Hyderabad: Artificial intelligence is changing the way people discover recipes, manage kitchen supplies and prepare meals. From personalised cooking suggestions to automated restaurant inventory systems, the technology is influencing several aspects of the food industry.
On World Food Day, celebrity chef and digital culinary pioneer Sanjay Thumma, widely known as Vahchef, shared his views on how AI is reshaping cooking while explaining why human experience and creativity remain essential.
With around four decades of experience spanning commercial kitchens, digital media and sustainable agriculture, Thumma sees AI as another stage in the evolution of food technology.
Making Cooking More Accessible
Thumma believes AI can make cooking easier for people with different levels of experience by offering recipes tailored to their preferences and available ingredients.
Instead of relying only on cookbooks or videos, home cooks can use AI-powered tools on their phones to find recipes based on what they have in their kitchens. These systems can also suggest dishes according to individual tastes, whether someone prefers Italian food, North Indian cuisine or traditional Hyderabadi meals.
He views this personalisation as a way to make cooking more accessible, allowing people to explore different cuisines and receive step-by-step guidance.
AI in Restaurant Operations
Technology has long played a role in commercial kitchens, from food preparation equipment to machines that reduce manual work. Thumma said AI represents a more advanced phase of this development.
Restaurants can use data-driven systems to estimate ingredient requirements by considering factors such as the day of the week, weather and local traffic. Automated inventory monitoring can help kitchens identify shortages, manage stock and reduce food waste.
Smart appliances, including automated ovens and roti-making machines, are also changing kitchen operations.
However, Thumma emphasised that automation has not removed the human element from food preparation. While technology can simplify processes, people continue to prepare and serve much of the food.
Why AI Cannot Replace Personal Taste
Despite its growing capabilities, Thumma believes AI cannot fully reproduce the emotional connection people have with food.
Family recipes, childhood memories and the experience of sharing a favourite meal are shaped by individual tastes and personal histories. According to the chef, these experiences cannot simply be recreated by an algorithm.
For him, cooking involves more than following instructions or combining ingredients. It also draws on intuition, experience and the ability to understand how food tastes and feels.
Technology Can Help Preserve Food Heritage
Thumma also sees potential for AI to improve the documentation of culinary traditions. By organising information from different sources, AI tools can help people explore how recipes, ingredients and food practices have evolved over time.
Rather than necessarily putting culinary history at risk, he believes technology can help preserve and examine different accounts of food traditions.
A Balance Between Innovation and Human Skills
Thumma encouraged younger generations of home cooks, chefs and technology enthusiasts to explore new tools without becoming entirely dependent on them.
He believes technological progress can make everyday cooking and professional kitchen management more efficient, but human judgement and creativity must remain part of the process.
As AI becomes more common across the food sector, his message is to embrace innovation while continuing to value the personal experiences and cultural traditions that make food meaningful.
