Food news antipasto

If you live in the UK or are planning a trip there, The Evening Standard has just published a list of the best food festivals happening this summer. Highlights include the Kew Gardens’ Food Forever Event which “is an art exhibition, food festival and sustainability lesson rolled into one,” and a picnic social at Lincoln Castle.

Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s influence on the world of fine dining is incalculable. Recently Gotham Magazine interviewed the world-renowned chef, exploring his fascinating culinary journey and discussing where he thinks the world of fine dining is headed.

In the northern parts of the globe asparagus season is hitting its peak. Even though you can find the green stalks year-round in large supermarkets, nothing beats a bunch of fresh, local, tender asparagus. The Guardian’s Tom Hunt provides tips on how to make the most of this short season including ways to use up every bit of asparagus from the tip to the thickest part of the stalk, plus a great recipe.

File this one under the “just because you can, doesn’t mean you should” heading. Pepsi partnered the Culinary Institute of America to create “Pepsi-roni” and according to a press release, this is just like it sounds: “pepperoni infused with the rich caramel notes and brown spices with the citrusy pop of Pepsi cola.” The product debuted this week at Green Lantern Pizza in Detroit, Michigan.

Argentine chef Francis Mallman is known for his live fire cooking, a subject he has written about extensively in several cookbooks. Until now, Mallmann’s recipes were meat-centric, but recently the chef has begun exploring his signature technique with the world of vegetables. His latest book, Green Fire, focuses on transforming “every vegetable into a dish as satisfying as a prime-cut steak.”

Australian chef Josh Niland has won accolades for his fantastic fish cookbooks as well as the highly-regarded restaurant Saint Peter that he runs with his wife Julie. Saint Peter is closing after six years, but it isn’t going away, the restaurant is just moving to new digs. The Nilands are headed to The Grand National Hotel, a former pub converted into a boutique hotel.

Father’s Day is just around the corner in the US and UK. If you’re struggling to find the right gift for a food-loving guy, the Strategist offers the best Father’s Day gifts for ‘foodie’ dads. The extensive list goes way beyond typical grilling tools and “kiss the chef” aprons. Also, be sure to check out the great items that Jenny rounded up in her Mother’s/Father’s Day gift guide for the cookbook lover.