The food scene in 2025 was marked by several standout ingredients, according to chefs across the US. Habanada peppers, known for their habanero-like flavor without the heat, were a favorite among home gardeners and chefs alike. Black garlic gained popularity for its umami-rich flavor, while beef tallow made a comeback as a cooking fat. Caviar was deemed the most overhyped ingredient, appearing on various dishes. Mushroom powder became a household staple for its umami boost, and pistachios gained luxury status due to Dubai chocolate. High-quality olive oil became more accessible, truffle oil fell out of favor and beans were celebrated as a comforting, versatile ingredient.

Shake Shack's new Good Fit Menu highlights several modified and existing menu items, each tailored to specific dietary needs and health trends. Options include lettuce-wrapped burgers and chicken sandwiches, a gluten-free double burger, and a double veggie burger. Protein content ranges from 23 to 52 grams per item, with details provided on calories and carbohydrate counts. The menu is available through the chain's website and app.

Chipotle Mexican Grill is launching a high protein menu in the US and Canada, featuring Adobo chicken that is humanely raised without antibiotics. The menu caters to the increasing demand for protein-rich diets, with items like the Double High Protein Bowl and the High Protein-High Fiber Bowl.

Jennifer Zhou, global senior director of product marketing for flavors and citrus at ADM, highlights the importance of color and flavor in consumer perceptions of wellness products. Zhou notes that colors such as blue, green and orange are associated with specific health benefits, while citrus flavors are widely favored for their versatility and nostalgic appeal.

Incorporating certain foods into your diet may help lower LDL cholesterol levels and support heart health. Foods such as leafy greens, berries, nuts and oily fish provide fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Healthful lifestyle tips, including quitting smoking and engaging in physical activity, can also help support heart health.

Monin Americas' flavor predictions for 2026 include nostalgic flavors and textural elements, inspired by Eastern flavors, sweet-and-savory combinations, "earth tones," and functional benefits. 

Auctioneers like Lydia Fenet, the founder and CEO of the Lydia Fenet Agency, are known for talking fast, but Fenet writes that silence is the secret weapon to commanding a room, something leaders can put into practice by being quiet after making their point, not talking over a loud room and allowing silence to become uncomfortable to prompt engagement. "The one who jumps to fill every uncomfortable silence often reveals the most. The one who sits in the quiet controls the pace," Fenet writes.

Join Grant Tipton, Chef and Operations Manager at the Polish Center of Wisconsin, on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, at 2 p.m. ET, for a webinar focused on one of Poland's most popular foods, pierogi. Chef Tipton will give attendees a brief overview of the history of dumplings and pierogi before moving on to a demonstration of Polish potato cheese pierogi. Chef will show how to prepare the potato cheese stuffing and the dough, how to stuff and seal the dumpling, and finally, how to cook, boil, and pan fry the pierogi. Register today.

Applications for the 2026 ACF National Awards are now being accepted. Deadline for all applications is Jan. 31, 2026. Award recipients will be announced during the 2026 ACF National Convention. Learn more.