eCooking and Taste: Exploring Flavor, Tradition, and Innovation in Clean Cooking
We are delighted to invite you to the 7th session of the Talk Series – Phase III on “eCooking and Taste”. The session would be conducted in virtual mode and is being organized by the Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) Programme, through its In-country partner – India, Finovista with the aims to discuss its different dimensions, identify the barriers, and explore avenues to address the specific challenges in the transition to clean cooking.
In recent years, the culinary world has witnessed a significant transformation with the advent of eCooking technologies. With Urbanization and modernization, electric stoves and cooktops have gained popularity in Indian households, offering convenience and precise temperature control. Its adoption is more feasible even in rural India as more people gain access to reliable electricity . From induction cooktops to electric pressure cookers and sous-vide machines, these innovations have revolutionized the way we prepare and relish food. However, one of the most intriguing aspects of eCooking is its impact on the taste and flavor of the dishes prepared. eCooking technology has opened up a world of possibilities for flavor infusion and customization. With the rise of smart kitchen appliances and connected cooking platforms, chefs and home cooks can access a wealth of recipes, cooking techniques, and flavor profiles at their fingertips.
Taste is at the heart of cooking practices in India, where culinary traditions are as diverse as the country itself. With a rich tapestry of regional cuisines, ingredients, and cooking techniques, taste takes Centre stage in every dish. Such diverse range of recipes make cooking a culturally embedded practice, that results in an array of behavioral change and challenges that must be understood and overcome for these new opportunities to translate into impact at a scale. Although, eCooking provides a clean canvas for the vibrant flavours of Indian spices and ingredients to shine, eCooking may lack the smoky allure of wood and charcoal which sometime may act as a barrier for adoption of eCooking. The absence of such allurement is a factor especially in those regions where “tandoor” is an essential part of the cooking practices. This session of the talk series would be focusing around such challenges to eCooking adoption by consumers which is considered a major bottleneck to widespread adoption. Is this real or only a psychological barrier only? The expert’s panel may, in particular, share their experience with eCooking and highlight the need and consequent opportunities for innovation in eCooking devices and their use. They may also discuss how right cooking practice and improved awareness will play a crucial role in driving adoption of electric cooking in India without affecting the true flavor of the local cuisine.
MECS Programme is a UK Aid (FCDO) funded global research programme led by Loughborough University and the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP). MECS is implementing a strategy focused on including the cooking needs of households in the investment and action on ‘access to affordable, reliable, sustainable modern energy for all’. The programme is also supporting India to emerge as a Global Hub for manufacturing clean cooking devices for domestic and international markets, aligned to the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India mission and also with the objectives of the GoElectric and LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) campaign launched by the Government of India.
The Talk Series, now in Phase III has evolved into an important global platform for diverse stakeholders for a dialogue and debate on diverse issues concerning adoption of modern energy for cooking. It has been successful in bringing several stakeholders from the clean cooking domain and related sectors to a common platform and engages in discussions on the challenges, emerging opportunities, and policy support needed for developing ecosystem of the Modern Energy-based Clean Cooking Sector in India. The Talk series is thoughtfully structured in phases, with each phase consisting of 12 sessions. After successful completion of Phase I & II Talk Series which comprised of 24 sessions altogether, the Phase III of the Talk Series has been launched.