Heartwood Community School in Ridgeland, S.C., has adopted a family-style dining model, where students from different grades sit together at round tables and teachers serve and eat with them. Executive Chef Tiffeny Douglas notes the importance of communication and student involvement in making this model successful, highlighting the positive impact on school culture.

A chance meeting in 1965 between Paul Marshall, then-owner of Bama Companies, and McDonald's founder Ray Kroc led to a partnership that has lasted more than 60 years. Bama Companies, which began as a family pie business in Dallas in 1927, supplies McDonald's with all its hand pies, including the recently reintroduced fried apple pie.

Rye Bunny, the new iteration of the renowned Tail Up Goat space in D.C., has transitioned from a fine dining, full-service model to a counter-service approach. Owners Jill Tyler and Jon Sybert adopted this shift in response to rising operational costs and evolving diner expectations. Guests at Rye Bunny now order at the counter before receiving attentive table service, blending efficiency with hospitality. This pivot allows the restaurant to streamline labor without sacrificing the guest experience, addressing both financial sustainability and changing dining habits.

Flaxseeds and hemp seeds are both packed with nutrients, offering plant-based protein, healthful fats, fiber and micronutrients. According to registered dietitian Natalie Rizzo, hemp seeds provide more protein per serving, while flaxseeds offer more fiber. Both seeds support gut and heart health as flaxseeds provide omega-3s and lignans, while hemp seeds provide magnesium and other minerals. The choice between them depends on individual nutritional goals, such as prioritizing protein or fiber intake.

Registered dietitian Isabel Vasquez Larson says that apples can be a beneficial part of a diabetes-friendly diet due to their fiber content, which helps moderate blood sugar levels and promote satiety. While apples contain carbohydrates that can raise blood sugar, pairing them with protein and fat can help maintain more stable blood sugar levels. She emphasizes the importance of whole apples over processed forms like apple juice, which lack fiber and can lead to quicker blood sugar spikes.

Champagne pairs exceptionally well with fried chicken, according to sommelier Victoria James, who curated the largest champagne list in the US for Coqodaq in New York City. "Champagne's high acidity, from grapes grown in cold climates, cuts through the richness of fried foods, while its carbonation helps break up fat on the palate," James says. "This makes champagne an ideal match for salty, savory dishes like fried chicken."

Mexican winemakers are embracing a new era of experimentation, unbound by strict regulations found in other countries. Valle de Guadalupe is the heart of the industry, but regions like Guanajuato, Queretaro and Coahuila are also gaining recognition. "There's a renaissance in Mexican wine these days," says Matt Diaz, owner of For All Things Good and organizer of the Mexican wine festival Vinos Chingones. "Second- or third-generation winemakers are taking over their families' vineyards and they're getting some really cool stuff."