Panasonic’s innovative panel discussion Lab 1.0 features speakers from different backgrounds discussing a common topic in a collaborative and conversational format. Half way through the discussion an envelope is opened revealing a unique object for the panelists to “re-imagine”. Held in the towering Orrick Building on Howard Street, the night’s common topic was food. The event’s moderator was Bob Christopher of Panasonic, and his three panelists for the evening were: Tim West, founder of Food Hackathon, AJ Tamura, Executive Chef at Nike, and Michael Chiarello, Celebrity Chef with prior appearances on the Food Network and the Cooking Channel.

Bob opened the event stating “The idea behind Lab 1.0 is to create live innovation on stage”, and this was a perfect precursor for the evening’s proceedings. The panelists initially discussed the issue of food sustainability and the necessity for a close acquaintance with food. Tim West talked of Episcopal Community Services San Francisco, a chef program that is aimed at training homeless people within the culinary arts and helping them to enter the workforce. The panelists heavily emphasized the detriments of the ‘convenience culture’ in which we live, and how the culture is detaching us from our personal connections with food. Tim defined of the United States’ number one export as ‘Cowboy Cuisine’, an unsustainable surplus of processed food that causes an unsustainable amount of wastage. This analysis encouraged all of the speakers to urge the audience to assess the resource wastages caused by certain diets. Mr. Tamura chipped in that Nike cuisine is sourced locally providing both a sustainable model and a fresher end product. Whilst Mr. Chiarello praised the value of local farmers’ markets, and how the intimate personal relationships created in this environment can become a key factor in the resurgence needed to regain our connection to food.

The panelists also ‘re-imagined’ the toaster and the sink. Tim West had high tech ideas for the both of them, desiring a toaster that could make, slice and toast bread, as well as a sink that displays levels of wastage. AJ Tamura envisioned the toaster as a teaching tool for children, not dissimilar to a play oven. This sentiment was continued by Michael Chiarello who endorsed the idea of designing kitchen utensils to be more enjoyable. This would encourage children to cook, creating a passion for food from a young age and act as a potential long term solution for the increasing detachment felt by a large majority of the populous towards the food they eat.

To conclude proceedings, the panelists left us with different three pearls of wisdom. Tim West motivationally encouraged the audience to be fearless in the kitchen and make mistakes, as that is the only way learning can be achieved. AJ Tamura provided a reminder to be conscious about what is actually in the food that you are eating, and to trust your instincts when it comes to the purchase of meals. Finally, Mike Chiarello a professional pointer of learning how to cook a few dishes well. Too much variation delays progress within the kitchen and can be demotivational in the long run.

Ultimately, this edition of Panasonic’s Lab 1.0 was a tremendous success. The BABC would like to thank Panasonic for sponsoring the event, the moderator Bob Christopher for a sterling effort, the three panelists: Tim West, AJ Tamura and Mike Chiarello, and finally the audience whose participation and attendance makes the success of these events possible. We look forward to seeing you at another riveting edition of Lab 1.0 in January!