Calif. law mandates kitchen cool-off regulations

California says: If you can't take the heat, you should get out of the kitchen, take a break and cool off. What will these new state regulations mean for restaurants across the country? In the meantime, TikTok chefs stay cool behind the line in creative and entertaining ways.

On the menu:
💠 Consumers want cottage cheese ice cream
💠 When customers call, AI can answer
💠 Most Americans tip - but not all of them

Calif. restaurant workers win protection from kitchen heat

Under a new California regulation, restaurateurs will be required to supply kitchen staff with water, rest breaks, and cool-down areas whenever the temperature on the job site hits 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The new regulations take effect immediately. (Restaurant Business) 

Consumers demand high-protein, low-sugar desserts

Diners have been demanding more protein for years. Now this demand, combined with consumers' desire to cut their sugar intake, has led to high-protein desserts. Think cottage cheese-based ice cream and taho, a Filipino dessert made with tofu, tapioca pearls and brown sugar syrup. (WSJ)

A loyalty app with perks for restaurants 

Blackbird, the restaurant loyalty app from Resy co-founder Ben Leventhal, rolled out a new payment feature with a perk for restaurants — a 2% processing fee per transaction. That’s far lower than the standard restaurant POS fees.  (Fast Company)

The Feed, Episode 122

Alex Sambvani, co-founder and CEO of Slang.ai, spoke to The Feed  about his company’s AI virtual phone agent. Slang works with restaurant brands like the Wolfgang Puck Group, Texas de Brazil, the Butcher's Daughter, and the Slutty Vegan by answering phones and automating tasks like booking reservations.

“It’s a frustrating experience to call a restaurant, one you might even be a regular of, trying to book a reservation or ask a simple question and they don’t answer the phone. It just sucks. Restaurant operators are hospitality people, they think about hospitality night, and day and they know that it’s not good hospitality to miss phone calls.  - Alex Sambvani

💠 Is the country ready for a cook-in-chief?

💠 Chef James Kent’s team is pressing on after his death

💠 Olympic athletes are raving about this chocolate muffin

92% 

share of Americans who always or sometimes tip at a sit-down restaurant (Pew Research Center)

What we’re reading: If you Can’t Take the Heat by James Beard award-winner Michael Ruhlman. His debut young adult novel follows a high-school footballer who finds himself working at an upscale French restaurant after he's sidelined by injury. 

Plus: Marvel at how California Pizza Kitchen turned an odd and unfortunate mistake into a brilliant TikTok.

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