Abstract: An automatic catering machine in which at least one item of food can be stored, cooled and/or heated. The automatic catering machine has a rack store for storing a large number of items of food and a transportation apparatus by means of which in each case at least one item of food can be removed from the rack store and transported to at least one station in the automatic catering machine, wherein the transportation apparatus has a transportation tool for grasping the item of food, which transportation tool can be moved horizontally and vertically. A method for operating the automatic catering machine is also provided.

Abstract: A method for operating at least one vending machine. A food product to be prepared by the vending machine and dispensed to a consumer is remotely ordered by the consumer over at least one wireless and/or wired communications link, the order being transmitted to the vending machine over the same or another wireless and/or wired communications link.