Last Updated on January 23, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Pair Simplicity and Flavor with Seafood Pasta

Shrimp Spaghetti

• 1          pound spaghetti noodles
• 2          tablespoons butter
• 1/4       cup avocado oil
• 1          package (12 ounces) raw shrimp
• 2          tablespoons garlic powder, divided
• 1          teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1          cup chicken broth
• 1/2       cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4       cup heavy cream
• 1          teaspoon onion powder
• 1          cup frozen or fresh spinach
• bread, for serving

1. Cook spaghetti noodles according to package instructions.
2. In skillet over medium heat, add butter, avocado oil and shrimp. Mix in 1 tablespoon garlic powder and paprika. Remove shrimp after they begin to turn pink; set aside.
3. Add chicken broth, Parmesan, heavy cream, remaining garlic powder, onion powder and spinach to skillet; mix well. Add shrimp back to skillet to finish cooking. Mix in noodles and serve with bread.

The fate of Lucky Supermarkets in SoCal

America’s Test Kitchen (ATK) is positioning itself to take over key Food52 assets as the popular food and lifestyle brand restructures under Chapter 11—an announcement that signals a major shakeup (and possible reset) in the culinary media world.

In a news release dated Dec. 30, 2025, ATK confirmed it has entered into an agreement to acquire certain assets of Food52, Inc. through a court-supervised bankruptcy process. The proposed deal is subject to bankruptcy court approval and would unite two well-known media brands with loyal audiences and distinct editorial identities.

What’s happening: a Chapter 11 process with ATK as “stalking horse” bidder

Food52, Inc. has filed a voluntary petition for Chapter 11 relief in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The filing is designed to facilitate an auction sale of substantially all of the company’s assets.

ATK is serving as the proposed “stalking horse” bidder—meaning it’s setting an initial benchmark offer that can be topped by other bidders in the auction process. In bankruptcy sales, stalking horse bids can help establish deal structure and price expectations while keeping the process moving.

DIP financing: keeping Food52 operating during bankruptcy

Alongside the acquisition agreement, Food52 has also reached an agreement with ATK for new capital via a debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing facility. If approved by the court, the DIP financing is expected to provide enough liquidity for Food52 to continue operating during the Chapter 11 case.

That matters for readers and customers because it suggests Food52’s day-to-day business—content, commerce, and community—aims to continue without an immediate shutdown while the sale process plays out.

What the CEOs are saying

ATK CEO Daniel Suratt framed the move as both a growth opportunity and a bet on Food52’s brand equity.

“We are delighted at the opportunity to acquire the Food52 brand assets and to grow this iconic brand that audiences love,” Suratt said, adding that ATK believes Food52 “remains a singular media property with a strong legacy.”

Food52 CEO Erika Ayers Badan emphasized the brand’s original mission—food, design, and community—and pointed to ATK’s reputation as a steady hand in culinary media.

“From the beginning, Food52 aspired to build a place where great food, thoughtful design and a deeply engaged community could live together,” Ayers Badan said. “We are excited at the prospect of bringing this into the future with the help of America’s Test Kitchen.”

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Why this deal is a big moment in foodie media

ATK and Food52 have long served overlapping audiences—home cooks who care about good recipes and good storytelling—but they’ve done it with very different strengths.

• America’s Test Kitchen is known for rigorous testing, technique-first instruction, and a deep bench of editors and test cooks across TV, magazines, cookbooks, podcasts, and digital subscriptions.
• Food52 has built a reputation around distinctive storytelling, design-forward lifestyle content, and a community-driven approach that blends editorial with commerce.

If the acquisition is approved, the big question becomes how those strengths get combined: Does Food52 become more test-kitchen structured? Does ATK expand further into lifestyle and product storytelling? Or does ATK keep Food52’s voice intact while stabilizing the business behind it?

What happens next

Food52 is expected to file customary “First Day” motions as part of the restructuring process—standard requests that help a company maintain normal operations early in a bankruptcy case.

For now, the acquisition remains pending court approval and the auction process. But the headline is clear: ATK is making a serious play for Food52’s assets, and the outcome could reshape what readers see (and shop) across one of the internet’s most recognizable food brands.

About the companies (as stated)

America’s Test Kitchen, founded in 1992, is a multi-platform culinary media company producing TV series including America’s Test Kitchen, Cook’s Country, and America’s Test Kitchen: The Next Generation, along with Cook’s Illustrated, cookbooks, the Proof podcast, FAST channels, short-form video, and its ATK Essential subscription.

Food52 Inc. is the parent company of Food52, Schoolhouse, and Dansk, spanning food, home, and lifestyle content and commerce.

Sources: PR Newswire – “America’s Test Kitchen Under Contract for Food52, Inc. Assets” https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/americas-test-kitchen-under-contract-for-food52-inc-assets-302650783.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/

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(Family Features) When cold and flu season calls for savory and satisfying meals, remember you don’t have to be sick to enjoy the best this time of year has to offer. Skip the same old soups and stews, though, and level up your comfort food cache with the flavor and versatility of pearl couscous.

Distinguished from traditional Moroccan couscous by its slightly larger and rounder shape, plus its less dense, firmer consistency, pearl couscous is thoroughly versatile and a perfect fit for cold weather classics. With Success Boil-in-Bag Pearl Couscous, you get high-quality semolina wheat pearl couscous made just right. After the water boils, it’s ready in under 7 minutes and prepared similarly to pasta.

It features a slightly nutty flavor on its own but can absorb any flavors of soups and salads while retaining its density and chewy texture. You can use it in your family’s meals to complement a range of greens, veggies, fish, meats and stews, making it a pantry staple to keep on hand throughout the year.

A hearty solution, this Italian Penicillin Soup is ideal for those feeling under the weather or simply craving a filling meal after a chilly day. It’s loaded with rotisserie chicken, tender veggies and pearl couscous simmered in broth then finished with fresh lemon, Parmesan cheese and parsley for a meal that’s as satisfying as it is appetizing.

Elegant in its simplicity, this Simple Lemon Butter Pearl Couscous is a perfect partner for grilled seafood, chicken or vegetables. Easy to serve as a standalone dish or a savvy side that practically cooks itself, you can add this highly versatile grain to your family’s menu any day of the week – whether you’re cooking for a crew or just two – and enjoy steamy leftovers for a light lunch.

Don’t let the cold sap your creativity in the kitchen; turning to versatile, flavorful ingredients can make winter meals a cinch. Discover more pearl couscous-inspired dinner ideas by visiting SuccessRice.com.

Italian Penicillin Soup

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4

• 2          bags Success Pearl Couscous
  
• 4          cups low-sodium chicken broth
  
• 1          cup carrots, sliced
  
• 1          cup celery, sliced
  
• 2          cloves garlic, minced
  
• 1          cup rotisserie chicken, shredded
  
• 1          teaspoon Italian seasoning
  
• 1          teaspoon salt
  
• 1/2       teaspoon pepper
  
• 4          lemon wedges
  
• shredded Parmesan cheese, for garnish
  
• chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

1. Prepare pearl couscous according to package directions.
2. In large pot, bring broth to boil. Add carrots, celery and garlic. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook 5 minutes until vegetables are slightly tender.
3. Add chicken and Italian seasoning; simmer 5 minutes. Add pearl couscous and cook 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Ladle soup into four bowls and squeeze fresh lemon wedge into each bowl. Garnish with Parmesan and parsley.

Simple Lemon Butter Pearl Couscous

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Servings: 4

• 1          bag Success Pearl Couscous
  
• 3          lemons, juice only, plus 1 teaspoon zest
  
• 2          tablespoons butter
  
• 1          small shallot, finely diced
  
• 1          tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped

1. Prepare pearl couscous according to package directions, adding lemon juice to water.
2. In small pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add shallots and lemon zest. Cook 3 minutes. Stir pearl couscous into pan.
3. Divide pearl couscous into four bowls and top with parsley.

SOURCE:

Success Rice

https://stmdailynews.com/the-fate-of-lucky-supermarkets-in-socal/