Food Network Launches Bot for Messenger

Just in time for the holidays, Food Network’s new bot for Facebook Messenger serves up fresh recipes through fun, friendly one-on-one conversations. Messenger’s monthly one billion users can immediately chat with the bot in real-world situations: finding the right recipe fast at the grocery store, getting relevant menu suggestions while waiting in line, or browsing recipes from Food Network shows and chefs while on the train.

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Just in time for the holidays, Food Network’s new bot for Facebook Messenger serves up fresh recipes through fun, friendly one-on-one conversations. (Photo: Business Wire)

“More than ever, consumers rely on mobile to find ideas and inspiration around food – whether searching for a dinner idea, or simply because they’re in the store and see a specific ingredient on sale,” said Liesel Kipp, vice president of product management for Scripps Networks Interactive, parent company of Food Network. “Consumers today are presented with so many choices, and we aspire to make that easy and fun for Food Network customers.”

Within the Messenger app, users can tap the bot for more than 60,000 trusted Food Network recipes. The bot can help customers find recipes by keyword or ingredient, recipes recently on TV, popular recipes on Foodnetwork.com, quick and easy recipes for busy cooks, seasonal picks from Food Network editors, and recipes created by specific Food Network shows and chefs.

When a user is in a hurry at the grocery store, the bot can help quickly find a recipe in a no-nonsense approach. For those looking for inspiration during a quieter moment, the bot offers fun yet relevant recipes for browsing. A “surprise me” feature will suggest playful recipe ideas based on current events or a fun daily topic.

“We know that people are comfortable using Messenger, and we know they rely on Food Network as their best friend in food, so this helpful mobile experience is a natural addition to our digital offerings,” Kipp added. “Our ultimate goal is to help them find the perfect recipe quickly and prepare their meals with trusted Food Network recipes. We’re always looking for ways to deepen consumers’ connection with our brand.”

FOOD NETWORK (www.foodnetwork.com) is a unique lifestyle network, website and magazine that connects viewers to the power and joy of food. The network strives to be viewers’ best friend in food and is committed to leading by teaching, inspiring, empowering and entertaining through its talent and expertise. Food Network is distributed to more than 100 million U.S. households and up to 35 million unique web users monthly. Since launching in 2009, Food Network Magazine’s rate base has grown 13 times and is now the third largest monthly magazine on the newsstand, with over 12.4 million readers. Headquartered in New York, Food Network has a growing international presence with programming in more than 150 countries, including 24-hour networks in the United Kingdom, Asia, and the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. Scripps Networks Interactive (Nasdaq: SNI), which also owns and operates Cooking Channel (www.cookingchanneltv.com), HGTV (www.hgtv.com), DIY Network (www.diynetwork.com), Travel Channel (www.travelchannel.com) and Great American Country (www.gactv.com), is the manager and general partner.

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