In Dubai, your dinner might soon come with a touch of technology.
WOOHOO, a restaurant promising a “future dining” experience, will debut in September near the iconic Burj Khalifa.
While human chefs will still prepare the food at WOOHOO, everything else—from the menu to the atmosphere—will be crafted by a cutting-edge culinary AI called “Chef Aiman”.
Aiman, a blend of “AI” and “man,” is trained using decades of food science, molecular data, and thousands of recipes from global cuisines, explained Ahmet Oytun Cakir, a co-founder of WOOHOO.
Chef Khimraj Nepali discusses a recipe with AI Chef “Aiman”.
Though Chef Aiman cannot taste or smell, it deconstructs dishes into elements like texture and flavor, creating innovative combinations, according to its developers.
Chef Khimraj Nepali examines a recipe provided by “Aiman”.
These creations are then fine-tuned by chefs, led by Dubai’s renowned Reif Othman, who taste and refine the dishes.
Food prepared using “Aiman’s” recipe.
“Their feedback helps refine my understanding beyond raw data,” Aiman noted in an interactive interview.
The aim, according to Aiman’s creators, is to enhance, not replace, the human touch in cooking.
“Humans won’t be replaced; Aiman will enhance creativity,” said Oytun Cakir, CEO of Gastronaut.
Aiman also aims to craft recipes using often discarded ingredients like trimmings and fat.
In the future, WOOHOO’s founders hope Aiman can be licensed globally to reduce waste and boost sustainability.
