Huma Siraj
Working in a busy restaurant kitchen or front of house is fast-paced and highly demanding. Consumers expect perfect meals and exceptional service every time.
In my opinion, the revolution brought about by generative AI will alter every sector and occupation. Additionally, restaurants and hospitality will not be exempt from this, whether it is fast food or luxury dining. The kitchen or guest-facing area of a popular restaurant is fast-paced and demanding, with customers expecting delicious food and top-notch service.
These are some of the ways that employment in the restaurant and hospitality industries will evolve, bringing with them new prospects for companies and workers that are ready to use AI.
How Generative AI Will Help Chefs and Restaurants
According to the UK hospitality publication Feast,
“AI is shifting from a futuristic concept to a practical tool that’s reshaping the dining industry.”
Large corporations will lead the shift, with fast food chains already testing voice AI for kiosks and drive-throughs.
Nonetheless, small enterprises with a single location make up 70% of the restaurant industry, and there will be many chances for them to participate as well.
Generative AI, such as ChatGPT, can design menus by studying customer tastes, diet patterns, and seasonal ingredients.
Most people might not want to type “create a dish for me” any more than an author would want to type “write a book for me” because chefs are generally perceived as having a strong passion for their cuisine. The outcomes in both situations would probably be equally uninteresting!
Rather, it may inspire, generate ideas, and pose questions to stimulate creative thinking, which is how I envision it being applied in kitchens. Additionally, it will provide visuals to help showcase food to customers in enticing and fashionable ways.
Crucially, it will also assist franchisers, business owners, and restaurateurs in making better business decisions by gaining insight into the locations, patterns, and preferences of their clientele.
The biggest US fast-food franchise, Yum Brands, recently revealed plans to introduce a “AI restaurant management platform.” One feature is Bytes By Yum, an AI assistant that helps managers with staff scheduling and other managerial tasks.
AI may not match a human chef’s skills, but it can streamline tasks by automating routines and enhancing culinary creativity.
How Chefs’ and Hospitality Professionals’ Roles Will Change
Cooks and chefs won’t lose their jobs to AI anytime soon. Robots can mix ingredients and peel potatoes, but they lack the general knowledge and dexterity necessary to do all of the duties involved in a busy kitchen.
Rather, they will assist them with planning, preparing, and scheduling chores, which will enable them to operate more efficiently. They will be able to devote more time to the high-value aspects of their work, such as experimenting, innovating, and showcasing their individual flare.
Chefs may now focus on finding fresher or newer products and creating new flavors while robotics and artificial intelligence handle inventory management, replenishment, and shift scheduling.
Managers and hospitality workers will devote more time to strategic choices, supervision, and in-person meetings with clients to find out their needs. Using intelligent technologies and data insights will become more important than basic administrative skills.
Additionally, wait staff and front-of-house employees may concentrate on delivering outstanding service and crafting genuinely unforgettable dining experiences.
Human positions in many industries will therefore change, presenting both new opportunities and challenges, rather than going extinct.
As with all occupations, cooks and other hospitality workers who wish to excel will find that digital skills and AI literacy are becoming more and more crucial.
Eating, especially when we’re enjoying delicious cuisine with wonderful people, is one of the most basic human activities. While AI won’t drive change on its own, professionals who use it can make dining experiences more engaging, innovative, and satisfying.
