Food and Beverage
Guilt-Free, Superfruit Snacking: Sweet treats made to permissibly indulge
Last Updated on July 7, 2024 by Daily News Staff
(Family Features) For many, enjoying a small indulgence can serve as a reward for a job well done or a mood-boosting pick-me-up. In fact, mindful snacking is on-trend for a majority of consumers.
According to Mondelez International’s Fourth Annual State of Snacking Global Consumer Trends Study, 78% are choosing small indulgences to pamper themselves and 68% are checking nutrition labels on snacks.
With today’s changing palates and the growing demand for sour, less sweet foods and beverages, a superfruit like tart cherries can help snackers permissibly indulge without the guilt. Primarily grown on small family farms in the United States, Montmorency tart cherries – also referred to as sour cherries – are available year-round in dried, juice and juice concentrate, canned and frozen forms.
More than 110 scientific research studies show Montmorency tart cherries are a superfruit. In addition to their sweet-sour taste and unique nutrient profile, research suggests tart cherries – one of the few natural food sources of melatonin – may help improve sleep, aid in exercise recovery, reduce inflammation, ease arthritis symptoms, improve gut health and promote heart health. In fact, in one study published in the “European Journal of Nutrition,” adults who drank Montmorency tart cherry juice slept about 40 minutes longer on average and had up to a 6% increase in sleep efficiency.
While increasingly featured in functional beverages and health-positioned foods, tart cherries can also add drool-worthy flavor to superfruit-infused snacks, such as these Tart Cherry Superfood Banana Splits and Tart Cherry Brownie Bites. Plus, using tart cherries as a favorite ingredient in recipes like these adds a health halo to sweets – reinforcing the trend of permissible indulgences.
As an ideal superfruit snack that makes snacking more satisfying, tart cherries provide delicious flavor and potential health benefits in these recipes and beyond so you can savor the moment and cherish every bite.
Find more tart cherry snack recipes at ChooseCherries.com.
Tart Cherry Superfood Banana Splits
Recipe courtesy of Hannah Zimmerman of Bite Sized Studio on behalf of the U.S. Tart Cherry Industry
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
- 2 cups tart cherry juice
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup almond butter
- 1/4 cup granola
- 1/4 cup dried tart cherries
- 1/2 cup frozen tart cherries, thawed
- Place chocolate chips in bowl.
- In saucepan over medium heat, bring tart cherry juice to simmer about 20 minutes until reduced to 2/3 cup.
- Pour juice into bowl and mix until chocolate chips are melted and sauce is smooth.
- Cut bananas in half lengthwise and place on two plates. Spoon 1/2 cup Greek yogurt on each banana then drizzle with 2 tablespoons almond butter and 2 tablespoons tart cherry chocolate sauce.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons granola, 2 tablespoons dried tart cherries and 1/4 cup thawed frozen tart cherries on top of each banana split.
Note: Leftover tart cherry chocolate sauce can be stored in airtight container in refrigerator for later use.
Tart Cherry Brownie Bites
Recipe courtesy of Hannah Zimmerman of Bite Sized Studio on behalf of the U.S. Tart Cherry Industry
Prep time: 10 minutes
Yield: 12 bites
- 10 medjool dates, pitted
- 1/2 cup dried tart cherries
- 1/4 cup walnuts
- 2 tablespoons rolled oats
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon chia or hemp seeds (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons peanut or almond butter
- 4 tablespoons tart cherry juice
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
- cocoa powder (optional)
- melted chocolate (optional)
- In bowl of food processor, combine dates; dried tart cherries; walnuts; oats; cocoa powder; seeds, if desired; salt; and nut butter. Pulse 30-60 seconds until ingredients are ground into tiny pieces.
- Add tart cherry juice in 1 tablespoon additions, pulsing mixture after each addition, until crumbly dough forms.
- Transfer dough to bowl and fold in chocolate chips.
- Roll dough into 12 balls. Serve plain or finish balls with dusting of cocoa powder or drizzle of melted chocolate, if desired.
SOURCE:
Cherry Marketing Institute
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Tucson just got a taste of a New York classic.
Nathan’s Famous announced the opening of a new restaurant at 628 North 4th Avenue in Tucson, bringing its world-famous hot dogs, crinkle-cut fries, and a full fast-casual menu to one of the city’s most walkable, student-heavy corridors. The spot sits steps from the University of Arizona and close to the free 4th Street streetcar stop, making it an easy grab for students, locals, and visitors moving through the historic 4th Avenue district.
What’s on the menu
The Tucson restaurant is built around the staples Nathan’s is known for—fast, familiar, and designed for groups with different cravings.
Expect the brand’s headline items, including:
- World-famous all-beef hot dogs
- Crinkle-cut fries
- Fresh Angus burgers
- Hand-breaded chicken sandwiches and chicken tenders
- Chicken wings
- NY Cheesesteaks
- Premium hand-spun shakes
In other words: it’s not just a hot dog counter. It’s the full Nathan’s fast-casual lineup, positioned to serve families, students, and anyone looking for a quick meal before a game, a night out, or a streetcar ride across town.
Why Tucson—and why 4th Avenue?
Nathan’s Famous framed the opening as a natural fit for Tucson’s energy and foot traffic.
“We’re proud to bring Nathan’s Famous to Arizona,” said Phil McCann, Vice President of Marketing at Nathan’s Famous, noting the brand’s excitement to partner with a local franchisee and bring the “Flavor of New York” to the state.
That franchisee is Michael Kramkowski, who the company says has been active in the community for more than 20 years and owns multiple properties in the area. In the announcement, Kramkowski emphasized that his goal was to bring an iconic national brand to Tucson while still complementing the independent spirit of 4th Avenue.
“I wanted to bring a brand to Tucson that has a strong, authentic heritage,” Kramkowski said. “Nathan’s Famous is an American icon, and this location is the perfect fit—close to the University, accessible by streetcar and right in the middle of Tucson’s most dynamic neighborhoods.”
The bigger picture: a century-old brand still expanding
Nathan’s Famous has been serving New York favorites for more than 100 years, and the company continues to grow its footprint through restaurants, licensing, and foodservice distribution.
For Tucson, the appeal is straightforward: a recognizable, heritage brand landing in a high-traffic neighborhood with built-in demand—students, families, and visitors exploring the entertainment district.
For more information on Nathan’s Famous locations and menus, visit https://restaurants.nathansfamous.com/.
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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Foodie News
S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition Launches Its Seventh Edition
The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition invites chefs under 30 to apply between February 16 and June 9, 2026. This competition emphasizes technical skill, creativity, and personal belief, serving as a platform for mentorship and visibility in fine dining. Winners receive guidance from renowned chefs, enhancing their culinary journeys.
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:
- Applications open (Feb. 16 to June 9, 2026)
- Shortlisted candidates are selected within each region
- Chefs compete in 15 Regional Finals
- 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:
- 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/
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Food and Beverage
Long John Silver’s Commits to $6 Baskets Through 2026—Starting With Sweet Chili Shrimp for Lent
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.
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.
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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