**Me **
Can you describe a potential new food item for a company like McDonald’s that uses insect-derived proteins and would be marketed to Americans
**Copilot **
Absolutely, I’d be happy to help brainstorm a new food item for a company like McDonald’s that incorporates insect-derived proteins. Given the increasing interest in sustainable and alternative proteins, I propose a new item called the “McCricket Protein Bowl”. Here’s a detailed description:
McCricket Protein Bowl
Ingredients:
Cricket Flour Tortilla: A soft tortilla made from cricket flour, which is high in protein and has a subtle, nutty flavor.
Black Beans: A hearty serving of black beans for added protein and fiber.
Grilled Vegetables: A mix of grilled bell peppers and onions for a smoky flavor and added nutrition.
Cricket Protein Chunks: Pieces of cricket protein that have been seasoned and cooked to perfection. They have a unique, savory flavor and a texture similar to grilled chicken.
Avocado and Corn Salsa: A fresh salsa made from ripe avocados and sweet corn. This adds a creamy texture and a sweet contrast to the other ingredients.
Chipotle Sauce: A smoky, spicy chipotle sauce that adds a kick to the bowl.
Unique Selling Points:
Sustainable: Cricket protein is a sustainable source of protein that requires less land, water, and food compared to traditional livestock.
High-Protein: This bowl is packed with protein from both the cricket flour tortilla and the cricket protein chunks.
Delicious: Despite using unconventional ingredients, this bowl is flavorful and satisfying, with a variety of textures and tastes that work well together.
This new food item could appeal to adventurous eaters, those interested in sustainable food sources, and health-conscious consumers looking for high-protein options. It’s a bold move that could put McDonald’s at the forefront of the alternative protein trend. However, it’s important to note that introducing insect-derived proteins to the American market would require careful marketing to overcome potential consumer hesitations.
The first question I proposed to Copilot was simply, “what new hit product can McDonald’s bring to market today?” The response was potentially more shocking than this one since I spec’d insect-derived proteins in the one I posted. The response was some sort of maximum vegan abomination McVegan with “cheese” or something. I’ve enjoyed some vegan patties before, but I draw the line at fake foods like vegan cheese. Also seemed dubious this new product heavily characterized as vegan even in the naming would be a hit product in America. I’d probably try one but I’m pretty open-minded.
I suspect the nationalities of the programmers at Microsoft might have a lot to do with all this vegan and insect protein business. When I worked there at the main Redmond campus, the programmers seemed to be about 40% Chinese, 40% Indian, 19% white, 1% other. These were almost entirely immigrants with many from rich families that were able to arrange dual nationalities for their kids. Not a criticism mind you – just an observation. Hate the game not the player.