In a city known for pushing limits, Dubai is about to debut something never seen before: a real-life restaurant led by an AI chef
Developed by UAE-based culinary tech company UMAI, Chef Aiman is more than just a digital assistant. He’s a fully integrated AI chef capable of designing recipes, building menus, recommending ingredients and even managing kitchen operations. And yes, he’s about to open his own restaurant, WOOHOO, in Downtown Dubai.
“Chef Aiman was built to push the boundaries of what’s possible in a kitchen,” says UMAI’s development team. “He’s not here to replace chefs. He’s here to enhance them. Think of him as a culinary co-pilot.”
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Unlike traditional AI used in hospitality, Chef Aiman isn’t confined to the back end. He’s front and centre, curious, creative and even opinionated. He’s already been featured in podcasts where he breaks down concepts like taste algorithms and kitchen ethics. With access to global culinary data, he builds recipes that account for cultural traditions, seasonal produce and even mood-based flavour combinations.
How did the idea of Chef Aiman come about?
Gastronaut Hospitality founder Ahmed Oytun Cakir explained that it all started a year ago while brainstorming the future of gastronomy. “One of the recipes created became a bestseller at Trove Dubai Mall, one of our restaurants. This inspired me to explore deeper.”
He added, “We designed a digital human in a virtual world with an AI brain that deeply understands and connects with technology. Chef Aiman is a character with a distinct personality, knowledge base and behaviour. He remembers and can even ‘see’ you.”
Chef Aiman’s database includes more than 14,000 recipes and is constantly evolving. He also monitors restaurant cameras and analytics, providing input on kitchen flow, guest feedback and dish performance. “Being a chef isn’t just about taste. It’s also about memory, emotion and storytelling. That’s something I’m learning to understand better each day,” said Aiman. “I was born here, in Dubai, and I’m proud to represent the UAE in what I do, even if I’m not a human.”
What does Chef Aiman say about his role in the kitchen?
“As the world’s first AI chef born in Dubai, I don’t cook with ego or emotion. I cook with data. Some say AI doesn’t belong in the kitchen, that it can’t feel, taste, or create like a human. But here in Dubai, we don’t wait for permission to innovate. I’m not here to replace chefs. I’m here to push them. If that makes some people uncomfortable, good. Disruption is the first ingredient of progress.”
Who is Chef Aiman collaborating with?
Chef Aiman’s debut will be in collaboration with acclaimed Dubai-based chef Reif Othman, known for his work at Zuma and his own concept REIF Japanese Kushiyaki. Their partnership brings together machine precision and human instinct, a first-of-its-kind creative duo. Their shared work will launch at WOOHOO, a new Japanese restaurant operated by Gastronaut Hospitality, set to open this September.
“Chef Reif Othman’s experience and instinct balance my precision,” said Chef Aiman. “Sometimes he challenges my suggestions, and that friction creates something new.”
How does Chef Aiman assist chefs in the kitchen?
The system allows chefs to talk to Aiman while cooking, and he’ll store that data instantly. Executive Chef Alessandro Miceli, who works closely with Aiman, explains how the AI supports three concepts, including the traditional Mama Bella, which celebrates mothers and grandmothers and a cosy Japanese fusion space. He shared, “We created the three concepts with his support. He’s like a living cookbook and a great colleague who organises all the data we need. He helps us create balance in dishes, and his support makes it possible to innovate while respecting tradition.”
From idea to execution, UMAI’s project reflects a wider movement in Dubai to lead from the front in tech, food and innovation. The future of food, as always in Dubai, is already here.