Capture a recipe
Add a recipe by voice, photo, typing or from scratch, check what ChefAdmin read, and fill in allergens, nutrition and the method.
Tap the yellow camera button in the middle of the tab bar. You will see Add a recipe. with four ways in:
| Option | Use it when |
|---|---|
| Say it or type it | You know the recipe and want to talk it through or type it quickly. |
| Add a photo | You have a plated dish, a handwritten card or a printed recipe. |
| Build from scratch | You want an empty form to fill in yourself. |
| Import a brand | You have a spreadsheet or PDF with many recipes. See Import your recipes. |
Say it or type it
Pick your language
Under Speak in, choose Auto or your language: English, العربية, اردو, हिन्दी, Tagalog, Bahasa Indonesia, Español or Français. The finished recipe is always written in English.
Talk or type
Tap the microphone and say the dish name, then the ingredients with amounts, then the steps in order. Tap it again to stop. Or just type into the box.
Turn it into a recipe
Tap Turn it into a recipe. You need at least a few words for this to work.
If the microphone does not work
If you see "ChefAdmin can't hear you", allow microphone access for ChefAdmin in your phone's settings. In a noisy kitchen, move somewhere quieter or type instead.
Add a photo
- Tap Add a photo and take a picture, or choose one from your photos or files.
- Under Anything to add?, optionally say or type what the photo cannot show, such as the dish name or the method.
- Tap Turn it into a recipe.
How ChefAdmin reads the photo:
- A written or printed recipe: it reads the text.
- A well-known dish: it writes the classic recipe.
- Your own plated dish: it makes its best guess and shows a yellow banner. Check the ingredients, quantities and allergens carefully before you save.
If it cannot read the photo because of grease, glare or handwriting, try again in better light, or type it in.
Check the recipe and save
ChefAdmin shows Here's what I read. Check each part:
| Field | What to check |
|---|---|
| Dish name | Required. |
| Brand | Where the recipe will live. Your shows as My folder unless you named it. Tap + New brand to add one. |
| Category | Required. ChefAdmin picks one when it can; if you see Pick a category, choose one or tap + to add your own. |
| This recipe is a | for something you sell, for something you use in other recipes. |
| Serves or Makes | Portions for a Menu Item; the total batch for a Sub Recipe, for example 2 Kg. |
| Ingredients | Name, quantity and unit (grams, ml, Piece, Kg, Ltr). As you type, suggestions come from your inventory, your recipes and the catalogue. |
| Raw or I make it | Menu Items only. Tap I make it on anything you make yourself, such as a sauce. See Sub recipes. |
| Method | One step per box. Tap + Add step for more. |
Tap Add to cookbook. You will see In the book. If a photo did not upload, the recipe is still saved; add the photo later from the recipe.
Nothing is lost if saving fails
If you see "Didn't save", your recipe is still on screen. Check your signal and tap save again.
Allergens, nutrition and method
Open the recipe from your . If the method, allergens or nutrition are empty, tap on that section:
- Method: drafted from your ingredients. Read it and adjust with Edit recipe.
- Allergens: read from your ingredients, using the UK 14 allergens.
- Nutrition: calories, protein, carbs and fat per serving, worked out from the ingredients and the yield.
If ChefAdmin could not check some ingredients, you will see Allergens not fully confirmed. Review every ingredient, then tap I've reviewed every ingredient.
Allergens and nutrition are estimates
They are worked out from your ingredients and are only as good as that list. Always check before you serve or print a menu.
Change a recipe
Open the recipe and tap the options menu:
- Edit recipe
- Duplicate: makes a copy called "(copy)" as a new draft, without the photo.
- Move to a brand: to your folder or one of your own brands.
- Ready for approval: send it to a company brand. See Ready for approval.
- Delete: this cannot be undone.
You can also tap Add photo or Change photo, and the print icon to print or save a PDF of the card.
Limits on the free plan
- The free plan covers your first 10 recipes. The capture screen shows how many you have left.
- AI help, which covers voice and photo capture and Let me help, is limited to 15 uses a month. Build from scratch and editing by hand always work.
See Plans.