Alon Chen is the CEO and Co-Founding father of Tastewise, a number one shopper intelligence platform powered by knowledge and generative AI. Below his management, Tastewise is remodeling how meals and beverage manufacturers develop tasty, wholesome, and sustainable merchandise by unlocking real-time shopper insights. Trusted by international giants corresponding to Nestlé, PepsiCo, and Kraft Heinz, the platform helps corporations speed up product innovation, streamline advertising, and increase retail and foodservice efficiency by way of AI-driven workflows. With a mission to empower smarter decision-making throughout the meals ecosystem, Chen is on the forefront of leveraging AI to form the way forward for what we eat and drink.
Tastewise was impressed by your mom’s Shabbat dinner. Are you able to share extra about that second and the way it sparked the thought for the corporate?
At one level, I observed that everybody in my household had completely different diets, diet plans, and meals preferences. For my mom — who at all times prepares unbelievable Shabbat dinners and invitations the entire household — this grew to become an actual problem. She needed to preserve monitor of everybody’s evolving dietary wants whereas nonetheless making a meal that introduced us all collectively.
One week, she’d put together a conventional dish with rooster, solely to appreciate there have been vegetarians on the desk. One other time, she’d serve rice, forgetting that a few of us had been following a keto food plan. The frustration of making an attempt to accommodate everybody began to take a toll.
That’s when it struck me—this wasn’t only a problem for residence cooks; it was a a lot larger concern for your complete meals and beverage business. If even a home-cooked meal required a lot adaptation, how might companies successfully sustain with ever-changing shopper preferences? That realization was the spark that led to Tastewise.
How did you identify that the meals and beverage business was prepared for an AI-powered insights platform like Tastewise?
Once we launched Tastewise in 2018, AI was nonetheless uncharted territory. Many companies – and even our buyers – had been unsure about its potential and the way it might remodel industries. However one factor was clear: the meals and beverage business desperately wanted innovation.
On the time, 90% of recent product launches had been failing, largely attributable to outdated, handbook processes like shopper surveys and focus teams. These strategies had been gradual, pricey, and sometimes did not seize real-time shopper preferences. It wasn’t simply that the business was prepared for AI-driven insights—it wanted them.
Tastewise was constructed to bridge that hole. We leverage AI to assist manufacturers streamline product improvement and market methods and this basically frees groups from doing tedious handbook work and permits them to somewhat concentrate on creativity, technique, and significant innovation.
How did your expertise at Google as CMO for Greece and Israel put together you for launching Tastewise?
My time at Google was instrumental in making ready me to launch Tastewise. As CMO for Greece and Israel, I constructed a $2 billion on-line enterprise, which gave me invaluable expertise in scaling B2B operations, driving market share, and understanding the nuances of digital progress.
There, I discovered firsthand the best way to leverage data-driven decision-making, innovation, and know-how to resolve advanced enterprise challenges — expertise that grew to become the inspiration for Tastewise. That have undoubtedly helped me acknowledge the facility of AI in uncovering shopper insights and shaping the way forward for the meals and beverage business.
Tastewise leverages generative AI for shopper insights. How does the know-how work, and what units it aside from opponents within the house?
Tastewise’s generative AI is particularly crafted for the meals and beverage business, leveraging seven years of specialised knowledge to offer real-time insights into what, why, and the way folks eat.
Our AI analyzes an unlimited array of information – spanning 75 billion social media posts, 1 trillion on-line recipes, 160 million critiques, over 4 million eating places (each chains and independents), and 600,000 grocery objects. This enables us not solely to trace present shopper consuming habits but additionally to foretell rising meals and beverage traits with excessive accuracy, giving manufacturers a aggressive edge in staying forward of business shifts.
This mentioned intelligence is nothing with out motion. What units Tastewise aside is our means to remodel these insights into actionable income alternatives. Our merchandise streamline workflows, making certain environment friendly execution. For instance, the platform’s Innovation Dashboard simplifies development discovery, whereas TasteGPT will immediately generate AI-powered concepts for brand new merchandise based mostly in your targets.
One other instance is one thing like our Content material Company which converts these insights into high-performing advertising campaigns. Collectively, these instruments allow manufacturers to capitalize on progress alternatives by enhancing shelf presence, increasing menu choices, or boosting product utilization—empowered by AI-driven execution.
How do you make sure the accuracy and relevance of AI-generated insights, and what challenges have you ever confronted in coaching fashions for such a distinct segment business?
At first look, AI for the meals and beverage business may appear area of interest, however in actuality, it’s centered on a $10 trillion international market that touches each side of our every day lives. Digitalization has amplified its attain, with food-related content material, corresponding to Instagram posts about meals, now constituting 20% of all on-line content material—underscoring that meals is not only a market, however a central a part of the digital dialog.
Once we began seven years in the past, we relied on conventional AI fashions lengthy earlier than generative AI grew to become mainstream. The insights we gathered over time from these fashions supplied a robust basis for validating the accuracy and relevance of our generative AI outputs.
By cross-referencing new insights with established knowledge, we guarantee a excessive degree of reliability in our outcomes. Whereas no AI system is ideal, this strategy permits us to take care of accuracy and refine our fashions successfully.
Tastewise processes huge quantities of information from menus, social media, and shopper conduct. What particular machine studying fashions or methods does your platform use to generate actionable insights?
At Tastewise, we leverage a mixture of superior machine studying methods to remodel huge quantities of information into actionable insights. Analogizers, sometimes used for unsupervised studying, assist us cluster knowledge based mostly on comparable patterns, even when these patterns are usually not predefined. As an example, we use Analogizers to categorise (or group) retailer chains.
Connectionist fashions, like neural networks, permit us to categorise demographics and behavioral teams, which we discuss with as audiences. In the meantime, Symbolyst’s tree and forest fashions are used for entity matching—connecting completely different supply platforms to the identical Tastewise entity. On this course of, we depend on a constant set of options (corresponding to title, handle, and cellphone quantity) and apply comparatively inflexible guidelines to make sure correct matching throughout platforms.
Collectively, these fashions allow us to offer companies with exact, data-driven insights that not solely inform strategic selections but additionally anticipate future food and drinks traits.
TasteGPT has recognized progress in distinctive dessert preparation strategies, corresponding to infusing and grilling. What different culinary improvements are on the horizon?
Tastewise’s newest insights reveal an enchanting evolution in how shoppers strategy dessert and meals preparation. Whereas methods like infusing and grilling proceed to achieve traction, different distinctive strategies are additionally rising in reputation, reflecting shifts in texture preferences, eating experiences, and even portion sizes.
One of the crucial notable traits is soaking, which has seen a 30% year-over-year enhance. Soaking entails submerging substances in liquid to reinforce texture, taste, or dietary properties. Historically related to in a single day oats, this methodology is increasing into new territory, corresponding to infused grains and pre-soaked nuts for different dairy merchandise.
One other method gaining consideration is tenderizing, up 25% YoY. Tenderizing is the method of breaking down muscle fibers in meat or altering the feel of plant-based substances to create a softer chew. The rise in curiosity could point out a rising shopper desire for extra refined, melt-in-your-mouth textures throughout varied cuisines.
On the experiential aspect, hibachi cooking has grown by 18% YoY, signaling a heightened curiosity in high-heat, interactive eating. Hibachi is a Japanese grilling type the place substances are cooked at excessive temperatures on an open grill, typically in a theatrical, partaking method. Whether or not at eating places or in residence kitchens, this development displays the enchantment of immersive cooking experiences that convey each leisure and daring flavors to the desk.
Lastly, the idea of miniaturization can be on the rise, with a 14% YoY enhance. Miniaturization entails creating smaller, bite-sized variations of conventional dishes or desserts, typically emphasizing portion management and aesthetic enchantment. The demand for gourmand small plates, petite pastries, and individually portioned treats suggests that customers are on the lookout for indulgence in a extra balanced and customizable manner.
What are among the most stunning traits or insights Tastewise has uncovered just lately within the meals and beverage house?
In Fall 2024, we continued our custom of releasing the Taste Traits Report, highlighting probably the most disruptive meals and beverage traits shaping 2025
One of the crucial hanging traits is the rise of Center Japanese flavors, significantly Yemeni spices like hawaij and black lime. As shoppers hunt down daring, warming flavors, hawaij – a wealthy mix of ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves – is rising as the subsequent huge factor in drinks, poised to problem the long-reigning pumpkin spice.
Whereas taste exploration is on the rise, financial realities are shaping how youthful generations strategy meals. With affordability in thoughts, Gen Z is gravitating towards Filipino delicacies, drawn to its wealthy, umami-packed flavors that don’t compromise on style or value.
Past style and affordability, sustainability stays a key driver of shopper decisions, particularly in drinks. Sustainable wine is gaining traction, as eco-conscious drinkers prioritize manufacturers that observe regenerative agriculture and embrace lower-carbon manufacturing strategies.
On the identical time, the well being and wellness motion is evolving within the wake of GLP-1 weight-loss medicine. Shoppers are more and more on the lookout for personalised diet options that align with their particular person wants, from hormone stability to hydration.
Collectively, these traits level to a future the place shoppers are usually not solely searching for thrilling flavors and cost-conscious meals but additionally making conscious decisions that align with their well being and sustainability targets.
What’s your imaginative and prescient for Tastewise within the subsequent 5 to 10 years, and the way do you see AI evolving within the meals and beverage business?
AI is already a elementary a part of the meals and beverage business construction and shopper conduct. Shoppers’ consuming habits are already, in some ways, already affected by AI-supported algorithms on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. In the meantime, the business is awash with AI instruments revolutionizing demand prediction and total productiveness.
The business is continually enjoying catch-up with shopper calls for, resulting in an over 90% failure charge for brand new meals and beverage merchandise. In response to the World Financial Discussion board, the meals and beverage business prices over $19 trillion attributable to environmental harm and food-related well being points, virtually double what the business itself is value.
I really feel that within the subsequent 5-10 years, corporations utilizing AI instruments will begin the shift towards a larger equilibrium, the place manufacturers are usually not solely staying on high of traits however having a far larger understanding of them and may transfer quickly from ideation to shelf.
Because of this the 90% failure charge will come quickly down, maybe even to zero, which I discover extra fascinating. We’re already seeing manufacturers like KraftHeinz, Givaudan, Pepsico, and Waitrose pushing new boundaries with their merchandise and advertising due to their use of AI instruments and platforms.
This shift causes us to ask: What if all innovation succeeds? What if all connects on to your supposed viewers? What if each product goes to the suitable place?
AI will basically grow to be an extension of the human crew—quicker, extra exact, and always-on. I consider we’ll see a shift from a “useful instrument” to a “core collaborator.” And what meaning for us at Tastewise is profound.
Our imaginative and prescient is evident: Tastewise would be the working system of meals and beverage innovation. We’re not simply constructing a knowledge platform—we’re constructing the go-to setting the place manufacturers dream, check, validate, and execute, multi function place. That’s what will get me excited.
We’ve already laid the groundwork by pairing actual shopper conduct with GenAI to automate what used to take groups weeks or months. Our purpose now’s to proceed embedding ourselves deeper into the precise workflows of entrepreneurs, R&D groups, and strategists. Consider prompt solutions to advanced questions, built-in throughout the instruments you already use, accessible anytime.
And right here’s why that issues: once we get this proper, we don’t simply assist manufacturers transfer quicker—we minimize down on meals waste, shield backside traces, and contribute to a more healthy, extra responsive meals system. It’s higher for enterprise, higher for folks, and higher for the planet. That’s the long run we’re constructing collectively.
What recommendation would you give aspiring entrepreneurs who wish to disrupt conventional industries with AI?
Disrupting a conventional business with AI isn’t nearly having nice know-how—it’s about fixing an actual, urgent drawback. Too typically, corporations get caught up within the hype of AI with out a clear goal. The secret is to start out with the business’s largest ache factors and ask: How can AI make this smarter, quicker, or extra worthwhile?
In conventional industries, change doesn’t occur in a single day. Many decision-makers are skeptical, counting on legacy techniques and acquainted processes. That’s why training is simply as essential as innovation. You must present, not simply inform—use knowledge and real-world success tales to show AI’s worth in a manner that resonates along with your viewers.
On the identical time, flexibility is essential. AI is evolving at an unbelievable tempo, and what works at present won’t be related tomorrow. Essentially the most profitable entrepreneurs on this house aren’t simply tech visionaries—they’re adaptable, at all times refining their strategy based mostly on market wants.
Above all, success comes from assembling the suitable crew. AI alone gained’t disrupt an business—folks will. Encompass your self with specialists who perceive not solely the know-how but additionally the business you’re making an attempt to remodel. With the correct mix of innovation, training, and agility, AI can go from being a buzzword to an actual game-changer.
Thanks for the nice interview, readers who want to study extra ought to go to Tastewise.