Dubai’s culinary scene has taken a futuristic turn with the opening of Woohoo, a restaurant that touts the world’s “first AI chef.” The establishment combines cutting-edge technology with gastronomy, offering diners a unique dining experience in the Emirati city known for luxury and innovation.
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The AI, named Chef Aiman, is programmed with thousands of recipes and decades of culinary research, including molecular gastronomy. While Chef Aiman designs and optimises menus, balancing flavours and experimenting with unusual dishes, the actual preparation and service remain in human hands.
Among the standout creations is the “dinosaur tartare,” crafted using DNA mapping to replicate the taste of extinct reptiles. Priced at roughly €50 ($58), the dish is served on a pulsating plate to simulate movement, impressing diners with both its flavour and presentation.
Dubai AI chef sparks awe and ire with dishes like ‘dinosaur tartare’
An AI programme known as chef Aiman, trained on thousands of recipes and decades of culinary research, is the latest entrant in the Emirati city’s food scene where it is offering up some unconventional dishes.… pic.twitter.com/Lt2VBwAhGs
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) November 30, 2025
Woohoo’s neon-lit venue features AI-generated holograms, sci-fi animations, and a giant cylindrical computer representing the digital mainframe of the restaurant. Turkish co-founder Ahmet Oytun Cakir said he envisions Chef Aiman as the “next Gordon Ramsay — but AI.”
However, not all in Dubai’s food scene are convinced. Michelin-starred chef Mohamad Orfali argued that cooking requires “nafas,” or soul, which AI cannot replicate. Orfali allows AI only to assist with administrative tasks in his kitchen, emphasising that human intuition and experience remain central to culinary artistry.
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Despite the debate, Woohoo has captured the public’s imagination, attracting diners eager to experience the novel concept. Social media buzz has further amplified interest, with Chef Aiman’s avatar sharing tips and recipes online. Customers like Dio describe the restaurant as “a creative concept” and a must-visit for those curious about the intersection of technology and dining.