Can AI Technology Revolutionize Cooking?

Technology has played a crucial role in food preparation for thousands of years, from the early furnaces of ancient Rome to modern appliances like refrigerators and microwaves. These advancements have revolutionized how we store, prepare, and consume food. Today, technological innovations have made it possible to enjoy fruits during winter, savor wines from distant regions, and learn culinary skills through online platforms like YouTube. What once seemed impossible is now within reach. With the advent of AI, the way we perceive food and learn about cooking has transformed dramatically. AI’s impact on modern cooking is profound, offering capabilities that were unimaginable just a few years ago. Whether you need a quick meal after a long day or want to prepare something special for a loved one, AI can provide you with options almost instantly.

AI can help manage food waste by providing recommendations on how to utilize leftover ingredients, generating personalized recipes based on what you have in your pantry, fridge, or garden. It can cater to dietary restrictions, provide portion sizes for single servings or entire families, and even offer detailed instruction on cooking techniques. These practical applications make cooking more efficient, sustainable, and accessible to everyone.

Still, we were curious to test the quality of AI-generated recipes. We decided to ask ChatGPT to write a recipe for Mango and Yuzu Sorbet and compare it to our own.

Our recipe: 

4 ripe mangoes, peeled, pitted, and cubed

1/2 cup yuzu juice

1 cup water

1/4 cup agave syrup

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Pinch of salt

AI Recipe: 

3 ripe mangoes (about 2 cups of mango puree)

1/2 cup yuzu juice

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

1 tablespoon lime juice

Pinch of salt

Following the instructions provided by AI, we discovered some differences in the finished product. ChatGPT’s recipe used fewer mangoes than ours, leading to a slightly less intense mango flavor and smaller volume. The blend of sweeteners in our recipe — agave, honey, and granulated sugar — provided a complex sweetness profile with floral notes from the honey and a mild, clean sweetness thanks to the agave syrup that the AI’s lacked. The difference in lime from lemon made the sorbet less tart. The water difference seemed to make the sorbet lighter in texture while the AI recipe felt richer. Lastly, the balance seemed slightly off in the AI-generated recipe. Without the sweetness from the extra mango and less sweeteners, the sorbet, despite being good, was a bit tart, which we determined came from the yuzu juice. Both recipes worked, but the AI’s version lacked the distinct mango flavor, balance, and light texture from the original recipe.

In another test, we asked ChatGPT how to cook rice to see its response.

Q: How do you cook rice?

ChatGPT Response: Cooking rice can vary slightly depending on the type of rice you are using, but here is a basic method for cooking long-grain white rice:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 1 tablespoon butter or oil (optional)

Instructions:

1. Rinse the Rice: Rinse 1 cup of rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming sticky.
2. Measure the Water: Use 2 cups of water for every cup of rice.
3. Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, water, salt, and butter or oil if using.
4. Boil: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
5. Simmer: Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a lid, and let it simmer. Do not lift the lid or stir the rice.
6. Cook: Cook the rice for about 18-20 minutes, or until the water is fully absorbed and the rice is tender. If the rice is still firm, add a few tablespoons of water and continue to cook for a few more minutes.
7. Rest: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it sit, covered, for about 5 minutes. This allows the rice to steam and finish cooking.
8. Fluff and Serve: After resting, fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains and serve.

ChatGPT’s response is the standard practice to prepare long-grain white rice, which raises some questions.

As a recipe builder, can ChatGPT be reliable, or is it merely a means to learn how to cook? Often, you are taught that recipes are mere guidelines and you should follow your tastes and preferences when putting a dish together. In terms of how-to, ChatGPT provided a known method to cook rice, but when asking it to write a recipe as a comparison, we received mixed results. AI cannot determine variables such as the sweetness of the fruit you are using, the level of tartness an ingredient has, or the thickness of the chicken breast you want to serve with your rice. These variables will be different each time; no one ingredient is always the same. Even though it’s limited based on the information you give it, AI can be an incredibly useful tool in the culinary realm, especially for those just learning to cook.