Eloma and foodlab: Proof of concept for the gastronomy of tomorrow

Eloma and foodlab, the quality manufacturer of combi steamers and in-store ovens and the culinary concept laboratory that is also a coworking space for food start-ups, are partners that could not be more different at first glance. However, the two companies are united by their shared vision of the agile gastronomy of tomorrow. Eloma, based in Maisach, Bavaria, and foodlab from Hamburg have therefore joined forces to provide innovative young restaurateurs from all over Germany with the knowledge, tools and equipment they need to test and implement new, creative food and gastronomy concepts – and celebrate their first successes. To this end, foodlab provides aspiring gastro start-ups with suitable premises, well-equipped kitchens, their own pop-up restaurant and extensive networking opportunities. The cooperation with Eloma in turn gives the committed entrepreneurs exclusive access to the state-of-the-art JOKER, GENIUSMT and MULTIMAX combi-steamers and the BACKMASTER in-store baking oven. The exchange of know-how and experience with Eloma experts also plays a decisive role in the success of the start-ups.

The verdict from foodlab is clear: “Whether roasting peanuts, steaming vegetables or cooking eggs, there is practically nothing the Eloma ovens can’t do.” The combi-steamers from Maisach also regularly demonstrate their versatile capabilities in Hamburg. In the five professionally equipped catering and commercial kitchens at foodlab, Eloma appliances have been helping foodlab’s community partners to test, create and produce countless food innovations since 2020.

Cooking, simmering, roasting – with Eloma

In order to introduce new users to the possibilities of foodlab kitchens and Eloma appliances, the two companies have established their own regular series of events. Every month, foodlab and Eloma welcome interested community members in Hamburg to “Cooking, simmering, roasting with Eloma”.
In the foodlab test kitchens, participants are given a detailed introduction to how Eloma’s range of appliances works – the perfect basis for start-ups and pop-up restaurateurs to effectively showcase their food concepts. “All of the combi-steamers provided by Eloma have been pre-configured and programmed for a wide variety of processes. This means we can be sure that all products have the right production conditions, regardless of whether we are cooking and steaming, preserving food or producing small or large batches,” says André Prösch, Senior Area Sales Manager at Eloma, explaining the Maisach-based manufacturer’s contribution. Important: In addition to the monthly one-hour kitchen tour, participants also benefit from expert advice outside of the event calendar. “We are always on hand to help and advise participants when it comes to the right cooking or frying methods for their products,” says André Prösch.

New concepts for the gastronomy of the future

For Eloma, one thing is clear: the days of rigid application concepts are a thing of the past. Instead, there is a demand for creative application concepts that do not require a fixed water or power connection, modern catering offerings require powerful cooking performance even in the smallest of spaces and attractive front cooking surfaces without unpleasant odors are coming to the fore. At the same time, intuitive operating concepts are becoming increasingly important. The JOKER, GENIUSMT and MULTIMAX combi-steamers from the Bavarian quality manufacturer are therefore not only demonstrating their functional performance in the foodlab, but also getting to the heart of the various product-related needs of future restaurateurs. They therefore play a decisive role in the realization of new gastronomic concepts for the future.

Promising business ideas that have the potential to have a lasting impact on the industry are also at the heart of the foodlab concept. The focus here is on food trends – and collaboration. Founder Christin Siegemund: “At foodlab, we bring people and expertise together through food. In the co-working space, where product ideas and concepts are refined, as well as in our kitchens, where enjoyment is created.”
In order to provide ambitious start-ups with an even more comprehensive proof of concept, foodlab has launched a large-scale gastro accelerator program. The aim: to make aspiring professionals as well as newcomers to the industry as fit as possible for the catering industry. From the end of September 2024, the six concepts that successfully make it through the current application and selection phase will be given the opportunity to acquire basic knowledge in all key start-up areas in various workshops. In addition, practical experience can be gained and, if desired, internships can be completed in selected companies. Last but not least, as part of the Accelerator program, participants will have the opportunity to put their concepts through their paces in the kitchens of foodlab. Always on board: Eloma’s professional appliances and expert know-how.