Apple’s latest iOS update (version 18.4, released in March) introduces a dedicated Food section within the Apple News app, aiming to simplify meal planning and cooking. This feature provides curated food stories and access to a searchable recipe catalog containing tens of thousands of options, with new recipes added daily.
What is Apple News Food?
The new section isn’t just about finding random recipes; it’s a structured resource for cooking enthusiasts. Apple News editors select featured stories, while the Recipe Catalog offers a searchable database. This means users can filter by cuisine, dietary needs, or specific ingredients. The addition of this feature addresses a common problem: deciding what to cook when inspiration is low.
How to Access Apple News Food
Accessing the Food section is straightforward:
- Open the Apple News app.
- Tap the magnifying glass icon in the bottom-right corner.
- Select “Food” from the search options.
From there, you’ll see tabs for the Recipe Catalog and Saved Recipes. A dedicated spoon and grid icon in the top-right corner provides direct access to the full recipe library. Saved recipes are accessible by tapping the box symbol in the catalog view.
Free vs. Paid Access
While the Food section is initially free, its utility is limited. The free version restricts access to only a handful of recipes each day. For unlimited browsing, saving, and offline access, users must subscribe to Apple News Plus ($13/month) or the premier tier of Apple One ($38/month). This tiered structure highlights Apple’s broader subscription strategy, encouraging users into paid services for full functionality.
Cook Mode: Step-by-Step Cooking
Apple News Food includes a “Cook Mode” designed to guide users through recipes hands-free. This feature presents instructions one step at a time in full-screen view, preventing the screen from dimming or locking.
However, there are limitations. The system does not currently integrate with Siri for voice control, meaning swiping is still required to advance steps. The app also prevents easy copy-pasting of ingredients or directions to other apps, which is inconvenient for shopping lists or sharing with others.
Despite these shortcomings, the feature’s ability to keep the screen active during cooking is a valuable addition. The ingredients list is also readily available, which reduces the need to manually write them down.
Apple News Food isn’t a revolutionary tool, but it consolidates recipe discovery and access into a single, integrated experience. Its value lies in convenience for Apple users already invested in the ecosystem, rather than offering features radically different from existing recipe apps.
