In Brief

An agreement has been reached to open airspace and land and sea borders between Saudi Arabia and Qatar as of this evening(yesterday)

 "An agreement has been reached to open airspace and land and sea borders between Saudi Arabia and Qatar as of this evening," Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Ahmad Nasser al-Sabah said on Kuwait TV ahead of a GCC summit in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

Pitmaster has big plans for preserving Southern barbecue

Pitmaster Rodney Scott is preserving the Southern barbecue tradition of roasting whole hogs over a wood fire, a process he's been perfecting for almost 40 years. In this interview, he talks about his must-have barbecue ingredient, how he stays positive and his dream of opening restaurants across the globe.

 Full Story: Barron's (free content) (1/4) 

Ill. chef charts her own course with global comfort food

Chef Mariela Bolanos is opening a takeout and delivery restaurant called Easy Peazy in East Chicago that will offer a menu of global comfort foods with a twist, including chicken and waffles and Mexican-style pork belly bao buns. "I want to put out a menu for people who are adventurous," said Bolanos, who plans to post videos of herself cooking the dishes on TikTok.

 Full Story: The Times of Northwest Indiana (Munster) (1/5)

2021 will bring continuing focus on wellness, flexitarian diets, and ways to make dining out safe and memorable

The past year has brought major changes for both the foodservice and food retail industries. Looking ahead to 2021, many of the food trends predicted by chefs, retail executives and other experts reflect the changing way consumers eat both at and away from home. 

The pandemic sparked a resurgence of home cooking that will continue into the new year, making ingredients, appliances and sources of inspiration for home cooks one of next year’s top trends. Many consumers will make a gradual return to restaurants over the next year, but dining out will look different as eateries struggle to rebound from the havoc of the pandemic while creating dining experiences that are both alluring and safe. As for what will be on our plates, experts predict the plant-based movement will continue to influence the way we eat, especially as more people choose foods with wellness in mind. Also on the menu for the year ahead: a greater emphasis on Black-owned restaurants and food businesses, and increased exposure for Black chefs.