planet.

 

Additionally, personalised tasting menus are gaining popularity in fine dining. These menus are curated based on the diner's preferences, dietary restrictions, and past dining history. Chefs use this information to craft a bespoke culinary journey uniquely tailored to each guest. Several brands have developed software solutions that help restaurants collect and analyse customer data to create these personalised dining experiences.

 

Online ordering applications are also crucial in customisation. These apps can collect customer food preferences data, enabling restaurants to tailor their menus accordingly. Recommendation tools can suggest dishes based on customers’ tastes and preferences, ensuring a more personalised dining experience.

 

The Future of Customisation in Foodservice

 

As customisation continues to gain momentum, the future of foodservice looks increasingly personalised and customer-centric. The innovations at Gulfood highlight the industry's commitment to enhancing the dining experience through personalisation. From high-tech equipment to tailored menus and bespoke beverages, customisation redefines what it means to dine out.

 

For businesses, embracing customisation can increase customer satisfaction, loyalty, and success. By offering personalised experiences, restaurants, cafes, and bars can differentiate themselves in a competitive market and create lasting connections with customers.