Inspiration
The idea for ScrapChef was born out of the everyday struggles of college students: tight budgets, busy schedules, and the constant challenge of figuring out what to eat with the ingredients on hand. We wanted to create a tool that could turn this daily dilemma into an opportunity for creativity and resourcefulness, while also reducing food waste.
What it does
ScrapChef helps users generate quick and budget-friendly recipes using the ingredients they already have. Users can either snap a photo of their ingredients or manually input them. The app then suggests recipes tailored to their preferences, dietary needs, and available items, making meal prep simple and efficient.
How we built it
Frontend: We used HTML, CSS, and JavaScript along with React to create a responsive and intuitive interface that works seamlessly across devices. Backend: FastAPI was chosen for its speed and simplicity in handling API requests, while Apify helped with web scraping and gathering recipe data. Programming Languages: Python powered the backend logic and image recognition, while JavaScript handled dynamic front-end interactions. APIs: We used third-party recipe APIs to access an extensive database of recipes and tailor them to user inputs.
Challenges we ran into
Image Recognition Accuracy: Training the image recognition model to accurately identify common ingredients is really time consuming and might not work well, so we use pre-trained model from open source github project. Recipe Filtering: Ensuring the recipes suggested were relevant to the entered ingredients while also meeting dietary preferences required fine-tuning.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
Successfully integrating an image recognition feature that identifies ingredients with high accuracy. Building an intuitive and aesthetically pleasing interface tailored for college students. Creating a tool that not only saves users time but also encourages sustainable cooking practices by reducing food waste.
What we learned
Advanced image recognition techniques and their real-world applications. The importance of user-centered design in building a functional and appealing product. Collaborating as a team under time constraints while managing technical challenges.
What's next for ScrapChef
Recipe Personalization: Adding options for users to save favorite recipes and set up weekly meal plans. Nutritional Information: Incorporating calorie and nutritional breakdowns for suggested recipes. Social Features: Allowing users to share their creations and recipes on social media. Language and Region Customization: Expanding our recipe database to support regional cuisines and ingredient availability. Mobile App: Developing a dedicated mobile app for even greater accessibility.
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