This week on the Food & Beverage Magazine (FBM) Weekly Podcast, your magazine editors dive into the latest strategic movements, brand expansions, and innovations shaping the culinary sector for hospitality industry professionals and decision-makers.

In this episode, we break down major business acquisitions, starting with an analysis of what the Culinary Media Group's acquisition of Food52 means for the broader industry. We also explore innovative luxury hospitality experiences, detailing the exclusive Christian Louboutin pop-up at Montage Deer Valley and discussing how design firms like Dunne Kozlowski are delivering unique experiential concepts from start to finish.

Looking ahead, we provide critical forecasting for decision-makers, covering the essential packaging trends you can expect to see in 2026 and unveiling our official Editors' Top Picks for specialty items in February 2026.

Finally, the program rounds out by celebrating culinary heritage and industry philanthropy. We honor Tujague's remarkable 170 years of culinary heritage, discuss the kickoff of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, and highlight impactful charitable initiatives, including Nutella's "Stacks for Giving Back" and Macy Gray's streamathon against hunger.

To read the full articles discussed in today's program, visit us at fbmagazine.com.

Steakhouse Icons, Five-Star Seas, and the Science of "Sonic Seasoning"

Join the Editors of Food & Beverage Magazine as we explore industry-shaping stories, from Bern’s Steak House celebrating 70 years of excellence to the fascinating science of "Sonic Seasoning" in Tennessee. We also dive into groundbreaking acquisitions like Wonder's purchase of Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken and the historic new five-star benchmark for dining at sea.

This Week’s Highlights:

• Bern’s Steak House: A 70-year legacy of tradition, community, and world-class wine.

• Celebrity Cruises: Le Voyage earns the first-ever Forbes Five-Star rating at sea.

• Sonic Seasoning: How specific musical frequencies are being used to enhance flavor perception.

• Strategic Growth: Inside the acquisition of the iconic Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken brand.

• Heart Health: Prioritizing wellness with Boar’s Head Brand® for American Heart Month.

Visit fbmagazine.com for the full articles and subscribe to the Food & Beverage Magazine newsletter.

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As featured in Food & Beverage Magazine (www.fbmagazine.com), the culinary and hospitality landscape of 2026 is defined by high-profile partnerships, regional revitalizations, and shifting consumer preferences in the beverage sector.

Major industry events continue to drive engagement, such as the South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) 2026, which remains a primary draw for food enthusiasts. In the corporate sphere, McCain Foods has secured a prominent role as the official french fry partner for Team Canada, while the Georgia Restaurant Association has established its leadership for the year by unveiling its 2026 Board of Directors. Innovation is also taking center stage at the NGA Show in Las Vegas, where the industry celebrated IGA’s 100th anniversary alongside new retail inspirations.

Significant infrastructure and tourism developments are reshaping key destinations. Myrtle Beach is undergoing a "coastal glow-up" featuring new attractions and contributions from Guy Fieri, while San Juan, Puerto Rico, is seeing a massive $850 million investment with the arrival of a new Hard Rock property. On the high seas, Atlas Ocean Voyages is elevating luxury travel by unveiling a curated celebrity chef lineup for its 2026 itineraries.

The beverage industry is witnessing a "potency arms race" in the THC drink market, where 2.5mg has emerged as the preferred "sweet spot" for consumers seeking controlled experiences. Traditional beverage sectors are also evolving; Coca-Cola has expanded its portfolio with new Cherry Float and Diet Coke Cherry variants, and the wine trade is adapting to the new i2a framework introduced at ProWein Düsseldorf. Furthermore, the inaugural Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction in Louisville and the cultural intersection of craft beer and rock music demonstrate the ongoing diversification of craft spirits and brews.

Whether it is the fusion of NBA All-Star Weekend and Valentine’s romance in Beverly Hills or Mardi Gras-inspired recipes from New Orleans chefs, the industry remains vibrant and multifaceted, as documented by Food & Beverage Magazine (www.fbmagazine.com).