An automated food cooking system is capable of cooking a plurality of kinds of foods in accordance with an order from a customer and includes an order reception device that receives the order from the customer, a food base preparation device that prepares a food base according to the order, a seasoning adding device, a topping device, a heat-cooking device, a distribution device, a transportation device that transports the food base, and a control device that is connected to each of the devices. The transportation device can transport the food base to at least a position of the food base preparation device, a position where the seasoning adding device adds a seasoning ingredient, a position where the topping device tops with a cooking ingredient, an input position and an output position of the heat-cooking device, and an input position and an output position of the distribution device.

A process for grilling pizza includes grilling one side of a shaped pizza dough on a design bearing grate, applying condiments to the grilled side, and baking the partially cooked pizza.

A process for grilling pizza includes grilling one side of a shaped pizza dough on a design bearing grate, applying condiments to the grilled side, and baking the partially cooked pizza.

A food product storage and vending kiosk includes a cold storage unit, an oven unit, and a transportation mechanism. The cold storage unit includes a plurality of food packages, an active shelving system storing the plurality of food packages, and a freezer. Each of the food packages includes a food product in a box. The oven unit includes a base oven deck for receiving the food product and rising to meet and seal with a main body to form a sealed oven cavity for cooking the food product. The transportation mechanism is for moving a food package out of the cold storage unit, onto an elevator platform that lifts the food package to the oven unit, pushing the food product from the box onto the base oven deck for cooking, and pushing the food product off of the base oven deck into the box and out of a delivery chute.

A food product storage and vending kiosk includes a cold storage unit, an oven unit, and a transportation mechanism. The cold storage unit includes a plurality of food packages, an active shelving system storing the plurality of food packages, and a freezer. Each of the food packages includes a food product in a box. The oven unit includes a base oven deck for receiving the food product and rising to meet and seal with a main body to form a sealed oven cavity for cooking the food product. The transportation mechanism is for moving a food package out of the cold storage unit, onto an elevator platform that lifts the food package to the oven unit, pushing the food product from the box onto the base oven deck for cooking, and pushing the food product off of the base oven deck into the box and out of a delivery chute.

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for assembling food products. More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus and methods for associating foodstuff and liquid with a base. Foodstuff may include food items such as meats, vegetables, cheeses, amongst others. Liquids include those food items that have a low viscosities (e.g. sauces, dressings, oils), high viscosities (e.g. peanut butter, frosting), and anything in between. A base can be anything on which foodstuff or liquid may be associated (e.g. bread, cake, cookies, pizza dough, a bowl in which to place foodstuff).

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for assembling food products. More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus and methods for associating foodstuff and liquid with a base. Foodstuff may include food items such as meats, vegetables, cheeses, amongst others. Liquids include those food items that have a low viscosities (e.g. sauces, dressings, oils), high viscosities (e.g. peanut butter, frosting), and anything in between. A base can be anything on which foodstuff or liquid may be associated (e.g. bread, cake, cookies, pizza dough, a bowl in which to place foodstuff).

A dough- or batter-based food product is prepared by mixing dough or batter ingredients to establish a dough or batter composition, the dough ingredients including at least flour, water and salt. The salt particles have dissolution rate of at least 120 seconds. Batter or dough provided herein, and cooked foods made from the batter or dough, include pockets of salt at a higher concentration than the dough, batter, or cooked food overall. Batter- or dough-based food products provided have a saltiness perception level substantially the same as compared to batter- or dough-based food products that include table salt in an amount at least 40% greater than the provided batter- or dough-based food product.

A dough- or batter-based food product is prepared by mixing dough or batter ingredients to establish a dough or batter composition, the dough ingredients including at least flour, water and salt. The salt particles have dissolution rate of at least 120 seconds. Batter or dough provided herein, and cooked foods made from the batter or dough, include pockets of salt at a higher concentration than the dough, batter, or cooked food overall. Batter- or dough-based food products provided have a saltiness perception level substantially the same as compared to batter- or dough-based food products that include table salt in an amount at least 40% greater than the provided batter- or dough-based food product.

A method and an apparatus of forming food dough to be used for making bases for pizza and the like are described. The method provides for compressing a predefined mass or dose of dough between two surfaces and massaging it by deforming one of said surfaces, consisting of a flexible diaphragm whereon the dough is worked. For this purpose, the forming machine has idle tapered rollers arranged under the diaphragm, which make a motion of revolution about a vertical axis and roll on the extrados of the diaphragm. During the forming process, the dough is squeezed by a movable plate or cover.