MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Students at Florida International University can now enjoy their favorite cafeteria meals prepared by a robot.
Beastro, the first robot chef on a college campus, is serving up dishes like chicken alfredo, teriyaki, and mac and cheese at FIU’s Eighth Street campus kitchen.
“The chicken Alfredo with broccoli is my favorite,” said Lauren Schaudel, a student at FIU.
Beastro, operated under the supervision of Chef Denisse Castillo, can cook up to four dishes at once, delivering around 600 plates of food daily.
“The students come, place their order, and Beastro will cook,” said Castillo. “It has numbers, and that’s how I build my recipes.”
Beastro’s addition doesn’t just mean faster service; it’s also part of FIU’s efforts to enhance the dining experience.
Roger Clegg, Assistant Vice President of Business Services at FIU, shared his beliefs in the robot’s convenience and innovation.
“Basically, anything you can dream up, the machine can take care of,” Clegg said.
While Beastro has impressed many, some students still appreciate the human touch in their meals.
“It’s better when it’s human-made, but it’s great and a lot easier,” said FIU junior Cody Menke.
Interestingly, the robot has led to more job opportunities at FIU, with four additional staff members hired to assist with its operations.“
We still load the machine, add recipes, and make sure it cooks with care,” Castillo said.
Beastro represents a blend of human culinary expertise and cutting-edge technology, creating a new era in campus dining at FIU.
FIU confirmed the robot hasn’t eliminated any jobs and told Local 10′s Hannah Yechivi that four new kitchen staff members were hired to assist with Beastro, handling tasks such as serving meals, deep cleaning the robot and restocking ingredients when supplies run low.