AI Makes Dinner
On farming, cooking robots, reducing waste and more.
Bright Bites #3. The Bright Bites series delivers bite-sized quotes straight from the source — see Bright Bites #1 and #2.
Today’s quotes are from: ‘Delicioso algoritmo: La Inteligencia Artificial en la gastronomÃa’ by Eneko Axpe (2025).
In English: ‘Delicious Algorithm: Artificial Intelligence in Gastronomy’.
Originally written in Spanish, I’m translating its key ideas into English.
Farming
"Cooking doesn’t start when I light the fire — it starts when farmers plant the seed." — Eneko Atxa.
AI could transform farming in many ways.
AI could predict how plants grow, and also improve production and sustainability.
It can also monitor crops to prevent drought and manage soil health. Amini.ai explores using AI for farming in the Global South.
John Deere’s 8R tractor could also be used to automate farming tasks with the help of AI.
AI can also impact global supply chains—connecting the food and hospitality businesses.<
Reduce Waste
AI can suggest creative recipes to turn leftovers into new dishes for restaurants.
3D printing can turn food waste into new meals.
Winnow uses computer vision to analyze trash in restaurants and measure food waste.
Afresh optimizes supermarket inventories to cut down waste.
Flashfood and Too Good To Go connect consumers with stores and restaurants to save leftover food.
Beer
Beck’s created an AI-generated beer: Beck’s Autonomous. They used ChatGPT and Midjourney.
Modus Brewing also created a beer using AI. The recipe, design, and name were all AI-generated.
Scientists found that complex beer traits can be predicted from chemical profiles.
Cooking robots
Looking ahead, AI and robots are set to move hand in hand:
The Creator restaurant in SoMa, San Francisco, features a robot that prepares burgers.
Optimus Robots served drinks during a Tesla event.
Stanford’s Aloha robot is built for mixing, serving, and cooking with precision.
RoboSmell has smelling capabilities.
Gastron can taste food using electronic sensors. It detects levels of sweetness, acidity, and saltiness.
Types of Intelligence in Gastronomy
Logical Intelligence
Used to measure, optimize, and adjust ingredient proportions.
AI can help reduce human errors.
Creative Intelligence
Essential for innovation and creating new recipes.
AI can bring unexpected ideas and original insights.
Sensorial Intelligence
The ability to perceive, interpret, and respond to sensory input. Can AI sense flavor, texture, or aroma?
AI might create dishes that are bland or overly sweet.
AI can also suggest ingredient pairings based on their chemical properties.
Emotional Intelligence
Crucial for teamwork and front-of-house service. AI could help improve communication between chefs, staff, and guests.
For instance, generating images from recipes could help improve communication between the chef and the team.
Personalized AI experiences can also be explored, both in restaurants and at home.
What is the best way to interface with AI?
Other examples
Valio used AI to design chocolate textures and packaging.
NotCo uses AI to combine plant-based ingredients that mimic milk (NotMilk) or mayo (NotMayo).
Analytical Flavor Systems and Gastrograph use AI to predict consumer taste preferences across markets.
DishGen creates new recipes and meal plans based on your ingredients and preferences.
IBM’s ChefWatson explored the creative possibilities of AI in the kitchen.
And AI oftentimes plays a role in marketing.
Coca-Cola created Y3000 with AI to imagine its flavor in the year 3000.
More info in: A Brief History of Cooking with Computers.
Also check Epicure Kaikaku.
Disclaimer. The ideas shared here reflect Eneko Axpe’s perspectives, as published in ‘Delicioso algoritmo: La Inteligencia Artificial en la gastronomÃa’. They are not my own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of my employer.