AGP Executive Report

Culinary Heritage Policy: A University of the Philippines policy brief urges creating a formal Ilonggo association to protect and promote La Paz batchoy as homegrown intellectual property, citing gaps like inconsistent airport menus and fragmented branding. Quick Summer Cooking: A Thai Shrimp Salad recipe leans on grilled shrimp plus cucumber, sweet onion, and a lime-cilantro-mint dressing for a fast, hot-weather meal. Local Food & Farming: Moonbeam Farm in Corning, California grows loofahs by hand (plus edible lavender), positioning itself as a teaching farm that passes skills to the next generation. Heat-Proof Dining: With summer temperatures soaring, no-oven dinner ideas highlight grilling, slow cookers, air fryers, and Instant Pots to keep kitchens cooler. Food Safety Reminder: Ahead of July 4 picnics, guidance stresses clean handling, covered food, and safe transport in coolers to prevent summer stomach bugs. Travel & Taste: Emirates rolls out a next-generation lounge concept with locally inspired dining, while Centara promotes destination “culinary journeys” across Thailand and beyond. Cruise Health Alert: Another norovirus outbreak sickened 100+ passengers on the Ruby Princess, prompting intensified cleaning and CDC consultation.

America 250 BBQ Spotlight: Chefs David Burke and Robert Irvine are teaming up with Fox & Friends to share healthy, chef-style Fourth of July recipes and preview their “American Kitchen: An America 250 BBQ” special on Fox Nation. Healthy Living Push: Abu Dhabi’s Al Ain Farms Group says it will cut added sugar by 10–20% in selected juices, flavoured milk, yoghurt and laban ahead of September school returns. Cookbook & Culture: Seven Dials has acquired Si King’s “Proper Home Cooking,” bringing the Hairy Biker’s first solo cookbook to readers. Food Safety Alert: Taiwan recalls about 1,300 tonnes of soy-based cooking oil products after benzopyrene levels were found above the legal limit. Holiday Flavor Hack: A chef says balsamic vinegar and black pepper can make strawberries taste sweeter and more intense—an easy upgrade for Wimbledon-style snacking. Kitchen Tech for Shoppers: Pick n Pay’s asap! plans to launch Penny, a voice-and-photo AI grocery helper, rolling out from 6 July. Cooking Price Pressure: Nigeria’s rising LPG costs are pushing households back toward firewood and charcoal, raising deforestation and food-security concerns. Recipe Basics: A guide breaks down how to get fluffy rice every time—rinse, measure, rest, then fluff.

Food Safety Alert (Michigan): Michigan health officials say cyclosporiasis cases have surged to 228 since June 22, with the outbreak concentrated in Monroe and several nearby counties; symptoms include watery diarrhea, cramps, bloating, nausea, and fatigue, and officials urge hydration and prompt medical care. Kitchen Habits (Japan): A Kewpie survey finds “canceled cooking” is rising among younger Japanese people—skipping certain tools or steps to make weeknight meals easier without “cutting corners.” Chef & Dining (New Zealand): Tala in Auckland’s Samoan-inspired fine dining scene earns a Michelin star, as the Michelin Guide expands into Oceania with New Zealand’s 2026 list. Local Openings (Jersey City): Punjab Meet House opens July 3, bringing pre-partition Punjab-inspired recipes and communal dining to Exchange Place. How-To (Frozen Pizza): A chef recommends reheating frozen pizza differently than the box instructions for better crust and texture. Recipe Spotlight (July): Apple pandowdy gets a classic colonial-style recipe treatment, with baked apples and a pastry topping. Food & Community (Utah): Park City’s summer markets and farm dinners highlight local produce and chef-led seasonal dining.

Clean-Label Push: Nestlé says it will remove artificial food colours from its global portfolio by end of 2026, after successfully doing so in the U.S., citing consumer demand for simpler recipes. Pizza Spotlight: Singapore’s La Bottega Enoteca is now the top-ranked pizzeria in Singapore at The Best Pizza Awards 2026, with chef-owner Antonio Miscellaneo also placing in the global Top 100 pizzaiolos list. Recipe Roundup (Summer Comfort): A zucchini lasagna swaps pasta layers for roasted zucchini slices to keep things lighter and less watery, while a “lasagna di Carnevale” in Naples leans into a richer, egg-and-fried-meatball tradition. Kitchen Hack: Mascarpone is getting a moment—one guide explains how to turn leftover cream into homemade mascarpone for desserts and savoury dishes. Food Culture & Travel: ICONSIAM in Bangkok closed Pride Month with Thailand’s first rainbow drone-and-fireworks show. Hot Dog Lore: Detroit’s coney dog gets a spotlight as a uniquely American, topping-heavy take on the classic. Global Food Events: Sarawak will host the inaugural Borneo Culinary World Cup 2026 in August, drawing 500–600 participants from 40 countries.

America 250 Dining: Washington, D.C. is rolling out a “nation’s 250th” dining guide spotlighting top local tables near the National Mall, with Immigrant Food pitching “American food is immigrant food” as a passport-free way to eat your way around the world. Community & Cooking Classes: In Catlin, Illinois, a free “Tired of Cooking” meal-planning reset runs July 7 at the public library, while Northumberland High School in Canada is building a year-round greenhouse to teach students hands-on growing. Food Prices & Access: Nepal Oil Corporation cut cooking LPG by Rs 100 per cylinder, and Indonesia kept subsidized Minyakita cooking oil capped at Rp15,700 per liter to protect shoppers. Local Food Events: Greer’s 6th Annual Peach Cookoff returns July 19 with a People’s Choice vote, and Traverse City chef Michelle Rodriguez teamed with NanBop Farm for a four-course dinner built around local produce. How-To & Tech: A guide breaks down how to bleed fish for better filets, and Stanford’s BurgerAI aims to “design” the optimal burger for a person’s needs. Wine Spotlight: Tokara’s Reserve Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 earned spots on major global tasting lists, while Georgian wine keeps pushing into U.S. and European festivals.

Fourth of July Chicken Deal: Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken is boosting Lee’s Rewards with 4X points from July 3–6, timed to the holiday and National Fried Chicken Day. Wine & Pairings: Leopard’s Leap’s 2021 Bordeaux-style red blend won major honors at a wine challenge, with the winery touting its red-meat pairing power. World Cup Food Guide: Mexico is co-hosting the men’s FIFA World Cup, and a new dining guide maps what to eat in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey through top chefs. Local Restaurant Openings: Tahoe City gets Savoie on July 1, an alpine-focused spot built around a restored historic building. Healthy Fast-Casual Spotlight: Just Salad lands a long-term partnership with NBA champ Jalen Brunson, marking the brand’s first athlete equity tie-up. Food Security Through Cooking: Chicago home cook Jeannette Barcelos Kravitz is competing in Favorite Chef to win $25,000 for food-security work. Sustainable Seafood Supply: A San Diego fisherman’s fresh mackerel haul is fueling ultra-fresh sushi at a local sustainable bar. Kids’ Nutrition Push: Taiwan will add rotavirus vaccine to its free immunization program starting in 2027. Summer Street-Food Festival: Zagreb’s Fuliranje Summer Oasis returns with international street food, cocktails, and DJ nights.

Cookbook Spotlight: Hairy Biker Si King is set to publish Proper Home Cooking (Oct 8), his first solo cookbook after Dave Myers’ death, packed with simple, family-tested recipes and “kitchen hacks.” Public Health & Food Policy: Arkansas retailers are gearing up for a July 1 SNAP change that bans benefits for soft drinks, candy, and other “unhealthy” items. Healthcare Fraud: A Hewlett man was indicted for allegedly siphoning $2.5M from Medicaid by billing for specialized PediaSure despite buying only about 10% of what was claimed. Food Access: Trident United Way received a $4,000 grant to expand affordable fresh-food boxes for working families via the ALICE Box program. Restaurant & Dining News: Charlie Palmer Collective opened Salina Rooftop in Paso Robles with outdoor, wood-fired pizza ovens and seasonal pies. Local Flavor: Walla Walla proclaimed July “Sweet Onion Month,” spotlighting the region’s signature bulbs at participating restaurants. Recipe/How-To: Mary Berry shared a 15-minute, six-portion creamy Parma ham and mushroom pasta built on creme fraiche. Health/Gut: A New Zealand study finds younger people with bowel cancer are waiting months for diagnosis and often get little tailored support. Food Safety: The FDA updated a recall involving celery seed over potential Salmonella contamination.

CPG Summer Barbecue Push: Food and beverage brands are leaning hard into grill season with new barbecue-flavored snacks and encased-meat launches, turning backyard favorites into everyday pantry buys. Gut Health & Food Fears: A gastroenterologist warns that obsessing over “healthy” eating can tip into orthorexia, while another story spotlights how fermented foods can support the gut. Cooking Skills, Made Easier: Risotto gets a reality check—less intimidating than it sounds—plus quick home wins like creamy lemon pasta ideas, an easy caponata orzotto, and a simple Instant Pot cabbage method. Cheese Smarts: A guide breaks down Parmesan vs Pecorino and when to use each for the right flavor punch. Food Tech & Safety: VivoSim says its AI-enabled 3D liver and GI tissue models outperform traditional approaches in predicting liver toxicity at a European toxicology conference. Health Q&A: Dr. Roach links leg cramps and spasms to lactose intolerance in a reader’s case, while another doctor urges fiber-and-protein combos over chasing protein alone. Travel & Dining: Seafood from Norway’s Marbacoa® Girls spotlights Norwegian salmon on the grill, and a new Milos hotel opening adds a hospitality angle to the food-and-travel mix. Recipe Roundup: From turmeric “yellow rice” to bacon tips and a Fourth of July red-white-blue pasta salad, the week’s theme is simple, flavorful home cooking.

Food & Drink Innovation: Agthia is launching Fuell, a “world-first” dates-sweetened energy drink, aiming to shake up functional beverages with regional date expertise. Restaurant Business Watch: Auckland chef Nic Watt has closed Cāntīng, the latest in a string of restaurant failures tied to financial strain and liquidation filings. Health & Nutrition (Food Access): In Ogden, a restaurateur is selling subsidized $3.95 Thai curry bowls to make healthy eating more affordable, expanding from limited days to five days a week. Cooking & Culture: Turkish manti is getting a Silk Road spotlight, with historians linking dumpling traditions across regions. Home Cooking Trends: Ninja’s new HyperHeat 9-in-1 multicooker is being pitched as a faster, all-in-one way to feed families. Dessert Spotlight: Tara Riddle shares an almond dark chocolate baklava with orange glaze recipe. New Openings: Anita Gelato debuts in Las Vegas at The Venetian with 150+ rotating flavors made in-store. Summer Prep Ideas: A simple, crunchy summer salad rounds up easy add-ins like haricots verts, corn, avocado, and ciliegine mozzarella. Food Safety/Quality Note: Consumer Reports flags Whole Foods’ plain rotisserie chicken as potentially bland due to less seasoning distribution.

Wellness Meets Food Tech: Ireland’s Yoga Picnic (July 4) is adding a “Cook With Kia Kitchen,” with an EV-powered interactive cooking demo lineup focused on nourishing, gut-friendly meals. Gut Health Basics: Doctors and dietitians highlight fiber, probiotics and pre/probiotics as key for digestion and overall wellbeing, with practical food picks. Runner Nutrition Watch: A new look at iron deficiency in runners points to high rates among women and explains why low iron can hit hard during training. Early-Onset Cancer Clues: A Nature Medicine study links faster “biological aging” in younger adults to higher early cancer risk, though it can’t prove cause. Chef & Cuisine Spotlight: Vikas Khanna backs New York’s Kolkata Chai Co as it plans retail and more cafes, while Southern Thai chef Tipaporn Phianthong brings a Maldives menu of bold regional flavours. Recipe Roundup: Blackened mahi mahi fajitas with chili-lime crema; South Indian channa sundal; and a viral “sun-cooked” omelette trend keep the week’s cooking content spicy and snackable. Dining News: The Gyro Project opens a new Upper East Side location with rotisserie chicken, gyros, mezedes and Greek frozen yogurt.

Sushi Legacy: Katsuya Uechi, the pioneering LA sushi chef behind Katsu-ya and the creator of spicy tuna crispy rice, has died at 67; the Katsu-ya group says funeral plans are pending and his influence reshaped Japanese dining in Southern California. Idaho Fermentation: Satori Sake Brewing in Hailey, Idaho, is producing hyperlocal small-batch sake after founder Shin Hasegawa’s shift from sushi and tech to brewing. New Indian Dining in Washington: Michelin-star chef Hari Nayak is set to open a modern Indian concept at Harvest Yard in Woodinville, blending Indian flavors with Pacific Northwest seasonal produce. Public Safety Policy: California state Sen. Catherine Blakespear pushes SB 936 to limit recreational nitrous oxide sales, citing harm to teens and road safety risks. Food Business Pressure in Hong Kong: Research shows Chinese restaurants’ earnings fell sharply while non-Chinese outlets rose, pointing to the need for Cantonese and other traditional spots to innovate. Seafood Spotlight: Lafayette chef Kris Allen won Louisiana’s 2026 King of Louisiana Seafood title at the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off, earning a spot at the Great American Seafood Cook-Off. Protein Hype Check: A health explainer breaks down what “high protein” products can and can’t do, and who may actually need more protein. Summer Cooking Tips: For crispier roasted potatoes, preheat the pan first to kickstart browning and prevent sticking. Cocktail Trend: The Paper Plane cocktail keeps spreading on bar menus, with a recipe and its Aperol-era comeback story. Local Food Culture: Lafayette’s Moncus Park hosted National Food Truck Day with a lineup of mobile eats, games, and live music.

Food Tourism Record: Setiu, Malaysia, set a Malaysia Book of Records moment with a 1-kilometre battered prawn dish made from 547 tables and about 100,000 prawns, turning local frying into a beachside attraction. TV & Culture: Idaho chef Sal Alamilla won his second James Beard Award (Best Chef: Mountain Region), while Wyoming’s Petrina Peart heads to NBC’s “Yes, Chef!” to confront kitchen “issues.” Recipe & Technique: Sourdough stays hot—an OSU Extension workshop highlights starter science—plus fresh takes on dense bean salads, perfect onion rings, and a quick jamun kulfi. Trends & Drinks: Hyderabad’s specialty coffee scene is chasing ube’s purple hype, and a TikTok-fueled “espresso bomb” is making the rounds. Global Food Policy: A new IEA report warns sub-Saharan Africa could top 1 billion people without clean cooking access by 2027. Local Openings: Taqueria Nevada opens in Nevada City with homemade aguas frescas and late-night Mexican classics. Health & Food: A gastroenterology division chief appointment and patient concerns at Concord Hospital underscore how food and health intersect in real life.

Food Diplomacy: India’s consulates in New York and Atlanta hosted mango festivals, with 1,000+ tasters sampling Kesar and Langra and praising the fruit’s aroma and sweetness. Beer Buzz: Eden Town Brewing’s Free Drift hazy pale ale won a silver medal at the World Beer Cup, landing the young Maryland brewery on the international podium. Sushi Loss: Katsuya Uechi, the 67-year-old master behind L.A.’s Katsuya chain and signature spicy tuna crispy rice, has died. Community & Care: Oregon’s Camp Ready2Respond trained 130+ students in disaster response, including a culinary village, while a Plainville fund awarded $14K+ in grants to local nonprofits. Health & Food Science: New guidance suggests a shorter 42-day FIP antiviral course may work for many cats, and a study raises questions about extreme running and colon cancer risk. Recipe/Trend: Frozen yoghurt is surging again in the U.S., and experts weigh whether it’s truly healthier than ice cream. Culture Through Cuisine: A Palestinian chef is bringing plant-based “Sacred Cuisine” to Canada with long-table dinners and workshops.

Kylie Jenner legal storm: A former private chef filed a third workplace lawsuit in Los Angeles, alleging grueling 11–12 hour shifts during Jenner’s high-risk pregnancy contributed to miscarriage, alongside claims of pregnancy and disability discrimination and wage-and-hour issues. Wine & dining honors: Christine’s Farm to Fork in Edgefield earned Wine Spectator’s 2026 Award of Excellence for a farm-to-table wine program. Food science spotlight: Researchers say the hardest reformulation challenge is a truly heat-stable natural red that stays vibrant through baking, frying, processing, and shelf life. Cooking culture & community: Bulgaria’s Kyustendil Cherry Festival runs through June 28 with cherry exhibitions and a Sunday live cooking demo. Recipe trend: Filipino Mango Float stays viral—layered mango, cream, condensed milk, and biscuits with no baking. New openings: Darjeeling Express has reopened in a bigger Rupert Street home in London, expanding capacity and events. Travel + food tech: Grab Malaysia is pushing Visit Malaysia 2026 with in-app guides and local food discovery via GrabFood.

Fast-Food Favorites: Pro chefs picked the best fast-food burger chains, with Burger King’s Whopper and In-N-Out among the top mentions. Tomato Sandwich Upgrade: A tomato farmer breaks down how to build a truly great tomato sandwich, starting with the right heirloom tomatoes and quality bread. Chef-Driven TV Buzz: FX’s The Bear Season 5 is back, with streaming details shared for fans planning a kitchen-night watch. Quick Protein Breakfast: A Turkish-style eggs recipe from nutritionist Malissa Fedele leans on herbed yogurt, spices, and toasted sourdough for a fast, high-protein morning. Local Food Spotlight: Country Wok in Hanceville gets a spotlight for its street-food-style Chinese comfort. Outdoor Cooking Event: Big Green Egg announces EGGtoberfest in Atlanta on Oct. 3, promising live-fire cooking, tastings, and celebrity-chef demos. Food Safety Note: Sanibel Causeway water quality is back to acceptable levels after Enterococcus bacteria readings improved. Restaurant News: New Orleans’ Succotash opens in a historic French Quarter space, continuing the city’s love affair with Southern cooking.

Disaster & Food Security: Two major earthquakes struck Venezuela, killing at least 164 and injuring nearly 1,000, while a Gaza culinary academy—bombed and rebuilt twice—keeps training students to cook and rebuild livelihoods amid acute food insecurity. Cancer & Cooking Community: MasterChef India’s Pankaj Bhadouria says she’ll start 12 chemo sessions and a year of targeted therapy after surgery biopsies showed an invasive HER2-positive component. Restaurant & Hospitality: Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen & Bar is set to open inside Bath’s DoubleTree by Hilton, bringing hotel dining with a familiar brand feel. Summer Food Finds: M&S is back with its viral strawberries-and-cream sandwich—now with a new chocolate, strawberry and pistachio version—plus a roundup of standout Welsh ice cream parlours. Food Safety: Tennessee health inspectors flagged water leaks onto ready-to-eat foods, cross-contamination, mold in an ice machine, and multiple violations at a local facility. Convenience Foods: Tilda launches a ready-to-heat pulses range aimed at making fibre- and protein-rich meals easier.