Foodie News
2026 Cheeseboard Trends: A European-Inspired Guide for Holiday Hosting
2026 cheeseboard trends: European Cheese Quality’s 2026 mini-guide highlights the biggest holiday cheeseboard trends—from mini boards and brunch boards to a Gorgonzola renaissance, Pecorino trio flights, and creamy mascarpone “cream boards.”
From European Cheese Quality – the campaign promoted by Granlatte, the largest milk producers’ cooperative in Italy, that controls Granarolo S.p.A., the most important Italian dairy company, and co-financed by the European Union – comes the 2026 Guide on cheeseboard new trends, elevating holiday celebrations, and extra special moments.
From single-serve bites to creamy mascarpone spreads, the new holiday boards spotlight premium European craftsmanship and inspire Americans to elevate their festive entertaining with authentic PDO flavors.
2026 Cheeseboard Trends: A European-Inspired Guide for Holiday Hosting
The holiday season has a way of turning “come on over” into a full-on event. And in 2025–2026, one entertaining staple keeps getting bigger, prettier, and more personal: the cheeseboard.
According to a new 2026 mini-guide from European Cheese Quality, the next wave of boards is all about small-format servings, brunch-friendly spreads, bold blue moments, and a creamy mascarpone twist—with an emphasis on authentic European craftsmanship and PDO cheeses (Protected Designation of Origin).
Cheeseboards have become a global social phenomenon—millions of posts, billions of views—and in the U.S., they’ve evolved into a holiday hosting ritual: effortless, customizable, and instantly festive. The European Cheese Quality campaign (promoted by Granlatte, Italy’s largest milk producers’ cooperative, which controls Granarolo S.p.A., and co-financed by the European Union) is encouraging American hosts to blend the visual fun of modern boards with the flavor credibility of classic European cheeses.
Below are the five standout trends from the 2026 guide—plus easy ways to bring them to your next gathering.
1) Mini Cheeseboards: The Elevated Holiday Bite
Big boards aren’t going anywhere, but mini boards are having a moment—think small cones, mini trays, or single-serve bites that feel chic, tidy, and “Instagram-ready.” They’re perfect for holiday toasts with sparkling wine, cocktail parties, and open-house style hosting where guests are grazing all night.
Try these European-inspired mini pairings:
- Parmigiano Reggiano PDO + dried apricot + toasted almonds
- Grana Padano PDO + honey drizzle + thin rosemary grissini
- Pecorino Toscano PDO + pear slice + walnut crumble
Hosting tip: Keep it simple—one cheese, one sweet element, one crunch. The elegance is in the restraint.
2) Brunch Boards: Redefining the Slow Holiday Morning
Brunch is becoming a holiday ritual of its own: cozy, unhurried, and built for connection. The brunch board trend leans into storytelling and comfort—warm bread, eggs, fruit, and cheeses that play well with both sweet and savory.
European Cheese Quality highlights three cheeses to anchor the spread:
- Caciocavallo Silano PDO – fragrant and ideal with eggs and warm bread
- Grana Padano PDO – easy to flake, great with honey or avocado
- Pecorino Sardo PDO Dolce – soft, aromatic, and fruit-friendly
Build it out with:
- Warm bread
- Boiled eggs
- Avocado
- Smoked salmon
- Bacon
- Honey
Hosting tip: Brunch boards are about abundance without fuss. Use small bowls for honey and spreads, and let the cheeses do the heavy lifting.
3) The Blue Renaissance (Hello, Gorgonzola)
Blue cheese is back—especially Gorgonzola PDO, which is showing up more often in premium dining and at-home entertaining. It’s a natural “wow” element on a holiday table: bold, aromatic, and surprisingly versatile.
Choose your style:
- Gorgonzola PDO Dolce for a velvety, milder bite
- Gorgonzola PDO Piccante for deeper, more intense flavor
Pair with:
- Fresh pears
- Chestnut honey
- Figs
- Cereal bread
Hosting tip: Treat this as a mid-meal “intermezzo” moment—something guests can nibble between courses or while the main dish finishes.
4) The Great Pecorino Comeback
Sheep’s milk cheeses are returning to holiday menus thanks to their aromatic complexity and range—from sweet and soft to sharp and salty. The guide’s answer: a curated Pecorino Trio that feels like a mini tasting flight.
Build your trio with:
- Pecorino Toscano PDO – semi-aged, fragrant, balanced
- Pecorino Romano PDO – sharp, savory, intense
- Pecorino Sardo PDO – sweet, soft, rounded
Serve with:
- Bread
- Marmalade
- Roasted vegetables
- Fresh or dried fruit
Pairing idea: Enjoy with structured whites or soft reds—especially if you’re hosting a late-night countdown situation.
5) The “Creamy Touch” Trend: Mascarpone Boards
If 2026 has a signature move, it’s this: UHT Mascarpone as the ultimate “creamy touch.” Instead of stacking everything, you’re smearing mascarpone directly onto a wooden board and letting guests scoop it onto crackers, bagels, cookies, or whatever you’re serving.
Make it savory by whipping mascarpone with:
- Fresh herbs
- Citrus zest
Then top and finish with:
- Smoked salmon
- Speck
- Dried fruits
- Confit tomatoes
- Roasted vegetables
- Black pepper, paprika, or chili pepper
Hosting tip: This is interactive, fast to assemble, and feels restaurant-level without requiring actual cooking.
The Big Takeaway: Boards Are the New Holiday Language
The 2026 trends aren’t just about making a board look good (though it will). They’re about creating a shared experience—single-serve bites for mingling, brunch boards for slow mornings, blue cheese moments for drama, Pecorino flights for discovery, and mascarpone spreads for hands-on fun.
If you’re hosting this season, consider this your permission slip to keep it simple—but make it special: pick a theme, choose a few standout European cheeses, and let the board do what it does best—bring people together.
Source: European Cheese Quality press release via PRNewswire (Dec. 12, 2025): https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/from-european-cheese-quality-the-2026-guide-on-cheeseboard-new-trends-elevating-holiday-celebrations-and-extra-special-moments-302640218.html
Culver’s Thank You Farmers® Project Hits $8 Million Donation Milestone
Link: https://stmdailynews.com/culvers-thank-you-farmers-project-hits-8-million-donation-milestone/
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Food and Beverage
Mix a Little Luck into Your Big Game Menu
Picture this: Your team is down three points, but the taste of victory is just one field goal away. Sometimes, all you need is a little luck and a whole lot of guac. Dip into good fortune this football season with help from this Good Luck Guac recipe.
Mix a Little Luck into Your Big Game Menu
(Family Features) Picture this: Your team is down three points, but the taste of victory is just one field goal away. Sometimes, all you need is a little luck and a whole lot of guac. After all, an estimated 250 million pounds of avocados are consumed during the Big Game each year, according to Hass Avocado Board Volume Data. That’s enough to fill 30 million football helmets with guac – but filling your belly instead is a win-win for good luck and great flavor. Dip into good fortune this football season with help from Avocado From Mexico’s Guac Guru, Rob Riggle, whose visionary Good Luck Guac recipe is ready to share just in time for the Big Game. Whether you’re in it for the football, the commercials or the snacks, this recipe can score major points with your entire crew.
Crafted for fans of every team, this bold, golden twist on a favorite football snack is infused with ingredients associated with good luck – edible gold flakes and pomegranate seeds – to get you through the most nail-biting moments of the game. The star ingredient is fresh, high-quality Avocados From Mexico that offer good taste, good nutrition, and good times. Beyond delicious dips, chips and lots of fun, hosting a watch party can also be a lot of work. Make sure your hosting duties don’t create interference or put you on the sidelines with these tips: Get a jumpstart on party prep. The day before the game, tidy up your space and prepare as much of the food as you can. For dishes best served fresh – like guac – take care of the ingredient prep, like chopping veggies. Create comfortable seating and viewing areas. For a watch party, you’ll want plenty of room for guests to sit comfortably where they can see the screen and have easy access to the guac. If there’s not enough space in the living room to fit everyone, consider bringing a TV to the kitchen so people can snack and watch at the same time. Know your guests. From non-alcoholic beverage options to additional entertainment like board games and kid-friendly activities, become a next-level party host by providing a setup tailored to your guests’ needs. One thing almost everyonecan agree on: Guac made with Avocados From Mexico can be the star of nearly any party’s snacking lineup. Make it your team’s lucky day with more game day recipes at AvocadosFromMexico.com/recipe. 
Good Luck Guac
Recipe courtesy of Rob Riggle on behalf of Avocados From Mexico- 4 Avocados From Mexico, halved, pitted and peeled
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon onion, minced
- 3 tablespoons pomegranate seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 pinch edible gold leaf flakes
- In large bowl, mash avocados until chunky-smooth.
- Fold in lime juice, onion, pomegranate seeds and salt until well combined.
- Garnish with edible gold leaf flakes.
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
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Food
What Are Comfort Foods—and Why Do We Crave Them?
Comfort foods go beyond taste—they offer emotional reassurance, cultural identity, and nostalgia. Learn why we crave them and how they connect us.
What Are Comfort Foods—and Why Do We Crave Them?
Food & Beverage | The Knowledge Comfort foods are more than just meals—they are emotional touchstones. From a bowl of chicken noodle soup to a plate of mac and cheese, comfort foods provide familiarity, warmth, and reassurance during moments of stress, illness, or nostalgia. While comfort foods vary by culture and personal experience, their purpose is universal: they make us feel grounded, safe, and connected.What Defines Comfort Food?
Although comfort foods differ from person to person, they often share common characteristics:- Familiar and nostalgic – Foods tied to childhood or family traditions
- Warm and filling – Soups, casseroles, stews, and baked dishes
- Emotionally satisfying – Comforting beyond physical hunger
- Rich in carbohydrates or fats – Which can influence mood-regulating chemicals in the brain
The Science Behind Comfort Foods
There is real science behind why comfort foods make us feel better. Carbohydrate-rich foods can increase the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood and promote a sense of calm. Warm foods also play a role. Studies suggest that warmth can enhance feelings of safety and emotional comfort, which may explain why soups, stews, and hot meals are commonly craved during stressful times or colder seasons. In short, comfort foods don’t just satisfy hunger—they support emotional well-being.Comfort Foods Are Cultural
Every culture has its own version of comfort food, shaped by tradition, availability, and shared history:- United States: Mac and cheese, meatloaf, mashed potatoes
- Mexico: Tamales, pozole
- Italy: Pasta, lasagna
- Japan: Ramen, curry rice
- India: Dal with rice
Why We Turn to Comfort Foods
People often crave comfort foods during moments of emotional or physical vulnerability, including:- Stress or anxiety
- Illness or fatigue
- Homesickness
- Major life changes
- Celebrations and family gatherings
More Than a Meal
Comfort food isn’t about indulgence or nutrition alone—it’s about connection. These dishes link us to people, places, and moments that shaped us. That’s why comfort foods endure across generations, cultures, and changing trends. Comfort food doesn’t just feed the body. It feeds the moment.Related Reading
- Why We Crave Comfort Foods – Smithsonian Magazine
- Why Comfort Foods Comfort – Psychology Today
- Why Comfort Foods Make Us Feel Better – Harvard Health
- Comfort Food and Cultural Identity – National Geographic
- The Science Behind Comfort Foods – BBC Future
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social media
The Viral Backlash: How a Chef, a TikTok Influencer, and One Moment Changed a San Francisco Restaurant
TikTok Influencer vs Chef: A viral TikTok confrontation between Chef Luke Sung and a food influencer led to backlash, a restaurant closure, and a major rebrand in San Francisco.
The Viral Backlash: How a Chef, a TikTok Influencer, and One Moment Changed a San Francisco Restaurant
In mid-2025, a San Francisco restaurant found itself at the center of a viral controversy—not because of its food, but because of an interaction between a well-known chef and a TikTok food influencer. The incident sparked a broader conversation about power, professionalism, and the growing influence of social media in the hospitality industry.What Happened at Kis Cafe
The incident involved Chef Luke Sung, a respected name in the Bay Area culinary scene, and a TikTok micro-influencer known online as @itskarlabb. The influencer had been invited to Kis Cafe for a planned promotional collaboration. According to the influencer, during her visit the chef questioned her follower count—around 15,000 at the time—and allegedly implied that her audience was not the “type of people” who would dine at his restaurant. She later described the exchange as humiliating and dismissive. After leaving the restaurant, she shared her experience in a TikTok video. The post quickly went viral, gaining millions of views and triggering a wave of online backlash.The Internet Reacts
Although the influencer initially did not name the restaurant or the chef, internet users quickly identified Kis Cafe. The restaurant’s review pages were flooded with criticism, and the incident became a flashpoint in online discussions about elitism, influencer culture, and accountability. Within days, Kis Cafe issued a public apology and announced that Luke Sung was no longer affiliated with the restaurant in any capacity.Chef Luke Sung Responds
Chef Sung later released a public apology, acknowledging that his behavior was condescending and inappropriate. He stated that there were no excuses for the way he treated the influencer and accepted responsibility for the incident. The apology, however, did little to slow the momentum of public reaction.The Restaurant Closes — and Reopens
Not long after the controversy, Kis Cafe announced it would close. In the months that followed, the space reopened under a new name, Bosque, with new leadership and no involvement from Sung. The rebrand was seen as a clear attempt to move forward and distance the business from the viral episode.The Influencer Effect
Meanwhile, the influencer at the center of the controversy saw her follower count surge dramatically, growing from a modest audience into hundreds of thousands of followers almost overnight. The incident highlighted the real-world impact that even “micro-influencers” can have—and how a single moment, captured and shared, can reshape careers and businesses.Why This Story Matters
This controversy underscored a major cultural shift: social media is no longer separate from real-world industries like dining and hospitality. Online platforms can amplify personal experiences into powerful narratives with lasting consequences. As of early 2026, the restaurant operates under a new identity, the chef has stepped away from the project entirely, and the influencer continues to grow her platform. The episode remains a cautionary tale about professionalism, respect, and the power of digital voices. Get The Knowledge. More stories like this are available at STM Daily News.Dive into “The Knowledge,” where curiosity meets clarity. This playlist, in collaboration with STMDailyNews.com, is designed for viewers who value historical accuracy and insightful learning. Our short videos, ranging from 30 seconds to a minute and a half, make complex subjects easy to grasp in no time. Covering everything from historical events to contemporary processes and entertainment, “The Knowledge” bridges the past with the present. In a world where information is abundant yet often misused, our series aims to guide you through the noise, preserving vital knowledge and truths that shape our lives today. Perfect for curious minds eager to discover the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of everything around us. Subscribe and join in as we explore the facts that matter. https://stmdailynews.com/the-knowledge/
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