Wynn Resorts debuted Monday an all-new vegan culinary program, bringing vegan menu options to every Wynn and Encore fine dining and casual restaurant around the world, including its popular steakhouse SW.

The company's award-winning chefs designed the vegan dishes.  In order for a dish to be considered vegan it must not have been made with any animal products. 

The new menu showcases healthy ingredients such as tofu and quinoa, while coconut milk and vegetable purees lend creaminess to risottos and sauces.

The restaurant industry is struggling to come out of recession according to a top industry analyst.

A new study by Kurt Salmon Global Consulting firm found that the restaurant sector's recovery from the most recent recession has been significantly slower compared to that of previous recessions.

The waiter has gone digital, thanks to a new phone app designed by technology firm Mobile Bytes LLC.

The Phoenix-based company is hoping to attract full service, fast casual, takeout and delivery oriented restaurants across the United States with its new application for iphone and Android operated mobile devices.

Take and bake pizza company, Papa Murphy's International, outpaced all pizza-industry competition in new store growth and U.S. system-wide sales in 2009.

According to the 37th Annual Nation's Restaurant News Top 100 census report, Papa Murphy's growth, based on year-over-year percentage change, in U.S. franchises from 2008 to 2009 landed the pizza chain among the top 10 restaurant franchises.  Papa Murphy's is the only pizza chain to secure a spot in the top 10.  Also making the list, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Jack in the Box and Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar.

A self-serve frozen yogurt franchise tops this year's Restaurant Business Magazine's Future 50 list.

According to the magazine, Menchie's Yogurt, Inc. is the fastest-growing growing franchise in the food industry.  Sales figures in 2009 for the self-service yogurt company were up 748 percent compared to the year before.

Texas-based Luby's, Inc. announced Monday that it completed the purchase of most of Fuddruckers, Inc.'s assets for approximately $63.5 million in cash.

Luby's, Inc. operates more than 250 restaurants around the United States and the world, including 56 company-operated Fuddruckers restaurants and 129 franchises.

Kraft Foods plans to significantly increase the whole grain content in its Nabisco cracker brands-- more than doubling the amount of whole grain currently used.

The change will take place over the next three years and affects the Wheat Thins, Honey Maid, Premium and Ritz brands.

Betonville, Ark. -- Fine artisan cheeses from England, France, Ireland, Italy and Spain will soon be sold in select Sam's Club locations starting in August.

Sam's Club made the announcement Thursday and the company expects to offer the new imported cheeses in more than 150 clubs late this fall. The additional product will include both regular and special seasonal items to complement Sam's Club domestic cheese offerings.

US airline Virgin America unveiled its summer menu this week and it features several fresh and seasonal options-- including a creation by famed pastry chef David Lebovitz.

The new first class summer menu includes a butterscotch pudding with vanilla bourbon mascarpone by pastry chef Lebovitz, formerly of Chez Panisse Restaurant in Berkeley, California.  Both the first and main cabin menus feature an assortment of fresh ingredients, including local fruits and vegetables, premium meats and artisan breads.

More people are having a cold one at home than at a bar or restaurant according to a new study released Thursday.

The survey released by Mintel Research found that people are consuming twice as many drinks at home as they do when they go out.  According to the survey, the average alcohol drinker consumes ten drinks at home a month versus 5.7 outside the home.

In move to boost the safety and security of the international banana supply chain, Chiquita Brands International recently hosted a Banana Trade Law Enforcement Conference in Antwerp, Belgium.

This first-ever, privately-sponsored law enforcement conference was developed by Chiquita to facilitate communication between industry partners and law enforcement agencies with the goal of securing the point-to-point security of all shipping vessels.

Glendale, CA -- Nestle USA Monday announced the launch of new Juicy Juice Sparkling, an all-natural, lightly carbonated fruit juice beverage.

"Kids love the refreshment of carbonated drinks--especially as they get older, become more independent and see other kids drinking them. However, sodas and other sugar-added drinks can lack the nutritional benefits that kids need, plus they are often loaded with artificial colors and flavors," said Victoria Nuevo-Celeste, brand manager for Juicy Juice in a press release. "Nestle Juicy Juice Sparkling is a great way to provide kids with a fizzy beverage that tastes great and is a nutritious option."

LOUISVILLE, KY -- If one bottle of tequila wasn't enough, tequila lovers can now buy an entire barrel.

Tequila Herradura kicked off its its exclusive buy-the-barrel program Thursday with Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Emmitt Smith purchasing his own barrel.

The program gives tequila connoisseurs the chance to order their very own Herradura Double Barrel Reposado.  When bottled, each barrel yields approximately 240 bottles of tequila.

MIAMI, June 10 -- Celebrity Cruises has teamed up with the Food Network to create the first "Food Network at Sea" program.

The Food Network is calling the cruise an invitation-only event that will take place in August on the megaship Celebrity Solstice.

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with Food Network to offer such enticing and exclusive experiences," said Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Dan Hanrahan. "This program is yet another demonstration of our 'Designed for you' brand platform, built around our longtime commitment to identifying and designing what our guests want. We know our guests enjoy cooking and great dining experiences, and many are followers of chefs such as those featured on this sailing, so this is a perfect pairing."

The Food Network says their Food Network at Sea program will allow fans to not only watch the network, but to experience it firsthand.

The Celebrity Solstice will set sail on August 22 for seven-nights in the eastern Caribbean.

Star chefs Cat Cora of Iron Chef and Aaron Sanchez of Chefs vs. City will offer live cooking demonstrations on board the ship.

To book the inaugural Food Network at Sea cruise on Celebrity Solstice, call Food Network Travel at 866-951-9925, or visit www.foodnetworktravel.com.

Editors note: Below is the press release from Chick-fil-A announcing the roll out of their newest sandwich.  What they fail to state is the sandwich's nutritional content: 420 calories, 72 percent of your daily recommended intake of sodium. Full details in post.

ATLANTA, June 7 -- Chick-fil-A® fans across the country have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the restaurant chain's new Spicy Chicken Sandwich. Beginning today, the sandwich is available at Chick-fil-A restaurants nationwide. It is the first new sandwich to hit menu boards since its Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich was introduced in 1989.

SILVER SPRING, Md., June 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Lifesoy Inc., a San Diego-based manufacturer of ready-to-eat soy products cited by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for preparing, packing, and holding articles of food under insanitary conditions, has entered into a consent decree of permanent injunction in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. The consent decree requires Lifesoy to stop manufacturing and distributing food products until the company registers with the FDA and complies with federal laws regarding sanitary practices.

WASHINGTON, June 4 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Foodservice today answered First Lady Michelle Obama's call to help schools promote healthy eating habits as part of the "Chefs Move to Schools" initiative.  The program, run through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, allows chefs to adopt K-12 schools across the United States to help reduce childhood obesity.

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