Foodie News
Curbit Announces Collaboration with Microsoft to Deliver Innovative AI Solution to the Restaurant Industry
A leader in restaurant tech collaborates with Microsoft to transform kitchen data into operational excellence
LOS ANGELES /PRNewswire/ — Curbit.ai, the restaurant tech company that specializes in cutting-edge capacity management solutions, announced a collaboration with Microsoft to broaden the market reach of its innovative service.
As part of their agreement, Microsoft will provide critical digital infrastructure and state of the art AI and real-time capabilities enabling Curbit to offer enterprise-grade speed of service analysis, accurate guest expectations, real-time order progress and robust kitchen performance and sentiment analytics.
Fran Dougherty, CEO of Curbit, spent 22 years at Microsoft, where he played a pivotal role in Microsoft Azure’s platform growth. Dougherty’s familiarity with the Microsoft ecosystem and Azure AI contributed to bringing Curbit’s new solution to fruition.
Restaurant Tech
“Curbit has consistently been at the forefront of capacity management and guest experience solutions since its inception in 2019,” Dougherty said. “Integrating deeply with Microsoft’s global infrastructure and Microsoft’s enterprise footprint was the obvious next step in our evolution. As we continue innovating and further developing our technology, our collaboration represents a critical step in realizing our vision of powering 100,000 restaurant locations by 2027.”
“With Curbit’s rapidly expanding footprint in the restaurant ecosystem coupled with its unique solution using Microsoft Azure and Azure AI, this collaboration represents a natural opportunity for Microsoft to support digital transformation in the restaurant industry at scale,” said Keith Mercier, General Manager, WW Retail and Consumer Goods.
Curbit solves a pressing problem for restaurant operators and delivery service providers by analyzing real-time speed of service to accurately predict order readiness. The result is fresher food, minimal wait times and streamlined operations. Curbit’s real-time data provides insights into kitchen performance, highlighting areas for operational enhancement, like optimization of order flow and fulfillment processes.
For additional details about Curbit, visit curbit.ai and follow Curbit on LinkedIn.
About Curbit
Curbit creates innovative AI solutions for the restaurant and hospitality industry. Its unique approach to Capacity Management empowers restaurants to streamline their order flow, eliminate kitchen stress, and provide timely delivery and pickup of fresh food to guests. Curbit simplifies restaurant operations and elevates the overall dining experience.
SOURCE Curbit
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Food
NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Drops a 12-Day Advent Calendar for Holiday Baking
Nestlé Toll House is releasing its first-ever 12 Days Advent Calendar featuring new Snowflake Cookie Dough and Snowflake Morsels plus classic favorites. Drops Oct. 9, Nov. 6, and Dec. 4 for $29.99.
Holiday baking season is getting a new countdown tradition. NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® has announced its first-ever 12 Days of NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Advent Calendar, a limited-edition set built to help families bake, share, and make memories in the kitchen—one surprise at a time.
Designed in the shape of a house inspired by the original Toll House Inn, the calendar is meant to sit on a countertop as part of the seasonal setup. It features 12 numbered doors that also double as festive holiday cards, with each day revealing a corresponding NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE product.
What’s inside the 12-day calendar
Instead of mini candies, this calendar leans into what the brand is known for: cookie dough and morsels. The lineup includes two new holiday innovations plus a mix of familiar favorites.
Two new holiday innovations
- NEW! NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Snowflake Morsels: Snowflake-shaped morsels designed to bake into holiday treats or sprinkle on top as a decorative finish for cookies, brownies, bark, and more.
- NEW! NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Snowflake Cookie Dough: Sugar cookie dough with snowflake-shaped morsels mixed in for a winter-ready twist.
Ten favorites and festive classics
- NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Santa’s Cookie Dough
- NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Peppermint Cocoa Cookie Dough
- NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Holiday Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Milk Chocolatey Flavored Football Morsels
- NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Butterscotch Artificially Flavored Morsels
- NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels (made with 100% real chocolate)
- NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Milk Chocolate Mini Morsels
- NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Dark Chocolate Morsels
- NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Chocolate Chip Remix Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Why this fits the season
For STM Daily News readers, the appeal is pretty straightforward: it’s a ready-made holiday baking starter kit that also functions as a festive countertop display. It’s positioned as a way to spark new traditions—whether that’s a nightly bake-and-watch routine, a weekend cookie swap prep session, or quick treats for school and office parties.
In the announcement, Melanie Knoke, Sr. Marketing Manager at NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE, said the calendar is meant to bring the brand’s long-running “bake, share and celebrate” spirit into a new format, combining seasonal newcomers with classic staples.
How to buy it (drop dates + price)
The 12 Days of NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Advent Calendar is priced at $29.99 and will be available exclusively at tollhouse.com/adventcalendar in three limited drops. Each drop goes live at 2 p.m. ET:
- October 9
- November 6
- December 4 (National Cookie Day)
Quantities are limited, and the brand notes that fans should act quickly when each drop opens.
What to watch for
Advent calendars have been expanding beyond candy into “experience” categories—beauty, coffee, and now baking ingredients. This release is a good example of that shift: it’s not just a countdown, it’s a built-in reason to get into the kitchen multiple times during the season.
For more information, NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® directs fans to VeryBestBaking.com and its social channels, including @TollHouse on Facebook.
Source (press release):
- PRNewswire — NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Launches First-Ever Advent Calendar for the Holiday Season” (Oct. 5, 2026)
Related links:
- Advent calendar purchase page: https://tollhouse.com/adventcalendar
- Brand hub / baking resources: https://www.verybestbaking.com/toll-house/
- Nestlé USA company info: https://www.nestleusa.com
Food and Beverage
Philly-Style Chicken Cheesesteak Sandwiches: An Easy, Cheesy Dinner
Bring sandwich night home with these Philly-style chicken cheesesteaks. Thinly sliced chicken, sautéed onions and peppers, and melted cheese fill toasted hoagie rolls for a satisfying meal in about 35 minutes.
Food & Drink
Easy Philly Chicken Cheesesteak Recipe
Tender chicken, golden onions, sautéed peppers, and melted cheese tucked into a toasted hoagie roll—this Philly-style chicken cheesesteak brings plenty of comfort to the dinner table without a complicated ingredient list.
Inspired by the beef cheesesteak, this chicken version makes a satisfying lunch, a casual weekend meal, or an easy dinner when you want something warm and filling. The trick is to slice the chicken thin, give it room to brown, and melt the cheese right over the filling before scooping everything into the rolls.
This home-style recipe includes bell peppers, with mushrooms as an optional addition. Make it your own with creamy white American cheese, mild provolone, or a slice of each.
Recipe at a Glance
● Servings: 4 sandwiches
● Prep time: Approximately 15 minutes
● Cook time: Approximately 20 minutes
● Total time: Approximately 35 minutes
● Equipment: Large skillet with a lid, cutting board, sharp knife, and a separate skillet or oven for toasting rolls
Ingredients
For the filling
● 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, very thinly sliced across the grain
● 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
● 1 large green bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
● 2 tablespoons olive oil or neutral cooking oil, divided
● 1 teaspoon garlic powder
● ½ teaspoon paprika
● ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
● ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
● 8 slices provolone or white American cheese, or a combination
For the sandwiches
● 4 hoagie rolls
● 2 tablespoons softened butter
● Mayonnaise, optional
● Hot sauce or sliced pickled peppers, optional
Optional addition: 8 ounces sliced mushrooms. Cook them with the vegetables, working in batches if needed so they brown instead of steam.
How to Make Philly-Style Chicken Cheesesteaks
1. Slice and season the chicken
Slice the chicken as thinly as you comfortably can, cutting across the grain. Toss with the garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Kitchen tip: If the chicken is difficult to slice, place it in the freezer for 15–20 minutes to firm it slightly first. This optional chilling time is additional to the recipe’s listed prep time.
2. Sauté the onions and peppers
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell pepper. Cook for approximately 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly browned.
Transfer the vegetables to a plate.
3. Cook the chicken
Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the skillet. Add the chicken in an even layer, cooking in batches if necessary.
Cook for approximately 5–7 minutes, turning and separating the pieces as they cook. Timing will vary with the thickness of the chicken and the heat of your pan. Cook until the chicken reaches 165°F, checking the thickest pieces with a food thermometer.
Use a spatula to break the cooked chicken into smaller, sandwich-friendly pieces.
4. Toast the rolls
While the chicken cooks, split the hoagie rolls without cutting all the way through. Spread the cut sides with softened butter.
Toast them butter-side down in a separate skillet over medium heat until lightly golden. Alternatively, toast them cut-side up under the broiler, watching closely.
5. Combine the filling and melt the cheese
Return the cooked vegetables to the skillet with the chicken and toss together. Reduce the heat to low.
Arrange the filling into four portions and place two slices of cheese over each portion. Cover the skillet briefly, just until the cheese melts. If your skillet is too small, melt the cheese over two portions at a time.
6. Fill and serve
Spread a little mayonnaise inside the rolls if desired. Scoop a portion of cheesy chicken and vegetables into each roll.
Finish with hot sauce or pickled peppers if you like a little heat, and serve immediately.
Tips for a Better Sandwich
Keep the chicken thin. Thin slices cook quickly and make the sandwich easier to bite into.
Give the pan some space. Crowding traps moisture. Cooking in batches helps the chicken develop a browned surface.
Choose a sturdy roll. A roll with a soft interior and enough structure to hold the filling works well. Light toasting helps it stand up to the juices.
Pick your cheese. White American gives the filling a creamy texture. Provolone adds a mild, slightly tangy flavor. Combining them gives you a little of both.
Adjust the vegetables. Try red bell pepper for a sweeter filling, add mushrooms, or keep it simple with onions and cheese.
What to Serve With Chicken Cheesesteaks
French fries, potato wedges, coleslaw, or a crisp green salad all make easy sides. For a simple lunch, add a dill pickle and a handful of potato chips.
Can You Make the Filling Ahead?
Yes. Cook the chicken and vegetables ahead, then keep the filling separate from the rolls. Reheat it until hot throughout before adding cheese and assembling the sandwiches. Toast the rolls just before serving for the best texture.
A Comfort-Food Favorite for Your Dinner Rotation
These Philly-style chicken cheesesteaks turn a handful of everyday ingredients into a hearty meal. With tender chicken, sautéed vegetables, and cheese melted into every serving, they’re an easy option for sandwich night.
What goes on your chicken cheesesteak—provolone, white American, mushrooms, or extra peppers? Tell us in the comments.
Find more recipes and meal inspiration in the STM Daily News Food & Drink section.
Related reading from STM Daily News
- Easy Homemade Chicken Alfredo Recipe Another comforting chicken dinner to try.
- Fried Chicken from the Comfort of Home More inspiration for homemade chicken meals.
- How to Make Country Style Lemonade A refreshing drink to serve with your sandwiches.
- STM Daily News Food & Drink Explore more recipes, food news, and meal ideas.
Helpful cooking reference
Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures — FoodSafety.gov Supports the recipe’s instruction to cook chicken to 165°F.
- Philadelphia Cheesesteaks — Visit Philadelphia — Explore Philadelphia’s signature sandwich and cheesesteak culture. Visit Philadelphia
- A Guide to the Best Cheesesteaks in Philadelphia — Includes shops serving traditional and chicken variations. Visit Philadelphia
- Chicken From Farm to Table — USDA — Guidance on handling, thawing, cooking, and storing chicken. Food Safety and Inspection Service
- Leftovers and Food Safety — USDA — Helpful storage and reheating guidance for leftover sandwich filling. Food Safety and Inspection Service
(Feature Impact) Out with the ordinary, in with the weird – that’s what the Halloween season is all about. These Halloween Monster Burgers give a ghoulishly fun twist on burger night, featuring all your favorite toppings transformed into olive eyes, cheese fangs and a pickle tongue.
Whether you reach for a traditional hamburger patty or switch it up with chicken, turkey, bean or veggie options, the effect is the same: a dinner that looks like it escaped from a mad scientist’s lab. It’s a good way to get some protein and veggies into kids before the trick-or-treating sugar rush, and you can even make it interactive by inviting them to decorate their own monsters and come up with creative variations.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for some spooky hors d’oeuvres to impress at this year’s Halloween party, these burgers are easy to size down into slider form. Serve a whole tray of mini monsters ready to devour – or be devoured by – hungry guests.
Find more Halloween recipe inspiration at Culinary.net.
Halloween Monster Burgers
Recipe adapted from Happy Foods Tube
Prep time: 10 minutes
Total time: 18 minutes
Servings: 4
- 4 hamburger, chicken or veggie patties
- 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 4 teaspoons ketchup, plus additional, to taste, divided
- 4 hamburger buns
- 8 leaves baby romaine lettuce
- 4 slices dill pickles, sliced lengthwise
- 4 cheese slices
- 8 large green olives, pits removed
- Cook burger patties until they reach desired doneness.
- In small bowl, combine mayonnaise and 4 teaspoons ketchup. Spread each bun base with about 1 tablespoon mayo sauce then add two lettuce leaves and cooked burger patty.
- Add pickle slice as monster “tongue.” Take each cheese slice and cut triangles into one side to resemble teeth; add to burger then cover with ketchup “blood,” to taste.
- Stick olives on toothpicks and add two to each top bun as “eyeballs.”
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
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