A unique immersive edutainment dining concept

Dreamscape, a VR company co-founded by Steven Spielberg, presents a unique immersive edutainment dining concept.

Speaking at Gulfood 2023, Ronald Menzel, investor and advisor in Our Hidden Worlds, shared his experience in taking dining experiences to the next level with immersive technologies. These experiences, that combine edutainment with the meal, could potentially lead to more conscious consumers, he said.

He spoke about two ways in which he has accomplished this. The first experience is with Dreamscape, in which the diners immerse themselves in a digital world using VR headsets. The second, Our Hidden World, uses projections – augmented reality – to immerse diners in a different way.

Speaking about Dreamscape, he said the idea to use VR in a dining context came from the first time he tried the technology developed by his friends. “I went to see them and found myself transported into Tutankhamun’s tomb. I took a torch and walked through a digital world. It was amazing and I decided to build a company around it,” he said.

Our Hidden World, gives diners a different experience with projection technology. He gave the example of a pop-up experience which they did recently in Miami that allowed diners the chance to be part of a multisensory, immersive dining experience.

He showed a 10-course Michelin star dinner where every dish has a story. “By eating each dish, you will contribute to the health of the ocean through the selection of the species – either taking them out or regulating them,” he said.