Summary

ringles has introduced its Once You Drop Halloween sweepstakes offering a custom precious metal urn and 200 years of free chipsThe activation draws inspiration from can inventor Fredric Baur whose ashes were buried inside one of his packaging designs in 2008Participants can enter by signing a digital will and taste-ament through October 22 with one winner chosen around October 31

Pringles has officially launched the Pringles "Once You Drop" Campaign, challenging die-hard snackers to trade their final resting place for a 200-year supply of chips. The tongue-in-cheek Halloween activation promises one winner a custom burial urn modeled directly after the brand's iconic cylindrical container.

The campaign leans into eccentric snack lore, drawing direct inspiration from Fredric Baur, the chemist and packaging pioneer who invented the tubular Pringles can. Following his passing in 2008, Baur’s family honored his final wish by placing a portion of his cremated remains inside a Pringles container before burial. Reviving that macabre legacy, the sweepstakes features a one-of-a-kind urn forged from precious metal, complete with a removable lid, personalized engraving, and the signature dimensions of the original canister.

Alongside the bespoke container, the winner receives what the brand terms an “afterlifetime” supply of chips spanning two centuries, which can be legally bequeathed to future heirs. “Pringles has always been about the joy of the unexpected and this campaign takes our ‘Once You Drop’ campaign tagline literally: the pop don’t stop, not even once fans ‘drop,’” said Mauricio Jenkins, Salty Snacks Brand & Content Lead at Mars Snacking North America. The rollout is further amplified by licensed funeral director Dan McDonald, known across social media as @DanTheFuneralMan, who headlines the promotional video.

The Pringles "Once You Drop" sweepstakes is open to legal US and Washington, DC residents aged 18 and older on Pringles.com through October 22 at 11:59 PM ET, with the winner notified around October 31.

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Chips Ahoy has partnered with Heinz in China to launch limited-edition tomato sweet chili sauce-flavored cookiesReleased under the Quduoduo brand the snack infuses crispy cookies with tomato and red chili seasoning across 170g boxesThe co-branded treat is currently available via Chinese retailers following an official launch on Weibo

Chips Ahoy has officially joined forces with condiment giant Heinz to release the Tomato Sweet Chili Flavored Cookies in China. The collaboration brings a savory, spicy twist to the traditional sweet snack under the cookie brand’s Chinese market name, Quduoduo.

Drawing direct flavor cues from Heinz’s signature tomato sweet chili sauce, the baked treats blend tangy tomato with crushed red chili peppers for a crispy, sweet, and spicy profile. The snack arrives in vibrant red and orange packaging displaying both brand logos alongside illustrations of ripe tomatoes, chili peppers, and an animated cookie mascot outfitted with chili-shaped horns.

Each 170g box houses eight individually wrapped snack packs for convenience. The release follows a broader wave of unconventional fast-food crossover pairings across China’s snack market, continuing an experimental trend seen in previous savory collaborations like KFC and Oreo’s fried chicken cookie and savory burger drops.

The limited-edition Chips Ahoy x Heinz Tomato Sweet Chili Flavored Cookies are available now via select Chinese retailers.

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In the world of mixology, the clearest sign that you’ve made it is a red ceremonial scarf, handed to every team that lands on The 50 Best Bars list. On October 7, that scarf made its last appearance of the year in Milan, where the global edition of The 50 Best Bars 2026 brought the international cocktail community to the city for the first time.

The ceremony took over the Palazzo del Ghiaccio, a Liberty-style landmark that opened in 1923 as Europe’s largest indoor ice rink and now hosts runway shows and gala nights. For one evening, the city that gave the world aperitivo culture became the center of it. Bartenders, bar owners and brands from 26 cities arrived via the red carpet for a drinks reception before the night’s main event.

Milan marked the final stop on a long road for Cointreau, which spent 2026 as the official sponsor of the iconic red scarf ceremony across all four of The 50 Best Bars 2026 ceremonies. That run took the scarf from North America to Asia and, for the very first time, to Europe. It was the brand’s second year as Official Orange Liqueur Partner, and it came with a promise of bigger, bolder moments at every stop under the “Shake It Up” banner. For a brand that has spent more than a century and a half inside some of the world’s most enduring cocktails, from the Margarita to the Sidecar and the Cosmopolitan, the tagline doubled as a statement of intent.

Cointreau Spicy, the brand’s chili-infused spin on its signature orange liqueur, carried that promise into the glass all season, with appearances in Vancouver and Amsterdam, where it starred in a Spicy Watermelon Margarita at the inaugural The 50 Best Bars Europe edition. In Milan, the Cointreau booth closed out the year with cocktails featuring both Cointreau L’Unique and Cointreau Spicy, including two standout serves created by the team at Lyaness: the Cointreau Bubbles, a vibrant celebration of orange in all its complexity, and the Spiced Carrot Margarita, a bold twist on the classic cocktail combining citrus, warming spice and savory notes. It was fitting that the Margarita took center stage. When Cointreau asked some of the world’s leading bartenders about the drinks defining the industry, the Margarita emerged as the clear favorite, named as both their cocktail of choice and the drink they’d most likely order to mark a special occasion. Orange liqueur is one of the three pillars of the classic, alongside tequila and lime, and Cointreau has long been the bottle bartenders reach for to hold that balance together. The Margarita’s simple formula is also why it keeps reinventing itself. Over the past decade it has gone frozen, smoky with mezcal and fruit-forward, and above all spicy, as chili-laced versions moved from off-menu bartender requests to fixtures on cocktail lists around the world. Rather than chase that shift, Cointreau Spicy builds the heat directly into the modifier, giving bartenders a new foundation for the drink, while the Spiced Carrot Margarita shows where the template can go next.

The biggest Cointreau moment of the night, though, took place onstage rather than at the booth, where the scarf’s red mirrors the ribbon that has wrapped every Cointreau bottle since 1849. Over the past two years, it has become one of the most recognizable sights in hospitality. Emma Sleight, Head of Content for The 50 Best Bars, described it as “one of the most powerful symbols in our industry,” adding that “it represents passion, creativity and relentless pursuit of excellence.”

When the countdown began, bar teams took the stage one by one from No. 50 upward and were draped in red, until the final scarf went to a name the room already knew well. Bar Leone has a special connection to that scarf, since Cointreau first dressed the world’s winners in red at the 2025 ceremony in Hong Kong, the same night Bar Leone took its first world title. Twelve months and one continent later, the Hong Kong bar wore it again.

What makes the win remarkable is how deliberately unflashy Bar Leone sets out to be, with co-founder Lorenzo Antinori modeling the Central bar on the neighborhood drinking spots of Rome’s Trastevere. His philosophy, Cocktail Popolari, translates to “cocktails for the people,” and it runs through everything from the wood paneling and football memorabilia to a bar menu built around smoked olives and a mortadella sandwich. There are no gimmicks, just classics made with care and service that makes a first-timer feel like a regular. Faye Huggett, Director of Community for The 50 Best Bars, said in a statement: “To be the first ever No.1 from Asia was already an outstanding achievement, of which Lorenzo and his team are hugely deserving, but to retain the title for a second consecutive year shows the true impact of Cocktail Popolari.”

Milan’s own Moebius Milano gave the host city a hometown moment of its own, rising to No.2 and earning the title of The Best Bar in Europe. Paris, for the first time, overtook London as Europe’s most represented city and drew level with Hong Kong and New York at four bars each. The Athens contingent that topped the Amsterdam list this summer also carried its momentum to the global stage, with Line landing at No.5 alongside the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award and The Bar in Front of the Bar climbing 28 places to No.19.

As the scarves came off and Milan’s bar crawl spilled into the night, the season made its case that the world’s best bars share a spirit more than a style: a Roman-style neighborhood joint in Hong Kong, a zero-waste lab in Athens and a hometown favorite in Milan, all wearing the same red. Bar Leone is already looking ahead, with a third Hong Kong bar set to open at Rosewood Hong Kong in November. And for Cointreau, after a year spent dressing the world’s best in its signature color, the red scarf has become the industry’s shorthand for making it to the top.

Please Drink Responsibly.

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Summary

Kraft Natural Cheese has shrunk its signature Grated Cheese shaker into Pocket Parm, a miniature bottle designed to hang from a bagEach bottle comes with a clip and a colorful collectible charm, blurring the line between pantry staple and accessoryThe mini bottles preview Tomato Basil Parmesan, Garlic Herb Parmesan and Cheddar ahead of their full-size rollout

Kraft Natural Cheese has unveiled Pocket Parm, a scaled-down take on its familiar Grated Cheese bottle that clips onto a bag so fans can carry Parmesan on the go. Released as a limited-edition drop, the miniature bottles also serve as an early preview of three new grated flavors set to join the Kraft lineup in full size next year.

The design keeps everything recognizable about the classic shaker, just shrunk down to pocket proportions and fitted with a clip that attaches to bag straps, belt loops or keyrings. Each bottle ships with a brightly colored charm meant to be collected, giving the piece a second life as a bag accessory once the cheese inside runs out.

What’s inside matters just as much as the shape, since Pocket Parm is the first chance to try a trio of new grated varieties. Tomato Basil Parmesan and Garlic Herb Parmesan bring seasoning blends to the brand’s best-known cheese, while Grated Cheddar expands the format beyond Parmesan altogether. All three are slated to hit shelves nationwide in their standard size in January 2027.

Rather than stocking shelves, Kraft is handing the bottles out through a custom mobile billboard truck outfitted with an oversized, cheese-themed dispenser. The truck began rolling through Los Angeles on October 13 and heads to Orlando the week of October 26, with supplies capped and available only until they run out.

The scarcity is the point, borrowing the limited-drop mechanics that typically drive sneaker and streetwear releases and applying them to a grocery staple. The release also lands squarely within the ongoing bag charm boom, where clip-on trinkets have become a go-to way for brands to put a playful spin on their products. “Parmesan has always been a staple for pasta, but we think it deserves a lot more real estate on the plate,” said Dhriti Batra, Director of Kraft Natural Cheese at Lactalis Heritage Dairy, in a press release. “After all, if you can Parm almost anything, why not take the Parm everywhere?”

The stunt comes from a brand with deep roots, as Kraft Natural Cheese dates back to 1904 and now sits within the Lactalis Heritage Dairy portfolio. Its Grated Parmesan earned a Gold Medal at the 2026 World Championship Cheese Contest earlier this year, giving the miniature bottle some serious credentials to back up its novelty.

Pocket Parm is available in limited quantities through the end of October via the Kraft Natural Cheese mobile billboard truck, which is touring Los Angeles from October 13 and Orlando the week of October 26. The full-size Tomato Basil Parmesan, Garlic Herb Parmesan and Grated Cheddar launch nationwide in January 2027.

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Summary

Michelin-starred Andō and Bangkok’s Wana Yook partnered for a "Fire & Water" collaboration.Following a sold-out Hong Kong leg, the exchange moves to Bangkok on October 15, 2026.The menu pairs Thai heat with Andō’s signature ocean-inspired seafood dishes.

Following its two-night Hong Kong run last week, Andō x Wana Yook is preparing to take the second chapter of its two-city collaboration to Bangkok on October 15, 2026. The exchange brings together Andō founder and Executive Chef Agustin Ferrando Balbi and Wana Yook’s Thai-Indian chef and co-owner Chalee Kader, pairing two Michelin-starred restaurants whose cooking is closely tied to personal history and place.

Framed around “Fire & Water,” the concept assigns fire to Kader’s bold use of heat, spice and aromatics in Thai cooking, while Balbi responds through water — seafood, citrus, chilled preparations and oceanic flavors informed by Andō’s Japanese-leaning precision. Rather than forcing the two approaches into a single style, the collaboration is conceived as a dialogue between them. After debuting at Andō in Hong Kong, the exchange concludes at Wana Yook in Bangkok on October 15, with prices starting at ฿5,900 THB (approx. $176 USD) per guest.

The Hong Kong event offered a preview of that conversation, opening with Wana Yook’s Kao Soi, layering herbs and crisp textures around a beef curry, before Andō answered with a tart of kinmedai, lemon gel, uni and baby basil. Kader’s Kung Chae Naam Pla paired amaebi with turmeric, lime, chilli, pomelo and bitter gourd, while Balbi countered its heat with cured buri, citric panna cotta and ginger-lime granita.

Later courses moved between Wana Yook’s warming Tom Jiw of Scallops and Andō’s crisp-scaled Coral Grouper with Seaweed, Crêpe and Maitake, before the two approaches converged around rice: coconut rice accompanied Wana Yook’s Melayu-influenced Curry Tumis and Hormok Morel, the latter stuffing morels with fish mousse and red curry paste. Desserts continued the exchange with Andō’s Air Chocolate, Coconut and Dulce de Leche, followed by Wana Yook’s taro-filled Bua Loy and Andō’s fig and ricotta tart.

The collaboration also reflects the distinct identities the two restaurants have developed independently. Wana Yook, set inside a century-old Bangkok house, builds its contemporary Thai tasting menus around regional recipes and khao gaeng, the everyday tradition of eating rice with curries and accompaniments, translating those familiar formats through Kader’s fine-dining vocabulary.

Andō, meanwhile, has become particularly associated with Balbi’s deeply personal “Sin Lola”, an evolving arroz caldoso inspired by the rice his Spanish grandmother prepared during his childhood in Argentina; it has remained on the restaurant’s menu since opening in 2020. Other recurring signatures have included “Departure,” centered around raw Japanese seafood, and Balbi’s take on alfajores, drawing another line back to his Latin American roots.

Together, those dishes encapsulate Andō’s broader character - Argentine and Spanish memories expressed through techniques and sensibilities Balbi developed during his years cooking in Japan - a personal approach that forms the “Water” side of his dialogue with Wana Yook in Bangkok.

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Summary

Jackson Wang’s Under The Castle teased a spooky Halloween-themed McDonald's Hong Kong collaboration.The "Trick or Cheese" menu highlights two reimaginedSignature Angus burgers, including a bold black-bun variation.Bespoke fast-food packaging features a suit-wearing pumpkin character and floating ghost motifs.

Jackson Wang’s Under The Castle is extending its Halloween world into another Hong Kong crossover, with McDonald’s Hong Kong teasing an upcoming collaboration built around the fantasy IP’s macabre-but-playful visual language. Created and creatively directed by Wang, Under The Castle recently made its Hong Kong debut through Ocean Park’s Halloween Fest 2026, where its gothic storytelling expanded into haunted experiences, themed food and limited merchandise.

In the teaser image, McDonald’s menu boards have been transformed with a dark backdrop, decorated with gold borders as well as the Under The Castle branding, and fronted by the IP’s orange PUMPKIE character and ghost motifs. A “Trick or Cheese” Signature Collection appears to lead the food offering with two 100% Angus beef burgers: one presented on a glossy golden bun and another given a dramatic Halloween treatment with a jet-black bun scattered with sesame seeds, both visibly stacked with fried cheese sticks, beef patties, caramelized onions and cheese slices.

Alongside that, a “Shake or Treat” promotion spotlights seasoned Shake Shake Fries, while a co-branded Oreo McFlurry can also be seen at the edge of the menu display. The takeover continues into the packaging, including a kraft-paper bag illustrated with PUMPKIE running beneath a swarm of white ghosts, a matching drink cup and a green-and-white Shake Shake Fries pack featuring the same hand-drawn character treatment. Full launch details, including an official release date and complete product lineup, are not disclosed in the teaser itself. But it's highly likely that this collaboration will be officially announced in the coming weeks to coincide with Halloween.

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Starbucks has reportedly been working with advisers on a possible proposal to acquire Chipotle Mexican GrillThe coffee giant’s market value is close to triple Chipotle’s, though analysts warn a deal could strain its finances mid-turnaroundNeither company has confirmed the talks, and it is unclear whether a formal offer will follow

Starbucks is reportedly exploring a takeover of Chipotle Mexican Grill, according to the Financial Times. The coffee chain has spent recent months consulting advisers on a potential proposal for the fast-casual brand, which carries a valuation of nearly $39 billion USD. Neither company has publicly addressed the reported discussions.

On paper, the size gap is significant. Starbucks holds a market capitalization of roughly $107 billion USD, making it around 2.7 times larger than its potential target. Even so, swallowing a company of Chipotle’s scale would not come cheap, and financing is already emerging as the central question. “A deal could require heavy borrowing or issuing shares,” said Lale Akoner, global market strategist at eToro. “Without a compelling financial case, investors may view the deal as an expensive distraction.”

The footprint numbers tell a different story. Chipotle closed out 2025 with close to 4,000 restaurants in the US and only about 100 abroad, while Starbucks operates approximately 40,000 stores globally. That imbalance is the core of the bullish case. Northcoast Research analyst Jim Sanderson pointed to Starbucks’ licensed partnerships in Europe as a potential launchpad for pushing Chipotle overseas at a much faster clip.

Markets reacted quickly. Chipotle stock rose about 6% on Thursday, October 8, after the report surfaced, while Starbucks shares slipped roughly 3%. The bump offers some relief for Chipotle, whose share price has fallen by almost half since Niccol exited in 2024, a stretch marked by softer foot traffic and climbing food and labor costs.

Starbucks’ own metrics show a turnaround still in progress. Niccol took over as CEO in September 2024 after six years at the helm of Chipotle, where he steered the brand through its food safety fallout and built out its digital ordering arm. At Starbucks, his strategy has centered on shorter waits, better staffing and refreshed stores, backed by a labor commitment of at least $500 million USD that has weighed on margins. The company has now posted four straight quarters of comparable sales growth, though Niccol conceded in July that the job is not yet done.

For now, the numbers remain hypothetical. Both chains are contending with higher operating expenses and more cautious consumer spending, and until either side confirms the talks or a formal offer materializes, the deal exists only as a report.

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Toho Co. Ltd and North American movie theaters have released a towering 20-inch Godzilla popcorn bucketThe 85-ounce sculpted figure costs $90 USD and opens via an access hatch along the monster's backThe release arrives alongside traditional $20 to $35 USD buckets and $20 to $30 USD collectible drink cups

Toho Co., Ltd. and theater chains across North America have unleashed a massive Godzilla Popcorn Bucket in celebration of Godzilla Minus Zero. The centerpiece container stretches the definition of theater concessions, standing nearly 20 inches tall with an 85-ounce snack capacity.

Designed to look like a full-scale kaiju figure, the $90 USD collectible opens through a rear compartment panel positioned along Godzilla's back. The sculpted piece has quickly gone viral across social media, drawing reactions over its sheer size, lap-bound practicality, and premium price point.

For fans looking for a lighter haul, participating theaters are also offering traditional bucket-shaped containers priced between $20 USD and $35 USD. The concession lineup is completed by two collectible drink cups, including a $20 USD ocean-emerging Godzilla lid and a $30 USD Heat Ray Drink Bottle shaped like the monster's open jaw firing a beam.

The Godzilla Minus Zero popcorn bucket and concession collection is available now across nearly 3,000 participating theaters in the U.S. and Canada ahead of the film's November 6, 2026 premiere.

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One-Diamond restaurant The Chinese Library debuts its new seasonal menu in Hong Kong.Executive Chef Junno Li highlights clay pot braised eel, king crab dumplings, and seasonal desserts.Offerings complement signatures like Imperial Peking Duck and Manuka honey-glazed BBQ pork.

Set within Hong Kong's historic Police Headquarters at Tai Kwun, The Chinese Library has officially welcomed the fall season with a new culinary collection crafted by Executive Chef Junno Li. Recognized with One Diamond in the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide for three consecutive years (2024 – 2026) and recently named among Time Out's Best Restaurants of 2026, the dining destination is renowned for celebrating the breadth of China's diverse regional cuisines.

The new seasonal menu features a selection of hearty and delicate dishes designed to complement the changing weather. Standout additions include a bubbling Braised Eel with Shiso Leaves and Fermented Black Beans in a clay pot, alongside a punchy Braised Pork Neck paired with black vinegar and house spices. For lighter, comforting profiles, diners can explore the Simmered Radish in Chicken Broth with Hunan Smoked Pork or the Braised Alaskan King Crab Meat with Bamboo Fungus.

Chef Junno has also introduced new dim sum creations, such as the Alaskan King Crab Dumpling and a Steamed Winter Melon Soup Dumpling, which are complemented by refreshing seasonal desserts like a Dark Chocolate Mousse with Salted Lemon Sorbet and a playful Melon Ice-Cream with Seaweed Jelly.

While the seasonal additions highlight Chef Junno's latest innovations, The Chinese Library remains highly celebrated for its beloved signature dishes that anchor its contemporary Chinese repertoire. Guests frequenting the restaurant - or its popular Unlimited Dim Sum Brunch served on weekends and public holidays - can indulge in timeless staples such as the Wok-fried Fish Maw with Mushroom, the deeply flavorful BBQ Pork Loin Glazed with New Zealand Manuka Honey, and the show-stopping Roasted 45-day Imperial Peking Duck. The venue's dim sum mainstays, including the Wagyu Beef and Black Pepper Puffs and Black Truffle Har Gau, continue to showcase the kitchen's meticulous craftsmanship and dedication to elevating classic Hong Kong dining traditions.

The Chinese Library
Block 01, Tai Kwun, Police Headquarters,
10 Hollywood Rd, Central, Hong Kong

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Dom Pérignon has enlisted Damien Hirst for its end-of-year 2026 limited edition.

The release covers two vintages, Dom Pérignon Vintage 2018 and Rosé Vintage 2010, both dressed in artwork drawn from the British artist's Kaleidoscope series.

The collaboration centres on the house's familiar shield-shaped label. Hirst has filled it with a dense, symmetrical pattern that repeats across the bottle and its gift box. The shield stays in place, but it is now one element in a larger repeating composition rather than a plain frame. A black neck collar reads "Limited Edition" above Hirst's signature.

Each vintage gets its own colour. Vintage 2018 comes in deep blues and violets, which the house links to infinity and spirituality. Rosé Vintage 2010 takes a palette of magenta, red and pink, meant to reflect the Pinot Noir at the heart of the blend. Matching boxes carry the full kaleidoscope pattern, with the shield set at the centre in silver.

Hirst is the latest in a long run of artists and creators to work with the house over nearly three decades. Earlier names include Andy Warhol, Marc Newson, Jeff Koons, the estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Takashi Murakami, Karl Lagerfeld, David Lynch, Lenny Kravitz and Lady Gaga.

The Dom Pérignon x Damien Hirst Vintage 2018 Limited Edition Gift Box is priced at £230, and the Rosé Vintage 2010 Limited Edition Gift Box at £405. Both are available now from Selfridges in London.

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BAO celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival with a special set menu running through October 25.The menu centers on communal platters and guest-chef BBQ skewers.Highlights include Sacha Wagyu BAO, Xinjiang Lamb, Khao Jee Sticky Rice and Moon Face BAO.

BAO is extending its Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations into October with a dedicated Moon Festival Set Menu, following the one-day Moon Market held outside BAO Borough on September 24. Drawing on the festival’s traditions of gathering, abundance and communal dining, the menu will be served at BAO King’s Cross, City, Borough and Marylebone from September 29 through October 25, with generous sharing platters intended to be ordered by the whole table. The seasonal program builds on BAO’s Taiwanese-inspired approach to buns and small plates, which has shaped the London restaurant group since founders Shing Tat Chung, Erchen Chang and Wai Ting Chung opened its first permanent Soho location in 2015.

Priced at £35 GBP (approx. $46 USD) per person, the set menu opens with an individual Westholme x BAO Grilled Sacha Wagyu BAO, combining North Australian wagyu striploin marinated in umami-rich shacha sauce with braised shallots and daikon pickle. From there, the meal shifts into a communal platter of guest-chef BBQ skewers created by several of BAO’s industry friends. Mambow’s Abby Lee contributes Malay Chipirones, pairing grilled baby squid with squid ink and kaffir lime curry sauce, while culinary artist Nil Mutluer, also known as Heal Goblin, serves Xinjiang Lamb seasoned with cumin, coriander and chilli. Miga’s Mr Ko adds a Korean BBQ Ribeye skewer with sake and pickled celery, and Singburi’s Sirichai Kularbwong looks to a childhood favorite for his Khao Jee Sticky Rice, coating egg-washed sticky rice cakes with Maggi sauce and finishing them with pork floss. Smacked cucumbers, kimchi and lard soy rice round out the shared spread. Dessert continues the lunar theme with BAO’s Moon Face BAO, a special-edition bun filled with salted egg custard.

Several elements of the celebration will also be available separately across all BAO locations from September 29, including the Moon Face BAO for £6 GBP (approx. $8 USD), the Westholme collaboration bun for £7.50 GBP (approx. $10 USD) and a Suntory Toki Apple Highball for £10 GBP (approx. $13 USD), developed around citrus, spice and warming autumn flavors. As BAO co-founder and creative director Erchen Chang notes, the wider program interprets Mid-Autumn Festival as a moment of reunion and shared food at the close of the harvest season, a theme reflected most directly in the menu’s table-wide, family-style format.

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Kraft Dinner has collaborated with Toronto-based Solly's Craft Soda on a cheesy cream sodaThe limited-edition beverage combines traditional sweet cream soda notes with a savory mac and cheese finishThe drink launches exclusively in Canada on Amazon before hitting select retail shelves in October

Kraft Dinner and Solly's Craft Soda have officially introduced KD x Solly’s Cream Soda, marking the food giant's wild first foray into the soft drink aisle. The unexpected Canadian-exclusive collab delivers a sweet and savory carbonated beverage designed for adventurous palate.

Formulated in Toronto by Solly's Craft Soda founder Adin Wener, the drink pairs classic cream soda notes with a distinct hint of Kraft Dinner’s signature cheese powder profile. Built on Solly's core base, the formula utilizes real cane sugar, clocks in at 45 calories, and offers a low-sugar alternative that acts as a source of fiber.

According to Kraft Heinz Head of Marketing Daniel Lundberg, the novelty release aims to spark debate and satisfy curiosity among die-hard KD fans. The release follows previous experimental food crossovers from Kraft Heinz, continuing the brand's push into unexpected product categories.

KD x Solly’s Cream Soda launched on September 23, 2026, exclusively in Canada, with a broader rollout at participating retailers including Walmart arriving in early October 2026.

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Starbucks Japan's first Pokémon collaboration drink uses golden honey to stand in for Pikachu's yellow and a heart-shaped topping for its red cheeksThe recipe came from an internal barista competition that drew more than 700 Pokémon-themed entries from across the countryA 41-item merchandise range features original artwork of baristas and Pokémon bonding over coffee

Pokémon and Starbucks Japan have launched their collaboration with the Pikachu Honey Cream Latte, an iced espresso drink built around Pokémon's best-known character. The drink leads a wider release that includes 41 pieces of merchandise featuring original artwork, along with Starbucks Card and eGift designs.

The latte gets its Pikachu look from its ingredients. Honey gives the drink a golden color that stands in for Pikachu's yellow, while honey and caramel add sweetness that balances the espresso. A layer of honey-flavored whipped cream goes on top, finished with a heart-shaped topping that represents Pikachu's red cheeks. The drink is served iced in Tall size only, and Starbucks designed it to appeal to customers who don't usually drink coffee.

The recipe came from inside Starbucks. For the collaboration, Starbucks Japan held the Pokémon + Starbucks Barista Battle, which invited baristas nationwide to submit Pokémon-themed drink ideas. More than 700 recipes were entered, six finalists created their drinks, and the winning recipe came from Junko Nitta of the Koriyama Asaka store. Her recipe is now on the menu at Starbucks stores across Japan.

Each latte comes with one collaboration sticker featuring the same original artwork used on the merchandise. That artwork, by illustrator Hikaru Ichijo, covers all 41 merchandise items. The series includes 12 illustrations showing Pokémon and baristas building friendships over coffee and new communities forming around it. Ichijo left the human figures faceless on purpose, so anyone can picture themselves in the scenes. The art is paired with eight short written stories. They follow a coffee-driven adventure from a first cup through the search for ingredients and the craft of brewing, ending on the idea that the journey keeps going.

The Pikachu Honey Cream Latte is available from September 30 through October 8 at Starbucks stores across Japan, excluding select locations. The 41-piece merchandise range launches the same day.

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Summary

Audemars Piguet, Cartier and Fendi reinterpret the festival lantern in metal, layered paper and woodGucci, Longines and Louis Vuitton trade pastry for play with xiangqi boards and spinning tops built for family gatheringsWatchmakers, automakers and streetwear labels translate signature hardware and logos into collectible packaging

For more than 3,000 years, the Mid-Autumn Festival has gathered families beneath the year's brightest full moon. The Cantonese mooncake, with its glazed crust wrapped around lotus seed paste and salted egg yolk, remains the culinary heart of the holiday and a gesture of reunion shared across generations. This year's luxury sets build on that spirit, weaving the festival's defining symbols of the moon, the lantern and the rabbit into pieces that honor the rituals families return to each autumn.

Audemars Piguet leads this year's selection with a set that captures the festival in a single object. The lantern, long carried through the streets on festival night, is the defining motif of 2026. The watchmaker's version is an octagonal metal lantern with a peaked roof and laser-cut panels traced with circles and the AP monogram. When lit, it glows over a mooncake stamped with the same initials, while two white rabbit figurines keep watch below. The rabbits nod to the Jade Rabbit of Chinese legend, said to live on the moon.

Cartier layers red paper edged in gold into a scalloped lantern whose glowing core is cut with lotus flowers and running rabbits, set on a round burgundy base. Fendi delivers a portable take in blond wood and cream, finished with a yellow leather handle and tassel and a gold medallion that circles two rabbits with the phases of the moon.

The moon itself takes center stage at Gucci, where a matte black box is scattered with white lunar phases. Inside is a xiangqi board embossed with the GG monogram, perfect to lay out at family gatherings. Longines plays on the same idea with a navy folding board whose horse pieces swap characters for equine silhouettes, a fitting touch for a brand with deep equestrian ties. Louis Vuitton extends the play theme with three wooden spinning tops in Monogram flower and star motifs, presented in a round wood case atop a trunk-style box that recalls the house's travel heritage.

Tea, the traditional companion to mooncakes, shapes the EVISU set. The label pairs a speckled green matcha bowl with a bamboo whisk and a small matching vessel, each marked with its gold gull. Harry Winston centers the act of sharing with a blue-toned cut-crystal bonbonnière and gold floral finial, set out beside a gold-lidded mooncake tin.

Several houses bring their own heritage to the table, meeting the festival's traditions with codes of their own. Ferrari mounts a Prancing Horse gate plate and polished shift knob onto a black drawer cabinet, pairing it with a horse-stamped mooncake. Panerai's glass cube, printed with rising bubbles, hints at the brand's naval roots. Rolex wraps its crown-stamped mooncakes in a bold color-block grid of its own letterforms inside the signature green box. Versace keeps it minimal in crisp white with a wordmark-stamped mooncake, and Prada presents an engraved dark wood box with mint and yellow cartons and a mooncake patterned with triangles.

The lifestyle and streetwear names offer the most playful interpretations, carrying the tradition into a contemporary vocabulary. BAPE molds both its camo tin and its mooncake into the Ape Head, while HUMAN MADE pairs a glossy red heart-logo tin with a yellow duck figure and a heart-shaped chocolate mooncake. Ralph's Coffee stages a tiny campsite complete with a striped-awning trailer, a bear figure holding a pitcher and a camp chair holding a coffee cup-stamped mooncake, an open-air setting in keeping with moon-gazing under the autumn sky. agnès b. rounds things out with a pine box punched through with stars, a starry night rendered in wood.

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The release of The Dalmore Aged 17 Years marks the distillery's first addition to its Principal Collection in four years, bringing a fresh layer of intention to high-end single malts. Standing out visually with its vivid purple presentation box—secured with a sleek magnetic closure—the bottle retains the brand's iconic 12-point silver Royal Stag emblem, a nod to royal heritage dating back to 1263. While steeped in tradition, the aesthetic feels distinctly modern. The eye-catching packaging and sculptural bottle design easily double as a centerpiece, bridging the gap between centuries-old Scottish craft and modern, display-worthy luxury.

What elevates this release is the sheer craftsmanship. Building on an exclusive century-old partnership with renowned sherry producer González Byass, The Dalmore secured access to some of the world's most sought-after casks. The spirit spends its initial years in American white oak ex-Bourbon barrels before being finished across a rare trilogy of sherry casks: Apóstoles, Amoroso, and Matusalem Oloroso. It’s the only distillery with access to this precise trio, resulting in a complex flavor profile defined by Seville orange, sweet toffee, dark chocolate, and subtle spice.

Beyond the tasting notes, this bottle carries a distinct cultural weight. It represents a shift in how legacy spirits are consumed, moving away from dusty sideboards into vibrant social settings centered around shared experiences, food, and elevated design. Priced at $250 USD, it sits in that sweet spot for discerning whisky fans: premium enough to signify status and taste, but grounded in genuine rarity rather than superficial hype. It mirrors the modern luxury mindset where the backstory, visual identity, and exclusivity matter just as much as the product itself.

Without overtly trying, the release speaks the language of modern collector culture. It hits every hallmark of a classic "drop"—extreme scarcity driven by exclusive cask access, a distinct visual identity, and a sense of progression for those in the know. Just as collectors hunt for rare collaborations or limited archive pieces, bottle enthusiasts look for unique craftsmanship stories. The Dalmore 17-Year-Old captures that exact energy, transforming a classic Highland single malt into an object of status, curation, and conversation.

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Summary

Heinz has launched Simply Spicy Ketchup and Simply Pickle Ketchup, the first flavored additions to its Simply lineupBoth varieties rework the brand's best-selling flavored ketchups around a simplified ingredient listSimply Spicy gets its heat from real jalapeños, while Simply Pickle layers a tangy, briny profile over Heinz's signature tomato base

Heinz has introduced Simply Spicy Ketchup and Simply Pickle Ketchup, expanding its Simply line with its first flavored varieties. Both build on the stripped-back recipe philosophy behind the original Simply ketchup and bring it to two of the brand's most popular flavor profiles.

The foundation is the original Heinz Simply ketchup, which uses just seven real ingredients and contains no artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners or preservatives. Heinz says the recipe keeps the thick, rich texture its classic ketchup is known for, so the shorter ingredient list doesn't come at the cost of consistency. The new flavors take cues from Heinz's top-selling flavored ketchups and rebuild them to fit the same simplified standard.

Simply Spicy blends ripe red tomatoes with spices and real jalapeños, relying on actual peppers for its heat rather than a flavoring shortcut. Heinz pitches it as an all-purpose kick for burgers, chicken and even scrambled eggs.

Simply Pickle keeps Heinz's familiar tomato base and adds a bright, briny pickle flavor for a sharper, tangier finish. It's aimed at the classic ketchup pairings, including hot dogs, fries and sandwiches, where a hit of acidity cuts through richer foods.

The timing tracks with shifting shopper habits. Heinz cites figures showing that two in three shoppers actively look for simple, recognizable ingredient lists, while 85% say taste remains a priority when choosing food. On the flavor side, the brand points to 95% of consumers reporting that they enjoy hot and spicy foods in 2026, and year-over-year category sales growth of more than 30% for pickle-flavored products.

Heinz Simply Spicy Ketchup and Simply Pickle Ketchup are rolling out now at retailers nationwide.

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Summary

KFC UK and high-protein cereal brand Surreal have joined forces on KFCereal, a savory take on breakfast modeled on the chain's Original Recipe chickenInstead of milk, the brands suggest drowning each bowl in KFC gravyThe limited-edition box is sold only through Surreal's UK webstore while supplies last

KFC UK and Surreal have launched KFCereal, a limited-edition breakfast cereal flavored after the fast food chain's Original Recipe chicken. The pairing swaps the usual splash of milk for KFC gravy, marking KFC's first move into the cereal aisle.

Flavor leads the spec sheet. The crunchy cereal is seasoned with KFC's closely guarded blend of 11 herbs and spices, giving it a savory profile far removed from the sweet, fruity and chocolate varieties that usually fill the category.

The nutrition leans on Surreal's high-protein formula. Despite its fried chicken inspiration, KFCereal delivers 19g of protein and only 1g of sugar, keeping it in line with the functional positioning Surreal is known for.

Then comes the gravy. Rather than milk, KFC recommends topping the cereal with its signature gravy, and it positions the release squarely at die-hard fans, curious cereal eaters and anyone bold enough to make the switch. KFC brand manager Elspeth Allen framed the idea simply: "Our 11 herbs and spices have been doing a pretty good job on chicken," she said, explaining that the team wanted to test the seasoning at breakfast.

KFCereal is available now exclusively via Surreal's UK website.

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Summary

AMC Theatres has unveiled an exclusive wearable popcorn bucket modeled after Guile's flat-top hairstyle for the upcoming 'Street Fighter' movieThe plastic collectible headpiece features a concave center to hold popcorn alongside a functional chin strap and dog tag necklaceOther theater chains including Regal Marcus Theatres and Cinemark will offer non-wearable versions priced from $19.95 to $39.95 USD

AMC Theatres and the upcoming Street Fighter movie have officially revealed the Guile Wearable Popcorn Bucket. Unveiled by WWE star Cody Rhodes, who portrays Guile in the film, the exclusive collectible transforms the character's signature flat-top hair into a functional piece of wearable movie merchandise.

Molded as a plastic bust of Guile’s hair, the bucket features a concave cutout at the top designed to hold popcorn directly inside the hairstyle. The item ships with a functional chin strap to keep the bucket secure while wearing it, as well as a custom Street Fighter dog tag necklace. While AMC holds the exclusive release for the wearable flat-top design, other participating cinema chains including Regal, Marcus Theatres, and Cinemark will sell non-wearable collectible merchandise options.

Advance tickets for Street Fighter go on sale on September 21, 2026, through participating theater locations and online platforms.

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Summary

G-DRAGON and McDonald’s launch a Gochujang Butter menu across 13 Asian markets.Highlights include a K-Crispy Thigh Burger, Chicken McNuggets and Korean-inspired sides and desserts.PEACEMINUSONE branding extends across packaging, collectibles and limited-edition merchandise.

G-DRAGON has joined forces with McDonald’s for a new Asia-wide collaboration centred on the Gochujang Butter menu, bringing his distinctly Korean cultural and visual language to the fast-food chain across 13 markets.

The campaign launched in Hong Kong and South Korea simultaneously on September 17, marking the first time McDonald’s Hong Kong has aligned its release with the Korean market. At its centre is a Gochujang Butter Sauce developed by McDonald’s Korea and inspired by Korea’s longstanding jang fermentation culture, balancing the savoury, gently spicy character of gochujang with the richness of butter for a sweet, creamy and lightly piquant finish.

Leading the Hong Kong menu is the Gochujang Butter K-Crispy Thigh Burger, which layers a whole crispy chicken thigh with the signature sauce, a slice of pineapple and romaine lettuce, allowing the gochujang’s spice and umami to play against buttery richness and a sweeter tropical note. The sauce also appears as a dip for Chicken McNuggets, while the broader Korean-inspired menu extends to Korean Barbecue and returning Honey Butter Shake Shake Fries, alongside a Jeju Satsuma Nata de Coco soda. Dessert offerings include a Sweetheart Crunchy OREO McFlurry finished with pink heart-shaped crisps and Salted Caramel Mini Churros, giving the rollout a more comprehensive food-and-drink treatment rather than limiting the collaboration to a single signature item.

Beyond the menu, G-DRAGON’s influence is most visible through PEACEMINUSONE, with his fashion label’s signature daisy reworking familiar McDonald’s iconography throughout the campaign. Promotional visuals place motifs such as the Golden Arches, fries and classic red packaging within G-DRAGON’s design vocabulary, while the Hong Kong food packaging combines PEACEMINUSONE daisies with McDonald’s branding and a specially created red “MCD” heart graphic.

The release will continue in stages: limited “I’M M FAN” collectible cards arrive on September 21, followed on September 23 by PEACEMINUSONE collaborative merchandise including a retro McDonald’s cap, metal pins and a canvas tote.

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Summary

Sanrio and Burger King are reportedly set to release a collaborative six-piece collectible figure seriesThe collection features Hello Kitty Kuromi Cinnamoroll My Melody and Keroppi outfitted with signature fast-food accessoriesThe lineup includes a rare Gold Hello Kitty variant and is expected to follow Burger King's upcoming Dragon Ball Super campaign

Sanrio and Burger King are reportedly linking up for an exclusive collectible figure collaboration. The upcoming fast-food partnership is set to feature Sanrio's iconic mascot Hello Kitty alongside her fan-favorite co-stars across a limited-edition toy lineup.

According to reports, the collection will feature six distinct collectible figures including Hello Kitty, Kuromi, Cinnamoroll, My Melody, and Keroppi. Each character is customized with signature Burger King motifs, depicted either wearing the fast-food chain's traditional paper crown or holding staple meal items. The roll-out also reportedly highlights an ultra-rare Gold Hello Kitty variant, which will be distributed in limited quantities to select customers.

The reported promotion arrives amidst Sanrio's broader pop-culture expansion and is scheduled to follow an upcoming Burger King partnership with Dragon Ball Super. The Hello Kitty toy series is expected to debut immediately following the conclusion of the anime fast-food campaign.

The Hello Kitty x Burger King collectible collection is expected to launch at participating Burger King locations following the brand's Dragon Ball Super campaign.

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