Koji, or Aspergillus oryzae, has become a transformative ingredient for chefs and home cooks alike, thanks to its remarkable ability to enhance flavors and textures across a variety of dishes. In the kitchen, koji acts much like salt, amplifying the natural flavors of ingredients and offering versatility in both savory and sweet applications. Chefs like Jeremy Umansky and Klementine Song use shio koji to marinate meats or as a flavor booster for vegetables, while Rob Rubba incorporates koji into sauces and plant-based pastes, making vegetables and even overripe beets taste vibrant and deeply savory. Koji is also used to craft desserts, such as amazake-based puddings and ice creams, demonstrating its wide-ranging culinary potential. Beyond taste, koji accelerates food preservation, shortens charcuterie drying times, and reduces waste by minimizing unwanted mold growth, positioning it as an essential tool for modern cooks aiming for flavor and sustainability.

Fast-food chains such as Little Caesars, Starbucks and Burger King have introduced branded apps on ChatGPT to streamline meal ordering, aiming to increase convenience and capture more online sales. The apps allow users to build orders within ChatGPT before finalizing purchases on the brands' websites or apps. This initiative is part of a broader trend of integrating AI into customer service, with mixed reactions from consumers regarding the efficiency and necessity of AI-mediated ordering. 

The Maine Coast Fishermen's Association is working with schools to increase demand for Maine-caught fish by introducing dishes such as fish tots, made from flounder and potatoes. The initiative, which started with monkfish stew, has been well received by students and prompted a local vendor to scale up production of fish cakes and tots.

A group of 100 chefs in London have broken the Guinness World Record for the longest tiramisu, creating a 440.6-meter dessert at Chelsea Town Hall. The event, which used two tons of mascarpone and 19,000 eggs, surpassed the previous record of 273.5 meters set in Milan. The tiramisu was made live on-site and assembled over five hours, with portions sold to raise money for charity.

Arugula, a peppery, bitter green, is being touted for its potential digestive benefits. Registered dietitians Katrina Cox and Carlyne Remedios say that eating a small handful before meals may stimulate digestive enzymes, stomach acid and bile due to its bitter compounds, which prime the digestive system. While emerging research suggests arugula could support gut health by aiding gut motility and enhancing gut lining integrity, it is not a guaranteed solution for digestive issues. Overall, maintaining good digestive health relies more on consistent dietary habits and lifestyle choices.

Long John Silver's introduced a range of Buffalo-spiced menu items in partnership with Frank's RedHot, including Buffalo Shrimp in three different styles, Buffalo Chicken and Buffalo Cheese Bites. Each item is tossed in Frank's RedHot Buffalo sauce, and guests can further customize their meals by swapping in Buffalo Sauce for any dip.

Celebrity chef Bobby Flay shares his method for making the perfect burger, highlighting his signature Crunchburger from Bobby's Burgers. The Crunchburger features a crispy bacon, a layer of potato chips and "Bobby's Sauce," made from mayonnaise, chipotle peppers in adobo and roasted red bell peppers. Flay advises not to overwork the meat, to create a dimple in the patty to ensure even cooking and to use a flat cooking surface for a crisp crust.

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