Bret Thorn

Senior Food Editor
Nation's Restaurant News

Bret Thorn is responsible for reporting on culinary trends in foodservice. He joined Nation’s Restaurant News in 1999, after spending about five years as a journalist in Thailand, where he wrote business and food stories. His columns in NRN won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award for best staff-written editorial or opinion column. A magna cum laude graduate of Tufts University in Medford, Mass., with a bachelor’s degree in history, Mr. Thorn also studied at Le Cordon Bleu Ecole de Cuisine in Paris.

Articles by Bret Thorn
Menu Tracker: New items from McDonald’s, Burger King
Applebee’s, Caribou Coffee, First Watch, Cheddar’s Casual Café, Qdoba also introduce new menu items
The latest chefs on the move
Senior food editor Bret Thorn tracks the latest chefs on the move, including Marie Zhang, Jason Gronlund and Andrew Brochu
Vanessa Miller
Menu top of mind at celebrity-owned The Dalloway
Vanessa Miller creates seasonal small plates that buck celebrity restaurant stereotypes
Top 10 culinary trends at 2013 NRA Show
Bold flavors, gluten-free products, high-tech kitchenware among show highlights
Restaurateurs celebrate culinary innovation at 2013 MenuMasters awards
The annual awards were presented during a gala at the Drake Hotel in Chicago.
Jennifer Bilbro and Sue Hensley
Making restaurants more kid-friendly
Industry experts share tips for catering to families
Cheesecake brûlée
Ruth’s Chris corporate executive chef Rick Crossland combined two favorite desserts for this dish.
David Seigal
Cull & Pistol emphasizes atypical seafood
Chef David Seigal discusses what's on the menu at the recently opened New York spot
What's keeping renowned restaurateurs up at night 
Notable foodservice professionals share issues that are top of mind
Tim Hortons menu board
Regulation Nation: Menu labeling 
Experts advise taking preliminary steps as chains await final FDA rules
Nancy Kruse, Bret Thorn discuss online etiquette  1
The menu experts say the social media war between customers and operators has gone too far
Eel-stuffed chicken
Cherrywood Kitchen executive chef Chris Cheung thought the restaurant's menu needed something unusual
Arby's sandwiches
Menu Tracker: New items from T.G.I. Friday’s, Baskin-Robbins
Arby’s, Champps Americana, El Pollo Loco and Fazoli’s also introduce new menu items
Restaurant trends to watch this summer
NRN's senior food editor reveals what will be trending as the weather gets warmer
Celebrating chef culture at 2013 James Beard Awards
NRN's senior food editor Bret Thorn shares his take on the 2013 James Beard Awards
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