By Steven Raichlen, 5-time James Beard Award-winner and Barbecue Hall of Famer July 3, 2026 Two hundred and fifty years. The milestone is as monumental as the nation it commemorates. As America stands on the cusp of its semiquincentennial, a powerful question arises: what defines this enduring republic? Beyond the hallowed halls of governance and […]

CHARLOTTE, NC – In the heart of the American South, where culinary traditions often lean toward slow-smoked barbecue and fried staples, a different kind of flame-kissed tradition has taken root. VIVA Chicken, the Charlotte-born powerhouse of Peruvian-inspired rotisserie, has announced a major cultural and culinary activation to honor its roots. On Tuesday, July 28, the […]

The Fourth of July is a time for gathering, for fireworks, and for indulging in delicious, patriotic treats. This year, elevate your dessert spread with charming and incredibly easy-to-make Fresh Cherry Hand Pies. Crafted using the magic of store-bought puff pastry, these portable delights offer a burst of sweet and tart cherry filling encased in […]

By Steven Raichlen, 5-time James Beard Award-winner and Barbecue Hall of Famer July 3, 2026 As the United States stands on the cusp of its 250th anniversary, a landmark achievement that resonates with the echoes of revolution and resilience, it’s a poignant moment to reflect on the enduring traditions that have shaped this nation. Among […]

SHALIMAR, FL – In the competitive landscape of the American Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) industry, few items hold as much cultural weight as fried chicken. As the nation prepares for the dual festivities of the Fourth of July weekend and National Fried Chicken Day on July 6, Lee’s Famous Recipe® Chicken has announced a high-velocity […]

Seoul, South Korea – June 21, 2026 – The K-Pop landscape is abuzz with news of substantial structural changes within the controversial girl group VVS. In a recent video released on the group’s official YouTube channel, producer and creator Paul Thompson revealed that VVS has officially transitioned to an independent artist model, a move that […]

Introduction: A Festive Centerpiece That Tastes as Good as It Looks The Fourth of July, a holiday synonymous with vibrant celebrations, backyard barbecues, and a spirit of patriotism, calls for a dessert that truly embodies the festive occasion. While an abundance of red, white, and blue treats flood the culinary landscape, from intricate pies to […]

For the modern American, the Declaration of Independence is a static, sacred object. It resides behind bulletproof glass and a titanium frame at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., a silent sentinel of the nation’s founding. Yet, as historian Emily Sneff reveals in her groundbreaking new book, When the Declaration of Independence Was News, there […]

In the collective American imagination, the Declaration of Independence is a static, sacred object—a sheet of yellowed parchment housed safely behind bulletproof glass and titanium frames at the National Archives. It is viewed as the "birth certificate" of a nation, an immutable decree that instantly transformed thirteen colonies into a sovereign power. However, as historian […]