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Star Chefs Jordy Navarra and Varun Totlani to Headline Macao’s 2025 Gastronomy Forum

Two of Asia’s most celebrated chefs—Jordy Navarra of the Philippines and Varun Totlani of India—will take center stage as keynote speakers at this year’s International Gastronomy Forum in Macao. The announcement was made by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) as part of its lead-up to the 2025 International Cities of Gastronomy Fest.

Set for July 14, the forum will explore the culinary and cultural value of herbs and spices, drawing on the diverse traditions represented by the speakers. Navarra helms Toyo Eatery in Manila, while Totlani leads the kitchen at Masque in Mumbai. Both chefs received Best Chef Awards in 2024, and their restaurants rank 42nd and 19th respectively on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list.

A Meeting of Global Culinary Minds in Macao

The International Gastronomy Forum will welcome representatives from approximately 30 cities recognized as UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy. Culinary professionals, resort executives, and gastronomy scholars will come together to explore the festival’s theme, “The Spice of Life: Macao’s Culinary Connections.”

In addition to the keynote sessions, the forum includes three expert-led panels featuring 15 distinguished figures from across Asia’s food and beverage industry. Panel discussions will be conducted in English, with free admission and simultaneous interpretation services provided. The sessions will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Macau Fisherman’s Wharf.

More Than a Forum: A Full Culinary Festival

The Gastronomy Forum is part of the broader International Cities of Gastronomy Fest, which returns for its second edition from July 11 to 20. Among the festival’s highlights is the International Gastronomy Promenade—a bustling showcase of over 100 food stalls featuring global and local fare. The promenade opens from 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and extends until 11:30 p.m. on weekends.

Recognized by UNESCO in 2017 as a Creative City of Gastronomy, Macao continues to cement its status as a global culinary destination through signature events like this. The city’s distinctive blend of Macanese cuisine, international culinary partnerships, and large-scale food events make it a vibrant hub for chefs, food lovers, and cultural ambassadors alike.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Signs Historic $285M Extension, Cementing Thunder Dynasty Hopes

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has officially signed a groundbreaking four-year, $285 million USD supermax extension that will keep him in Oklahoma through the 2030-31 NBA season. The deal not only locks in the reigning NBA MVP and Finals MVP but also sets a new league record for the highest average annual salary, surpassing $71 million per season.

This monumental agreement reflects Gilgeous-Alexander’s meteoric rise to NBA superstardom, culminating in a historic 2024-25 campaign in which he led the Thunder to their first-ever championship since relocating to Oklahoma City.

A Season for the Ages

Gilgeous-Alexander’s latest contract comes after a rare and dominant season that saw him secure the NBA’s scoring title, regular-season MVP, and Finals MVP—joining basketball legends Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O’Neal as the only players to accomplish the trifecta in a single year.

Though the extension won’t kick in until the 2027-28 season, it immediately positions Gilgeous-Alexander as one of the highest-paid athletes globally and reinforces his role as the face of the Thunder’s future.

Thunder Lock In Their Franchise Cornerstone

For the Thunder, securing Gilgeous-Alexander’s long-term commitment signals a continuation of their youth-driven rebuild strategy with a proven superstar at its core. Surrounded by a talented supporting cast and bolstered by an abundance of draft capital, Oklahoma City has all the tools to maintain championship contention well into the next decade.

The Canadian guard's seamless fit with the organization, his leadership on and off the court, and his steady rise into one of the league’s elite talents have built a foundation of mutual trust between player and franchise.

A Historic Deal with League-Wide Ripples

Gilgeous-Alexander’s extension not only breaks financial records but also reaffirms Oklahoma City’s evolution from rebuilding franchise to full-fledged title contender. His decision to commit long-term, following a career-defining season, could have ripple effects across the league—shaping future contract negotiations and raising the bar for superstar extensions.

For now, Oklahoma City celebrates keeping their MVP, and Gilgeous-Alexander steps confidently into his next chapter—leading the Thunder into what could become a dynastic era.

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Martin Zubimendi: The Silent Anchor Powering Real Sociedad’s Midfield Engine

Martin Zubimendi isn’t known for dramatic goals or flashy playmaking. But for Real Sociedad, he’s been nothing short of indispensable. With 236 appearances and 10 goals for the club, he has built a reputation as one of Spain’s most reliable and tactically astute midfielders.

While his position on the pitch is rooted in defense, Zubimendi's influence stretches far beyond breaking up attacks. As a lone pivot in Real Sociedad’s preferred 4-1-4-1 formation last season, he acted as the team’s central stabilizer—linking lines, dictating tempo, and quietly dominating La Liga's midfield battles.

Elite Numbers in La Liga 2024-25

In the 2024-25 La Liga campaign, Zubimendi ranked among the top five central midfielders in multiple key metrics. These included successful passes, successful long passes, progressive passes, touches, tackles, interceptions, aerial duels won, and total distance of completed upfield passes—clocking in at an impressive 8.5 kilometers.

These numbers underscore his consistency and contribution in nearly every phase of the game. He might not dazzle on the highlight reel, but his data speaks volumes about his role and reliability.

What the Experts Say

“He’s not a paragon of technical prowess, nor does he stand out for his vision, his long ball touch, or his ability to link up,” said Spanish journalist and Real Sociedad insider Roberto Ramajo. “But he delivers in every aspect of a midfielder's game, and he always contributes. That’s what sets him apart.”

Ramajo praised Zubimendi's intelligence and spatial awareness, especially off the ball. “Martin has very good tactical ability. He knows how to occupy space on the pitch almost perfectly, and he reads his team’s needs very well when it comes to helping his team-mates.

“He has fantastic reading of the game because he's very intelligent without the ball. I know he's hailed with the ball, but I like him better off it.”

A Player Built on Intelligence, Not Flash

Zubimendi may not be the most technically gifted or visibly creative midfielder in Spain, but he possesses something equally vital: clarity of purpose and a deep understanding of the game. His ability to read play, position himself with precision, and win possession cleanly makes him the heartbeat of Real Sociedad’s structure.

In a footballing world often obsessed with flair and final-third output, Zubimendi reminds us of the irreplaceable value of discipline, tactical sharpness, and doing the dirty work with grace. For Real Sociedad, he's not just a midfielder—he's the anchor that keeps everything in balance.

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Metafoodx Launches AI Temperature Monitoring to Fight Food Safety Failures and Reduce Waste

Metafoodx, an AI-powered food operations company, has unveiled its latest innovation: a temperature intelligence system designed to detect, forecast, and prevent food safety failures before they happen.

The solution delivers real-time temperature monitoring and predictive alerts, allowing commercial kitchens to dramatically cut down on waste, improve safety compliance, and maintain consistent food quality at scale.

Why Temperature Matters

Every year, millions of pounds of food are thrown away—not because they’ve expired, but because they’ve entered the FDA's "danger zone" (between 41°F and 135°F) during service.

In one large institutional kitchen, Metafoodx discovered that over 56% of food items scanned during peak hours were deemed unsafe for consumption based on temperature alone.

“Food waste is often a direct result of food safety failures,” said Fengmin Gong, CEO and co-founder of Metafoodx. “Our AI solution gives kitchens the power to stop temperature-related waste before it happens.”

How It Works

Metafoodx’s patented system uses a non-invasive scanner to capture both the surface temperature and a 3D profile of food, estimating internal temperatures without needing traditional probes.

The system performs dual scans before and after service, while also enabling timer-based safety rules. The AI continuously learns from each kitchen’s unique layout, equipment, and menu to provide tailored safety insights.

Key Benefits for Kitchens

Metafoodx’s AI temperature monitoring delivers immediate impact with: 20%–30% reduction in food waste from temperature failures Real-time alerts for improved safety compliance Elimination of manual thermometer checks Consistent food quality that enhances customer satisfaction Up to 40 minutes of additional safe holding time for prepared food

Already Delivering Results

Metafoodx has already deployed the system across institutions such as Pomona College and the University of Guelph, helping their dining operations improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

As restaurants and institutions continue to grapple with rising costs, staff shortages, and stricter compliance standards, innovations like Metafoodx’s AI solution provide a smarter, scalable path forward.

Final Thought: Metafoodx isn’t just innovating—it’s redefining food safety for the AI age. With smarter systems and fewer wasteful failures, commercial kitchens can serve more, waste less, and keep guests safe—all in real time.