Helping chefs create and complete their next masterpiece with a 5-minute chat

Inspiration is a vital element of creating exciting new dishes. Without it, something seems missing; and it keeps ordinary dishes staying ordinary.

However, the reality is chefs are time-starved, often working 12 hours a day, 6 days a week. After long hours prepping, cleaning and cooking, the idea of spending even more time trawling through websites and recipe books for ideas is daunting.

How can chefs reduce the time spent searching for the right info, tips and recipes they need to make their next bestselling dish?

As the saying of Unilever Food Solutions is “For chefs, by chefs”, we knew just how to help.

Chef Nas: The AI-powered Chatbot

With Chef Nas, finding inspiration is just a quick chat away

Chef Nas is a Facebook Messenger-based chatbot that chefs can interact with to find inspiration during their short breaks at work. With over 1.3 billion smartphone users in APAC—76% of whom use messaging apps—using a chatbot enables a seamless experience and reduces barriers to conversions, recipe discovery and product knowledge.

After chefs tell us the cuisine they serve, Chef Nas’ AI rapidly pulls out recipes, tips, recommendations and product samples specially curated to fit their needs. In just 5 minutes—about the length of their cigarette break—chefs can receive relevant content without the hassle of looking for it themselves.

**Chef Nas: The Chatbot**
*“Nas” comes from the popular Arabic name “Nasir”, which means “helper” and “one who helps someone achieve victory or success”.*

From inspiration to finished dishes in a 5-minute chat

Using insights and knowledge gained directly from industry professionals, Chef Nas can dish out 500+ curated conversations around culinary trends and recipe tips, and answer 200+ FAQ questions about cooking methods, ingredients, recipes and more. There are also UFS chefs and sales personnel on hand to take over for uncommon questions that Chef Nas can’t answer within a 24-hour response window.

**Recipe and Product Discovery**
Depending on the information the chef provides, Chef Nas will suggest related recipes, products and samples via chat. Chefs can then share these articles with their fellow chefs and staff.

**Tips and Trends**
Push notifications from Chef Nas inform chefs of what’s hot in the culinary world such as the latest food trends related to their cuisine, and what their diners are looking for, without chefs having to lift a finger.

**Exclusive Promotions**
Chefs have access to curated promotions like discount codes and ingredient giveaways that help them perfect their dish, exclusive only to chatbot users.

**Free Samples**
Apart from recommending the best ingredients for your dish, Chef Nas also gives free samples of them, like the ever-popular Knorr Demi Glace Brown Sauce Mix, Knorr Lime Powder and Lipton Potbag Kaw , which will be delivered within 2–4 days of request.

**Talk to a Chef**
Chef Nas is on-hand 24/7 to answer questions and help chefs on their journey to create their next bestseller. If there’s a question that can’t be answered by the chatbot, a real chef will be contacted and will step in to help.

Successfully launched in Malaysia, and coming soon to Indonesia, Philippines and Singapore

The Chef Nas Chatbot was first introduced on August 13 at the Future of Food event in KL, Malaysia, and was greeted with acclamation by chefs and restaurant owners. At the Malaysia launch, more feedback was gathered to further optimise the chatbot before it launches in Singapore, Philippines and Indonesia on locally popular messaging platforms in 2020.