BBQ gets a Mediterranean twist
Chef Sandra Ciokavis is getting social buzz for a modern BBQ style that blends Mediterranean and Italian techniques with bold spices — a clear sign the 2026 dining conversation favors cross‑regional smoke and spice experiments (x.com). That push fits broader 2026 restaurant forecasts and trend watches highlighting health‑forward and inventive fast‑casual moves on menus ( ).
A short-form video post by News Central TV that labels Sandra Ciokavis a BBQ innovator — highlighting her Mediterranean‑and‑Italian smoke-and-spice plates — has been circulating on TikTok. (tiktok.com) Sandra publishes cooking content under the channel name "Chef Sandra Cooks," a YouTube channel showing 39 videos and about 287 subscribers, and is listed in California company registries as Chef Sandra Cooks LLC. (youtube.com) The techniques flagged in those clips — citrus and herb finishes, olive‑oil marinades and high‑heat grilling combined with bold spice blends — align with documented Mediterranean grilling methods that emphasize bright acids and quick sears. (bbqhost.com) The National Restaurant Association’s 2026 What’s Hot Culinary Forecast, based on a survey of nearly 300 culinary professionals conducted in October 2025, names health‑forward choices, flavor escapism and global comfort foods among top menu drivers for 2026. (restaurant.org) OpenTable’s 2026 Dining Trends report, drawn from analysis of more than 2 million U.S. restaurant reviews (Jan–Sep 2025), recorded an 8% year‑over‑year increase in dining in 2025 and projects Americans will dine out about 10 times per month in 2026 — a demand signal for inventive fast‑casual formats. (prnewswire.com) Industry trade coverage and influencer trackers are documenting and amplifying that shift: Fast Casual ran a January 8, 2026 forecast episode on restaurant trends for 2026, and Feedspot published a March 4, 2026 roundup of top barbecue creators driving social engagement. (fastcasual.com)
