Hajra Naz
In Dubai, your next dinner might be crafted by artificial intelligence.
WOOHOO, a futuristic dining concept, is set to open this September right in the heart of Dubai, just steps away from the iconic Burj Khalifa. The restaurant calls itself a “dining experience from the future,” and it’s not just talk.
While the actual food will still be prepared by human hands (for now), everything else—from the menu and flavors to the vibe and service style—is being designed by an AI culinary model named Chef Aiman.
The name Aiman is a blend of “AI” and “man,” reflecting its hybrid identity. Ahmet Oytun Cakir is the co-founder of WOOHOO and CEO of Gastronaut. He says Aiman was trained using years of food science and thousands of recipes from around the world. It also learned about flavor chemistry and how ingredients work together.
Aiman can’t smell or taste like a real chef. But it studies things like sweetness, sourness, texture, and umami. Then it mixes ingredients in new and surprising ways that human chefs might not think of.
Once Aiman suggests a recipe, human chefs test it, give feedback, and fine-tune it for the final dish. That testing process is led by Dubai’s celebrated chef Reif Othman, who works closely with Aiman to bring its AI-crafted ideas to life.
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“Their responses to my suggestions help refine my understanding of what works beyond pure data,” Aiman explained during an interview through its interactive AI interface.
The goal isn’t to replace chefs but to enhance their creativity and efficiency. “Human cooking will not be replaced,” said Cakir. “But we believe [Aiman] will elevate ideas and push creativity further.”
Interestingly, Aiman is also designed with sustainability in mind. It creates recipes that utilize ingredients often discarded—such as meat trimmings, vegetable tops, and animal fat—helping to reduce kitchen waste without sacrificing taste.
Looking ahead, WOOHOO’s founders hope to license Chef Aiman to restaurants around the world, helping chefs cut waste and reimagine ingredients through AI-assisted creativity.
So while a person may still plate your dish, the brain behind it might be part algorithm, part artistry—and 100% the future of food.
