Could Cheval Blanc 2025’s Nominal Increase Define the Campaign?
Cheval Blanc’s 2025 en primeur launched on May 11 at €336 (≈$370), a 21% jump from the €276 (≈$304) 2024 price. The vintage comes from the estate’s smallest harvest since 1961—just 15 hl/ha—but earned 98‑100 scores, with critics calling it harmonious and elegant. Despite the rise, it remains discounted versus the €384 (≈$422) 2023 and €390 (≈$429) 2021 releases, preserving value. The move could set a pricing benchmark for the broader Bordeaux campaign.
Will Chipotle Soon Add Fish Tacos and Desserts? The CEO Gives a Definitive Answer
Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright confirmed the chain will not add breakfast or fish tacos in the near future, citing past failures by rivals and the brand’s refusal to use frozen fish. He emphasized that Chipotle’s growth strategy remains focused on...
The Secret to Summer Staffing
Summer hiring spikes for restaurants, demanding rapid onboarding of large, often student‑driven workforces. Operators are urged to value adaptability, cultural fit, and energy over prior industry experience. Deploying standardized workflows, intuitive POS systems, and real‑time coaching technology enables new hires...
10,000 Touches, 800 Guests, Four Hours: What a Tea Sandwich Service Teaches About Restaurant Operations
A five‑person team produced over 3,000 tea sandwiches for 800 guests in four hours, managing nearly 10,000 individual touches. The operation hinged on three engineered sandwich profiles chosen for structural stability, strict role separation, and a parallel‑processing workflow that kept...
Producers Highlight 2024 Vintage Port with UK Masterclasses
Three leading Port houses – The Fladgate Partnership, Quinta do Noval, and Symington Family Estates – will host exclusive vintage Port tastings and masterclasses in London and Manchester next week. The events spotlight the newly declared 2024 vintage, the first...
MSC and MEDLOG Renew Food Safety Management Certifications
MSC and MEDLOG have secured renewed certifications from RINA for their Food Safety Management System (FSM) and Good Distribution Practice (GDP) protocols. MEDLOG Italy obtained FSM certification for the first time, extending the group’s certified network. The certifications, based on...
Smoothie King Launches Limited-Edition Pickle Smoothie
Smoothie King has teamed with Grillo’s Pickles to roll out a limited‑edition Pickle Smoothie, a 20‑ounce drink priced at $5.99. The blend mixes sliced pickles, bananas, organic kale and coconut water, emphasizing electrolytes for summer hydration. The launch coincides with...
California Consumers Accuse Popular Italian Food Brand of Tomato Fraud
Cento Fine Foods, a U.S. distributor of Italian foods, faces a California class‑action lawsuit alleging it mislabels its canned tomatoes as San Marzano, a premium variety with EU protected status. Plaintiffs claim the company lacks the required consortium certification, which it...
Natural Grocers Launches Private-Label Smoked Salmon Amid Major Category Growth
Natural Grocers, a natural‑and‑organic grocery chain with nearly 170 stores, has launched a private‑label wild smoked salmon priced at $8.99 per 3‑ounce package. The product is MSC‑certified, cold‑smoked in small batches, and meets the retailer’s Gold seafood standards for responsible...
New South Wales Announces AUD 20 Million in Funding for Aquaculture, Fisheries, Waste Reduction Projects
New South Wales announced AUD 20 million (about $14.5 million) to boost kelp, oyster and sea‑urchin aquaculture, fish‑waste recycling, and supply‑chain upgrades on the South Coast. The first funding round allocated AUD 7.4 million from the state and AUD 6.9 million from ten private firms, while a...
Sunshine Lifts Beer and Cider Sales but April Trading Stays Flat
Britain’s managed pubs and bars saw a sharp, weather‑driven lift in late April, with beer sales up 7.1% and cider up 19.2% in the week to 25 April. The gains were offset by weaker weeks before and after, leaving overall drinks...
Does the Spirits Industry Have a Short-Term Problem?
CEO Zak Oganian of Origen X warned that the spirits sector is trapped in a short‑term brand‑building mindset, urging a shift to 15‑ or even 30‑year visions. He traced the problem to post‑World War II mass‑market expansion and the later influx...
Kenco Targets Gen Z with New Matcha Latte Options
Kenco is expanding its instant beverage line with vanilla and strawberry matcha latte sachets, targeting Gen Z consumers who favor at‑home, Instagram‑ready drinks. The matcha lattes retail for £2.99 (about $3.80) and are stocked at Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury’s. The brand...
Steel Tariffs Are Raising the Price of Canned Foods
President Trump’s 50% steel tariff, imposed under Section 232, has driven up the cost of tin‑plate steel used for cans. Despite the tariff, imports of the material surged in 2025, leaving U.S. can makers dependent on foreign supply. A tin can...
Report: ‘Ultra-Processed’ Classification Does Not Reliably Indicate Nutritional Value
A new International Food Information Council report finds that ultra‑processed foods (UPFs) dominate U.S. grocery purchases, representing about 75% of total sales. While non‑UPFs score slightly higher on average, nutrient‑density ranges overlap, and some UPFs, especially cereals, match or exceed...
Rhum Clément Debuts New Look
Martinique’s century‑old rum producer Rhum Clément has launched a new proprietary glass bottle for its aged range, developed with Saverglass and design studio Linéa. The silhouette is about 23 % lighter, features engraved branding instead of screen‑printed labels, and uses FSC‑certified...
Regenerative Agriculture’s Core Tensions Unpacked
Regenerative agriculture has shifted from a niche concept to a mainstream priority, backed by most of the top 100 food companies. Yet its definition remains broad, with practices ranging from rotational grazing on dairy farms to agroforestry in coffee production....
How China's Evolving Consumer Habits May Protect the Amazon Rainforest
China's Tianjin Meat Industry Association, representing 40% of Chinese beef imports from Brazil, has pledged to purchase 50,000 metric tons of deforestation‑free certified beef by year‑end, roughly 4.5% of Brazil’s beef destined for China. The initiative includes a new “Beef...
Happycentro Turns Italian Stereotypes Into a Premium System for ‘I Am Italiano’ Chocolate
Happycentro has crafted a premium packaging system for Sabadì’s new “I Am Italiano” chocolate bar collection. The line features 12 distinct designs that humorously reference Italian clichés, icons, and cultural motifs. By blending irony with national pride, the packaging aims to attract...
Dare Iced Coffee Enters Sachet Category
Australian coffee brand Dare has entered the non‑refrigerated coffee aisle with a new line of iced coffee sachets. The range includes Espresso, Double Espresso and Mocha, and is sold without milk powder to let shoppers add their preferred dairy or...
Beef Export Update April 2026
Australia shipped 140,943 tonnes of beef in April 2026, 11 percent above the same month last year and 61 percent higher than the five‑year average, confirming a strong supply cycle. The United States remained the top buyer with 40,999 tonnes, a 10 percent YoY rise and...
Ambani’s Cola War with Coke, Pepsi Spurs Fridge Bonanza in India
Mukesh Ambani's low‑price Campa soda has ignited a fierce cola war with Coca‑Cola and Pepsi in India, prompting all three to fund a wave of commercial refrigerators, known as visi‑coolers, for small retail outlets. The Indian commercial‑fridge market is projected...
Raw Milk Lattes Stir Debate in Wyoming
Public health officials in Wyoming ordered a shop to stop selling raw milk lattes, prompting a sharp response from former state representative Tyler Lidholm, the chief author of the state’s Food Freedom Act. Lidholm has previously challenged the Department of Agriculture...
South Australia Welcomes Michelin Guide for 2027
The Michelin Guide announced its first foray into Australia with the South Australia 2027 edition, slated for release in October 2026. Inspectors have been touring the state’s coastal, wine‑country, and inland venues to assess culinary talent. International Director Gwendal Poullennec...
Caribbean Tourism Organization CEO to Keynote 2026 Caribbean Food Forum in Antigua
Dona Regis‑Prosper, CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, will deliver the keynote at the 2026 Caribbean Food Forum in Antigua on May 21. The one‑day conference, part of Antigua and Barbuda’s Annual Culinary Month, is themed “The Future Is Local: Caribbean Food...
Ginseng Democratisation: Advancing the Food as Medicine Movement
Herbal Player, a spin‑off of China’s largest Canadian ginseng importer, is using patented nanotechnology to extract ginsenosides and launch affordable ginseng‑infused FMCG products. The firm introduced sparkling sodas with 30 mg of ginsenosides per 100 ml and candy tubes priced at CNY 29.90...
Taylors Wines Bets on Lighter Reds and Asian Cuisine for Syrah Launch
Taylors Wines is launching a lighter‑style Syrah with 13%‑13.5% alcohol, designed to appeal to home‑drinking consumers who favor lower‑alcohol reds and Asian‑cuisine pairings. The wine, produced in the cool Adelaide Hills, offers softer tannins and red‑berry notes, differentiating it from...
Moolec Science Advances GLA-Rich Safflower Oil for Use in Pet Food, Nutrition & Green Energy
Molecular farming pioneer Moolec Science announced the completion of phase one industrialisation of its GLASO1 platform, a GLA‑rich safflower oil, after a record 2025 campaign that delivered high‑purity oil with about 45% gamma‑linolenic acid. The product secured USDA APHIS approval,...
NY Power Dining Goes Casual, Caviar Takes Center Stage, Says Daniel Boulud
Renowned chef Daniel Boulud announced that New York’s power‑dining scene is shedding its formal dress code in favor of relaxed atmospheres and caviar‑centric menus. The shift, highlighted as he prepares to open his 25th venue, Brasserie Boulud, signals a broader...
Eight Australian Restaurants Earn Mexican Seal of Authenticity
Eight Australian restaurants have been awarded Mexico’s Sello M seal, the first such certification in the country. The seal, administered by Mexico’s Secretariat of Foreign Affairs and the Academia Mexicana de Gastronomía, confirms that the venues serve authentic Mexican dishes using...
6 Starbucks Bakery Items Worth Ordering And 5 To Avoid
Starbucks has intensified its food strategy, doubling bakery and food sales since 2020 after acquiring La Boulange in 2012 and hiring pastry chef Pascal Rigo. In early 2026 the chain rolled out a globally inspired bakery lineup that includes Strawberry Matcha Loaf, Yuzu Citrus Blossom...
Yum Brands Deploys AI Backbone, Digital Sales Hit 70% of Taco Bell Revenue
Yum Brands chief digital and technology officer Jim Dausch detailed an AI‑centric overhaul that now drives 70% of Taco Bell’s sales, up from 1% in 2019. The company has deployed AI tools across 35,000 restaurants and partnered with AWS, Microsoft...
Judges Complete Nominations Ahead of The Top 50 Gastropub Awards
Hospitality and Australian Hotelier have completed the judging panel for the inaugural Top 50 Gastropub Awards, a new initiative that will honor Australia’s best food‑focused pubs. Seventeen senior chefs, CEOs and hospitality directors, including Oliver Brown and Siobhan Needham, have submitted...
Food Prices Spike Again, Vegetable Oil Leads Surge
The FAO Food Price Index rose for a third straight month in April, hitting its highest level since Feb 2023. Vegetable oil prices led the surge, rising 5.9% MoM. THE US-ISRAELI WAR'S COLLATERAL DAMAGE IS MASSIVE. https://t.co/Z5NCEspTDb
Odd Culture Group Reveals First Look at CBD Osteria Bar Bruno
Odd Culture Group is set to launch Bar Bruno, its second central Sydney venue, on 21 May. Located above the Razz Room in the CBD, the all‑day osteria blends coffee and pastries in the morning with an à la carte...
Boomers Can't Stand This Millennial Restaurant Menu Trend
QR code menus, popularized during the COVID‑19 pandemic, have become a staple in many restaurants as a contact‑free ordering solution. Boomers, however, often resist the technology, citing discomfort with phone scanning, small screen readability, and the disruption of social dining....
Melbourne’s The Atlantic to Close with New Iteration Pending
Melbourne’s flagship seafood restaurant The Atlantic will close its Crown venue on 27 May, ending a 15‑year run at the 220‑seat location. Founder Hatem Saleh announced plans for a new iteration in a different destination, promising to retain the brand’s...
Give GMs Front‑of‑House Autonomy for Restaurant Success
This makes a lot of sense. One of the underappreciated reasons for Chilis success is the autonomy and "ownership" that the GM is given to run the operation. Putting the GM back in the front of house where he/she can...
Brands Reformulate to Remove Cancer‑causing Ingredients for EU/US Markets
She’d be correct. Some brands have been reformulated due to cancer causing ingredients preventing importing/selling in EU/US.
Trump Reportedly to Sign Orders Aimed at Lowering Beef Prices
President Donald Trump is poised to sign two executive orders aimed at lowering beef prices for American consumers. One order would temporarily suspend the tariff‑rate quota on beef imports, effectively reducing tariffs once import volumes reach a set threshold. The...
Lessons From the Social Media Food Battle
In March, a promotional video of McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski taking a tiny bite of the new “Big Arch” burger went viral for all the wrong reasons, prompting memes and criticism for its lack of authenticity. Competing chains and grocery...
The McDonald's Frozen Dessert That Costs More Than A Grocery Store Ice Cream Pint
McDonald’s McFlurry, once a sub‑dollar treat, now regularly exceeds $5 per cup, with limited‑edition versions topping $7. This price surge outpaces comparable grocery‑store pints of premium ice cream, which remain under $5. The rise reflects broader fast‑food inflation and shrinkflation...
A New Erewhon Competitor Just Opened in West Hollywood with No Marketing or Social Media. It’s Counting on You to...
Laurel Supply, a new high‑end grocery store, opened directly across from Erewhon in West Hollywood. The owners of the neighboring Laurel Hardware launched it without a press release or social‑media campaign, banking on the shop’s striking design and organic word‑of‑mouth....
Kentucky Distillery New Riff Just Dropped an Outstanding New American Single Malt Whiskey
New Riff has released its 2026 edition of American Single Malt Whiskey, a 111.7‑proof spirit crafted from six distinct barley varietals and aged at least seven years in five different cask types. The blend incorporates rare grains such as Belgian...
Nosh Or Nah: The Call Is Coming From Inside The Lollipop
The Takeout’s latest Nosh or Nah column spotlights three off‑beat summer snacks: Pabst Blue Ribbon partners with Grillo’s Pickles to launch a 4.7% pickle‑flavored beer priced at $6.99 for a six‑pack; Target rolls out Favorite Day’s peel‑able sweet‑corn gummy candy,...
Trump to Slash Beef Tariffs to Curb Meat Prices
US President Donald Trump will sign an executive order to, in effect, lower tariffs on foreign beef imports as the White House struggles to reduce meat prices.
Kueffner: NC Grocers Maneuvering To Meet Regulatory Rules, Consumer Needs
Lindsey Kueffner of the Carolinas Food Industry Council outlined how North Carolina grocers are juggling a heavy legislative agenda, including costly SNAP funding requirements and penny‑scarcity compliance, while also adapting to shifting consumer preferences. The state faces an $85 million SNAP...
Masayoshi Takayama Launches $350 Omakase at London’s Rosewood Mayfair
Japanese master chef Masayoshi Takayama opened Tobi Masa’s seven‑seat omakase counter at the Rosewood Hotel in Mayfair, pricing the tasting menu at about $350 per person. The launch marks the first time his famed thousand‑dollar New York experience has been adapted...
USDA to Release First Winter Wheat Estimates Amid Poor Ratings
40% of the nation's winter #wheat crop rates Poor to Very Poor this week. USDA releases its first production estimates based on actual field surveys tomorrow. #oatt https://t.co/zUENPEeYTN
PIM Brands Appoints Veteran CPG Exec Tom Gargiulo as Chief Revenue Officer
PIM Brands announced the appointment of Tom Gargiulo as chief revenue officer, tapping his senior marketing and sales experience at Coca‑Cola, KIND and Danone to accelerate the company’s double‑digit expansion. The move signals a strategic push to unify brand building and...