Stanley Cups and Culinary Awards

Hi hi, it’s Ebe! Anyone else experiencing whiplash from the drastic weather changes? I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve just been wearing a spring jacket and alternating between chattering teeth and being sweaty at all times whenever I leave my apartment. It’s fine, this is fine.

Anyway, this week I’m tackling the insane Stanley Cup craze that has taken the nation by storm and the Twin Cities semifinalists for the 2024 James Beard Award.

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The Stanley Cup Trend: How Many is Too Many?

If you’re on TikTok, by now you’ve probably heard of the Stanley Cup craze. The fervor surrounding the recently launched pink and red Stanley insulated cups at Target and Starbucks is a prime example of age-old marketing tactics that generate buzz to fuel a trend. Do you remember Beanie Babies? This is basically the same thing. This marketing frenzy has taken a contemporary turn with the influence of social media, intensifying the pursuit of the latest coveted item as consumers hunger for clicks, prestige, and a sense of belonging within a wider community of collectors. Starbucks, having launched the winter pink Stanley cup exclusively in U.S. stores inside Target locations on January 3, reported an “enthusiastic response” to the limited-edition item. Although, “enthusiastic” is an understatement. Some people took their obsession to extreme lengths by waiting outside stores in the wee hours of the night before they even opened to snag as many cups as they could get their hands on. Some folks even have ridiculously large collections of Stanley’s, begging the question “How sustainable is it to own that many reusable water bottles?”

Consumer psychologist Josh Clarkson sheds light on the psychological dynamics at play in this interview with USA Today, emphasizing the allure of labeling something as “limited edition” or “exclusive.” According to Clarkson, this taps into consumers’ desire for what is perceived as rare and valuable, creating a sense of urgency that may lead to regret if the item is not acquired. Despite potential post-purchase questioning, the synergy of traditional marketing strategies and social media dynamics fuels the excitement and buzz around these limited-edition items, creating a snowball effect that captivates consumers in the pursuit of the latest trend.

What do you think of this trend? Do you own a Stanley Cup? Let us know!

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The Twin Cities Chefs, Bars, and Restaurants That Are Up For Prestigious Awards

Fun fact about me: one of my many hobbies and interests is cooking, but specifically culinary arts. I’ve recently become interested in the life and legacy of Anthony Bourdain, and I’ve been watching his shows Parts Unknown and A Cook’s Tour in which he fully immerses himself in the world’s flavors, cultures, and people. Much like Anthony says in one of his episodes, cooking for me is like painting; you do a little of this, a little of that, add some brightness here, some smokiness there, and so on. I love going to different spots and trying to replicate dishes at home, which is why I was excited to hear that seven Twin Cities chefs, restaurants, and bars were James Beard Semifinalists for 2024. What are the James Beard awards, you ask? The James Beard Awards are among the nation’s most prestigious honors recognizing leaders in the culinary and food media industries, and those in the broader food systems. The mission of the award is to recognize exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts, hospitality, media, and broader food system, as well as a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive.

The list of semifinalists by category include:

• Daniel del Prado (Porzana) — Outstanding Chef
• Oro By Nixta — Best New Restaurant
• Marc Heu (Marc Heu Pâtisserie Paris) — Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
• Meteor — Outstanding Bar
• Ann Ahmed (Khâluna) — Best Chef, Midwest
• Christina Nguyen (Hai Hai) — Best Chef, Midwest
• Karyn Tomlinson (Myriel) — Best Chef, Midwest

Looking at this list, you’ll notice that many of the nominees are BIPOC. What’s more, all but ONE of the nominees are women, people of color, or both! It seems to me like I have a new list of eateries to visit. Luckily, our NewPrensa team had the opportunity to visit Oro by Nixta last spring and we can confirm that the food was *chef’s kiss*. Check it out here!

That’s all from me, see you next time.

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Stay informed, stay connected. 

See you next week! 

-Ebe, and the NewPrensa team

Hit play on the Spotify icon below for the NewMusica playlist,
a playlist by the NewPrensa team that brings you NewTaste and NewVibes. 

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