The new Future Menus Recipe Intelligence Tool from Unilever Food Solutions brings together real-time trends, product insights, and smart suggestions in a user-friendly chatbot experience – helping operators tap into the practical benefits of AI in the kitchen.
In an era where efficiency, agility, and customer experience drive the foodservice industry, artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an indispensable kitchen companion. From reducing waste to crafting personalised dining experiences, AI is revolutionising restaurant operations. Now, it’s also stepping into one of the most creative and strategic aspects of culinary operations: menu planning. Leading the way is the Future Menus Recipe Intelligence Tool, an AI-powered chatbot recently launched by Unilever Food Solutions (UFS). But this isn’t just another tech rollout - it's part of a broader shift where data meets creativity, offering chefs a pragmatic solution for staying ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving industry.
AI’s impact on the foodservice industry has already been well documented - from computer checks that ensure consistent food quality, to intelligent inventory systems that reduce waste. Operators using AI have reported boosts in revenue and customer satisfaction, thanks in part to personalised recommendations and streamlined operations.
But menu planning has often lagged behind, relying heavily on experience, instinct, and time-consuming trend research. With the Future Menus Recipe Intelligence Tool, UFS brings AI to the heart of culinary innovation, allowing chefs and operators to generate trend-led, audience-targeted menu ideas in minutes.
Smarter Menus. Less Guesswork.
At its core, the Future Menus tool is designed to alleviate the growing pressure on foodservice professionals to deliver creativity under constraints. Built on data from UFS's Future Menus Vol 3 trend report - which includes social listening across 312 million global searches and feedback from over 1,100 chefs - the tool distils insights into a dynamic chat interface.
This means operators can input a few variables (like their target customer or seasonal focus) and receive tailored menu suggestions, nutritional insights, and even a “Gen Z Compatibility Score”- all within a conversation-style interface. It’s not just fast; it’s smart.
As Julienne Suignard, Head of Operator and Digital Marketing at UFS, explains: “With the Future Menus Recipe Intelligence Tool, we’re offering chefs a practical way to access powerful insights and culinary inspiration - all through a simple chat interface. It’s designed to take the guesswork out of menu planning by connecting operators directly with the most relevant data and food trends.” Key Features of the Future Menus Recipe Intelligence Tool include:
· Instant ingredient insights - nutritional profiles, trending pairings, and product tips based on user inputs. · Trend-led recipes - suggestions aligned with the four latest Future Menus Vol 3 trends: Modernised Comfort, Borderless Cuisine, Diner Designed, and Streetfood Couture.
· Smart menu recommendations - ideas tailored to customer type, seasonality, and budget.
· Gen Z Appeal Analysis - a quick assessment of how menus resonate with younger diners.
The future of menu-planning is here.
As AI continues to move from novelty to necessity in the culinary world, innovations like the Future Menus Recipe Intelligence Tool point toward a future where data-backed creativity becomes the norm. Chefs and operators aren’t being replaced - they’re being empowered.
By embracing AI tools, the industry can respond more rapidly to changing consumer preferences, reduce inefficiencies, and, perhaps most importantly, free up creative energy to focus on what truly matters: serving up memorable food experiences. The Future Menus Recipe Intelligence Tool is now live and available to try here:
www.unileverfoodsolutions.co.uk/chef-inspiration/future-menus-2025-ai-tool.html
