# Portable Communal Bentos The Amrita Kulkarni 'Dine-In' Concept Brings Families Together By Shiori Mine | Published 2012-07-01 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/amrita-kulkarni-dine-in References: [frameweb](http://www.frameweb.com/news/dine-in-by-amrita-kulkarni) & [amritakulkarni](http://www.amritakulkarni.com/) The Amrita Kulkarni 'Dine In' concept is an artfully arranged solution for busy families needing a convenient way to deliver hot, home-cooked meals. Designer Kulkarni was inspired by her Indian heritage, where meal time is considered an important part of family bonding. Ordering take-out food minimizes the time spent together, but many find it challenging to have a hot feast ready with tight schedules. The box comes equipped with a number of [vessels, compartments and utensils](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/amcor-3) that make this one clever meal on-the-go. A [built-in heating apparatus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heatwave-go-n01) makes warming pre-prepared dinners easy and hassle-free. The device also unfolds into a kneeling-style table, complete with cushions and a communal eating space. Although the concept has been created with traditional Indian cuisine in mind, the Amrita Kulkarni Dine In concept could translate to a number of other cultural fares. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.1/10 - Popularity: 63% | Activity: 83% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Portable Communal Meals:** The Amrita Kulkarni 'Dine-In' concept presents an opportunity for the development of portable communal meals that bring families together on-the-go. - **On-the-go Heating Solutions:** The built-in heating apparatus in the Amrita Kulkarni 'Dine-In' concept opens doors for innovations in on-the-go heating solutions for pre-prepared meals. - **Multi-functional Food Containers:** The compartments, vessels, and utensils in the Amrita Kulkarni 'Dine-In' concept pave the way for the creation of multi-functional food containers that cater to various cuisines. ### Where This Applies - **Food Packaging Industry:** The innovative design of the Amrita Kulkarni 'Dine-In' concept presents disruptive opportunities in the food packaging industry for creating convenient, portable meal solutions. - **Home Appliance Industry:** The built-in heating apparatus in the Amrita Kulkarni 'Dine-In' concept opens doors for disruptive innovation in the home appliance industry, specifically in the development of on-the-go heating devices for food. - **Cultural Food Industry:** The concept's adaptability to various cultural fares paves the way for disruptive innovations in the cultural food industry, as portable communal meals become more accessible and convenient. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Outdoor Dining Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/savour-kit.md) - [Combinational On-the-Go Food Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beltur-go.md) - [Modular Serving Dishes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thermal-serving-dish.md) - [Compact Desk Food Warmers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reheatly.md) - [Landscape-Inspired Bento Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hyobodo-fiume.md) - [Meal Kit Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/giant-delivery-box.md) - [Multi-Functional Food Containers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/multifunctional-food-container.md) - [Collaborative Bento-Style Meal Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/onthego-meal-kit.md) - [Convenience-Focused Lunch Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lunch-bundle.md)