The Americas
Fast food sales weaken
A combination of factors has led to several fast food chains reporting disappointing sales, as companies including Burger King owner Restaurant Brands and Yum!, which owns KFC missed market estimates for quarterly results.
The market points to the past year’s rising prices of fast food as a factor, as they have prompted consumers to cook and eat at home instead of dining out. In response to this trend fast food chains have introduced aggressive promotions to attract the customers with great value deals.
Yum did have one ray of light as Taco Bell – another of its brands – bucked trends with a 4% sales growth.
The Michelin Guide debuts in Texas
There were 15 new one stars and two new Green Stars announced at the launch of the Michelin Guide Texas, which took place earlier this week. The full selection in this first edition of the guide in the state, including Bib Gourmand restaurants and Recommended eateries, totals 117 restaurants spanning 26 cuisine types.
The anonymous inspectors travelled the breadth of the state to uncover the culinary gems and highlights. “The selection reflects their findings by highlighting uniquely Texas flavors, such as Barbecue and Tex-Mex, as well as several international influences,” said international director Gwendal Poullennec.
Asia pacific
Australia tops the list of the world’s best steak
For the second year running, Australia has been awarded the top prize at the World’s Steak Challenge. Producer Jack’s Creek & Albers took home the accolade for its grain-fed pure bred wagyu sirloin, which was also named the world’s best wagyu and Oceanian’s best steak.
It marks the second consecutive year that Jack’s Creek & Albers has claimed the title of World’s Best Steak for its meat, which comes from cattle bred and raised on the natural pastures in central New South Wales and which are finished on a blend of grains, hay and silage.
The World’s Steak Challenge was launched in 205 to deliver a recognized stamp of quality to support world-class steak production globally.
Nobu co-founder honored by Japanese government
Thirty years after the launch of the first Nobu restaurant in New York City, co-founder Nobu Matsuhisa will receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, according to the Consulate-General of Japan in Los Angeles. The Japanese government is honoring Chef Nobu for his contribution to the proliferation of Japanese food around the world.
The brand was born when actor Robert De Niro partnered with Chef Nobu to open the first restaurant in New York in 1994. Today there are 55 branches of the restaurant worldwide.
Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)
Worlds 50 Best heads to Italy for 2025
Organisers of the annual celebration of the best restaurants have announced that the event will head back to Europe for 2025. The event will take place in the city of Turin in Italy’s Piedmont region on Thursday 19 June and will include a program of talks, presentations and demonstrations that brings together the global gastronomic community. This is the first time the event takes place in Italy.
“The time is ripe for 50 Best to make its debut in Italy, where a culture of food and hospitality is so intrinsic to society,” said director of content for The World’s 50 Best William Drew. “We look forward to gathering the global restaurant community together in this deeply historic, epicurean and charming destination.”
“Best steakhouse ever”
Local diners in London have tried a new ruse to keep tourists out of their favorite restaurants by posting fake positive reviews of Angus Steakhouse, not usually listed among the top places to eat in the city. Recent weeks overly excited reviews of the restaurant, which would often be dismissed as a ‘tourist trap’, has appeared online – one user, who claims to have been a vegetarian for over 15 years, said: “even I can’t resist Angus Steakhouse’s steak sandwiches”.
This year has seen an ever growing sentiment against tourists in some of Europe’s top holiday spots, including The Canary Islands and Barcelona in Spain.
Tina Nielsen
