Clean Cooking Innovation Pavilion @ MECF 2025

As part of the Modern Energy Cooking Forum 2025, an Innovation Pavilion was set up to create a vibrant platform for showcasing the latest advancements in clean and modern cooking technologies. The Pavilion was set as a vibrant platform where manufacturers, innovators, policy makers, and participants could interact meaningfully, learn about breakthrough solutions, and witness live demonstrations of technologies that are meant to redefine the future of cooking. By bringing innovation closer to the audience, the Pavilion created an environment where knowledge exchange, networking, and business opportunities were made possible to exchange/unfold.

The Pavilion featured the participation of 17 manufacturers from diverse segments of the clean cooking sector. Each of them presented technologies that address unique needs ranging from rural households and small eateries to large-scale community kitchens and institutional setups. Visitors to the Pavilion were able to experience first-hand how these technologies function, understand their energy efficiency and operational advantages, and engage in discussions with the exhibitors. The exhibition also had live cooking demonstration which allowed many participants to not only appreciate the innovations but also experience first-hand through tasting. The manufacturers were able to explore possible orders and collaborations. This direct interaction between technology providers and users ensured that the Pavilion was not just an exhibition space but also a marketplace for ideas and solutions.

Among the technologies showcased, several stood out for their potential impact. Curved infrared cooktops, commercial inductions and boilers were noted for their efficiency and suitability in both domestic and institutional settings. Double burner infrared systems, available in both AC and DC variants, were particularly appealing for community kitchens and self-help group canteens. A newly modified version of Indian Oil’s Surya Nutan solar cooktop also drew attention for its innovative use of thermal battery storage, enabling cooking both during sunlight hours and at night. Equally promising was the hydrogen-based Hycooker, which represents an entirely new pathway to zero-carbon cooking. Other solutions such as ethanol- and biogas-based systems, smart induction appliances, and IoT-enabled devices underscored the diversity and adaptability of the technologies being developed in this space.

Several of the participating manufacturers also engaged in panel discussions that addressed broader themes around demand-side dynamics and the challenges associated with scaling eCooking adoption. These conversations highlighted the importance of consumer trust and awareness in driving acceptance of new technologies, as well as the critical need for affordability, financing models, and reliable after-sales service networks. Participants emphasized that while technology has reached a level of maturity where it can deliver efficient, safe, and sustainable cooking, the journey toward widespread adoption requires sustained efforts in behaviour change, supportive policies, and strong supply chains that can ensure last-mile availability.