3D printers have been cropping up on the news all year. We’ve
had 3D printed plastic guns (that fall apart after a few shots), more recently
we’ve had 3D printed metal guns. Now, we’ve got 3D printed pizza.
Created by Natural Machines, a company in Barcelona who are
currently developing a 3D food printer called the Foodini. This could lead to
some great, innovative food creations, simplification of complex food
constructions, or some very terrible, terrible food.
This could lead
to huge breakthroughs in the fast food industry if this device becomes
mainstream. It could speed up or streamline fast food production, or at the
very least minimise the likelihood that the service staff have spit in your
food. Although there’s a much easier way to minimise that risk; don’t act like
a jerk-off.
The 3D printed pizza solves the two hardest parts of making
pizza (aside from deciding what toppings to put on it). These parts being
shaping the dough and spreading an EVEN layer of tomato sauce. So they printed
those parts, giving a fantastic even finish. They added cheese and toppings by
hand however, so clearly the technology still has a ways to go. Whilst I love
the idea of printing a perfect base, printing such an even layer of sauce ruins
the possibility of that great moment where you discover a slice with more sauce
than it should have from happening. But otherwise it’s pretty great.
I think 3D printed food could be a winner. There’s a
long road ahead as the technology isn’t at the stage where this can be rolled
out in the mainstream yet, but someday, I can see it happening, and I’m like
80% certain that it’ll be a good thing.
Ari Carrington
