Coffee Tech: UNSW Sydney researchers unveiled “ultrasonic espresso,” using room-temperature water and sound waves to match traditional espresso taste while cutting energy use by up to 75%. Chef Honors: Mashama Bailey of Savannah’s The Grey was named North America’s Best Female Chef for 2026 by The World’s 50 Best. Kids & Food Skills: Wisconsin’s Food + Farm Exploration Center in Plover is enrolling students for summer programs mixing cooking, food science, greenhouse work, and STEM. Food Safety & Lawsuits: A UK widow is suing an artisan cheesemaker after her husband died from listeria linked to a Valentine’s cheese box. Retail & Ready-to-Cook: GEN Restaurant Group signed a distribution deal with UNFI to expand ready-to-cook marinated meats into more retail channels. Home Cooking Spotlight: Mary Berry’s quick sausage traybake returns to the spotlight as a one-pan, under-an-hour family dinner. Hydration Watch: A new study finds sparkling water may be less hydrating after exercise, but electrolytes largely fix the gap. Culinary Tourism: Kenya Tourism Board teamed with EatOut Africa to build more structured, food-led travel experiences. Label-Less Plant-Based: A gum-free, preservative-free “bitchin’ sauce” brand is leaning into simpler ingredient lists for plant-based shoppers.