Next Robot unveils Al Dente: AI-powered culinary robot delivers pasta, risotto in minutes

USA – Culinary robotics company Next Robot has introduced its latest innovation, Al Dente, an advanced AI-powered cooking robot designed to deliver pasta dishes in just four to five minutes and prepare risotto from scratch without hands-on attention.

This new solution was unveiled at the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago and is set to launch its production version in the second half of 2025.

Al Dente is equipped with a suite of automation features, including auto-seasoning, precise cooking control, and forthcoming ingredient-loading automation.

These capabilities ensure that every dish is prepared with consistent quality, addressing key challenges in the foodservice industry such as labor shortages, inconsistent food preparation, and the high costs of training staff.

The robot is powered by ChefSight, Next Robot’s proprietary AI platform, which enables real-time monitoring and adjustment of moisture, texture, and cooking progress for each dish.

This system goes beyond traditional time and temperature controls by leveraging visual cues and food behavior, guaranteeing that every serving meets high culinary standards.

The AI-driven approach allows Al Dente to reliably replicate complex dishes, like risotto, without sacrificing flavor or technique, making it ideal for fast-casual restaurants, pasta bars, cafeterias, ghost kitchens, and institutional dining facilities.

A key advantage of Al Dente is its ability to help chefs and restaurateurs upload and safeguard generations-old recipes, ensuring that culinary traditions are preserved even as kitchen operations become more automated.

Next Robot’s CEO and co-founder, Giggs Huang, emphasized, “Al Dente doesn’t just cook pasta and risotto, it safeguards centuries-old culinary traditions while preparing kitchens for tomorrow’s challenges.”

Al Dente joins Next Robot’s existing product line, which includes the Robby stir-fry unit, already deployed in over 100 locations and capable of producing 900 servings per hour.

Both robots are offered through a robotics-as-a-service model, available on a month-to-month lease that includes ongoing software updates, preventive maintenance, rapid service response, and dedicated customer support.

By automating labor-intensive dishes and ensuring consistency, Al Dente offers a practical solution for restaurant operators facing rising demand and workforce challenges.

It represents a significant leap forward in smart kitchen appliances, blending advanced technology with the preservation of authentic culinary experiences.

With Al Dente, Next Robot aims to transform commercial kitchens, enabling scalable, high-quality meal production while maintaining the artistry and tradition that define great food.

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