System and method for automated preparation of food-based materials

An apparatus for preparation of food items, comprising:

• a first food ingredient dispensing head defining a first drive lock and a first base member;
• a second food ingredient dispensing head defining a second drive lock and a second base member;
• a robot assembly within reach of the first and second food ingredient dispensing heads, the robot assembly having a dispensing master comprising:
• a product head adapter configured to selectively couple to the first drive lock or the second drive lock of either food ingredient dispensing head;
• and
• clamping arms configured to selectively slide over the base member of either food ingredient dispensing head;
• the first and second food ingredient dispensing heads are each selected from a group consisting of:
• a sauce dispensing head configured to dispense sauce, a cheese dispensing head configured to dispense cheese, a sliced food dispensing head configured to slice and dispense food, and a ground food dispensing head configured to dispense ground food, wherein the dispensing master is operably connectible to each of the first and second food ingredient dispensing heads;
• a support surface configured to store the first and second food ingredient dispensing heads within reach of the robot assembly;
• a food preparation surface within reach of the robot assembly for preparing food items;
• and
• a controller in electronic communication with the robot assembly via a communication link.