AUSTIN, Texas – Anyone who loves food is often awaiting what the next, new hot culinary gadget will be to hit the marketplace.

From air fryers, to Sous Vide machines, to the recently popular InstantPot, the trends in food technology are not stopping anytime soon.

Iron Chef Cat Cora, Jared Costa of appliance company Miele, Good Housekeeping editor Jane Francisco, and HGTV star Carley Knobloch sat down to discuss what is next in the kitchen of the future. The panelists agreed that the next main innovation in food technology will be like the next microwave: a machine that is readily available in any home consumer’s kitchen and revolutionizes the way food is cooked.

It has been 60 years since the micowave entered the home kitchen.

The panelists said there are two phases for the kitchen of the future to come to fruition. First, all of these new devices will be controlled via the same platform, be it voice-activation through a smart home device or the touch of a button on a Smart Phone.

The second phase is that the next big leap in food technology will be when your kitchen talks to you, instead of you talking to your kitchen. 

Do you have blueberry smoothies daily? Your blender will automatically adjust the ingredient proportions to what you are accustomed to. Is the milk going rotten in the refrigerator? Your fridge will let you know or perhaps even dispose of it for you. On top of that, milk will be added to your virtual shopping list. Do you feel like having chicken soup for dinner? Your kitchen will take care of the essential washing, cutting, and prepping of the vegetables.

While many of these ideas may seem like a scene out of The Jetsons, Chef Cora, Costa, Francisco and Knobloch agreed that it is not a far-fetched scenario. As more devices hit the market, more engineers will work together to make the “single platform” for all of your kitchen to be working autonomously.

Ultimately, the panelists agreed what is pivotal as food technology continues to grow is that consumers do not forget about the art of cooking. Similarly to the art of calligraphy, preparing food is, in itself, an art form. While some fondations of writing, such as calligraphy, have all but vanished, the new technology that will inevitably come into existence in everyday kitchens should only make it easier for one to follow their passion for food.