Chef, author and product developerWilbert Jones comments on topics and trends at the 2012 National Restaurant Association Show and The Sweets & Snacks Expo.

On October 25, 2011, the White House First Lady Michelle Obama traveled to her Chicago hometown to discuss the need for healthy foods in underprivileged communities. The event took place at a local redesigned Walgreens store on the city’s Southside, in an area known as a “desert community.”

National grocery chains have come onboard Michelle Obama's plan to bring fresh fruits, vegetables and meats to communities that have had limited to no access to these important foods.

Today’s consumers continue to seek grocery products containing more bold and layered flavors, and manufacturers have responded by adding more unique and global ingredients to some of the most basic products.

Once a year, the British publication Restaurant Magazine publishes a list of the premier restaurants, called The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

Fruits, nuts and nut butters, used for their sensory and nutritional qualities, can also add innovative elements.

Once a year, the British publication Restaurant Magazine publishes a list of the premier restaurants, called The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. It is gathered by obtaining feedback from over 800 international restaurant industry experts, from food critics to restaurant chefs, each selected for their expert opinion regarding the international restaurant scene.

African cuisine is complex, as the area encompasses close to 60 countries, each with its own take on regional foods. Street food is an important part of African culture, with people eating everything from soups, barbecue, kebabs, sandwiches and snacks, while on the go.

Within Africa's regions, thousands of street vendors sell all types of soups, barbecue, kebabs, snacks, sandwiches and sweets, throughout every big city and small town.

From signature seafood stews to traditional rice dishes, Spanish cuisine has numerous geographic influences. It is also the basis for much of the worldís culinary fare.