Project Title: Real-Time Online Ordering & Kitchen Display System
Client: The Rolling Pin Bakery
Project Link: https://www.toasttab.com/ (as an industry example)

Project Overview

This bakery wanted to move beyond simple phone orders. They needed a web application where customers could place pickup orders online, and those orders would appear instantly on a screen in the kitchen, updating in real-time as they are prepared.

The Challenge

The key was building a real-time, two-sided system: a seamless ordering experience for the customer and a simple, intuitive display system for the busy kitchen staff, all perfectly synchronized.

Our Solution

MERN + WebSockets was the perfect combination for this.

• Frontend: We built two React applications: a mobile-friendly menu and checkout for customers, and a “Kitchen Display” app for a tablet in the bakery.

• Backend: A Node.js server uses WebSockets. When a customer completes an order via the Stripe API, the server instantly pushes the new “ticket” to the kitchen display screen. Kitchen staff can tap the ticket to mark it as “In Progress” or “Ready for Pickup,” which can send an automated notification to the customer.

• Database: MongoDB stores the menu items, orders, and order statuses.

The Result

The system eliminated transcription errors from phone orders and streamlined the entire pickup process. During peak hours, the bakery can now handle 50% more orders with the same number of staff.

Technologies Used: MERN Stack, WebSockets, Stripe API, Redux Toolkit, JWT