Area Talks

19/10/2026

In a world driven by instant gratification, fast food has become the cheap and effortless default. 🍔

But convenience comes with a heavy price – from shrinking menus and rushed dining to rising global health concerns.

Instead of forcing restaurants to speed up, maybe it’s time we slow down and reclaim the true culture of dining.

What’s your go-to on a busy day: convenient fast food or a home-cooked meal?

16/10/2026

Food News October 12 – October 18, 2026

1️⃣A devastating fire in central Paris on Monday destroyed Le Marché des Enfants Rouges, the city’s oldest covered food market and a cornerstone of its culinary landscape. First opened in 1615, the historic food hall was an essential fixture for chefs, cooks, and tourists alike, making its sudden destruction an irreplaceable blow to culinary heritage.
📍Paris, France

2️⃣The Małopolska Region has partnered with The Best Chef Awards to promote its local culinary heritage through the “Culinary Ecosystem of Małopolska” project. The first filming stage has now been completed at Restaurant Giewont, where we joined Chef Przemysław Sieradzki for a culinary presentation showcasing the region’s local products and traditions. The project explores Małopolska through its people, traditions, and local products that define its authentic food culture.
📍Malopolska Region, Poland

3️⃣Chef Kelvin Cheung of Dubai’s Jun’s and Chef Mostafa of Egypt’s Khufu’s are teaming up for an exclusive one-night collaboration. The special event will blend contemporary Egyptian cuisine with Jun’s Third Culture cooking for a unique, technically driven tasting menu.
📍Dubai, UAE
🗓️25 October

4️⃣South Korea has increased its food waste recycling rate from 2.6% in 1996 to a record 97% in 2026. The turnaround proves that coordinated municipal systems and strict policy reforms can transform nationwide waste management.

5️⃣The „Generational Tasting Tour” makes its final international stop at re/ASIAN Cuisine in Bahrain. The four-hands dinner brings together Wolfgang Puck and Byron Lazaroff-Puck, pairing classic culinary heritage with next-generation innovation.
📍Manama, Bahrain
🗓️5 November

6️⃣Marking World Food Day on October 16 the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlighted that nearly a third of all produced food is never consumed, with 13% lost post-harvest and 19% wasted at retail and consumer levels. To help build a more sustainable agrifood system, everyday consumer choices matter.

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14/10/2026

12/10/2026

Meet Chef 🔪 Roxie Mudie – a rising voice in South Africa’s culinary scene.

Leading the team at The Waterside, Roxie is redefining local gastronomy by perfectly balancing fine-dining elegance with an accessible, welcoming approach.

She masterfully blends fine dining elegance with approachable dining, celebrating seasonal, local ingredients in every dish.

Ready to rethink what „local food” can be? 🍴

09/10/2026

Food News October 5 – October 11, 2026

1️⃣The Best Chef has released a cryptic manifesto ahead of its upcoming 10th edition, teasing a major evolution for the platform marked by a mysterious „X.” While specific details remain under wraps, The Best Chef emphasized that the symbol represents a change of direction and a bold new chapter, rather than an erasure of its past.

2️⃣BABA will host an exclusive „Hello World” four-hands dinner. The pop-up event features a collaboration between host Chef Beata Śniechowska and visiting Chef Kostas Papathanasiou of LITA. The menu features dishes such as fish no chips, beef tartare, monkfish and dry aged duck.
📍Wrocław, Poland
🗓️28 October

3️⃣Demand for high-protein dairy products continues to surge across retail shelves, fueled largely by Gen Z consumers prioritizing functional nutrition. Supermarket giants have reported an increase in sales of protein-fortified yogurts and dairy snacks, pushing food manufacturers to expand their health-focused product lines.

4️⃣Fukuoka’s GohGan will host a one-night-only collaborative dinner marking the ninth volume of the „Goh Journey” series. For this special edition, Tokyo’s FARO will travel south, bringing Chef Mizuki Yamaguchi and Pastry Chef Mineko Kato to cook alongside the local team.
📍Fukuoka, Japan
🗓️1 November

5️⃣Shiroiya Hotel in Maebashi, Gunma, will host a highly anticipated keynote talk and culinary demonstration titled „Food as Art” featuring Chef Rasmus Munk of Copenhagen’s Alchemist alongside Takefumi Hamada.
📍Maebashi, Japan
🗓️12 October

6️⃣Responding to growing concerns over ultra-processed foods, Tesco is banning or restricting 114 additives across its own-brand range. The restriction targets industrial emulsifiers, artificial colors, and flavor enhancers after research revealed over 80% of shoppers actively avoid heavily processed products.

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07/10/2026

Is there a future for fine dining?

For 🔪🔪🔪 Chef Joan Roca, the answer is a resounding yes.

In a world navigating through continuous global shifts and crises, restaurants remain a vital refuge.

They are far more than just places to eat – they are sanctuaries of culture, tradition, and essential human connection.

What role do you think fine dining will play in the years to come?

05/10/2026

No kids’ restaurant? This topic gets everyone talking. 🗣️

Is it the fundamental right to enjoy a meal in peace, fully focused on the culinary experience?

Or is it an act of snobbery that punishes families and goes against the welcoming spirit of true hospitality?

Where do you stand?

02/10/2026

Food News September 28 – October 4, 2026

1️⃣To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Restaurant Mirazur is launching a series of four exclusive dinners reuniting generations of talented individuals who have left their mark on the establishment. They will gather in Menton with Chef Mauro Colagreco to share their journeys.
📍Menton, France

2️⃣Starting this October, Japan’s food and hospitality sector is bracing for a significant wave of ingredient and beverage price hikes that will impact over 3,100 products, adding further supply chain pressure to restaurants and suppliers.

3️⃣Acclaimed Chef Daniel Calvert officially opened his new restaurant – CHEZ CALVERT, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his career. Guided by a respect for provenance, the menus follow the rhythm of the seasons, revealing the purity and character of exceptional produce.
📍Tokyo, Japan
🗓️1 October

4️⃣For the latest edition of „N’A COZINHA COM AMIGOS” (In the Kitchen with Friends), Chef António Loureiro is teaming up with Chef José Avillez, a leading figure in Portuguese gastronomy.
📍Guimarães, Portugal
🗓️8 October

5️⃣Air France is elevating its in-flight gastronomy by unveiling a new series of menus created in collaboration with leading names in French cuisine. Passengers will be able to experience exclusive dishes designed by acclaimed talents, including chef Arnaud Lallement – a 🔪🔪🔪 The Best Chef Award holder.

6️⃣Restaurant SELMA Medellín will host an exclusive four-hands dinner. This special event brings together Colombia and Portugal, featuring a collaborative menu by Chef Álvaro Clavijo and Chef Pedro Peña.
📍Medellín, Colombia
🗓️15 October

7️⃣The WildFish has launched an international initiative urging chefs and restaurants to remove ocean-farmed salmon from their menus. In an open letter addressed to the hospitality sector, the coalition highlights the severe environmental threats posed by industrial sea cages, calling on the culinary industry to take a stand.

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28/09/2026

From the canvas to the plate – this is where fine art meets gastronomy ✨.

Amanda Eriksson is a chef who transforms dining into an edible masterpiece.

Originally from northern Sweden with a background in fine art, a transformative winter in Cervinia sparked her enduring passion for Italian ingredients and alpine culture.

In 2013, she and her husband opened Wood in Cervinia – built on a foundation of sustainability, authenticity, and fearless creativity. 🎨

25/09/2026

Food News September 21 – September 27, 2026

1️⃣Today Sardinia FoodMission takes place at 7Pines Resort Sardinia, bringing together chefs Pasquale D’Ambrosio and Francesco Stara alongside The Best Chef Co-founder Cristian Gadau. The gathering features „Sardinia Talks” and an exclusive four-hands dinner.
📍7Pines Resort Sardinia, Sardinia, Italy
🗓️25 September

2️⃣To celebrate its sixth anniversary, London’s KOL Restaurant is hosting an exclusive event. The gathering will feature a curated lineup of influential chefs and culinary figures who have shaped the city’s dining scene.
📍London, UK
🗓️18 October

3️⃣Extreme weather events, including El Niño forecasts, are raising concerns over global grain supplies. The ripple effects can impact the food industry, forcing businesses to brace for rising costs of flour.

4️⃣For an exclusive one-night event, Andō in Hong Kong is teaming up with Bangkok’s Wana Yook for a unique collaborative dinner. The experience brings together Chef Agustin Balbi’s ocean-led culinary roots and Chef Chalee Kader’s innovative reimagining of traditional Thai food culture.
📍Bangkok, Thailand
🗓️15 October

5️⃣Milan’s DryMilano celebrated its „13 Years of Taste” anniversary with an exclusive collaborative mixology event. The evening brought together 13 guest bartenders from eight different cocktail bars to showcase their shared passion for craft cocktails.
📍Milan, Italy
🗓️20 September

6️⃣Hong Kong’s acclaimed 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo – Bombana has officially reopened its doors following an extensive interior renovation. The refreshed space introduces a new chapter for the venue, combining updated, elegant design with its signature standard of thoughtful hospitality.
📍Hong Kong, China

7️⃣The INTO THE WILD festival brings together an international roster of chefs. Focusing on origin and game, the event features distinct culinary perspectives from James Lowe, Edoardo Tilli, Elena Reygadas, Álvaro Clavijo, Prin Polsuk, Sophia Massarella, Pasha Demin, and Fabio Delledonne.
📍Lech am Arlberg, Austria
🗓️2 – 5 October

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