Alon Chen is the CEO and Co-Founding father of Tastewise, a number one shopper intelligence platform powered by knowledge and generative AI. Beneath 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 equivalent 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 seen that everybody in my household had totally different diets, vitamin plans, and meals preferences. For my mom — who at all times prepares unimaginable Shabbat dinners and invitations the entire household — this turned 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 standard dish with hen, solely to comprehend 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 attempting to accommodate everybody began to take a toll.
That’s when it struck me—this wasn’t only a problem for house cooks; it was a a lot larger subject for the 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 establish that the meals and beverage business was prepared for an AI-powered insights platform like Tastewise?
After 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On the time, 90% of latest product launches had been failing, largely as a consequence of outdated, handbook processes like shopper surveys and focus teams. These strategies had been gradual, pricey, and infrequently didn’t 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 growth and market methods and this basically frees groups from doing tedious handbook work and permits them to reasonably give attention to 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 getting 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 development.
There, I discovered firsthand find out how to leverage data-driven decision-making, innovation, and know-how to unravel advanced enterprise challenges — expertise that turned 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 other than opponents within the house?
Tastewise’s generative AI is particularly crafted for the meals and beverage business, leveraging seven years of specialised knowledge to supply real-time insights into what, why, and the way individuals eat.
Our AI analyzes an enormous array of knowledge – 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 gadgets. This enables us not solely to trace present shopper consuming habits but in addition to foretell rising meals and beverage traits with excessive accuracy, giving manufacturers a aggressive edge in staying forward of business shifts.
This stated intelligence is nothing with out motion. What units Tastewise aside is our capacity to rework these insights into actionable income alternatives. Our merchandise streamline workflows, guaranteeing 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 primarily based 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 development 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 might sound area of interest, however in actuality, it’s centered on a $10 trillion international market that touches each facet of our each day lives. Digitalization has amplified its attain, with food-related content material, equivalent to Instagram posts about meals, now constituting 20% of all on-line content material—underscoring that meals isn’t just a market, however a central a part of the digital dialog.
After we began seven years in the past, we relied on conventional AI fashions lengthy earlier than generative AI turned 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 stage 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 knowledge from menus, social media, and shopper habits. What particular machine studying fashions or strategies does your platform use to generate actionable insights?
At Tastewise, we leverage a mixture of superior machine studying strategies to rework huge quantities of knowledge into actionable insights. Analogizers, sometimes used for unsupervised studying, assist us cluster knowledge primarily based on related patterns, even when these patterns will not be predefined. For example, we use Analogizers to categorise (or group) retailer chains.
Connectionist fashions, like neural networks, enable us to categorise demographics and behavioral teams, which we confer with as audiences. In the meantime, Symbolyst’s tree and forest fashions are used for entity matching—connecting totally different supply platforms to the identical Tastewise entity. On this course of, we depend on a constant set of options (equivalent to identify, tackle, and telephone quantity) and apply comparatively inflexible guidelines to make sure correct matching throughout platforms.
Collectively, these fashions allow us to supply companies with exact, data-driven insights that not solely inform strategic selections but in addition anticipate future foods and drinks traits.
TasteGPT has recognized development in distinctive dessert preparation strategies, equivalent to infusing and grilling. What different culinary improvements are on the horizon?
Tastewise’s newest insights reveal an interesting evolution in how shoppers strategy dessert and meals preparation. Whereas strategies like infusing and grilling proceed to realize traction, different distinctive strategies are additionally rising in recognition, reflecting shifts in texture preferences, eating experiences, and even portion sizes.
Some of the notable traits is soaking, which has seen a 30% year-over-year improve. Soaking entails submerging elements in liquid to reinforce texture, taste, or dietary properties. Historically related to in a single day oats, this methodology is increasing into new territory, equivalent to infused grains and pre-soaked nuts for different dairy merchandise.
One other approach 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 elements to create a softer chunk. The rise in curiosity might point out a rising shopper desire for extra refined, melt-in-your-mouth textures throughout numerous 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 model the place elements are cooked at excessive temperatures on an open grill, usually in a theatrical, participating method. Whether or not at eating places or in house kitchens, this development displays the enchantment of immersive cooking experiences that deliver each leisure and daring flavors to the desk.
Lastly, the idea of miniaturization can be on the rise, with a 14% YoY improve. Miniaturization entails creating smaller, bite-sized variations of conventional dishes or desserts, usually emphasizing portion management and aesthetic enchantment. The demand for connoisseur small plates, petite pastries, and individually portioned treats suggests that buyers are on the lookout for indulgence in a extra balanced and customizable approach.
What are a number of 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 Developments Report, highlighting essentially the most disruptive meals and beverage traits shaping 2025
Some of the placing traits is the rise of Center Jap flavors, significantly Yemeni spices like hawaij and black lime. As shoppers search out daring, warming flavors, hawaij – a wealthy mix of ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves – is rising as the following 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 selections, particularly in drinks. Sustainable wine is gaining traction, as eco-conscious drinkers prioritize manufacturers that apply regenerative agriculture and embrace lower-carbon manufacturing strategies.
On the similar time, the well being and wellness motion is evolving within the wake of GLP-1 weight-loss medicine. Customers are more and more on the lookout for customized vitamin options that align with their particular person wants, from hormone stability to hydration.
Collectively, these traits level to a future the place shoppers will not be solely searching for thrilling flavors and cost-conscious meals but in addition making aware selections 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 habits. Customers’ 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 general productiveness.
The business is continually enjoying catch-up with shopper calls for, resulting in an over 90% failure price for brand new meals and beverage merchandise. In response to the World Financial Discussion board, the meals and beverage business prices over $19 trillion as a consequence of environmental injury and food-related well being points, nearly 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 will not be solely staying on high of traits however having a far larger understanding of them and may transfer quickly from ideation to shelf.
Which means the 90% failure price will come quickly down, even perhaps to zero, which I discover extra attention-grabbing. 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 fitting place?
AI will basically turn out to be an extension of the human group—sooner, extra exact, and always-on. I consider we’ll see a shift from a “useful software” 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 an information platform—we’re constructing the go-to setting the place manufacturers dream, take a look at, validate, and execute, multi functional place. That’s what will get me excited.
We’ve already laid the groundwork by pairing actual shopper habits with GenAI to automate what used to take groups weeks or months. Our objective now could be to proceed embedding ourselves deeper into the precise workflows of entrepreneurs, R&D groups, and strategists. Consider instantaneous solutions to advanced questions, built-in throughout the instruments you already use, accessible anytime.
And right here’s why that issues: after we get this proper, we don’t simply assist manufacturers transfer sooner—we lower down on meals waste, defend backside strains, and contribute to a more healthy, extra responsive meals system. It’s higher for enterprise, higher for individuals, and higher for the planet. That’s the longer term we’re constructing collectively.
What recommendation would you give aspiring entrepreneurs who wish to disrupt conventional industries with AI?
Disrupting a standard business with AI isn’t nearly having nice know-how—it’s about fixing an actual, urgent downside. Too usually, corporations get caught up within the hype of AI with no clear objective. The bottom line is to start out with the business’s greatest ache factors and ask: How can AI make this smarter, sooner, or extra worthwhile?
In conventional industries, change doesn’t occur in a single day. Many decision-makers are skeptical, counting on legacy programs and acquainted processes. That’s why training is simply as vital as innovation. It’s important to present, not simply inform—use knowledge and real-world success tales to show AI’s worth in a approach that resonates along with your viewers.
On the similar time, flexibility is essential. AI is evolving at an unimaginable tempo, and what works right this moment won’t be related tomorrow. Probably the most profitable entrepreneurs on this house aren’t simply tech visionaries—they’re adaptable, at all times refining their strategy primarily based on market wants.
Above all, success comes from assembling the fitting group. AI alone received’t disrupt an business—individuals will. Encompass your self with consultants who perceive not solely the know-how but in addition the business you’re attempting to rework. 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.
