Adventurous inventors have been throwing around the idea of 3D printed food for a couple of years now. Hospitals, in particular, have been using 3D printers to create pureed foods for patients who have trouble swallowing. Most 3D food efforts, however, have been limited to fruits, veggies, and other easily-pureed things. One wise-guy chef has got other ideas.
Jan Smink, a Dutch chef operating in LA, has been using 3D printers to create all manner of artisanal delights for his hungry customers. Smink has stepped up his game compared to other food-tinkerers by creating dishes for every possible course. Fruit, veggies, chocolate, and meat can be shaped according to Smink’s whims. Some of his notable creations include an octopus made of pureed avocado and little meat bowls full of curry sauce. Smink believes his works can encourage picky eaters to get their nutrients by making them more visually appealing. He also believes that if these dishes become popular enough, more chefs will start using 3D printers, which will hopefully lower the cost of the devices and make them more accessible.
