Americas
Champions of Change award for North America’s 50 Best announced
Asmeret Berhe-Lumax launched One Love Community Fridge in 2020 to provide free food to local communities in need at a time when food insecurity was rising and food banks were overwhelmed due to Covid-19. Five years on she has been chosen as the recipient of the Champions of Change award for North America’s 50 Best Restaurants. The Champions of Change award was launched to honor the people leading meaningful change in North America’s food and hospitality industry. Berhe-Lumax will receive the award at the inaugural North America’s 50 Best restaurants ceremony taking place in Las Vegas on 25 September.
New move for former Tyson Foods executive Johnny Hughes
After 30 years with Tyson Foods, Hughes takes on the role as president of SF-360 FiveStar Gourmet Foods where he will take the lead of the company’s omnichannel platform. He will also take a seat on the board of directors to help shape the strategic vision of the company. Hughes’ addition coincides with the recent opening of FiveStar’s state-of-the-art facility in Southern California. The flagship location is a new hub for innovation, production, and nationwide distribution of SF-360’s fresh food solutions. As president of SF-360, Hughes will be responsible for all aspects of the company’s rapidly growing vertical, including branded fresh kiosks; smart vending; foodservice distribution; and institutional partnerships.
Asia Pacific
The stars rain down on Singapore in the ninth edition of the Michelin Guide
The restaurant community of Singapore celebrated the launch of the new edition of the Michelin Guide in the city, which yet again showed its strength as a center of culinary diversity, innovation and excellence. The newly released Guide includes a total of 288 locations – with 3 three Michelin Stars, 7 two Michelin Stars, 32 one Michelin Star, 89 Bib Gourmand, and 157 Michelin selected establishments. “Despite market challenges, Singapore remains a vital culinary destination in Southeast Asia, attracting global talent and fostering a rich exchange of ideas,” said Gwendal Poullennec, the International director of the Michelin Guide.
McDonald’s reduces its presence in Hong Kong
Burger giant McDonald’s is reportedly planning to sell eight properties in Hong Kong, totalling a market value of HK$1.2bn, according to JLL, which will operate as agent of the sale. The fast food operator insists it remains committed to the Hong Kong market, but with whispers of tensions caused by the US administration’s approach to international trade with China and Hong Kong, there are bound to be observers keeping a keen eye on the next move for McDonald’s which has previously been reported to consider selling all of its 23 retail spaces in Hong Kong.
Europe, Middle East, Africa
Mmmake your Mark launches for the second year
As in the rest of the world, labor shortages and skills gaps are creating a significant workforce crisis in the UK. Now The Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) warns that the UK food industry will continue to suffer if proactive action is not taken to address the ticking workforce time bomb. In recognition of this, IGD’s cross industry initiative: ‘Mmmake Your Mark’ is returning for 2025 this August, to attract talent by collaboratively raising awareness of the breadth of diverse career opportunities available across the food system. In 2024, 55 businesses came together for Mmmake Your Mark, reaching over seven million people on social media.
The Fork and Mastercard join forces in Pan-European initiative
In an ongoing global partnership, the financial company that likes to talk about priceless experiences has entered into partnership with restaurant reservation platform The Fork. Featuring curated Hotspots and Priceless Dining Experiences, the two companies have enlisted some of Europe’s top chefs and restaurants to provide unique experiences across The UK, France, Spain and Italy. With Hotspots, diners will gain exclusive priority access to the most popular tables while the priceless experiences part will consist of exactly that: Exclusively curated experiences in award-winning restaurants. In what is intended as a longer-term collaboration, there are plans to expand to further countries in the near future.
Tina Nielsen
