Spanish Chef Aitor Zabala Earns Three Michelin Stars for Los Angeles’ Somni
Aitor Zabala has been awarded three Michelin stars for his Los Angeles restaurant Somni, making him the first Spanish chef to achieve the honor outside Spain. The 14‑seat venue offers a €508 (~$555) tasting menu, underscoring the chef’s commitment to ultra‑fine dining and international culinary influence.
Tyson Foods and Lexington, Nebraska Strike Deal to Repurpose Closed Beef Plant
Tyson Foods and the city of Lexington, Nebraska have agreed to transfer the closed beef‑processing plant’s wastewater facility and farmland to the municipality, a move that follows the plant’s January shutdown that eliminated 3,200 jobs. The partnership seeks private investment...
Elite Robots Unveils RoboBarista, Autonomous Coffee Cobot for High‑Traffic Venues
Elite Robots announced RoboBarista, a fully autonomous coffee station that can produce up to 60 cups per hour and create latte art with dual‑arm robotics. The kiosk, showcased at NAMA Show 2026, targets hotels, offices and transit hubs, marking a...
Culver’s to Add Computer Vision to 1K Restaurants
Fast‑casual chain Culver’s announced a partnership with Berry AI to install computer‑vision AI across 1,000 restaurants nationwide, beginning in Q2 2024. The system uses cameras to capture real‑time data on service execution, vehicle flow, and throughput, integrating with POS data...
Just One Extra Fava Bean A Day Could Save Europeans €42M in Healthcare Costs
A Protein Project report outlines a roadmap for a European legume renaissance, focusing on fava beans. Doubling fava bean production could slash healthcare spending by €42 million (about $46 million) a year, cut fertilizer and pesticide use, and lower greenhouse‑gas emissions by...
Photo Report CPMA Toronto
The CPMA Convention + Trade Show 2026 in downtown Toronto highlighted a surge of tomato varieties at a time when overall tomato supply is tightening. Canadian greenhouse growers led the showcase with snack‑ready tomatoes like Red Sun Farms’ Chef’s Collection and sauce‑grade options such...
Global Market Overview Asparagus
Asparagus markets worldwide are in a transition phase, with Europe flooded by a post‑heatwave harvest that is depressing prices, while North America faces tighter supplies that keep spot rates elevated. Italy saw a 17.2% weekly price drop to €4‑€4.5/kg (≈$4.4‑$5.0/kg),...
Ri6 Durian Prices Plunge to Record Low on Surging Thai Supply
Vietnam’s Ri6 durian prices have collapsed to a record low of $0.75‑$1.32 per kilogram as Thailand’s peak harvest floods the regional market. Musang King and Monthong varieties are now selling at roughly half their early‑year prices, while grade‑A fruit fetches...
T&G Global Enters Sale Talks for NZ, Fiji and Pacific Fresh Produce Units
T&G Global is in advanced talks to sell its New Zealand fresh‑produce operations to the Turner family and its Fijian and Pacific businesses to foodservice wholesaler Bidfood. The divestments follow a strategic review aimed at concentrating on the group’s apple platform...
Wendy’s Is Closing Hundreds of Stores: See an Updated List of Locations Where the Chain Is Shuttering the Most
Wendy’s is accelerating its turnaround by shuttering roughly 200 U.S. restaurants since September 2025, bringing the chain’s footprint down to 5,675 locations. The closures, announced in a November 2025 investor call, began in the fourth quarter of that year and...
Kent Crisps Partner With Shepherd Neame To Launch New Flavour Crisps
Kent Crisps, one of the UK’s few independent snack brands, unveiled its eighth variety – Beef Brisket & Stout – in partnership with historic brewer Shepherd Neame. The flavor blends the brewery’s Iron Wharf Stout with slow‑cooked beef brisket, using Red Tractor...
Iván Marambio Calls Strong Attention to Quality: Chile Must Improve Growing Standards
At an IFPA seminar in Santiago, Iván Marambio, president of Frutas de Chile, called for a sweeping upgrade of the country’s fruit‑quality standards. He warned that Chile’s fruit sector has been trapped in a “middle‑income” plateau since 2012 and that quality...
NGA, FMI Welcome House Passage Of Farm Bill
The U.S. House approved the 2026 Farm Bill, delivering a permanent ban on EBT processing fees, making the SNAP online purchasing pilot nationwide, and expanding the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program to include frozen fruits and vegetables. The National Grocers...
Ecuador and the United States Strengthen Agricultural Cooperation
Ecuador's Ministry of Agriculture held a working meeting with a U.S. delegation to deepen bilateral cooperation in agricultural trade and food security. The U.S. team, led by Lawrence Petroni and featuring USDA‑FAS officials, discussed regulatory pathways to expand market access for...
4 Reasons Your Restaurant’s AI Initiative Will Probably Fail
Luke Fryer argues that most restaurant AI projects fail because they focus on retroactive dashboards and cost‑cutting rather than serving as a real‑time operational co‑pilot. He identifies four failure modes: treating AI as a cost‑slider, reactive compliance tools, siloed systems,...
Burger King to Launch Limited-Time Menu Inspired by Upcoming Star Wars Movie
Burger King is rolling out a limited‑time Star Wars menu on May 4 to coincide with the theatrical debut of *Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu* on May 22. The lineup includes a BBQ Bounty Whopper, Grogu’s Blue Cookie Shake, garlic chicken fries...
Hedonism Wins First UK Listing of Coutanseaux Cognac
Hedonism Wines has become the first UK retailer to list the revived luxury brand Coutanseaux Cognac, offering both XO and the ultra‑premium XXO expressions. The XO, aged a minimum of 15 years, retails at £200 (≈US$272) per 700 ml bottle, while...
Lost Explorer Pioneers Multi-Cask Ageing for Reposado Tequila
Maestro Enrique de Colsa, former master distiller at Don Julio, teamed with The Lost Explorer to launch a reposado tequila aged in a pioneering blend of Sauternes wine, Pedro Ximénez sherry, and bourbon barrels—the first such multi‑cask approach in the category....
ABF Ingredients to Pump Close to £50M Into New Wisconsin Facility
Associated British Foods' Ingredients division is investing roughly £47.8 million (about $61 million) to build a new Ohly specialty‑yeast facility in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The plant will initially create around 30 jobs and sit alongside the existing Boyceville site, with space for future...
Southern Hemisphere Citrus Forecast: Production Down 6 Percent, Exports Expected to Rise 4 Percent
The World Citrus Organization’s preliminary forecast shows Southern Hemisphere citrus production slipping 6% year‑over‑year to about 26.4 million tonnes, while exports are slated to grow 4% to roughly 4.74 million tonnes. Orange output is projected to drop over 8% to 17.5 million tonnes,...
The VinePair Podcast: Does 818 Tequila Unlock Younger Drinkers for Sazerac?
Sazerac announced a strategic investment in Kendall Jenner’s 818 Tequila, adding the fast‑growing, youth‑focused brand to its distribution network. The Louisville‑based spirits group currently owns only four name‑brand tequilas, leaving a gap in its appeal to Gen Z consumers. By leveraging...
How Mario Carbone Turned a Restaurant Into a Global Phenomenon
Mario Carbone, co‑founder of Major Food Group, has transformed his flagship restaurant Carbone into a global brand by leveraging immersive, pop‑up experiences. The latest iteration, Carbone Beach, is a three‑night, sand‑side production staged during the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, blending multi‑course...
One in Three Young Brits Can’t Afford a Night Out
New research by the Night Time Industries Association and Obsurvant shows 68% of young Britons say the economy has reduced how often they go out. Among those earning under £30,000 (≈US$40,000), just under a third find tickets and venue purchases...
St Austell Brewery Toasts 175 Years With 1851 Anniversary Beer
St Austell Brewery commemorates its 175th anniversary by launching a special‑edition ale called “1851.” The brew is based on a historic recipe recorded by former brewer Merv Westaway and uses Cornish pale malt, amber malt, wheat malt, Caramalt, Fuggles hops...
Four Seasons Napa Appoints Evan Neumann as Executive Chef of Michelin-Starred Auro
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley announced that French-born chef Evan Neumann will become executive chef of its Michelin-starred restaurant Auro. The move promises a sharpened emphasis on Napa Valley terroir, precision cooking and a mentorship‑driven kitchen culture.
Cuervo Q1 Sales Slip 36% in US and Canada
Becle, the owner of Jose Cuervo, reported a 25.7% drop in Q1 2026 sales, with North American organic sales falling 36.6% due to volume loss and heightened competition. Total revenue slipped 23.1% to MXN 7.4 billion (≈US$423 million) and gross profit fell 16% to...
12 Observations About Champagne Style and Quality Today
Patrick Schmitt MW, longtime chair of the Champagne Masters blind tasting, outlines twelve trends shaping today’s Champagne. Low‑dosage wines are now more balanced, while riper fruit profiles, longer lees aging, and increased reserve blending add richness and depth. Winemakers are...
Hunter & Gather Launches Chicken Bone Broth – Packed with 11g of Protein and 5.5g of Collagen
Hunter & Gather has introduced a powdered chicken bone broth that delivers 11 g of protein and 5.5 g of collagen per serving. The product is free‑range, gluten‑free, dairy‑free and designed for both sipping and cooking. Priced at roughly $38 for a...
Bunta Beer Wants to Bridge the Gap Between Indian Cuisine and Beer
Bunta Beer, founded in October 2025 by New Delhi‑native Gunikka Ahuja, has secured its first draught listing at The Latimer pub in London. The brand offers the UK’s first non‑alcoholic, gluten‑free Indian craft beer—a citrus lager designed to complement spicy...
The Resy Hit List: Where In Philadelphia You’ll Want to Eat Right Now
Resy’s April 2026 Hit List spotlights 20 of Philadelphia’s most buzzed‑about eateries, ranging from historic neighborhood bars to high‑end chef‑driven concepts. The guide highlights new leadership at Bomb Bomb, a $62 seafood prix fixe, and the debut of Mi Vida’s $45 family‑style Mexican...
The Viral Cheesecake Shop that Is Opening a New Location in North London This Month
La Maritxu, the Basque cheesecake shop that went viral on TikTok, is opening its fourth London outlet in Coal Drops Yard behind King’s Cross. Founded in 2021, the brand has already expanded from its original Connaught Village location to sites...
Trump Lifts 10% U.S. Tariff on Scotch Whisky After King Charles' State Visit
President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the United States will drop the 10% tariff on Scotch whisky, a gesture he said was prompted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s recent state visit. The decision follows months of...
Many Restaurant AI Projects Will Fail. What’s Needed to Make Them Work?
Restaurant operators are betting on AI to solve chronic labor challenges, but most initiatives falter because they ignore basic operational foundations. Managers on the floor need tools that turn real‑time data into actionable scheduling decisions, not static dashboards. Success hinges...
Tsiakkas Winery Redefines Cyprus Hospitality for Next Generation
Tsiakkas Winery: The next generation of Cypriot wines 🍷 A truly enjoyable conversation with a_tsiakkas. He opened the door to his world . The winery, the family’s sacrifices and values, and the evolving path of Tsiakkas Wines as they quietly redefine...
USDA Sells 148,240 Tons of Corn to Undis
USDA confirms the sale of 148,240 metric tons of U.S. corn for delivery to unknown destinations. 78,240 is for 2025/26 and 70,000 is for 2026/27.
Under One Roof: The Opportunities and Challenges of Co-Branding
Co‑branding is gaining traction as franchisees like Mrs. Fields and TCBY combine forces to capture broader consumer segments. Shared storefronts lower operating expenses, enable cross‑purchasing, and smooth seasonal sales swings. The model also appeals to landlords, who see reduced vacancy...
McDonald’s Manhattan Goes Cashless with Outdoor Pickup
After many years in Manhattan, this McDonald’s remodeled. Registers out. Self-ordering terminals in. There’s also now an outdoor pickup window. What’s your biggest takeaway? https://t.co/U9vAFwkrAz
Mahana Fresh Debuts GLP-1-Friendly Menu
Fast‑casual chain Mahana Fresh introduced a GLP‑1‑friendly menu on April 15, offering smaller, protein‑rich bowls tailored for customers on weight‑loss and diabetes drugs such as tirzepatide (Zepbound). The bowls are customizable with options like flame‑grilled chicken, steak, sushi‑grade ahi tuna, or...
Minnie Bird Opens 3rd Location
Minnie Bird, a fast‑casual chicken concept co‑founded by Sean Thomas, grandson of Wendy’s founder, has opened its third Chicago‑area restaurant, adding locations in Oak Brook (October 2025) and Naperville (February 2026) to the flagship Schaumburg outlet. The brand, partnered with Venture Kitchen,...
The Mandrake Launches YOPO Zaytoun as Signature Restaurant with Eastern Mediterranean Focus
The Mandrake hotel in Fitzrovia will relaunch its flagship restaurant as YOPO Zaytoun on May 14, 2026, shifting its culinary focus to Eastern Mediterranean cuisine. Led by head chef Viktor Yordanov and director of F&B Tim Lang, the menu emphasizes...
Beyond the Hype at London’s Newest Viral Sandwich Spot
Logma, an Iranian‑Iraqi café‑bistro that opened in London Fields in January 2025, quickly became a viral sandwich destination thanks to its gargantuan pitas filled with lamb kofte or aubergine. The founders, Ziad Halub and Farsin Rabiee, are self‑taught chefs who...
Bakkafrost Officially Charged in 2021 Animal Welfare Case
Bakkafrost, the Faroe Islands' largest salmon farmer, has been formally charged with two violations for sailing to its aquaculture sites without veterinary authorization, a lesser allegation from a 2021 case that resulted in a DKK 67 million (≈$10.5 million) fine. The new charge...
Peru’s Artisanal Squid Fleet Surges 30-Fold in SPRFMO Registration over Three Years
Peru’s artisanal squid fleet has surged to 1,043 vessels registered with the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization (SPRFMO), a 33.6‑fold increase from 2023. The expansion is driven by mandatory SISESAT satellite tracking systems, now installed on over 3,000 boats,...
Fells Adds Two South African Family Estates to Its Portfolio
UK importer Fells has added two family‑owned South African wineries, Kaapzicht of Stellenbosch and Paul Clüver of Elgin, to its portfolio. The wines will reach UK retailers in May, extending Fells’ deliberate push to deepen its South African offering. Both...
The Cognac Masters 2026: Full List of Winners
The 2026 Cognac Masters tasting in London awarded dozens of gold, silver and Master medals across VS, VSOP and XO categories, despite a recent slump caused by China’s anti‑dumping campaign and US tariffs. Delamain’s Single Vineyard – Domaine La Rambaudie captured the coveted Taste...
Marigold Flowers Could Become a Viable Protein Ingredient, New Study Finds
University of Georgia researchers have shown that dried marigold (Calendula officinalis) flowers retain over 92% of their protein when extracted, with the albumin fraction performing on par with pea protein in water‑holding, oil‑holding, emulsification and antioxidant tests. The proteins also...
These Are The Foods To Eat (& Avoid) To Reduce Microplastic Exposure
A recent narrative review examined how diet influences microplastic exposure and gut health. It found that ultraprocessed foods and bottled beverages carry higher levels of micro‑ and nanoplastics, which can cross the intestinal barrier and trigger inflammation. Nutrients such as...
Fudi Protein Bags Funding to Make Egg & Dairy Alternatives From Rubisco
U.S. food‑tech startup Fudi Protein has closed an early‑stage round led by Green Boy Group to commercialise alfalfa‑derived Rubisco protein. The ingredient, harvested from the leaves of alfalfa, delivers 80% protein purity, a near‑complete amino‑acid profile and up to 94%...
How a Coconut Yogurt Experiment Became a Cult-Favorite Grocery Phenomenon
The Coconut Cult, founded by Noah Simon‑Waddell after a personal gut‑health experiment, has turned its probiotic coconut yogurt into a national grocery staple. The brand now sells eight‑ounce jars for $10‑$14 and 16‑ounce jars up to $39, stocked at Whole...
Nutritional Composition, Sensory Acceptability and Shelf-Life Evaluation of Wheat–Corn Chaff Composite Cake
Researchers developed wheat–corn chaff composite cakes by substituting wheat flour with up to 20 % corn chaff and evaluated their nutrition, taste, and storage stability. A 10 % chaff inclusion raised dietary fiber to 2.15 g/100 g and increased key minerals—iron 2.87 mg, zinc 2.70 mg,...