Beyond recipes
A qualitative inquiry into culinary professionals’ engagement with generative AI
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21295096 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Eda Alphan (0000-0001-8294-5718, University of South Florida), Faizan Ali (0000-0003-2168-861X, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway), Aylin Güven Hamurişçi (0000-0002-5178-260X, Akdeniz University Faculty of Tourism), Laiba Ali (0000-0001-8360-3760, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Center for Finance and Digital Economy) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-26 |
| Publication date | 2026-05-11 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | British Food Journal (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0007-070X • E-ISSN: 1758-4108 |
| Publisher | Emerald (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1108/bfj-08-2025-1057 |
| OpenAlex | W7160497420 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 53 |
Purpose This study explores how culinary professionals (chefs, educators, and graduating students) perceive and engage with Generative AI (GenAI). Rather than viewing GenAI solely as a technical tool, it is examined as a socio-technical actor intertwined with professional identity, cultural heritage, and institutional dynamics. The study reveals a landscape of hybrid possibilities, cautious optimism, and critical tensions. Design/methodology/approach Adopting a qualitative design within an interpretivist paradigm, the study investigates how culinary professionals engage with GenAI across educational and professional contexts. Rather than seeking generalizable patterns, it highlights lived experiences, perceived benefits, challenges, and contextual contingencies. The analysis is inductive and grounded in participants’ narratives, informed by sensitizing concepts from technology adoption literature. Findings Participants viewed GenAI as beneficial for enhancing efficiency, creative inspiration, and personalization. However, concerns were raised about authenticity, ethical ambiguity, and cultural misalignment. Findings also suggest emerging expectations for GenAI’s integration into gastronomy education, evolving professional roles, and reconfigured models of creative collaboration. Originality/value While GenAI has rapidly transformed creative industries, its role in culturally rooted professions like gastronomy is underexplored. This study contributes novel insights into how culinary professionals interpret GenAI adoption, offering implications for educators, developers, and policymakers to foster creativity, protect cultural heritage, and ensure ethical integration
Cultural learning · Gastronomy · Generative grammar · Grounded theory · Qualitative research · AI in Service Interactions · Culinary Culture and Tourism · Nutrition, Genetics, and Disease
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| Highly cited | No |
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