# Virtual Chef Cooking sessions and showings are presented in the VR space. By [Mishal Omar](https://www.trendhunter.com/MishalO) | Published Feb 21, 2019 | Category: [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/marketing-strategy) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/virtual-chef ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.1/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Virtual Chef trend? **Virtual Chef:** One of the more unlikely applications of VR is brands in the food space using it for lessons and food-related experiences, with everything from live-cooking sessions to visual sampling shows for customers to take part in. The use of VR in the food space allows for brands to engage customers that may be too distant to tangibly test their offerings, and provides a uniquely immersive experience for curious consumers. ## The consumer insight behind the Virtual Chef trend For "foodie" consumers, testing out new cuisines and dishes isn't simply about ingredients and flavor, but about the entire consumption experience as a whole–everything from smell to sight is involved in the process. Thus, immersive forms of food and beverage "consumption" appeal to consumers who are drawn to more distinct methods of engaging with their preferred foodie experiences. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Jun 21, 2017 to Aug 11, 2018 - Published: Feb 21, 2019 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Co-creation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/co-creation), [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience), [Artificial Intelligence](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/artificial-intelligence) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Virtual Chef trend ### Immersive Experiences The use of VR and AR in various industries allows consumers a uniquely immersive experience, providing a more distinct method of engagement. ### Mixed Reality in Cooking Augmented, virtual, and mixed reality allow for a digitized instructional guide that provides a comparative image for every step of the process. ### VR Sampling The use of VR for sampling experiences allows for unique product engagement and tastings, providing brands with a new engagement and exposure method for distanced customers. ## What the Virtual Chef trend means for industry ### For Food & Beverage Implementation of mixed reality and VR experiences in cooking and sampling gives brands a new platform to showcase and promote their products. ### For Tourism & Travel Implementation of immersive experiences, like VR-train tours, could provide a new platform for promoting travel destinations. ### For Education Cooking toys and augmented reality for educational purposes provide a new way for children to engage in learning, providing entertainment, educational content and exposure to cooking. ## Workshop question How could your brand incorporate VR into its campaigns? ## Trend signals for Virtual Chef Trend score 5.1 out of 10, from popularity 73%, activity 71%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 73% - Activity: 71% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Virtual Chef trend 5 featured examples from Jun 21, 2017 to Aug 11, 2018. - [VR Train Tours](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-grand-journey): The Grand Journey from Bombay Sapphire Takes Guests on a Virtual Tour (Category: Marketing) Implication: The hospitality and tourism industry can leverage virtual travel experiences to offer unique and memorable destinations to guests, regardless of physical location. - [VR Cooking Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cooking-toy): '4D Chef' Shares Interactive Recipes in Augmented and Virtual Reality (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The toy industry can leverage the trend of interactive cooking toys to develop more innovative and engaging products for kids. - [VR Sampling Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sampling-experience): Président Cheese's 'Taste with A Pro' Pairs Food and Recipe Creation (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Incorporating VR technology to enhance the sampling experience in the food and beverage industry has the potential to disrupt traditional tasting methods and drive sales. - [Interactive 3D Pie Recipes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3d-banoffee-pie): This '3D Banoffee Pie' Recipe Offers a Digitized Instructional Guide (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The food and beverage industry can integrate mixed reality and digital technologies to enhance customer experiences, offering unique and personalized experiences. - [Live-Cooking European Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hugos): Hugo's at Hyatt Regency Delivers a Unique Dining Experience (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Live-cooking European restaurants offer a unique dining experience that can attract more customers and boost revenue for hotels, resorts, and other hospitality businesses. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Marketing - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Nostalgic Beauty Mascots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bliss-girl-series) - [Athlete Beauty Ambassadorships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/athlete-beauty-ambassadorships) All articles: [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing)