08022026-LSTL-01.qxd 2/8/2026 12:50 AM Page 1 c m y b VADH 2: NO SPOILERS PLEASE Vadh 2, starring Neena Gupta and Sanjay Mishra, released Friday but faced early spoilers on social media. The actors urged viewers to avoid revealing plot details, stressing the film’s suspense-driven mystery. Mishra reflected on the title’s moral complexity, while Gupta highlighted the power of silence. TRIBUNE Colin’s back Life Colin Farrell has returned to the spotlight with renewed intensity, offering fresh insight into Sugar season 2. The Irish actor confirmed that the second season will continue to build on the premise while grounding the story in human drama. LUDHIANA | SUNDAY | 8 FEBRUARY 2026 In 2026, food gets intentional — where humble ingredients, global flavours & smart convenience come together to nourish Mona A S February 2026 unfolds, food is becoming more intentional than ever — rooted in nourishment, balance and global curiosity. From fibreforward meals and gut-friendly ferments to elevated convenience and bold new flavours, this year’s food trends reflect a shift toward eating that supports both wellbeing and pleasure. Tradition meets innovation as humble ingredients, functional drinks and thoughtfully reimagined global cuisines shape how we cook, eat and experience food in 2026. #1 Fibre takes centre stage year 2026 is the year of ‘fibermaxxing’. Highfibre foods are no longer niche, they are becoming everyday essentials. From fibre-rich pastas and cereals to snacks and drinks, gut health is driving food choices in 2026. Millet expert Chef Vikas Chawla sees this as a return to timeless wisdom rather than a trend. “Food should not be fashionable. It should be functional, nourishing and timeless,” he says. Emphasising balance, he adds that meals should naturally include both soluble and insoluble fibre through ingredients like millets, legumes and vegetables to support long-term health. Cabbage is the new out flavour, prized for its sharp, sweet-tart profile that works equally well in drinks, desserts and savoury dishes. “Swicy is the new kid on the block! Deep Down, I’m a sucker for sweet but sweet itself is so lacking depth. What adds fuel to my flame is a nudge of spice to add a secondary dimension. Now that’s what sings on the tastebuds!” says culinary expert and MasterChef finalist Kandla Nijhowne. “Don’t we love teekha chutney with meethi imli ki saunth? In 2026 it’ll be old flavours doing a pillion ride on new combinations that will tingle and tantalise,” she adds. indulgence #6 Functional drinks go mainstream ISTOCK #7 Ferments, pickles & condiments Fermented foods continue to rise, valued for both flavour and digestive benefits. Artisanal pickles, vinegars and traditional ferments are becoming everyday staples rather than specialty items. Food should not be fashionable. It should be functional, nourishing and timeless. Mexican is going far beyond tacos, burritos and quesadillas. Bowl formats will really rise, along with tequila and agave-based spirits. - Chef Vikas Chawla - Chef Manav Suri #2 Synbiotic eating for gut health In 2026 old flavours will do a pillion ride on new combinations that will tingle and tantalise. - Kandla Nijhowne #3 Cabbage & the rise of humble vegetables Beyond fibre alone, 2026 is about combining prebiotics and probiotics for stronger digestion. Traditional ferments such as curd and fermented batters are pairing with fibre-rich grains to create gutfriendly meals. “When prebiotic foods like millets are eaten with probiotic ferments, they create a powerful synbiotic effect,” says Chawla. “When every meal supports the gut, the gut supports the entire body.” Cabbage is emerging as an unlikely hero thanks to its affordability, versatility and nutrition. Chefs are roasting, fermenting and grilling it across cuisines, proving that underrated vegetables can take spotlight when treated creatively. Its versatility and affordability announced it to be the vegetable of the year lending itself into wraps, cups, dosas and steaks! #4 Convenience, upgraded, portions limited The freezer aisle is undergoing a premium ‘You are what dreams are made of...’ AP drops his new track on Kapil show Global swag met desi masti as AP Dhillon took over Netflix’s The Great Indian Kapil Show with the first-ever performance of his brand-new track Thinking of You. From sold-out international arenas to Kapil Sharma’s iconic stage, AP proved once again why he was no longer just a Punjabi artiste but a true global phenomenon. While Anubhav Singh Bassi delivered a deadpan zinger — “Dosti hui bhi nahi hai” — he revealed that he had DM’d AP on Instagram just a day earlier… and got no reply. What followed was a hilarious bromance roast session that had the audience in splits. Krushna Abhishek and Kiku Sharda entered as Bada Shaikh and Chota Shaikh, turning the chaos up several notches, while Sunil Grover as Diamond Raja added his own quirky twist to With You, proving that on this stage, music and masti went hand in hand. Beverages are doing more than quenching thirst. Drinks featuring yerba mate, prebiotics and visually striking ingredients like black sesame are gaining popularity, blending wellness with sensory appeal. Prebiotic sodas for gut health, protein-infused plant milks and botanical blends drinks bend genre ala Pepsi prebiotic cola, Pineapple Coconut probiotic water, and TranquiliTea — a jasmine tea-based drink blending magnesium, lemon balm and ashwagandha for focus and relaxation. Priyanka Chopra penned an emotional tribute to husband Nick Jonas as he released his new solo album Sunday Best, calling him an “honest” and “secure” person who “bared his soul” through his music. The actor shared a heartfelt note on Instagram, accompanied by a series of photos and videos capturing moments from their personal life over the years. In the post, Priyanka praised Nick’s talent and personality, describing her relationship with him as the best decision she has ever made. “You are what dreams are made of... Find yourself someone who not only loves and respects you but cherishes you like a treasure and isn’t afraid to show it,” she wrote. Reflecting on their journey together, she added that the photos, though from their early days, still felt “like yesterday”. The actor also highlighted Nick’s sincerity and emotional depth as an artiste. Expressing pride in Sunday Best, Priyanka wrote that it takes a “really secure person” to reach deep within and share such vulnerability with the world.Sunday Best marks Nick Jonas’s first solo album in nearly five years. The release follows a stadium tour with his brothers and was preceded by the lead single Gut Punch. Nick will also be seen on screen alongside Paul Rudd in Power Ballad, directed by John Carney, scheduled for release on June 5. On the work front, Priyanka Chopra is set to star in Rajamouli’s Varanasi. — ANI Priyanka Chopra pens emotional note for Nick Jonas on new album release Margot Robbie wasn’t initially cast to play Cathy Actor Margot Robbie has revealed that she was not always set to play the lead role of Catherine Earnshaw in the upcoming film Wuthering Heights, directed by Emerald Fennell. Robbie, 35, spoke about the casting process during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, alongside her co-star Jacob Elordi, ahead of the film’s release on February 13. “I wasn’t always going to be in it. I was thrilled to be the producer, but at some point, we were talking about Cathy, and I decided to throw my hat into the ring,” Robbie said, referring to the character of Catherine Earnshaw. She added, “I’ve always wanted to be one of Emerald’s actors and fortunately, she felt the same way.” — ANI c m y b makeover. Gourmet frozen meals and elevated instant foods now deliver global flavours without sacrificing quality. Convenience in 2026 is about saving time while still eating well. Small portions that made it big in 2025, continue to enjoy favour with conscious eaters! #5 ‘Swicy’ & bold new flavours Sweet-and-spicy combinations — known as “swicy”—are everywhere, from sauces to snacks. Alongside this, black currant is set to be a break- #8 Global cuisines with depth & respect Fusion in 2026 is more meaningful and less gimmicky. Coastal Indian food is being reinterpreted beyond predictable formats, while Mexican cuisine is set for major growth. Chef Manav Suri of Qissa notes, “We’re moving away from familiar Indian breads, today and dosas are now as popular as they say tandoori roti. He also eyes growth for Tequilla and everything Mexican. “It’s going far beyond tacos, burritos and quesadillas. Bowl formats will really rise, along with tequila and agave-based spirits.” #9 Texture becomes the experience From extra-crunchy snacks to layered dishes with popping elements, texture is becoming central to how people enjoy food. In 2026, eating is as much about feel and sound as it is about taste. Together, these trends signal a future where food is both purposeful and pleasurable. In 2026, eating is no longer about extremes or fleeting fads, but about balance — where tradition is honoured, creativity elevates the everyday and nourishment and joy coexist on the same plate.