Explore the World’s Culinary Flare a the Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival

NOV 16 – 18, 2023

Travel the world, one bite at a time, at the 16th Annual Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival with its focus this year on the best of global cuisine.

MEIJER FOOD STAGE

Middle Eastern fare is known to be fresh, flavorful and distinctively delectable. Fifth generation Lebanese American Hannah Awada, owner of Hummus Goodness, is teaming up with Karen Akouri, founder of drench Dressing in offering three 30-minute presentations of “Deconstructed Fattoush + Hummus Appetizer” on the Meijer Food Stage. Both women are focused on using clean ingredients in their products, free of chemicals, artificial colors and preservatives. Hannah learned the art of hummus making from her mother, and her recipe draws inspiration from that family recipe with olive oil, fresh lemon juice and garlic cloves. Karen was looking for healthy salad dressing and marinade options for her family and began to play around with premium olive and avocado oils, herbs and spices to come up with her award-winning recipes. Both Hummus Goodness and drench are available at Meijer stores (and beyond) and will be available for sampling in the Meijer Marketplace at the Festival.

Common in Spanish, Latin American and Iberian-influenced cultures, empanadas are a baked or fried turnover consisting of filling in a breaded pastry. This tasty handheld appetizer is the focus of a Meijer Food Stage Demonstration by Paola Carlson of Pochis Colombian Restaurant & Caféthe first authentic Colombian restaurant in Grand Rapids and Jorge Gonzalez, director of Start Garden—an organization that provides resources and opportunities to small business owners in Grand Rapids. Born and raised in Colombia, Paola moved to the United States with her husband in 2018 not knowing a word of English. She was soon making customized gift packages and specialty sweets like macarons and decadent chocolate-covered strawberries for her friends as a hobby, and before long she launched Pochis which also imports and sells coffee goods and coffee candy from her homeland offered up from her small café location in downtown Grand Rapids. Pochis will also have a Small Plate booth in The Vineyard featuring a variety of empanadas and arepas (handheld pockets made with ground maize dough stuffed with a filling)—all of which are gluten free.

A Vietnam War refugee from Thailand, Genevieve Vang is an accomplished expert in Thai and Hmong cuisine and even prepared a traditional meal for Hollywood actor and director Clint Eastwood when he was in Detroit filming Gran Torino in 2008. Her award-winning metro Detroit restaurants (Bangkok 96 and Bangkok 96 Street Food) garnered her recognition as a James Beard Award semi-finalist nominee in 2019. In her spare time, Chef Genevieve has developed a gluten free frozen food line called Thai Feast, as well as a new vegan, allergen-free Asian broth and easy to use sauce powders available at southeast Michigan Meijer locations.

On Saturday afternoon, she’ll welcome the passionate anentertaining Jessican Ann Tyson, owner of The Candied Yam-Delightful Southern Cuisine, for a presentation of “Vegan Pad Thai & Pho with Thai Feast” on the Meijer Food Stage.

Jessica Ann is well known in the Grand Rapids community for her ancestorial from scratch soul food cuisine and her perpetual smile, positive attitude and collaborative spirit. The Candied Yam is recognized as one of the Top 50 Restaurants to eat at in Grand Rapids and was recently awarded The Retail Business of the Year.

MEIJER FOOD STAGE SCHEDULE: https://showspan.com/GRW/home/presentations-and-stages/

PRESENTER BIOS: Speakers, Experts & Headliners.

MEIJER MARKETPLACE (Secchia Lobby / River Overlook)

  • Aurora International+
  • Bailey’s Farms+
  • Burl & Sprig
  • Burzurk Brewing+
  • DelGrosso Foods
  • drench Dressing+
  • Duke & Dame+
  • El Caribe+
  • Emme’s Plaintain Chips
  • Feel Bar+
  • Field & Fire Bakery+
  • Fusion Epicure+
  • Grady’s Garden+
  • Hummus Goodness+
  • Jambalaya Girl+
  • Lola’s Fine Sauce
  • Lorraine’s Premium BBQ Sauce+
  • Milford Spice Company+
  • Momma D’s Kitchen
  • Mud Penny+
  • Mushroom Angel Company+
  • Neilly’s+
  • Papa’s Kitchen+
  • Rad Bagels+
  • Rani Foods+
  • Relos Dry Rubs+
  • Reyna’s Michelada Mix+
  • Senor Sangria
  • Stock Da’ Bar Premium Vodka
  • Stone House Bread
  • Thai Feast
  • Tito’s Handmade Vodka
  • Tor’s Tonics+
  • Zing Zang+
  • Zini Vodka

+Denotes new to the Festival in 2023

Shopping bags will be available (with first purchase) in the Marketplace that can be filled with purchase and then left at Coat Check so patrons can continue to enjoy the Festival without having to carry their goodies for the entire visit.

Another featured vendor not to miss is Wine Chips, sponsors of The Vineyard area where they’ll be set up offering samples of their distinct and flavorful chips like Manchego, Blue Cheese, Smoked Gouda and more. The team at Wine Chips will even share pairing suggestions with you and have packages available for purchase! Be sure to ask them about their recent relocation to Pure Michigan (Paw Paw – in the heart of one of the state’s federally-recognized wine regions), where they have better access to locally-grown potatoes for their deliciously crafted chips.

SMALL PLATE RESTAURANTS

A record 20+ area restaurants and specialty food producers will grace DeVos Place serving up a variety of small plates collectively offering a strolling progressive dinner experience – including nightcaps and desserts.

Among the new restaurants to check out:

The Marasigans (Jackie, Ace and Redd) are proud members of the local Filipino community and their Adobo Boy is a celebration of their rich, flavorful and colorful food culture. While we anxiously await their restaurant opening in early 2024, we invite you to stop by The Vineyard to try their Filipino Pork Adobo Bowl – a traditional dish featuring pork stewed in vinegar, garlic, soy sauce, bay leaves and peppercorns.

Beer City Bread Company may be relatively new (2020), but its roots are legendary. Brothers Stefan, Arne and Jimmy Fahlen are descendants of Arne Fahlen—founder of Arnie’s bakery and restaurants. The company craft its various artisan baked goods from local craft beer and natural European sourdough starters that are cultivated daily in their bakery, aged over 24 hours and processed using a “stress-free” handling line before baking. During the Festival, they’ll be serving up hearty handhelds including Italian Herbs and Cheese French Dip, Beer Braised Mojo Pork Sandwich and Beer Infused Pretzel Bites with Beer Cheese, from their Beer City Station booth.

In Jamaican, the phrase Irie means “everything is alright and fine” and that is just the positive vibe that Vince McIntosh, founder of Irie Kitchen, hopes to evoke to his customers. His Jamaican parents immigrated to the United States in the 1980s with a load of family recipes and passion for food that has spread to Vince and his twin sister. Savor their organic Caribbean street food in The Vineyard, where they’re serving up Jerk Wings, Jamaican Patties, Rice & Peas & Curry Garbanzo and Irie Juice.

Father and son due, Jose and Justin del Castillo, have been slinging their Dominican Latin style open pit BBQ for nearly 10 years. Their Shepherd-based hobby turned into something bigger and now Jose & Justin’s Pig Gig takes its food truck to the best Festivals and events around the state. Located in The Vineyard, they’re serving up Chicken and Rice Bowl, Pork and Rice Bowl, Rice Bowl and Plaintains.

A “pocha” is a Korean term that refers to a type of outdoor food and drink stall—an abbreviation of the phrase “pojangmacha” which translates to “covered wagon”—known for their vibrant atmosphere, friendly ambiance and delicious food. K-Pocha, the brainchild of Lam To, ThienHa Phan and Phong Nguyen (owner and executive chef of Monsoon, a Vietnamese restaurant in downtown Grand Rapids and a Festival participant) specializes in distinctive Koren street-style dishes. Stop by their booth in Beer City Station and try the Potato Corn Dog, Hot Cheeto Corn Dog, Lobster/Shrimp Skewer Combo and Mini Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes).

Participating restaurants include:

The Vineyard (Steelcase Ballroom)

  • Adobe Boy+
  • Beacon Hill at Eastgate+
  • Big O’ Smoke House
  • Farm Country Cheese House
  • Irie Kitchen+
  • Jose & Justin’s Pig Gig
  • MDRD
  • Pochis Colombian Restaurant & Café
  • Melting Pot
  • Two Scotts Barbecue
  • Yo Chef’s

Beer City Station / Cider Row (Hall C)

  • Beer City Bread Co.+
  • Jedi Chili+
  • K Pocha+
  • Olly’s Donuts+
  • Trinity Health+
  • Tacos El Cunado
  • Tamales Mary

Barrel Room (Welsh Lobby)

  • Michigan Moonshine
  • 24K Gold Coffee+
  • Ambrosia
  • Cakes by the Jar+
  • Dolce Mini Cakes+
  • Frederik’s
  • Frick’n Good Cookie+
  • Fusion Epicure+
  • Honey Tea+
  • Rethink Nutrition+
  • Koeze+
  • Las Rocas
  • Mosby’s Popcorn
  • Nothing Bundt Cake
  • Roast Umber
  • Rossy’s Postres+
  • Rowsters Coffee
  • Sunshine Punch+

+Denotes new to the Festival in 2023

PAIRING DINNERS

An elevated and intimate multi-course dining experience at one of six featured restaurants, for an added cost (advanced reservations required).

Opened in Plainwell on June 1, 2011, Four Roses is making its Festival debut in a big way with a four-course Pairing dinner prepared by owner/chef Tom Rose. Tom spent his entire career working in the culinary field, starting at a small farm-to-table restaurant in the 1980s called Arie’s Café (no longer in operation) as a dishwasher at the age of 15. He moved his way up to executive chef, learning the value of sourcing local and building relationships with farmers. His mentor, Arie’s owner Bob VanRavensway, inspired and encouraged Tom to create stocks, sauces and dishes from scratch. After leaving Arie’s in 1998, Tom spent many years running corporate kitchens for Kellogg and Eaton Corp, and in 2011, he and his wife, Jan, were given the opportunity open their own restaurant: Four Roses. With a menu that changes each day—along with time-honored favorites—Four Roses focuses on what is fresh and available from local and established suppliers to create interesting and delicious foods paired with excellent customer service with a hometown feel.

Featured Pairing restaurants include:

  • Archival Brewing+ (Beer Pairing)
  • Four Roses*+ (Wine & Spirits Pairing)
  • The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck (Wine Pairing)
  • Monsoon* (Wine & Spirits Pairing)
  • Twenty.Three* (Wine & Spirits Pairing)
  • Redwater Restaurants (Wine Pairing)

*Denotes a Thursday VIP Preview Night offering, in addition to Friday and Saturday seatings.

+Denotes new restaurant to the Festival.

The complete menu with beverage pairings, seating times and costs can be found online: Pairing Dinners.

Beginning on Friday, November 17, General Admission tickets are $20 per person, per day with festival hours running from 4-9pm and Saturday, November 18, 2-9pm. Tasting tickets will be available for purchase online and at the event for 50 cents each to be used primarily for beverages tastings. Food samples can be purchased with cash, credit or tasting tickets.

A VIP Preview experience will be offered on Thursday, November 16 from 6-9pm, with just 500 tickets available for purchase for $150 per person. Admission includes specialties from a dozen small plate restaurants, wine, beer and distilled beverage tasting sessions; Meijer Food Stage and Meet the Maker presentations; tasting tickets to sample select new releases, special vintage wines and exclusive beverages served only on Thursday; a VIP Festival sampling glass and live music. For another $75 per person, an intimate multi-course Pairing dinner is added to the ticket.

As always, the Festival offers an unparalleled diversity of beverages available for sampling – from beer and cider to wine and spirts, as well as signature coffees and teas – with over 1,200 offerings from around the world, under one roof in featured areas:

  • Wines (including The Elite Collection) in The Vineyard (Steelcase Ballroom)
  • Beer (local, domestic and international) in Beer City Station (Hall C)
  • Cider (local and national) in Cider Row (Hall C)
  • Michigan Craft spirits in The Barrel Room (Welsh Lobby)
  • Coffees & Cordials (along with decadent desserts) in RendezBREW (Grand Gallery)
  • Non-alcoholic options in The Vineyard, Beer City Station an RendezBREW.

Since its inception in 2008, this Festival – named by Forbes.com in 2019 as one of a dozen “Fall Wine Festivals In North America You Don’t Want to Miss” and 8 Best Fall Festivals in Michigan by BestThingsMI.com – has grown into the largest and most popular of its kind in the Midwest. Admission tickets, pairing reservations, tasting sessions and other details will be posted in early fall at GRWineFestival.com

Deepa’s Secrets: Slow Carb New Indian Cuisine

Winner of the 2018 James Beard Foundation Book Awards * Winner of the World Gourmand Cookbook Awards * Finalist for the IACP Awards *Shortlisted for the NCIBA Book Awards, Best Cookbook.

Both cookbook and memoir, Deepa’s Secrets introduces breakthrough slow carb and gut-healing recipes that are simple to make and nutrient-packed, all without sacrificing its rich South Asian flavors. On a mission to demystify and make healthy an “exotic” cuisine, Deepa shares shortcuts and techniques that will make “New Indian” everyday fare.

The following recipes are courtesy od Deepa’s Secrets published by Skyhorse Publishing.

Avocado, Tomato, and Plum Salad

My mother used to say, “Intelligence is the capacity to adapt to the unexpected.” (She still managed a frown at my bad report cards.) That’s the plum in this dish—I’d never had one until I came to this country. The unexpected ingredient wakes up the palate in this smart little salad.

SERVES 4

Dressing:

  • ½ teaspoon Ginger Garlic Paste
  • ½ yellow onion, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon wild honey
  • 1 jalapeno, minced
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds, toasted and ground
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 2 avocados, sliced
  • 1 large tomato, sliced
  • 1 plum, sliced

Crowning flavor:

  • 2 tablespoons cilantro, stemmed and finely chopped
  • 4 mint leaves, roughly torn
  • 1 teaspoon chaat masala
  • 1 cup toasted crumbled walnuts

Whisk dressing ingredients together in a glass bowl. Check seasoning and set aside.

On a platter, mix tomato, avocado, and plum slices gently. Drizzle the dressing on top.

Crowning flavor: Sprinkle chopped cilantro, mint leaves, and chaat masala on top of the salad. I sometimes sprinkle with Go Nuts! or a handful of toasted crumbled walnuts.

Mango Lassi

A lassi is the perfect summer refresher. In New Delhi, they were usually savory—yogurt-based with smashed cumin seed, fresh curry leaves, a little salt, served on the rocks. You can get a sweet lassi in India, but this recipe is a closer cousin to the American smoothie.

Mango Lassi

  • ·4 cups fresh or canned mango pulp 
  • 2 cups Greek yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoon rose water
  • 1 tablespoon wild honey
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ¼ teaspoon salt 

SERVES 4

Mix all ingredients in the blender. (If you’re using fresh mango and they are not sweet enough, ad

Deepa’s Secrets

Crowning flavor:

  • 2 tablespoons cilantro, stemmed and finely chopped
  • 4 mint leaves, roughly torn
  • 1 teaspoon chaat masala
  • 1 cup toasted crumbled walnuts

1. Whisk dressing ingredients together in a glass bowl. Check seasoning and set aside.

2. On a platter, mix tomato, avocado, and plum slices gently. Drizzle the dressing on top.

Crowning flavor: Sprinkle chopped cilantro, mint leaves, and chaat masala on top of the salad. I sometimes sprinkle with Go Nuts! or a handful of toasted crumbled walnuts.

Mango Lassi

A lassi is the perfect summer refresher. In New Delhi, they were usually savory—yogurt-based with smashed cumin seed, fresh curry leaves, a little salt, served on the rocks. You can get a sweet lassi in India, but this recipe is a closer cousin to the American smoothie.

  • 4 cups mango juice
  • 2 cups Greek yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoon rose water
  • 1 tablespoon wild honey
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ¼ teaspoon salt 

SERVES 4

Mix all ingredients in the blender. (If you’re using fresh mango and they are not sweet enough, add a little extra wild honey.) Enjoy!

Announcing the James Beard Award Winners 2023

Sherry Pocknett, Sly Fox Den Too, Charlestown, RI – ©️ 2023 Galdones Photography/JBF

The best chefs, restauranteurs, bakers, and those representing wine and beverage servers, hospitality providers, and humanitarians working at giving back to their communities were in Chicago this last weekend for the 2023 James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards, presented by Capital One and held at the historic Lyric Opera of Chicago.

The awards presentation was co-hosted by Eric Adjepong, chef, author, and host of Alex vs America; Esther Choi, chef and owner of mŏkbar and ms.yoo; Gail Simmons, author, producer, and Top Chef judge; and Andrew Zimmern, James Beard Award winner, TV personality, chef, writer, and social justice advocate. 1,500 guests were in attendance at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Built in 1929, with an outstanding Art Deco interior, it’s the second largest opera house in the U.S.

Junghyun Park, Atomix, New York, NY – ©️ 2023 Galdones Photography/JBF

Additional presenters included Mashama Bailey, James Beard Award–winning chef and restaurateur, The Grey; Chris Bianco, James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur, Pizzeria Bianco; Monti Carlo, TV personality, food writer, and host of the Food Network’s Help My Yelp; Sarah Grueneberg, James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur, Monteverde; Tahiirah Habibi, sommelier, founder of The Hue Society, and James Beard Awards Committee member; Carla Hall, cookbook author, chef, and TV personality; Tanya Holland, chef, author, James Beard Foundation trustee, and Awards Committee Chair; and Erick Williams, James Beard Award-winning chef, and restaurateur, Virtue Restaurant; among others.

“Congratulations to the exceptional winners of this year’s Restaurant and Chef Awards—whose incredible achievements and dedication to culinary excellence have left an indelible mark on our industry,” said Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation.

. “As we celebrate, it’s important to acknowledge the significant work that these accomplished restaurants and chefs have done to push American food culture forward—using their immense creativity, passion, and talent to create extraordinary experiences on behalf of others. Thanks to them, our food future is bright, indeed.”

Friday Saturday Sunday, Philadelphia, PA – ©️ 2023 Galdones Photography/JBF

“As we celebrate the second year of the new awards process, we were thrilled to witness the remarkable talent showcased by our 2023 nominees and winners, who represent the true diversity of gifted chefs and outstanding restaurants that exist across the industry,” said Holland. “I am deeply appreciative to the committee members for their thoughtful deliberations that were instrumental in recognizing and honoring some of the brightest and most innovative minds in our industry.”

“On behalf of the committee, we are excited for all of this year’s Restaurant and Chef Award winners,” said Adrian Miller, Restaurant and Chef Awards Committee Chair and Allecia Vermillion, Restaurant and Chef Awards Committee Vice-Chair. “We are thrilled to celebrate excellence exemplified by the quality and diverse restaurants and chefs who play a pivotal role in shaping our country’s vibrant culinary landscape.”

Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon, Kalaya, Philadelphia, PA – ©️ 2023 Galdones Photography/JBF

“As a chef, it is a privilege and an honor to co-host this year’s Restaurant and Chef Awards,” said Adjepong. “Thank you to the Beard Foundation for giving us this opportunity.”

“To play a key role in celebrating our fellow chefs and restaurateurs has been such a joy,” said Simmons.

Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon, Kalaya, Philadelphia, PA – ©️ 2023 Galdones Photography/JBF

“Congratulations to this year’s winners. Your work makes us proud to be a part of our country’s independent restaurant industry,” added Zimmern.

The voting process for all Restaurant and Chef Award categories can be found here, and the process and eligibility for each category can be found on the Awards’ policies and procedures page, as well as here. 2023 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Award Winners.

The James Beard Awards, considered to be among the nation’s most prestigious honors, recognize exceptional talent in the culinary arts, hospitality, media, and broader food system, as well as a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where  all can thrive. Established in 1990, with the first ceremony taking place in 1991, the Restaurant and Chef Awards is one of five separate recognition programs for the Awards.

Bar Leather Apron, Honolulu, HI – ©️ 2023 Galdones Photography/JBF

Outstanding Chef

Rob Rubba, Oyster Oyster, Washington, D.C.

Outstanding Restaurant Presented by Acqua Panna® Natural Spring Water

Outstanding Restaurant Presented by Acqua Panna® Natural Spring Water

Friday Saturday Sunday, Philadelphia, PA

The Quarry, Monson, ME – ©️ 2023 Galdones Photography/JBF

Best New Restaurant Presented by BentoBox

Kann, Portland, OR

Outstanding Restaurateur

Ellen Yin, High Street Hospitality Group (Fork, a.kitchen + bar, High Street, and others), Philadelphia, PA

Tim Flores and Genie Kwon, Kasama, Chicago, IL – ©️ 2023 Galdones Photography/JBF

Emerging Chef Presented by S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Mineral Water

Damarr Brown, Virtue, Chicago, IL

Outstanding Bakery Presented by Guinness

Yoli Tortilleria, Kansas City, MO

Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker

Margarita Manzke, République, Los Angeles, CA

Outstanding Hospitality Presented by American Airlines

The Quarry, Monson, ME

Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program

OTOTO, Los Angeles, CA

Olivia Watkins (left), Karen Washington – Humanitarians – ©️ 2023 Galdones Photography/JBF

Outstanding Bar Presented by Hilton

Bar Leather Apron, Honolulu, HI

The Quarry, Monson, ME – ©️ 2023 Galdones Photography/JBF

Best Chefs Presented by Capital One (by region)

Best Chef: California

Justin Pichetrungsi, Anajak Thai, Sherman Oaks, CA

Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)

Tim Flores and Genie Kwon, Kasama, Chicago, IL

Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)

Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon, Kalaya, Philadelphia, PA

Best Chef: Midwest (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI)

Itaru Nagano and Andrew Kroeger, Fairchild, Madison, WI

Best Chef: Mountain (CO, ID, MT, UT, WY)

Kris Komori, KIN, Boise, ID

Best Chef: New York State

Junghyun Park, Atomix, New York, NY

Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)

Sherry Pocknett, Sly Fox Den Too, Charlestown, RI

Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA)

Vince Nguyen, Berlu, Portland, OR

Best Chef: South (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, PR)

Natalia Vallejo, Cocina al Fondo, San Juan, PR

Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV)

Terry Koval, The Deer and the Dove, Decatur, GA

Best Chef: Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK)

Andrew Black, Grey Sweater, Oklahoma City, OK

Best Chef: Texas

Benchawan Jabthong Painter, Street to Kitchen, Houston, TX

America’s Classics – ©️ 2023 Galdones Photography/JBF

Humanitarian of the Year Award

The 2023 Humanitarian of the Year Award honorees are the co-founders of the Black Farmer Fund: social entrepreneur and impact investor Olivia Watkins, and farmer and activist Karen Washington.

Benchawan Jabthong Painter, Street to Kitchen, Houston, TX – ©️ 2023 Galdones Photography/JBF

Lifetime Achievement Award

The 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award honoree is legendary cookbook author, writer, teacher, and actress Madhur Jaffrey CBE.

The Top Five Favorite Cuisines in America

From foodfirefriends.com.

A new study has revealed that Chinese food is the US most Googled cuisine, according to Google search data.  

The research, conducted by BBQ experts foodfirefriends.com, analysed Google search data related to the 40 most popular cuisines in the world in different US states, to find out what cuisines Americans search for (and eat) the most.  

1. Chinese food 

Known all over the world, Chinese food is certainly one of everyone’s most loved cuisines. With an average of over 3.35 million searches per month in the US only, Chinese is Americans’ absolute favourite food.  

2. Mexican food 

With an average of 1.22 million Google searches in the USA, Mexican is Americans’ second most favourite food. Known for its spices and hot sauces, this cuisine is sought-after and appreciated globally.  

3. Thai food 

Thai food is third in the ranking. With over 823,000 monthly Google searches in the USA, Thai remains one of Americans’ first choices when it comes to foreign cuisines.  

4. Indian food 

Registering an average of 673,000 Google searches, Indian food is the fourth most Googled food in America.  

 5. Korean food

Another Asian cuisine features in fifth. Showing an average of 246,000 Google searches in the US, Korean food is the fifth most popular cuisine in the States, followed by Japanese (with an average of 201,000 Google searches per month in the US), and soul food (201,000).  

Greek, Italian and Hawaiian food follow in the ranking with an average of 165,000, 165,000 and 90,500 searches in the US.  

A spokesperson for foodfirefriends.com comments on the findings: 

“It is fascinating to see food from four different Asian countries feature in the top five of the ranking. Each of the cuisines offers a wide array of delicious dishes, and they have clearly become must-have meals for Americans, whether they are cooking at home, ordering take-out or dining at a restaurant.” 

The study was conducted by foodfirefriends.com, which is dedicated to helping users grill and BBQ better, by offering practical guides, recipes, and advice on all aspects of outdoor cooking. 

-END- 

Top 20 most popular cuisines in the US: 

Food Average monthly searches 
Chinese food 3350000 
Mexican food 1220000 
Thai food 823000 
Indian food 673000 
Korean food 246000 
Japanese food 201000 
Soul Food 201000 
Greek food 165000 
Italian food 165000 
Hawaiian food 90500 
Peruvian food 90500 
Spanish food 90500 
Cuban food 74000 
German food 74000 
American food 60500 
French food 60500 
Haitian food 49500 
Russian food 49500 
Brazilian food 40500 

Grub Street: 2022 James Beard Award Winners: The Full List

Grub Street: 2022 James Beard Award Winners: The Full List. https://www.grubstreet.com/2022/06/2022-james-beard-chef-and-restaurant-award-winners-full-list.html

Baingan Bharta / Roasted Eggplant Curry — Sowmya’s Spicy Corner

A great recipe from Sowmya’s Spicy Corner, a blog that I follow, for Baingan Bharta / Roasted Eggplant Curry – a delicious and smoky Indian variation of the Mediterranean Baba Ganoush.The dish, which is simple to make, has a unique smoky flavour that comes from grilling the eggplant on direct fire or charcoal. Once grilled, its chopped/mashed, spiced up and cooked to a delicate finish. This smoky and flavour packed baingan bharta / roasted eggplant pairs well with Indian flat breads like roti/ paratha/steamed white rice.

For her recipe: Baingan Bharta / Roasted Eggplant Curry — Sowmya’s Spicy Corner