A method of using a fluid-immersion storage and cooking device having a thermal container that defines a first volume and a second volume includes disposing a first food item in the first volume. A second food item and a third food item are disposed in the second volume in a first position and a second position, respectively. A volume of fluid having a first temperature is circulated through the first volume to transfer thermal energy to the first food item. After a predetermined time, at least a portion of the volume of fluid is heated to a second temperature. A portion of the volume of fluid is conveyed to the second volume such that (1) the second food item is substantially submerged in the portion of the volume of fluid and (2) the third food item is disposed substantially outside of the portion of the volume of fluid.

The invention relates to an interface and control unit (27) for a cooking appliance, comprising: a control circuit (19) comprising a connection point (20) for connecting to a power circuit (18) of the cooking appliance (A) or to an element for connection to said power circuit (18), the control circuit being arranged so as to emit a control signal for at least one functional element of the cooking appliance; a communication circuit (25) arranged so as to communicate according to a known communication protocol, for example a protocol for two-way communication by radio waves, the communication circuit (25) also being able to exchange information with the control circuit (19); and a support to which are attached, or in which are arranged, the control circuit (19) and the communication circuit (25), the support comprising elements for fixing to a frame of the cooking appliance (A).

A cooking assistive device comprises a portable housing configured to be disposed on or proximate a food item. The device includes a plurality of sensors situated within the housing, a dispenser, and a utensil holder. The device has a memory storing computer-readable instructions, and a processor. The processor is configured to execute the instructions to: (a) obtain a wireless input from a mobile device; (b) access data stored in a remote database; (c) obtain a reading from at least one of the plurality of sensors; and (d) cause the dispenser to dispense a substance in response to the reading.

A cooking assistive device comprises a portable housing configured to be disposed on or proximate a food item. The device includes a plurality of sensors situated within the housing, a dispenser, and a utensil holder. The device has a memory storing computer-readable instructions, and a processor. The processor is configured to execute the instructions to: (a) obtain a wireless input from a mobile device; (b) access data stored in a remote database; (c) obtain a reading from at least one of the plurality of sensors; and (d) cause the dispenser to dispense a substance in response to the reading.

The present application discloses an automated kitchen system comprising: a plurality of ingredient containers and caps; a storage apparatus; a first transfer apparatus configured to move capped containers in the storage apparatus to a location at a cap opening apparatus as to remove the cap from the ingredient container; a cyclic transfer apparatus; a second transfer apparatus configured to move an uncapped ingredient container to the cyclic transfer apparatus. The automated kitchen system further comprises one or more cooking systems, where each cooking system comprises: a cooking apparatus comprising a cooking container and a stirring mechanism; an unloading apparatus to unload food ingredients; a transfer apparatus to move an ingredient container from the cyclic transfer apparatus to a position at the unloading mechanism.

The present application discloses an automated kitchen system comprising: a plurality of ingredient containers and caps; a storage apparatus; a first transfer apparatus configured to move capped containers in the storage apparatus to a location at a cap opening apparatus as to remove the cap from the ingredient container; a cyclic transfer apparatus; a second transfer apparatus configured to move an uncapped ingredient container to the cyclic transfer apparatus. The automated kitchen system further comprises one or more cooking systems, where each cooking system comprises: a cooking apparatus comprising a cooking container and a stirring mechanism; an unloading apparatus to unload food ingredients; a transfer apparatus to move an ingredient container from the cyclic transfer apparatus to a position at the unloading mechanism.

In an embodiment, an automatic food preparation and serving apparatus comprises: a digital electronics storage controller configured to send signals representing an order input; a storage apparatus comprising a plurality of temperature-control regions and configured to hold one or more magazines in the plurality of temperature-control regions, each of the one or more magazines configured to store a plurality of food canisters, and configured to regulate temperature of contents in the plurality of food canisters in the plurality of temperature-control regions; a canister transport mechanism configured to transport the plurality of food canisters away from the storage apparatus; a food dispensing mechanism configured to receive the plurality of food canisters transported away from the storage apparatus and to dispense one or more ingredients stored in one or more of the plurality of food canisters according to the signals from the digital electronics storage controller.

In an embodiment, an automatic food preparation and serving apparatus comprises: a digital electronics storage controller configured to send signals representing an order input; a storage apparatus comprising a plurality of temperature-control regions and configured to hold one or more magazines in the plurality of temperature-control regions, each of the one or more magazines configured to store a plurality of food canisters, and configured to regulate temperature of contents in the plurality of food canisters in the plurality of temperature-control regions; a canister transport mechanism configured to transport the plurality of food canisters away from the storage apparatus; a food dispensing mechanism configured to receive the plurality of food canisters transported away from the storage apparatus and to dispense one or more ingredients stored in one or more of the plurality of food canisters according to the signals from the digital electronics storage controller.

A device for cooking by heating comprises: a heating unit for heating food that is accommodated in a cooking cavity, a setting unit for setting a heating control content of the heating unit, a display unit for displaying the heating control content set by setting unit, and a display controller for controlling display on the display unit. Moreover, the device for cooking by heating comprises: an image capturing unit for capturing the inside of the cooking cavity, and a storage unit for storing an image captured by image capturing unit and the heating control content set by setting unit in a correspondence table in association with each other. The display controller controls display so as to display images stored in the storage unit in a list on the display unit, and the setting unit sets, based on selection of an image from the list, the associated heating control content in the correspondence table in the storage unit.

A device for cooking by heating comprises: a heating unit for heating food that is accommodated in a cooking cavity, a setting unit for setting a heating control content of the heating unit, a display unit for displaying the heating control content set by setting unit, and a display controller for controlling display on the display unit. Moreover, the device for cooking by heating comprises: an image capturing unit for capturing the inside of the cooking cavity, and a storage unit for storing an image captured by image capturing unit and the heating control content set by setting unit in a correspondence table in association with each other. The display controller controls display so as to display images stored in the storage unit in a list on the display unit, and the setting unit sets, based on selection of an image from the list, the associated heating control content in the correspondence table in the storage unit.