In the heart of Dubai, just steps away from the towering Burj Khalifa, an innovative dining concept is preparing to launch this September. The upcoming restaurant, WOOHOO, promises guests an experience that blends cutting-edge technology with the art of cuisine. Branded as “dining in the future,” WOOHOO will harness the power of artificial intelligence to revolutionize everything but the actual cooking.
Meet Chef Aiman: The AI behind the menu
At the core of this futuristic restaurant is Chef Aiman, an advanced large-language model whose name merges “AI” and "man." According to Ahmet Oytun Cakir-co-founder of WOOHOO and CEO of Gastronaut-the AI system has been meticulously trained on decades of food science, extensive molecular gastronomy research, and thousands of recipes spanning global culinary traditions.
Unlike human chefs, Chef Aiman doesn’t rely on taste or smell. Instead, it breaks down food into essential elements such as acidity, texture, and umami. The AI then recombines these components to generate unconventional pairings and recipes. Once Chef Aiman suggests a prototype dish, a team of human chefs led by acclaimed Dubai-based culinary expert Reif Othman refines and perfects the creation by tasting, adjusting, and providing feedback.
Technology that supports, not replaces, chefs
While some may worry that artificial intelligence will eventually sideline traditional chefs, WOOHOO’s founders emphasize that this is not the intention. “Human cooking will not be replaced, but we believe Aiman will elevate creativity and expand culinary possibilities,” Cakir explained.
This collaborative process enables human chefs to explore flavor profiles and ingredient combinations they may never have imagined on their own, supported by AI’s data-driven insights.
Reducing waste and boosting sustainability
Chef Aiman has also been programmed to tackle one of the food industry’s biggest challenges: waste. The AI system is designed to develop recipes that incorporate ingredients typically discarded, such as meat trimmings, vegetable peels, and excess fat. By reusing these byproducts, WOOHOO hopes to set an example for more sustainable practices in high-end kitchens.
In the long term, Gastronaut plans to license Chef Aiman to other restaurants worldwide, aiming to cut down kitchen waste and promote more eco-friendly cooking practices on a global scale.
What diners can expect
Although the AI curates the recipes and influences the atmosphere-from the music to the lighting-human cooks will still prepare the meals to ensure quality and consistency. Guests can anticipate a menu filled with inventive dishes that merge data science with culinary artistry.
