A newly opened community canteen in Hangzhou, eastern China, stands out for being free of the heavy cooking fumes common in traditional kitchens. Replacing conventional stoves is a row of AI-powered smart cooking devices that take center stage. These machines operate like quiet, dependable master chefs. Every step—from loading ingredients and dispensing precise amounts of seasonings to stir-frying and reducing sauces over carefully controlled heat—follows standardized procedures co-developed by a team of state banquet chefs and professional dietitians.

Each unit can prepare more than a dozen dishes simultaneously, with a single dish ready in just three to five minutes. The entire back-of-house operation is condensed into just a few square meters of intelligent cooking stations, yet it consistently produces a wide variety of classic Chinese home-style dishes. The menu ranges from tomato-and-egg stir-fry to braised beef with potatoes, catering to the tastes of different age groups.

Another notable feature is the system's taste-memory function. A backend data analytics platform monitors real-time sales and customer feedback. In communities with a large elderly population, it automatically prioritizes softer, lighter dishes, while in neighborhoods with more young residents, it expands the menu with bolder, more flavorful options. Beyond adapting to a community's overall taste preferences, the system will also provide personalized recommendations and customization as it accumulates more user data.