Dubai is set to open WOOHOO, billed as the world’s first restaurant led by an AI chef, in September 2025 at Kempinski The Boulevard, overlooking the Burj Khalifa. At the center is Chef Aiman, a large-language culinary model trained on decades of food science, molecular gastronomy, and thousands of recipes. Aiman designs menu items, ambiance, and drink pairings based on flavor chemistry, sustainability, and individual preference
Human chefs—including celebrated Dubai-based Chef Reif Othman—prepare and refine the dishes created by Aiman, combining data-driven creativity with culinary craftsmanship
Key Features & Innovations
- AI-led menu creation: Chef Aiman proposes dishes like umami-rich sushi, ceviche, and robata skewers by analyzing acidity, texture, umami, and more to build balanced flavor profiles. Human chefs taste-test and refine Aiman’s suggestions in real time
- Personalization and sustainability: The AI algorithm also optimizes ingredient use—upcycling elements like trimmings or fat—and adapts recipes to seasonal produce, dietary needs, and bespoke preferences
- AI-curated service and ambience: Beyond food, Aiman designs digital environments and service workflows, complemented by futuristic aesthetics with cyberpunk-themed lighting, LED installations, and a secret lounge named “Spock” featuring immersive audio-visual experiences and DJ sets
Why It Matters
- A first for global dining: WOOHOO marks the first public restaurant where an AI system, not a human, guides the culinary concept—positioning Dubai at the intersection of AI and haute cuisine
- Human‑AI collaboration: According to Gastronaut CEO Ahmet Oytun Cakir, Aiman is envisioned not as a replacement, but a co‑creative partner enhancing human chefs’ ideas and consistency
- Potential for global licensing: WOOHOO’s founders plan to license Chef Aiman to other restaurants, aiming to address kitchen inefficiencies and waste reduction industry-wide
Opening Details & Concept
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | September 2025 |
| Location | Kempinski The Boulevard, Downtown Dubai (near Burj Khalifa) |
| Cuisine Style | Fusion of Japanese, Mexican, Peruvian and Asian flavors |
| AI Role | Recipe creation, ambiance curation, beverage pairing |
| Human Role | Cooking, refinement, quality control (led by Chef Reif Othman) |
| Ambience | Cyberpunk, futuristic decor with immersive secret lounge “Spock” |
| Sustainability | AI-designed upcycled recipes, seasonal & precision culinary planning |
✅ Conclusion
Dubai’s WOOHOO restaurant, launching in September 2025, offers a groundbreaking culinary experience led by Chef Aiman, the first AI-powered chef. While human chefs bring the dishes to life, Aiman takes charge of recipe conception, ambience, and sustainability-oriented planning. This bold experiment could redefine fine dining and accelerate the integration of AI into hospitality worldwide.
