As we continue working to launch version 1 of the dishKarma application, many have asked what we’re ultimately hoping to create.  Our goal is to improve individual dining experiences by developing a unique recommendation engine that takes the guesswork out of not only where to eat, but more importantly what to order.  At the same time, the site will help those less fortunate by leveraging corporate partnerships that provide food related charitable donations.

So, what might this look like?

You'll begin by creating your personal menu through the dishKarma site or mobile application. Add as many of your favorite dishes as you can remember, course by course, from restaurants around the world.  Then, each time you experience a remarkable new dish, add it to your menu so you can share and compare it with others. Your menu will constantly evolve based on new discoveries and suggestions from the dishKarma community.

How will this be useful?

Imagine you’re strolling through a city for the first time and decide you’re craving a burger.  Where do you begin?  You could stop someone on the street, search Google on your cell or tap into a restaurant review site.  While this exercise will result in a number of restaurants to choose from, you may be left wondering which option is most likely to satisfy your personal craving. 

Maybe you like it veggie, or with all the fixings?  dishKarma will suggest the best place to find that burger based on the dishes you’ve enjoyed in the past.  You can also make your selection based on the recommendations of your friends or community members who are also using the service.

If you’re not in the mood for anything in particular, the application can suggest a number of dishes you might enjoy in that location based on the dishes you’ve historically added to your ultimate menu.  Think of this like Amazon recommending a book based on your reading habits.

If that dish lives up to your expectations, and it’s worthy of joining your running list of favorites, add it to your ultimate menu.  Each time you add a dish and share it with your social network, one meal is donated to a local food bank through Feeding America.  This is where our corporate partner program comes into play.  Each time you share a dish, we all share a dish. 

Together we can create a powerful and personal recommendation engine that satisfies our taste buds, while also helping to feed those in need.  Like what you’ve heard so far? Stay tuned and let us know what features and functionality you’re hoping to see with dishKarma.  

"It’s fun to think about sitting down to your ultimate meal, but what’s the big picture vision for dishKarma? "

With your help, we’re going to build a comprehensive user driven database of the best individual dishes in the world. The search functionality will enhance as the database grows, and dishKarma will become a valuable resource when traveling or simply looking for the best place to find a specific dish in your neighborhood.

On a personal level, the more dishes you contribute, the more specific and relevant dinning suggestions you’ll receive. This is how we all truly benefit from spreading the dishKarma.

Currently we’re learning about your favorite dishes through videos and Twitter polls, but soon we’ll be rolling out a Web application that will more formally capture your ultimate meal. More on this in the coming days….

I can’t think of a better way to close out week one then with an ultimate meal video from our favorite wine connoisseur and all around marketing guru Gary Vaynerchuk of Wine Library TV! Gary serves up an eclectic mix of dishes, but stays impartial and leaves the locations up to us. Where is the best place to get each dish Gary orders in his ultimate meal (crudo, Olympia oysters, sweets breads, foie gras)?