Chef Lim Hee-won recently appeared as “Celebrities’ Chef” on the popular cooking competition TV show “Culinary Class Wars” — captivating audiences with his original creation, vegetarian sashimi. He runs BUTO, a restaurant in Seoul that reimagines traditional Korean cuisine with a modern twist. Chef Lim is also actively engaged in researching and exploring sustainable food culture.
On November 6, Samsung Electronics hosted the Samsung Bespoke AI Kitchen Cooking Show, where Chef Lim presented a selection of inventive dishes prepared with Bespoke AI appliances and showcased the state-of-the-art capabilities of the AI-powered kitchen — designed to make cooking accessible and enjoyable for all. Samsung Newsroom caught up with Chef Lim to discuss how the Samsung AI Kitchen is elevating the culinary experience.
▲ Chef Lim Hee-won
Q: The dishes presented at the event were just as impressive as those featured on “Culinary Class Wars.” How was your experience in the Samsung AI Kitchen?
From the moment I stepped into the Samsung AI Kitchen, I felt like I had a reliable partner by my side. The AI Vision Inside1 feature automatically recognized ingredients I added to the Bespoke 4-Door Refrigerator with AI Family Hub
and recommended recipes based on ingredients that were nearing their expiration dates. Then, the Bespoke AI Induction cooktop2 and Bespoke Qooker Oven3 automatically adjusted their temperatures and cooking times to match the corresponding recipe, allowing me to cook several dishes at once. I discovered that anyone can cook like a seasoned chef in the Samsung AI Kitchen.
▲ Chef Lim at the Samsung Bespoke AI Kitchen Cooking Show
Q: You mentioned being impressed with the Samsung AI Kitchen’s food ingredient management system. Could you tell us more?
My restaurant BUTO takes its name from the Korean words “bu” (parents) and “to” (soil), symbolizing fresh ingredients sourced from the “soil of our parents.” As such, I place a great deal of importance on the freshness of the ingredients I use in my kitchen. The Bespoke 4-Door Refrigerator with AI Family Hub’s AI Vision Inside serves as an invaluable assistant for someone like me. Not only does the feature allow me to log ingredients and enter their expiration dates, but it also alerts me when items are about to expire. Thanks to AI Vision Inside, I can efficiently utilize smaller, often overlooked ingredients while they’re still fresh. Chefs typically spend a lot of time organizing their fridge, so having an automated process means we can focus more on cooking.
▲ Chef Lim demonstrating his cooking at the event
Q: Out of the Samsung AI Kitchen’s many features, which one was the most convenient?
It was fascinating to see Bixby, Samsung’s AI voice assistant, play a key role in the kitchen. I could simply say, “Open the fridge door,” without needing to call out “Hi Bixby!” for the fridge door to open when my hands were full of ingredients. While I was busy cooking, a quick “Hi Bixby, find me a rice pot recipe” instantly brought up helpful recommendations.
Q: Which of the cooking modes in Samsung’s Bespoke Qooker Oven is your favorite?
Auto Cook meat recipe4 is both my favorite and most frequently used setting. Cooking meat evenly requires skill, and I was impressed by how the Bespoke Qooker Oven delivered professional results with ease.
▲ Chef Lim plating food at the event
Q: What kitchen appliances do you use most often on a day-to-day basis?
I had always used gas stoves, often considered the centerpiece of the kitchen. However, I began to worry about the safety of using gas after my child was born. That’s when I switched to induction stoves and discovered the Samsung Bespoke AI Induction cooktop and its AI boil-over prevention5 feature that prevents spillovers. When I’m doing household chores or taking care of my child, it’s easy to lose track of what’s on the stove — but the AI boil-over prevention feature detects boiling liquids and automatically adjusts settings so I can rest assured knowing everything is under control.
Q: How would you define the Samsung AI Kitchen in just a few words?
The Samsung AI Kitchen is a “chef’s team.” From ingredient storage and management to recipe guidance and creating an optimal cooking environment, each process is seamlessly connected across one cohesive, organic system. It’s like having a dependable teammate in the kitchen, one that anticipates my every need. The kitchen of my dreams.
▲ Dishes prepared by Chef Lim at the event
The AI technology in Samsung’s Bespoke AI appliances has transformed the kitchen into an enriching space for everyday life. Samsung’s AI Kitchen redefines the heart of the home, combining seamless device compatibility with innovation and convenience.
1 As of November 2024, AI Vision Inside can recognize up to 37 food items, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. The names and expiration dates of non-recognizable food items must be set manually. AI Vision Inside cannot identify or list any food items in the refrigerator door bins or freezer. The feature recognizes food items based on deep learning models which may be updated periodically to improve accuracy. Updates and applicable features may vary by region and model.
2 Product is available only in Korea.
3 Product is available only in Korea.
4 Availability of applicable features may vary by region and model.
5 Availability of applicable features may vary by region and model.
Source: POSCO Holdings Inc Press Release
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