Chef Trends

Fast Casual
Christopher Hansen named head of culinary at Portillo'sChristopher Hansen named head of culinary at Portillo's

Hansen worked previously for Australian chain Guzman Y Gomez, which earlier this year announced an exit from the U.S. market.

byLisa Jennings,Executive Editor
Jul 23, 2026
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1 Min Read
Independent Restaurants
The James Beard Awards ceremony could be leaving ChicagoThe James Beard Awards ceremony could be leaving Chicago
byLisa Jennings
Jul 15, 2026
3 Min Read
Salad
Fast Casual
Alice Waters puts her name on a limited-time Sweetgreen saladAlice Waters puts her name on a limited-time Sweetgreen salad
byPatricia Cobe
Jul 7, 2026
2 Min Read
Beverage Trends
Tara Wong showcases old-school cocktails with modern elementsTara Wong showcases old-school cocktails with modern elements
byBret Thorn
Jun 30, 2026
Fancy Food Show attendees
Food Trends
3 food and drink mega-trends seen at the Summer Fancy Food Show3 food and drink mega-trends seen at the Summer Fancy Food Show
byPatricia Cobe
Jun 30, 2026
4 Min Read
World Central Kitchen
Operations
World Central Kitchen launches World Cup food giveaway to raise awarenessWorld Central Kitchen launches World Cup food giveaway to raise awareness
byLisa Jennings
Jun 12, 2026
3 Min Read
Chef Trends
Nation’s Restaurant News debuts video series with its food editor
Nation’s Restaurant News debuts video series with its food editor
Jun 3, 2026
byBret Thorn,Senior Food Editor
awardees
Chef Trends
29th annual MenuMasters Awards ceremony honors chefs and innovators from across the industry
MenuMasters Awards honor chefs and innovators from across the industry
May 17, 2026
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5 Min Read
byPatricia Cobe,Senior Editor, Restaurant Business
Chef Trends
How culinary students are adapting to the AI era
How culinary students are adapting to the AI era
May 17, 2026
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4 Min Read
Independent Restaurants
Marcus Samuelsson to debut burger restaurant at New York soccer stadium in 2027
Marcus Samuelsson to debut burger restaurant at New York soccer stadium in 2027
May 13, 2026
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3 Min Read
byBret Thorn,Senior Food Editor
restaurant kitchen
Insights
OpenTable creates council of chefs and hospitality leaders to gain insider insights
OpenTable creates council of chefs and hospitality leaders to gain insider insights
Apr 30, 2026
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2 Min Read
byPatricia Cobe,Senior Editor, Restaurant Business
Guava braised short rib kebab
Menu Trends
New on the Menu: Guava short ribs and bacon-Gorgonzola pizza
New on the Menu: Guava short ribs and bacon-Gorgonzola pizza
Apr 10, 2026
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5 Slides
byBret Thorn,Senior Food Editor
Pastries at Bonrue Bakery
Regional Chains
Bonrue Bakery plans to more than triple in unit count by end of 2027
Bonrue Bakery plans to more than triple in unit count by end of 2027
Apr 7, 2026
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2 Min Read
byLisa Jennings,Executive Editor
Independent Restaurants
Urbanbelly to return to Chicago’s Fulton Market
Urbanbelly to return to Chicago’s Fulton Market
Apr 7, 2026
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2 Min Read
byBret Thorn,Senior Food Editor
Chef Trends
James Beard Foundation announces Restaurant and Chef Awards nominees
James Beard Foundation announces Restaurant and Chef Awards nominees
Mar 31, 2026
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12 Min Read
byBret Thorn,Senior Food Editor
Independent Restaurants
Boka Restaurant Group opens Gingie in Chicago
Boka Restaurant Group opens Gingie in Chicago
Mar 30, 2026
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2 Min Read
byBret Thorn,Senior Food Editor
High Steaks restaurant interior
Hotel Dining
James Trees brings the independent restaurant spirit to hotel dining
James Trees brings the independent restaurant spirit to hotel dining
Mar 24, 2026
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3 Min Read
byGloria Dawson
Labor
René Redzepi resigns as head of Noma and MAD
René Redzepi resigns as head of Noma and MAD
Mar 12, 2026
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2 Min Read
byBret Thorn,Senior Food Editor
Labor
Noma pop-up in LA comes under fire
Sponsors are pulling out and laborers are planning protests in aftermath of reports of abuse by chef René Redzepi
Mar 10, 2026
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3 Min Read
byBret Thorn,Senior Food Editor
Strickland’s
Independent Restaurants
Scott and Jacob Margroff discuss flavor and innovation at Strickland’s
Scott and Jacob Margroff discuss flavor and innovation at Strickland’s
Mar 10, 2026
byBret Thorn,Senior Food Editor
Marc Spitzer of Okaru
Chef Trends
Why chef Marc Spitzer is moving to the suburbs with new Japanese concept Okaru
Why chef Marc Spitzer is moving to the suburbs with new Japanese concept Okaru
Feb 27, 2026
byGloria Dawson
James Beard Foundation logo
Chef Trends
James Beard Foundation names 6 America's Classics Award winners for 2026 across diverse regions
James Beard Foundation picks Classics winners
Feb 25, 2026
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10 Min Read
Danny Lledó
Chef Trends
Danny Lledó shares the nuances of paella
Danny Lledó shares the nuances of paella
Feb 24, 2026
byBret Thorn,Senior Food Editor
Thai escargot curry
Chef Trends
New on the Menu: A Thai cocktail, a Thai curry, and a starchy Mexican sandwich
New on the Menu: A Thai cocktail, a Thai curry, and a starchy Mexican sandwich
Feb 6, 2026
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5 Slides
byBret Thorn,Senior Food Editor
Man pouring wine into glass with bird nearby.
Independent Restaurants
Vicinity opens in California with a $200, 13-course tasting menu inspired by the chef’s life
Vicinity opens in California with a $200, 13-course tasting menu inspired by the chef’s life
Feb 4, 2026
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1 Min Read
byJoanna Fantozzi,Senior Editor
MenuMasters Spotlight
Douglas Keane named MenuMasters Innovator of the year
Douglas Keane named MenuMasters Innovator of the year
Jan 28, 2026
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2 Min Read
MenuMasters Spotlight
Grant Achatz to be inducted into MenuMasters Hall of Fame
Grant Achatz to be inducted into MenuMasters Hall of Fame
Jan 27, 2026
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2 Min Read
Kei Wagyu Miso Ramen
Independent Restaurants
New York City izakaya Kei hires ramen master Akira Hiratsuka to revamp culinary program
New York City izakaya Kei hires ramen master Akira Hiratsuka to revamp culinary program
Jan 23, 2026
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2 Min Read
byJoanna Fantozzi,Senior Editor
Chef Trends
James Beard Foundation names semifinalists for its Restaurant & Chef Awards
James Beard Foundation names semifinalists for its Restaurant & Chef Awards
Jan 21, 2026
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16 Min Read
byBret Thorn,Senior Food Editor
Susan Bae, Raheem Sealey, Nelson German, and Stephanie Izard
Chef Trends
10 conversations we had with restaurant chefs in 2025
10 conversations we had with restaurant chefs in 2025
Dec 10, 2025
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10 Slides
byNRN staff
Ariel Fox, Jae Choi, Jose Sosa, and Mike Chavez
Chef Trends
Meet the 2025 Chef Power List Reader Picks
Meet the 2025 Chef Power List Reader Picks
Dec 2, 2025
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16 Slides
Chef Trends
Meet Nation’s Restaurant News’ 2025 Chef Power List
Meet Nation’s Restaurant News’ 2025 Chef Power List
Nov 11, 2025
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10 Slides
byBret Thorn,Senior Food Editor
Sponsored Content
Smart fixes for culinary uniform challenges
Smart fixes for culinary uniform challenges
Sep 16, 2025
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3 Min Read
Lars Smith and Michael Maccarrone headshots
Marketing & Branding
How B2B foodservice brands can leverage chef partners to boost social influence
How B2B foodservice brands can leverage chef partners to boost social influence
Sep 3, 2025
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3 Min Read
byJoanna Fantozzi,Senior Editor
Food Trends
Eleven Madison Park is serving meat again — what that says about veganism
Eleven Madison Park is serving meat again — what that says about veganism
Aug 27, 2025
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5 Min Read
byBret Thorn,Senior Food Editor

Featured

Fast Casual
Why Ohio sushi restaurant chain Fusian is refreshing its brand 16 years in
Why Ohio sushi restaurant chain Fusian is refreshing its brand 16 years in

Jul 30, 2026

Quick Service
How innovation helped Panda Express become the largest Asian chain in U.S.
How innovation helped Panda Express become the largest Asian chain in U.S.

Jul 23, 2026

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Starbucks expects more modest U.S. development next year.
Finance
Starbucks keeps its U.S. growth measured as it rethinks developmentStarbucks keeps its U.S. growth measured as it rethinks development
byJonathan Maze
Jul 31, 2026
3 Min Read
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