The James Beard Foundation's Taste America series will spotlight Detroit as part of its 2026-27 TasteTwenty class. Detroit chef Doug Hewitt of Freya and Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails will be featured in the series with a dinner at Freya on Sept. 30. Hewitt will collaborate with Joe Giacomino and John Vermiglio of Grey Ghost for the $200-per-person event.

Bobo Thai, operated by Taiwan-based TTFB, has opened its first US location in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles, offering a variety of pad Thai dishes and Bangkok street food. The restaurant's menu features a variety of pad Thai dishes, such as The 1938 with pork belly, Two Kings blending pad Thai with tom yum and Hot Stuff with sausage and extra spice. Other options include green curry-infused Easy Lover, vegan-friendly Garden Party, as well as noodle dishes like crispy curry noodles and pad see ew. The menu is rounded out by Bangkok-style street food snacks, including shrimp toast and green curry chicken wings, plus creative cocktails like the lychee-based Bobo Thai Spritz.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools in Florida will no longer offer free meals districtwide after losing eligibility for the Community Eligibility Provision because of changing demographics and declining enrollment. Only 121 of more than 500 schools will continue to provide free meals, reflecting broader challenges as fewer districts qualify for CEP because of cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid.

DoorDash has launched DoorDash Air, an in-house drone-delivery initiative, as the next step in the company's logistics strategy. The program will supplement DoorDash's existing network of human Dashers and autonomous delivery robots to streamline and expand the range of delivery options. By building its own drones and supporting infrastructure, DoorDash intends to make drone delivery accessible for merchants of all sizes.

The Food and Agriculture Organization has emphasized the importance of food safety in pandemic preparedness in a study published in npj Science of Food. The authors highlight how pandemics disrupt food safety systems, posing risks to public health and food security, and propose specific actions to achieve pandemic-ready food control, including building resilient food safety systems and implementing proactive governance.

Barbecue chefs are increasingly reaching for alternative sweeteners beyond the classic brown and white sugar, molasses and honey to balance and enhance their dishes. These alternatives include mirin -- a sweet rice wine from Japan -- for subtle sweetness and umami; maple syrup for its complex, caramel-like notes; banana ketchup for its unique tangy-sweet flavor; and maltose for a glossy, lacquer-like finish. Each of these sweeteners offers distinct benefits, allowing pitmasters to tailor the flavor, texture and appearance of their barbecue to new and exciting profiles.

Dominic Sessa, starring as Anthony Bourdain in the upcoming biopic "Tony," was surprised to learn that Bourdain's initial passion was for writing, not cooking. The film, directed by Matt Johnson, focuses on Bourdain's early years, particularly a summer in Provincetown, Mass. Sessa's co-star Stavros Halkias says the role made him reflect on his own life and career. "Tony" will have a limited release Aug. 7 before a nationwide release Aug. 21.

Sandy Tuason was widely celebrated as a champion of local food during his tenure as executive chef at The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa. Tuason, who passed away in July following a sudden illness, built strong relationships with local farmers, notably collaborating with Clarence McLaughlin to source fresh produce for the resort's restaurants. Tuason was known for his commitment to quality and his unique culinary takes on local ingredients, such as seasoned pepper. His advocacy for incorporating locally sourced food into high-end cuisine left a lasting impact on the Cayman culinary community.

Interested in becoming the next U.S.A.'s Chef of the Year? Fill out the Intent to Compete Form to be notified when Applications for 2027's regional competitions are open. With categories open for both savory and pastry chefs as well as students and professionals, these competitions are the best way to prove you're the greatest of the greats! Compete and win at the regional level and bring your skills to the national stage at the 2027 ACF National Convention in Orlando, Fla. The deadline to apply to compete is December 31, 2026.