If you’re a chef under 30 with a dish that says something real about who you are, S.Pellegrino is officially calling.

The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition has launched its seventh edition, opening applications worldwide starting February 16. The program is designed to identify and support the next generation of culinary talent—not just with a trophy at the end, but with mentorship, visibility, and a pathway into the global fine-dining conversation.

Applications are open for four months, closing June 9, 2026, through the official platform at sanpellegrinoyoungchefacademy.com.

More than a contest: a platform for young chefs

S.Pellegrino positions the Young Chef Academy as more than a competition. It’s a development pipeline—a way to help emerging chefs sharpen their voice, pressure-test their ideas, and connect with influential figures in gastronomy.

The Academy emphasizes three core judging elements throughout the process:

• Technical skill
• Creativity
• Personal belief

That last piece matters. This isn’t only about executing a perfect plate—it’s about what you stand for as a chef, and how that shows up in your food.

How the competition works

The competition divides applicants into 15 regions, with selections supported by ALMA, the International School of Italian Culinary Arts.

Here’s the flow:

1. Applications open (Feb. 16 to June 9, 2026)
2. Shortlisted candidates are selected within each region
3. Chefs compete in 15 Regional Finals
4. Regional winners advance to the Grand Finale

At the Grand Finale, finalists present their dishes to an international jury of renowned chefs.

Alongside the main title, participants can also compete for three collateral awards that recognize:

• Social responsibility
• Connection to culinary heritage
• Expression of personal belief through food

New this edition: mentorship that extends beyond the finale

One of the most interesting updates this year is a new mentorship initiative, aimed at reinforcing the Academy’s long-term commitment to supporting chefs beyond the competition cycle.

As part of that initiative, Ardy Ferguson (Global Winner of the 2024–25 edition) will complete a dedicated mentorship experience, spending three weeks working alongside two internationally recognized chefs who served on the previous jury:

• Julien Royer (Odette, Singapore)
• Jeremy Chan (Ikoyi, London)

Ferguson described the Academy as a career-shaping experience, noting that the continued learning opportunity is a way to keep pushing his craft and build on what the program offers.

Royer and Chan both emphasized what the competition is really testing: not only skill, but conviction—the ability to refine a vision and cook with individuality under pressure.

What applicants need to submit

To apply, chefs under 30 are invited to submit a signature dish that reflects:

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• Personal belief
• Technical skill
• Creativity

If you’ve been building a dish that tells your story—your background, your values, your obsession, your point of view—this is the moment the competition is designed for.

Key dates and link

• Applications open: February 16, 2026
• Applications close: June 9, 2026
• Apply / learn more: https://www.sanpellegrinoyoungchefacademy.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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/

With dine-out prices climbing, Long John Silver’s is leaning hard into a message customers actually feel at the counter: value you can count on.

The seafood quick-service chain announced it’s committing to rotating $6 basket meals throughout 2026, kicking things off this Lent with the return of its $6 Shrimp Basket—now with a new Sweet Chili flavor option.

The headline offer: $6 Shrimp Baskets (with a Sweet Chili upgrade)

For a limited time at participating locations nationwide, guests can grab a $6 Shrimp Basket in a few different styles—then take it up a notch with Sweet Chili sauce, described as a blend of red chiles and garlic that adds a sweet-heat kick.

Long John Silver’s says the baskets are designed to satisfy whether you’re a classic fried-shrimp person or you prefer something grilled.

Here are the three basket options highlighted in the announcement:

• Six-Piece Batter-Dipped Shrimp: Hand-battered shrimp served with your choice of one side and two hushpuppies.
• Six-Piece Grilled Shrimp: Seasoned and grilled shrimp served on a bed of savory rice with one side.
• Crispy Breaded Popcorn Shrimp: Popcorn shrimp served with your choice of one side and two hushpuppies.

“Holding the line” on price

Long John Silver’s framed the move as a deliberate decision to protect affordability even as costs rise.

“Even as someone who’s still fairly new to the brand, I’ve been amazed at how committed our team is to holding the $6 price point,” said Laura Ellis, chief marketing officer at Long John Silver’s. “It’s not easy in today’s environment, but we know how important value is to our guests.”

That quote is doing a lot of work—and it’s the point of the whole campaign: this isn’t a one-off deal. It’s a year-long value strategy.

Limited-time add-ons: Mac and Cheese with Crumblies

Alongside the shrimp baskets, the chain is also promoting a comfort-food add-on: Mac and Cheese with Crumblies®.

The description: cavatappi noodles in a rich, creamy white cheese sauce, finished with the brand’s signature Crumblies for crunch.

Dessert play: OREO Cookies & Cream Cheesecake

And if you’re the “save room for dessert” type, Long John Silver’s is also spotlighting a premium dessert option: OREO® Cookies & Cream Cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory Bakery®.

It’s described as a rich, creamy cheesecake blended with OREO cookie crumbles and topped with OREO cookie mousse.

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How to order (and how to get perks)

Customers can order in-store or order ahead online at ljsilvers.com, or use the Long John Silver’s mobile app(available on iOS and Google Play). The brand also encourages guests to join its Seacret Society rewards program for exclusive offers and updates.

The bigger takeaway

In a fast-food landscape where “value” often means smaller portions or tighter restrictions, Long John Silver’s is trying a different angle: a simple, repeatable price point with rotating options.

The $6 basket commitment is a clean promise—and starting with shrimp for Lent is a smart way to meet customers right when seafood cravings spike.

Sources: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/long-john-silvers-commits-to-6-baskets-through-2026-302688100.html

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/

When Italy is on the world stage, the cravings tend to follow. And if you’re planning a watch party (or just trying to make a weeknight dinner feel like a small event), the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand is leaning into the moment with a simple message: you can bring those Italian flavors home—no airfare required.

In a new recipe push, the brand (funded by beef farmers and ranchers) partnered with chef and influencer Marcia Smart to spotlight Italian-inspired beef dishes that are designed to be big on flavor, easy to share, and quick enough for real-life schedules.

Why Italian flavors work so well for gatherings

Smart says cooking trends and pop culture are part of what keeps home cooking fun—especially when people are gathered around the TV.

“When people gather around the TV, food becomes part of the experience and leaning into trends and pop culture keeps cooking fun,” Smart said. She also notes that beef and Italian flavors are consistently two of the most popular topics in her cooking classes, in part because they deliver crowd-pleasing dishes that also bring high-quality protein and nutrients to the table.

Recipe spotlight: Beef Tagliata (restaurant vibes, minimal effort)

If you want something that feels like it came from an Italian restaurant but doesn’t require a long prep list, Beef Tagliata is the move.

The dish centers on a seared steak—either Strip Steak or Boneless Rib-Eye Steak—that’s sliced and served over fresh arugula, then finished with balsamic vinegar and shaved parmesan.

It’s quick, it plates beautifully, and it works family-style—which makes it a strong option for:

• Watch parties
• Date-night-at-home dinners
• Busy weeknights when you still want something “nice”

Recipe spotlight: Quick Beef Ragù (comfort food in 30 minutes)

For the comfort-food crowd, the brand also highlights a Quick Beef Ragù that aims to deliver classic Italian red-sauce flavor without the all-day simmer.

In this version, Ground Beef cooks with ingredients you’d expect in a traditional Italian red sauce, but the whole thing comes together in about 30 minutes.

The best part: it’s easy to customize and flexible on how you serve it. The release suggests pairing it with:

• Pasta
• Polenta
• Spaghetti squash (if you want a lighter base)

Where to find the recipes

These dishes—plus more Italian-inspired ideas—are available at BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.

If you’re building out a game-day spread or just want to keep weeknight cooking interesting, this is one of those recipe collections that hits the sweet spot: familiar flavors, approachable steps, and enough flexibility to make it your own.

Source: PRNewswire

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Food & Drink on STM Daily News serves up quick, local-to-national bites on what to eat, what to try, and what’s trending—new restaurant openings, limited-time menus, product drops, and easy recipes you can actually make on a weeknight. If it’s worth a taste (or a watch-party spread), you’ll find it here. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/