Food news antipasto

Gordon Ramsay announced he plans to revive his show Hell’s Kitchen in the UK, possibly with a spin-off chain of restaurants. His show in the US has run for 24 seasons and spawned seven restaurants across the country. ITV has reportedly trademarked the Hell’s Kitchen name and insiders say the show could debut as early as 2026.

Now here’s a statement you don’t read every day: the Pope is working on a new restaurant. It seems that this was an idea from the late Pope Francis, who wanted to bring the Stefani Restaurant Group to the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV is working with the group to create a restaurant on a former papal retreat in Castel Gandolfo. “This was Pope Francis vision to build this place, and it’s all about sustainability. Our food is going to come from the grounds. It’s about helping migrants. We’re going to teach them our business,” said Paul Stefani. The Stefani Restaurant Group auditions for Pope Francis, serving fried chicken and biscuits.

Are you a fan of Trader Joe’s? A crew member from the grocery chain recently shared what she believes are the 10 best ‘hidden gems’ at Trader Joe’s. Topping the list, which includes dill pickle mustard and spicy honey sauce, is the fried shallots. “If you skip this one, it is your loss,” says crew member Brooke, who creates TikToks with niche recommendations at @1brookeannes.

The Standard has a great interview with Dr. Joy Spence, a pioneering woman in the rum industry. She became the first female Master Blender in the spirits industry in 1997, and she currently is the caretaker of a cask of rum that is known as “The Source,” and which will be, well, the source of the oldest tropically aged spirit ever released.

To celebrate Eater’s 20th anniversary, the website is putting together a menu that is straight out of 2005, featuring lobster mac and cheese, red velvet cupcakes, Momofuku pork belly bao and the kale salad that may be responsible for starting the kale trend. Now, if they would celebrate by hiring back all of the people they’ve laid off, we would really have a reason to party like it’s 2005.

In case you missed this weekend’s articles:

• The Great British Bake Off/Baking Show – Week 1 – Cake Week 2025
• Dobre Dobre and other baking titles, events, EYBD Previews and more
• Food52 goes to the farm