Food and Beverage
Culinary Paradise Awaits: The 17th Annual Ritz-Carlton Cayman Cookout Returns in 2026
The 17th annual Ritz-Carlton Cayman Cookout returns Jan 14-19, 2026 with Eric Ripert, José Andrés & celebrity chefs. Tickets on sale October 1.
Last Updated on October 19, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Mark your calendars, food lovers—tickets for one of the Caribbean’s most anticipated culinary events go on sale October 1. The 17th annual Ritz-Carlton Cayman Cookout is set to transform Grand Cayman into a epicurean playground from January 14-19, 2026, and this year’s event carries extra significance as the legendary resort celebrates its 20th anniversary.
A Star-Studded Culinary Lineup
When world-class chefs gather on a Caribbean island for nearly a week of cooking, tasting, and celebrating, you know something special is about to happen. This year’s roster reads like a who’s who of the culinary world: Eric Ripert, José Andrés, Andrew Zimmern, Emeril Lagasse, Stephanie Izard, and Carla Hall are just some of the award-winning talent headlining the event.
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman—the Caribbean’s first and only Forbes Triple Five-Star hotel—will host more than 60 immersive cooking demonstrations, expert-led tastings, and transformative excursions throughout the five-day celebration.
“For the last 17 years, Cayman Cookout has transformed Grand Cayman into a stage for unmatched culinary experiences,” said Chef Eric Ripert. “From the approachable atmosphere of the After Glow poolside soirée to the debut of our new jazz dinner—every event is designed to create lasting memories found only at Cookout.”
Can’t-Miss Events and Experiences
The 2026 Cookout introduces fresh themes and experiences that showcase both culinary innovation and the genuine camaraderie among participating chefs. Here are some highlights:
An Epicurean Eve: The Grand Opening Reception
Presented by Forbes Travel Guide, this kickoff celebration doubles as a 20th anniversary party for the resort. World-class chefs will create signature dishes at interactive food stations, paired with outstanding wines—setting the tone for an unforgettable week.
Eric Ripert’s Wheels Up Journey to GoldenEye
For the ultimate culinary adventure, join Chef Ripert on a private jet experience to Jamaica’s legendary GoldenEye resort—the same retreat that once inspired James Bond. Guests will enjoy a locally-inspired lunch and explore the storied property’s lush surroundings.
José Andrés – Longer Tables Live
Chef Andrés brings his acclaimed podcast to Cayman Cookout for a live recording exploring how food impacts society and fosters connections. A special guest will be announced closer to the event.
Stephanie Izard – Duck, Duck, Cayman
The award-winning chef behind Girl & the Goat brings her bold, globally-inspired Chicago style to the beach for a one-night-only dinner experience. Expect shareable dishes, creativity, and pure culinary adventure.
Ripert & Pétanque Presented by Robb Report
Watch world-class chefs compete in this beloved Cookout tradition at Andiamo Circolo Sportivo. Enjoy delicious bites, crisp rosé from Domaines Ott, and the perfect blend of camaraderie and coastal charm—whether you’re playing or spectating.
Meals on Wheels Community Initiative
The event isn’t just about indulgence—it’s about giving back. Headlining chefs, media, and VIPs will prepare boxed meals for Caymanians in need, with several chefs joining the delivery to support the local community.
New Culinary Perspectives
This year brings exciting new programming, including a health-forward panel hosted by Chef Andrew Zimmern with Gavin Kaysen and Gregory Gourdet, plus Haitian and Chinese-inspired demonstrations from Gourdet and Ming Tsai. Chef Elena Reygadas will explore how Mexican traditions and innovation coexist on the plate, while Christophe Bellanca offers a masterclass in essential French cuisine.
The Grand Finale
The week culminates with The Grand Finale Dinner at Blue by Eric Ripert—the Caribbean’s only Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant. This decadent multi-course dinner brings together all the participating chefs for one spectacular celebration, honoring both the resort’s 20-year legacy and 17 unforgettable years of Cayman Cookout.
How to Experience the Magic
Individual event tickets and overnight accommodations are available for purchase at caymancookout.comstarting October 1.
For the ultimate experience, book the Cayman Cookout Room Package starting at $2,600 USD per night for two guests (five-night minimum stay, January 14-19, 2026). This exclusive offer includes luxury accommodations, daily gourmet surprises delivered in-room, and access to signature events including An Epicurean Eve, the Marriott Bonvoy® Credit Card by Chase presents Barefoot BBQ, and a Rum & Robusto poolside celebration.
To reserve the overnight package, contact the resort at caymanreservations@ritzcarlton.com or call +1 (345) 815-6300.
A Milestone Celebration
“As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, this year’s Cayman Cookout takes on even greater meaning,” said Marc Langevin, General Manager. “Each year we strive to bring a more dynamic experience for our guests, and this year they can look forward to a week of unforgettable culinary moments and bold experiences that honor both the two-decade legacy of our resort and the spirit of Grand Cayman.”
Whether you’re a serious foodie, an aspiring home chef, or simply someone who appreciates world-class cuisine in a breathtaking setting, the 17th annual Ritz-Carlton Cayman Cookout promises an experience you won’t find anywhere else. Five days of culinary magic, genuine connections, and Caribbean beauty—all coming together on the white sands of Seven Mile Beach.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this legendary event. Tickets go on sale October 1 at caymancookout.com.For more information about The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, visit www.ritzcarlton.com/grandcayman or or call +1 (345) 943-9000.
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Food and Beverage
Red Bull Reveals the New Red Bull® Spring Edition Cherry Sakura
Red Bull has launched the limited-time Spring Edition Cherry Sakura, a seasonal flavor available nationwide in both sugar and sugar-free options. This new variant features a bright profile of cherry, cherry blossom, and a hint of almond. With 80mg of caffeine per 8.4 fl oz can, it aims to capture spring’s vibrant energy.
Last Updated on March 29, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Red Bull is leaning into spring vibes in a big way.
In a Feb. 23, 2026 announcement out of Santa Monica, the brand revealed Red Bull Spring Edition Cherry Sakura—a limited-time flavor designed to match the season’s “let’s get outside” energy. The release is available nationwide now, and it’s coming in two options: with sugar and sugar-free.
What it tastes like
Red Bull describes the new Spring Edition as a layered flavor built for people who want something bright, floral, and a little unexpected.
Here’s the profile the company shared:
- Cherry
- Cherry blossom (sakura)
- A touch of almond flavor
The result sounds like a spring-forward twist—sweet and fruit-led up front, with a floral note and a light, nutty finish.
What to look for on shelves
If you’re scanning the cooler, Red Bull says the Spring Edition Cherry Sakura will be easy to spot.
The cans are packaged in:
- White-colored 8.4 fl oz and 12 fl oz individual cans
- Cherry-red lettering accents
Like other seasonal drops, this one is expected to move quickly. Red Bull notes it will be sold at retailers nationwide “while supplies last.”
Same functional ingredients, new seasonal flavor
Red Bull also emphasized that Spring Edition Cherry Sakura contains the same functional ingredients as Red Bull Energy Drink, with the difference being the limited-time taste.
For caffeine context, the company says one 8.4 fl oz can contains 80mg of caffeine, which it compares to about the same amount as a home-brewed cup of coffee.
The bigger picture: Red Bull’s scale keeps growing
Seasonal flavors have become a reliable way for major beverage brands to keep things fresh, and Red Bull’s numbers show why these launches matter.
According to the company, Red Bull Energy Drink is available in 178 countries, and more than 13.9 billion cans were consumed in 2025 alone.
Bottom line
If spring flavors are your thing—or you’re just ready for something new in the energy drink lineup—Red Bull Spring Edition Cherry Sakura is officially in the wild. It’s nationwide, it’s limited, and it’s available with sugar or sugar-free, so you can pick your lane and stock up before it disappears.
For more information, visit RedBull.com.
Source: Red Bull (PRNewswire press release, Feb 23, 2026, 07:07 ET)
Link to source: https://www.prnewswire.com/
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Food and Beverage
Survey Finds Cooking Oil Now Influences Where Many Americans Choose to Eat
A new survey suggests cooking oil is no longer just a kitchen detail. Coast Packing found that 43% of Americans say a restaurant’s cooking oil influences where they choose to eat.

New national survey data suggests cooking oil is becoming a visible factor in restaurant selection, with younger diners showing the strongest preferences.
A new national survey suggests that cooking oil is no longer just a back-of-house decision for restaurants. It is increasingly becoming part of how consumers decide where to eat.
According to new data released by Coast Packing Company, 43% of Americans say a restaurant’s cooking oil influences their dining choice. The survey, based on responses from 1,005 U.S. consumers, points to a clear shift in how ingredient decisions are perceived by the public.
The strongest signal comes from younger diners. Among adults ages 18 to 34, 52% say knowing whether a restaurant uses Beef Tallow or seed oils affects where they choose to eat. Among consumers 55 and older, that number falls to 33%.
The preference gap also shows up when diners are asked to choose between two otherwise identical restaurants. In that scenario, 31% of adults ages 18 to 34 say they would choose the restaurant using Beef Tallow, compared with 19% of adults 55 and older.
The survey also found that 24.7% of diners prefer restaurants to use traditional animal fats such as butter or Beef Tallow, while 15.6% prefer seed or vegetable oils. That suggests ingredient choices once treated mainly as operational decisions may now be influencing brand perception, menu appeal, and customer loyalty.
For restaurant operators, the findings point to a broader change in consumer behavior. Diners, especially younger ones, appear increasingly interested in how food is prepared and what ingredients are used behind the scenes. That shift aligns with wider food industry trends that emphasize transparency, flavor, and traditional preparation methods.
Coast Packing says the data builds on years of tracking consumer attitudes toward animal fats. Earlier research showed growing openness to ingredients such as Lard and Beef Tallow, particularly among younger consumers who associate them with flavor and old-school cooking. This latest survey goes a step further by suggesting those views are now influencing actual dining behavior.
The findings also match broader market signals. Whole Foods Market’s 2026 food trend forecast identified Beef Tallow as an emerging ingredient gaining visibility, while analysts continue to project growth in the global tallow sector through 2030.
Restaurants are unlikely to overhaul kitchen practices overnight. Still, the survey suggests cooking oil is becoming more than a technical ingredient choice. For a growing share of consumers, it is part of the dining experience itself.
For more information, visit Coast Packing Company.
External Links
- Back to Flavor, Back to Tallow white paper
- Email to request the full survey results
- Coast Packing Company official website
- Coast Packing TasteMap
- Healthy Fats Coalition
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Food
CropX Launches CropX Vision, an AI Tool for Vineyard Water Stress Monitoring

CropX Technologies has launched CropX Vision, a new AI-powered vineyard monitoring solution designed to help growers measure vine water stress using a single canopy image.
The new tool uses computer vision and agronomic modeling to estimate leaf water potential from a smartphone photo, giving growers and agronomists a faster and more scalable way to assess plant stress across entire vineyard blocks. The company says the goal is to support better irrigation decisions throughout the growing season.
CropX Vision is available globally on both iOS and Android. The platform is also integrated into the broader CropX application, allowing users to combine canopy-based stress insights with other agronomic data in one place.
According to CropX, the technology offers an in-season alternative to traditional pressure chamber measurements, which can be more time-consuming and limited in sampling range. Instead of relying on specialized equipment, growers can capture a single image in the field and receive plant-level water stress insights.
The product builds on technology originally developed by Tule Technologies, a California-based precision irrigation company acquired by CropX in 2023. Tule’s canopy sensing technology has already been used in California vineyards, and CropX is now expanding that capability to growers worldwide.
CropX says the global release reflects its continued focus on data-driven tools that help growers improve productivity while managing water more efficiently.
CropX Vision is now available for download via the app stores:
- iOS: https://apps.apple.com/nl/app/cropx-vision/id6756921607?l=en-GB
- Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cropx.cropx_vision&pcampaignid=web_share
For more information, visit CropX Vision.
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