Guides · Updated 2026-10-18

How to use ChatGPT for menus (UK): descriptions, allergens, prompts

This guide shows how to use ChatGPT for menus in the UK: dish descriptions, specials boards, seasonal menus, set menus for events and the wording of allergen notices, with 10 copy-and-paste prompts. It's for cafés, pubs, restaurants, takeaways and caterers. The one rule: AI writes the words, you decide what's in the food. It links to our AI tools for cafés and restaurants hub and sits alongside best AI tools for cafés and best AI tools for caterers.

Checked: 15 to 18 October 2026, against FSA and GOV.UK guidance. Works the same in Claude, Gemini or Microsoft 365 Copilot.

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The rules AI must not guess

• Allergens: for food that isn't prepacked, you must give allergen information for every item containing any of the 14 regulated allergens, in writing or verbally with a clear written notice telling customers how to ask (FSA allergen guidance, checked 15 October 2026).
• Prepacked for direct sale: since 1 October 2021, food packed on site before it's ordered must be labelled with its name and full ingredients, with allergens emphasised (FSA: PPDS).
• Calories: in England, businesses with 250 or more employees must show kcal per portion on menus, at the point of choice, with the statement "adults need around 2000 kcal a day". Smaller businesses aren't required to, but the government encourages it (GOV.UK calorie labelling guidance, checked 18 October 2026). If you do add calories, AI can't calculate them reliably: use your recipes and a recognised method.
• Prices: the price shown must include charges customers can't avoid, such as VAT and a compulsory booking fee (CMA price transparency, checked 18 October 2026).

10 prompts for menus

1. Dish descriptions

"Write menu descriptions of 12 to 18 words for these dishes, in a warm, simple style for a [type of venue] in [town]: [dish names and main ingredients]. Use only the ingredients I list and don't mention allergens or health claims."

2. Specials board

"Turn today's specials into short chalkboard lines of under 10 words each: [list]."

3. Seasonal menu

"Suggest names and one-line descriptions for an autumn menu using these seasonal ingredients I can get: [list]. Don't suggest ingredients I haven't listed."

4. Set menu for an event

"Lay out a three-course set menu for a [wedding/party/work lunch] for [number] guests with a vegetarian option, using these dishes: [list], with the price per head of £[x] including VAT."

5. Allergen notice wording

"Write a short, friendly notice for our counter telling customers to ask staff about allergens before ordering, and that we can't guarantee any dish is free from allergens because of shared kitchens."

6. Allergen matrix layout

"Make a blank table with my dishes as rows and the 14 UK regulated allergens as columns: [dishes]. Leave every cell empty for me to fill in from recipes and supplier labels."

7. Kids' menu

"Write a fun, short kids' menu with these dishes: [list]. No health claims."

8. Menu tidy-up

"Check this menu for spelling, consistency of style and price formatting, and list any dish description that's vague or longer than 20 words: [paste]."

9. Translation for tourists

"Translate these dish names and descriptions into [language], keeping the English dish name in brackets: [paste]." Have a fluent speaker check it.

10. Social post for a new menu

"Write an Instagram caption of under 60 words announcing our new [season] menu, with three dishes: [list]. No discounts or claims I haven't given you." Or use the social media post generator.

Before you print

• Check every description against the recipe. If AI added "garlic butter" or "toasted almonds", it may have added an allergen.
• Keep the allergen matrix and notices up to date yourself, and check supplier labels when ingredients change.
• Set out prices clearly; the price list generator shows VAT the way consumers must see it.

Sources

• Allergens: FSA, PPDS. Calories: GOV.UK. Prices: CMA.

FAQ

Can ChatGPT write my menu?

Yes, the descriptions, specials and layout. It must not decide what a dish contains: check every word against your recipes.

Can AI tell me the allergens in my dishes?

No. Fill in your allergen information from your own recipes and supplier labels, and keep it up to date.

Do small restaurants have to show calories on the menu?

Not in England unless the business has 250 or more employees. Smaller businesses are encouraged to, but it's voluntary.

Can ChatGPT translate my menu?

It's a good first draft. Have a fluent speaker check it, especially anything about ingredients.

Do menu prices have to include VAT?

Prices shown to customers must include charges they can't avoid, including VAT and any compulsory fee.