A computer receives one or more recipes related to a meal. The computer analyzes the one or more recipes using natural language processing to identify a plurality of ingredients of the one or more recipes. The computer analyzes the one or more recipes using natural language processing to identify a plurality of steps to prepare each of the one or more recipes. The computer receives sensor input to identify a kitchen layout including locations of one or more devices for preparing the one or more recipes. The computer determines a plurality of parameters of a meal preparation plan based on the identified plurality of ingredients, the identified plurality of steps, and the identified kitchen layout, wherein the one or more parameters includes an order of meal preparation. The computer outputs the meal preparation plan to a user.

A food storage and warmer apparatus for storing food at safe temperatures and heating food for consumption includes a housing defining a housing inside. The housing has an outer wall separated from an inner wall defining a wall cavity. A divider wall is coupled to the housing within the housing inside and defines a plurality of compartments. A lid is coupled to the housing. A heating coil and a battery are coupled within the wall cavity of the bottom side. A control unit is coupled to the housing and is in operational communication with the heating coil and the battery. A temperature probe is coupled to the housing within the wall cavity and extends through the inner wall to the housing inside. The temperature probe is in operational communication with the control unit.

An oven for heating food and associated components and methods. The oven includes a food heating compartment bounding a food holding space for holding food to be heated. The food holding space has an open top. A bottom wall of the food heating compartment supports food in the food holding space and has gas flow inlets. A gas supply plenum is disposed below the food holding space and is in fluid communication with the food holding space via the gas flow inlets. A gas supply duct defines a gas supply passageway disposed below and fluidly coupled to the gas supply plenum. A heater heats the gas as the gas flows through the gas supply passageway. A blower blows the gas through the gas supply passageway, into the gas supply plenum and through the gas flow inlets into the food holding space for heating the food.

A method of using a storage and cooking device having multiple thermal containers includes disposing a first food item in a first thermal container, a second food item in a second thermal container, and a third food item in a third thermal container. A volume of fluid is cooled and circulated through at least a portion of the device such that thermal energy from at least one of the first, second, or third food item is transferred to the cooled fluid. The device is transitioned from a first operating mode to a second operating mode in response to a criterion being satisfied. When in the second configuration, the volume of fluid is heated and circulated through at least a portion of the device such that thermal energy is transferred from the volume of fluid to at least one of the first, second, or third food item.

A food thawing apparatus includes a cabinet structure defining a thawing chamber, and at least one air mover and associated air flow structure for causing an air flow through the thawing chamber. At least one air heating element is positioned for heating the air flow. At least one shelf is positioned within the thawing chamber for supporting a food product in the thawing chamber, the shelf including at least one integrated shelf heating element. A control system is configured for controlling the air mover, the air heating element and the shelf heating element so as to thaw the food product.

A system for storing food products at predetermined temperatures includes a food product receiving holding cabinet, a first storage bin in the holding cabinet for receiving a tray, a temperature control device that is in thermal communication with the tray, and a controller that transfers a selected timer by touching a user interface of the holding cabinet, thereby designating the selected timer for transfer to be associated with the first storage bin.

A food pan well includes a base defining an internal cavity and a temperature regulating system disposed within the internal cavity. The temperature regulating system includes an internal enclosure and at least one of a cooling assembly and a warming assembly. The internal enclosure is positioned within the internal cavity. The internal enclosure includes a bottom wall and a sidewall that extends around a periphery of the bottom wall. The bottom wall and the sidewall cooperatively define a temperature regulated cavity. The base is configured to support one or more food pans such that the one or more food pans are selectively suspendable within the temperature regulated cavity. The cooling assembly is positioned to facilitate cooling at least one of the one or more food pans and the warming assembly is positioned to facilitate warming at least one of the one or more food pans.

A method of using a storage and cooking device having multiple thermal containers includes disposing a first food item in a first thermal container, a second food item in a second thermal container, and a third food item in a third thermal container. A volume of fluid is cooled and circulated through at least a portion of the device such that thermal energy from at least one of the first, second, or third food item is transferred to the cooled fluid. The device is transitioned from a first operating mode to a second operating mode in response to a criterion being satisfied. When in the second configuration, the volume of fluid is heated and circulated through at least a portion of the device such that thermal energy is transferred from the volume of fluid to at least one of the first, second, or third food item.

A multi-functional cooking device and a food capsule are provided. The multi-functional cooking device integrates a plurality of cooking functions through circuits, structures, and software programs that are implemented by an embedded system. The multi-functional cooking device includes a body formed with an accommodating space for disposing the food capsule, a main body structure including a water storage component, an accommodating component, a water providing component, a heating component, a penetrating component, and one or more cooking tools disposed inside the body that cook food inside the food capsule. The multi-functional cooking device includes a circuit system implementing a plurality of cooking programs, the circuit system including a control circuit for controlling the multi-functional cooking device, a control panel for providing a selection of the cooking programs, and functional components, e.g., a heater, a microwave emitter, a fan unit, a water spray unit, and a sealing unit.

Food preparation apparatus and associated appliance modules and methods. Appliances modules can be selectively docked at docks of an appliance interface of a base. An appliance module includes a food container support surface movable between cooking and holding positions. An appliance module includes a receptacle having a holding well that can be selectively configured in a generally horizontal position or an inclined position.