Casale's Halfway Club, Nevada's oldest restaurant, is celebrating 88 years in business. The Reno institution, now run by fourth-generation owner Haley Stempeck, has maintained its original recipes and charm, serving dishes like ravioli made with wooden rolling pins from Genoa and pizza topped with cheddar cheese. The restaurant has evolved from a produce stand on the Lincoln Highway to a beloved local landmark.

La Plaza's food hall, which officially opened its doors ahead of the Aurora, Colo., marketplace's second anniversary in 2026, now stands as the largest Hispanic food hall in the country. With space for 24 kitchens, 19 of which are already in operation, the food hall features a diverse lineup of vendors, many of whom began as food trucks in La Plaza's parking lot. Visitors can experience a vibrant mix of offerings, from regional Mexican dishes and fusion concepts to comfort food and specialty drinks. The kitchens, repurposed from shipping containers and averaging 160 square feet, offer food truck entrepreneurs an affordable way to break into brick-and-mortar foodservice.

Arby's has introduced the Italian Beef Dip, a limited-time offer inspired by Chicago's classic Italian beef sandwich, available through March at 3,500 locations. The sandwich features Arby's signature roast beef, Swiss cheese a specially reformulated sub roll and giardiniera developed with Vienna Beef.

School districts in states like Vermont and New Hampshire are prioritizing fresh, local ingredients, scratch cooking and reducing processed foods. Their approaches align with state efforts to promote more healthful school meals and farm-to-school programs. “We have training opportunities and try to showcase what school nutrition professionals do in their day-to-day working,” noted Lauren Crowley of the New Hampshire School Nutrition Association.

A study published in PLOS One reveals that nearly one-third of fish sampled from remote Pacific islands contain microplastics, with contamination rates varying from 4.8% in Vanuatu to 74.5% in Fiji. The research highlights that reef-dwelling and bottom-feeding fish are most affected, particularly those that consume small invertebrates. The study underscores the vulnerability of local food systems, as many communities rely on fish as a primary protein source.

Cal Poly Pomona Dining has integrated artificial intelligence to modernize its operations, using AI for faster recipe development, waste reduction and event planning. Executive Chef Kristopher Arguin has transformed the dining program into a scratch-made, globally inspired operation, writing 300 new recipes with the help of AI. Tools like Metafoodx and Winnow provide insights into food production and waste, making the operation more efficient and sustainable.

Denver's coffee scene in 2026 demonstrates a vibrant tapestry of global coffee culture, with cafes representing Latin America, Asia and Africa. From Guatemalan cardamom café con leche at Convivio Café to Ethiopian brews at Harar Beans Coffee, these establishments highlight coffee origins and traditions from around the world. Owners from immigrant backgrounds use their cafes as platforms to honor their heritage, foster cultural understanding and share the stories behind the beans, allowing Denverites to experience authentic flavors and rituals from coffee-growing regions without leaving the city.

Boost your career by digging for what makes your skills unique to position yourself between a generalist and a single-area expert to achieve optimal distinctiveness, write Tony Martignetti, the chief illumination officer at Inspired Purpose Partners and Sarabeth Berk Bickerton, the founder of More Than My Title. "People create more impact when they reclaim what makes them distinct, clarify which aspects of that distinctiveness matter now, and express it in service of the collective rather than at odds with it," they write.

In this episode, podcast host Rocco Paradiso talks with Chef Nick Snyder, Executive Chef at Morton’s The Steakhouse, about the role chefs play in the sales process, exploring how culinary professionals can take ownership of that role to strengthen guest connections and enhance the overall dining experience. Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcast.

Napa cabbage is a cornerstone