In high-end Italian pastry, technology is advancing rapidly, elevating this craft to unprecedented levels of excellence. "A pastry chef who does not embrace technology is an artisan behind the times", says Iginio Massari, a leading figure in the world of fine pastry.
He himself has shared how using AI in the kitchen has allowed him to develop optimised recipes, including a gelato capable of maintaining its optimal consistency even at a temperature of 9°C. But what technological innovations will shape the kitchens and pastry shops of the future?
Numbers and desserts have never been so closely intertwined. Algorithms and start-ups focused on creating smart recipes are among the most exciting developments in the pastry world. By harnessing the power of AI, these systems can analyse countless ingredient combinations, track food trends, and even predict personal preferences—an innovation that paves the way for desserts suited to any occasion and taste.
The leap from mathematics to baking is surprisingly small. Smart ovens are, in fact, another technological forefront in pastry, increasingly performing and optimised devices, equipped with cameras and internal sensors capable of automatically adjusting cooking times and temperatures to bake perfect brioches and croissants that are bite-proof. No discussion about the pastry of the future would be complete without mentioning robotics.
To help us, between kneading and filling, we will have real digital pastry assistants that, thanks to a combined system of robotic arms and artificial intelligence, will be able to understand how to knead easily, measure the amount of flour or liquids needed, monitor the consistency of the dough and how to create fantastic desserts with almost the same care as a human hand.
