If you’ve ever dreamt of dining with a view of the sparkling Eiffel Tower, virtual reality, or VR, makes it possible to do so from the comfort of your home. VR technology is allowing people to interact with food in ways never done before. Prepare for a wild ride as you discover unique VR food experiences, from dining to culinary education and entertainment.
The rise of VR food experiences
VR sounds like a dystopian idea you read about in books. The moment you wear a headset, you’re immersed in a computer-generated environment that mimics reality. This technology comes from an exciting history of developments.
In the 1950s, cinematographer Horton Heilig created the Sensorama, a first-of-its-kind immersive film experience in the form of a cabinet. Although it was a bit scrappy, Heilig was way ahead of his time with this creation.
The Sword of Damocles, the first VR head-mounted display system, was then invented in 1968. The commercialization of VR only really began after 2012, when the Oculus Rift VR headset gained significant attention for its high-quality development.
Now, VR is making its way into the food industry, where brands are starting to use this technology to create new and engaging experiences. VR restaurants and food tours are grabbing people’s attention by transforming the dining experience.
Innis and Gunn’s VR campaign transported customers to the Scottish lands that inspired the flavor profiles of their beers. With a pint in hand, customers sipped on some craft beer while enjoying the beautiful scenery of the barley fields. To no surprise, the campaign went viral and left people wondering about all the food adventures that VR can offer.
Immersive culinary education and training
If you’re new to cooking and want to try out a recipe like flatbread pizza without the risk of messing up, a VR cooking simulator is just what you need. This simulator replicates a realistic cooking experience with the use of real-life physics. Upon wearing a VR headset, you’ll be transported to a kitchen with all the ingredients and tools you need to experiment with recipes and learn new techniques.
With a flatbread
VR is changing the game for culinary education. Instead of immediately going from the textbook to the kitchen, students can practice basics like chopping and dicing before being handed a real knife. This way, students can try all they want without wasting ingredients. With the extra practice, there will be fewer mistakes when cooking the recipe in real life.
The entertainment value of cooking VR experiences
Cooking has found its niche in VR entertainment, particularly within gaming. The pressure of running a restaurant in a hectic adventure is something that many find fun and exciting. Cook-Out: A Sandwich Tale is an example of a popular VR cooking game where players take on the role of chefs, preparing, cooking and serving meals.
Imagine that you’re serving cauliflower casseroles to your customers. Not only are you busy preparing toppings, but you also have to watch out for a thief stealing your ingredients. If you don’t serve your guests a deliciously crunchy dish, they’ll throw a fit. The fun behind Cook-Out is handling the culinary chaos with your friends and family.
VR food experiences extend from games to films that provide an inside perspective on high-end cuisine. “Behind the Dish” is a VR documentary series by Meta that follows three world-class chefs. It pulls you into a riveting story of their origins and cooking process. Shot with special equipment, the dish presented in front of you seems so real that your mouth may start watering.
The future of dining and virtual reality
The SubliMotion restaurant is leading the future of dining by taking guests on VR trips that pair with each dish in a 15-course meal. Sharks swim around guests as they indulge in cockleshells and oysters. The next thing they know, they are transported to a carnival with a circus and Ferris wheels — skydiving is on the itinerary as well.
Around 100 people are involved in putting on this VR food experience, including famous film directors and renowned composers. The SubliMotion restaurant is truly a luxurious VR experience as one of the most expensive restaurants in the world.
Storytelling is becoming an important part of dining and not just at high-end places. Even your local restaurant can incorporate this technology.
After ordering your favorite asparagus casserole, you’ll no longer be twiddling your thumbs, waiting to be served. With Farm VR, you’ll be taken to a virtual farm that shows you where your food came from and how this delicious casserole appeared in front of you. It’s hard not to be more appreciative of your meal after witnessing the origin of its ingredients.
VR is changing the culinary world one experience at a time
VR food experiences are becoming an emerging trend in all areas of the industry, from culinary education to food-related gaming and dining. VR is breathing innovation back into the world of food, so don’t miss the chance to experience this technology. Behind those VR headsets, a new way of eating and cooking awaits.
Mandy Applegate is the enthusiastic creator of the vegetarian website Splash of Taste; she makes meat-free cooking fun and easy. When Mandy’s not cooking and writing, you’ll find her traveling, exploring countries and cuisines, and spending time with her chihuahua.