MECHANICAL BUFFET.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20643, 15 February 1929, Page 10

MECHANICAL BUFFET.

SYDNEY , INNOVATION. | ■ COIN IN SLOT MACHINES. 'From Our Own Correspondent.) • SYDNEY, February 7. Quick lunches! In a few weeks’ time the people of Sydney will be able to 'from coin-in-the-slot machines sandwiches, ice cream, orange crush, pies, cakes, and other things coming within the same category. And the critics will say: “Hustle, hustle! Sydney is becoming more American every day.” But it so happens that the mechanical buffet idea originated on the Continent, even though it might have been perfected in the United States. Anyway, why should America, have a monopoly of hustle in eating? It is claimed that the automatic buffets that have been ordered for Sydney eclipse the American model in their sheer mechanism. No human attendant is necessary. The first automatic buffet will be at the Central Railway Station in Sydney, where thousands of people eat and. drink every day, and most of them in a hurry. At first the machines will serve out the ever-popular orange crush, but later other machines will be added to deal with the varied epicurian demands of the public. Seven machines will be landed within a week or two, and they mil be operating at the end of the month. The automatic buffet presents a stolid mechanical face to its patrons. It gives immediate service. It never becomes flurried.’ It never gives the wrong dish. It never argues, and it is useless to argue with it.

The customer, being provided with the necessary small change, goes straight to the machines, which will extend the full length of a wall and be divided into sections. He chooses the section which contains the article he wants, clearly seen through a glass front, he it a sandwich, a pie, ice cream, cake, or a drink. Placing a coin in the slot, he' receives his issue. There are no handles to turn or buttons to press, as in the Anlerican models. The insertion of the coin will be enough. The buffet is designed for those who are in a hurry and cannot afford to wait the pleasures of a waitress. It is, therefore, of special benefit at railway stations and on racecourses. There is even talk of selling beer by its aid, though it is admitted that there might be the danger of abuse if it were put to this purpose. Anyhow, it will be able to supply 1000 glasses of drink without being replenished. The tap will give the exact glassful, and it will send it along in two sections, to prevent the overflow of froth. It is proposed to use card cups that can he destroyed after use.

It is claimed that the whole system is more hygienic thau the ordinary restaurant methods, inasmuch as there is no handling of the food except in the ordinary processes of preparation. The cabinet behind the machine is automatically. refrigerated or heated to keep the food at the required temperature. Teu_ machines can serve 60 sandwiches a minute, or as many cakes and pies.