In Dubai, the restaurant and delivery chain Dodo Pizza asked ChatGPT to create new pizza variants. One of these became a bestseller. The pizza features Arabic shawarma chicken, grilled Indian paneer cheese, Middle Eastern herbs, and tahini sauce. This combination represents the cultural mix of the city. Spartak Arutyunyan, who leads menu development for Dodo Pizza in Dubai, mentioned that as a chef, he would never mix these ingredients on a pizza, yet the taste combination was surprisingly good.
In the United States, ChatGPT is also used to create new recipes, such as at Velvet Taco in Dallas. Venecia Willis, who leads the restaurant, appreciates the creative input that AI can provide for new recipes. She believes AI is a great tool when experiencing a creative block. AI can suggest combinations that might not have been considered otherwise. However, she emphasizes the need for a human element to validate recipes.
The British supermarket chain Waitrose uses AI to identify emerging food trends on social media. Examples include “Smash Burgers,” crispy burgers made by smashing ground meat in a hot pan. Lizzie Haywood, an innovation manager at Waitrose, noted that Smash Burgers were trending on social media, so they added them to their offerings, which further amplified the trend. Around the same time, several Smash Burger restaurants opened in the UK.
AI alone is unlikely to trigger culinary revolutions. In Dubai, Dodo Pizza had some less successful AI-generated recipes, such as “strawberries and pasta” and “blueberries and breakfast cereal” pizzas, which did not make it to the menu. These combinations might not appeal to traditional pizza makers.
While AI can be a powerful tool for culinary creativity, it requires human input to refine and validate the ideas. AI’s role in the culinary world is growing, but it complements human creativity rather than replacing it entirely.
As AI continues to evolve, its applications in the culinary industry will likely expand. Chefs and businesses can use AI to explore new flavor combinations and trends, enhancing their offerings and appealing to diverse tastes. However, the human touch remains essential in ensuring that these creations are both innovative and enjoyable.
AI’s ability to analyze vast amounts of data quickly allows it to identify trends and suggest unique combinations that might not be immediately obvious to humans. This capability can help chefs and businesses stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing culinary landscape.
Ultimately, the collaboration between AI and human creativity can lead to exciting and unexpected culinary innovations. As more businesses experiment with AI in their kitchens, the potential for new and delightful dishes continues to grow.
In conclusion, AI is a valuable tool in the culinary world, offering fresh perspectives and ideas. However, it is the combination of AI’s analytical power and human intuition that will truly drive innovation in the industry. As AI technology advances, its role in shaping the future of food will undoubtedly become more significant.