The 2026 James Beard Awards ceremony in Chicago continued its tradition of recognizing excellence in the restaurant industry, with Kalaya in Philadelphia taking outstanding restaurant, Michael Tusk of Quince and Cotogna in San Francisco named outstanding chef and Dana Street of Portland, Maine, honored as outstanding restaurateur. Additional accolades included Lei in Manhattan for best new restaurant and Adrian Torres of Maximo in Houston as best emerging chef. The awards also celebrated achievements in media, cookbooks and lifetime contributions, such as Nancy Silverton's lifetime achievement honor. See the full list of winners.

The Old Orchard Beach School District in Maine has implemented a program to encourage students to eat local, sustainable seafood, featuring a campaign centered on Gus the Monkfish, a character used to educate students. The district reports students have a high acceptance rate of seafood species they haven't eaten before.

Amoroso's Baking Co. has been making the bread for Philadelphia's cheesesteaks for more than a century, producing over 250 million rolls annually. The factory operates 24/7, using 200,000 pounds of flour weekly and employing meticulous quality control to ensure each roll meets standards. The rolls are then delivered to local stores, sandwich shops and Lincoln Financial Field, making Amoroso's a staple in Philly's food culture.

Investment firm LongRange Capital has signed a deal to acquire the majority of Pizza Hut from Yum Brands, in a deal valued at about $1.5 billion. The agreement excludes the chain's restaurants in mainland China, which will be acquired by Yum China in a separate $1.2 billion deal. Both deals are subject to regulatory approval and are expected to close in the third quarter.

Registered dietitian nutritionist Vanessa Imus and RD Diane Han highlight the significant benefits of fiber for longevity, emphasizing its role in reducing chronic inflammation, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and obesity. Studies support these claims, showing that fiber helps maintain a balanced microbiome and supports the immune system. By slowing digestion and supporting gut health, fiber can contribute to a longer, healthier life.

Registered dietitians Theresa DeLorenzo, Sarah Glinski and Gabrielle Kishner highlight four common nutrient deficiencies in Americans: Vitamin D, magnesium, iron and fiber. Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent due to limited sunlight exposure and dietary sources. Magnesium, crucial for over 300 bodily processes, is lacking due to reliance on processed foods. Iron deficiency is on the rise with plant-based diets, affecting red blood cell production. Fiber intake is insufficient for most, impacting digestive and overall health.

Tunacons, a coalition of tuna industry leaders from Ecuador, Panama and the US, is promoting sustainable fishing practices to protect ocean ecosystems. With support from WWF Ecuador, the Fisheries Improvement Project was launched to address sustainability issues in Ecuador's tuna industry, focusing on reducing bycatch and marine pollution. Initiatives include the use of biodegradable fish aggregating devices and comprehensive observer coverage on fishing vessels. These efforts recently earned the fishery the Marine Stewardship Council Blue label.

Five high-altitude wineries push the boundaries of viticulture by cultivating vines at remarkable elevations, writes Wanda Mann. Bodega Colomé in Salta, Argentina, stands out with vineyards at 10,200 feet, among the highest in the world. Catena Zapata in Mendoza has vineyards rising to nearly 5,000 feet, showcasing how altitude shapes Argentina's celebrated Malbecs. Donnafugata's vineyards on Mount Etna, Sicily, reach over 2,460 feet on Europe's most active volcano. In California, Mt. Brave crafts wines in the rugged terrain of Mount Veeder, well above the fog line. Elena Walch in Italy's Alto Adige region tends Alpine vineyards that climb to almost 2,000 feet, producing wines influenced by the cool mountain climate.