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The recent Smart Kitchen Summit looked at new technology that will impact how homeowners shop, and how food is delivered, stored and cooked. BY KATHLEEN DONOHUE, CMKBD, CAPS Smart Kitchen Summit he frst-ever Smart Kitchen Summit, held in Seattle, WA in November, drew some 250 attendees from an interesting cross-section of marketing, tech, product development and design professionals. All gathered to share ideas and insights into the state and future of many of the technological innova- tions that are fnding their way into our homes, most notably by way of our kitchens. Many think the kitchen will be the next gateway to introduce high tech and connectivity conveniences into our lives, much like what has happened in our living rooms. The traditional broadcasting model of TV, music and entertainment has been fundamentally changed, or "disrupted," with streaming on-de- mand content being the new normal. The landscape of our liv- ing rooms has changed as well, with fat-screen TVs, Bluetooth speakers and iPads. The creator and curator of the Smart Kitchen Summit was Michael Wolf, consumer analyst and principal of NextMarket Insights, who also hosts a podcast called "Smart Home Show." The Summit's ambitious agenda featured 40+ innovators, entrepreneurs, journalists and CEOs, organized into 30-minute panel discussions on various aspects of product development, marketing, connectivity and possibilities. T MAJOR CHANGES According to Wolf, the kitchen is at the beginning of a massive disruption over the next decade. The way we shop, how food is delivered, how we store it and how we cook our food are all ripe for change. Technology can work holistically with innovators and trusted brands in the kitchen more efectively than in other parts of the home. Of course, it needs to be seamless, rather than intimidating, and good design is a big part of that. One presenter, renowned kitchen designer Johnny Grey, talked about the idea of "disruptors" in kitchen design, having had a similar experience when he frst introduced his "unftted kitchen" that changed the way kitchens are designed today. Over the years, Grey has evolved his design style into a more emotion- ally based artisan style, incorporating thoughtful ergonomics The frst-ever Smart Kitchen Summit was held in November in Seattle, with a focus on technological innovations in the kitchen. Michael Wolf, consumer analyst and principal of NextMarket Insights, created the Smart Kitchen Summit. 76 Kitchen & Bath Design News • January 2016 AUTOMATION