World’s 50 Best announces 2024 slate

On Wednesday evening, the World's 50 Best announced who was on its list of best restaurants in the world. The ceremony was held in Las Vegas, marking it as the culinary destination it has grown to be. In addition to the list of restaurants, there were additional awards, such as Neil Perry winning the Woodford Reserve Icon Award. You can… read more

Revel in these images

We try to find interesting cookbook and food-related articles for our Members to read here on the EYB blog, but sometimes reading just seems like too much work. Therefore, today we're highlighting food photographs - no long story here; just gorgeous image after gorgeous image. The photographs are the winners of the Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year awards,… read more

Get Prepared for National Doughnut Day

Once again a national (US) “food holiday” is on the horizon. Friday, June 7 is National Doughnut Day, but this one isn’t just another arbitrary food holiday cooked up by a commercial enterprise – this special day has roots that go back over a century. According to the Salvation Army, the origins of National Doughnut Day stretch back to 1917,… read more

Food news antipasto

Restaurant critics know a lot about food; it is an essential part of the job. That does not automatically mean they can cook, however. Knowing and doing are two different beasts, something that critic Ben McCormack well understands. Caught flatfooted when asked by his cleaner why there wasn't any food in his refrigerator, McCormack decided that he should try to… read more

Have we seen the last of QR code menus?

Mobile phone displaying a QR code on top of the words "Mobile App" and a four out of five star menu and download button.
A recent survey by the market research firm Technomic found that after a seismic shift to QR code menus that began during the pandemic, restaurants seem to reversing the practice and are moving back to paper menus. The survey found that having QR codes made it less likely for people to dine at a particular restaurant. Overwhelmingly, diners preferred paper… read more

Why you should rethink veal

Almost as long as there has been a dairy industry, veal has been a byproduct of it. Male calves are not useful to dairy farmers, and people realized that the immature males made a delicious, tender meat. However, for decades veal's reputation, especially in the US, has been stained by the mistreatment of the animals. In the past couple of… read more

The vanishing lunch break

This is a post that will likely only resonate with our US Members as it discusses a lament that is less common in many other countries: our workers' diminished lunch breaks. According to Megan Elias, associate professor at Boston University and author of Lunch: A History (The Meals Series), "Lunch has never been just a meal; the meal most often eaten in… read more

Food news antipasto

Although not a chef or cookbook author, Morgan Spurlock made a splash in the food world with his 2004 documentary "Supersize Me", which cast a critical eye on the fast food industry and the effects of its products on human health. This week we learned the sad news that Spurlock died at the age of 53 from complications of cancer.… read more

Great grilling tips

Monday's holiday in the US marks the unofficial start to grilling season, although plenty of people love to grill year-round. There is something about the long days and return to warmer temperatures that makes it extra special at this time of the year. Whether you are getting ready to dust off the trusty Weber kettle grill or have something more… read more

Judge decrees that tacos are, indeed, sandwiches

What food qualifies as a sandwich? The debate over this definition has resulted in heated arguments and even legal action. Whether hot dogs, gyros, or tacos count is a source of contention with voices on both sides declaring that they are right. Recently, a judge in Indiana settled the question (at least in that state) that tacos are sandwiches, and… read more

The best cooking tips from 21 seasons of Top Chef

It seems improbable that I started watching Top Chef eighteen years ago, but it's true: the show has been around since 2006! In that time, dozens of chefs have put their impressive skills on display in a variety of challenges. I have learned a lot by watching the program, and so have the folks at Food and Wine. They have… read more

Luxury fruit: are you buying it?

I enjoy buying quality ingredients to cook and bake with, reasoning that a splurge on a lovely steak or locally grown, perfectly ripe peach is no more expensive than a mediocre meal in a restaurant. That said, there are some food items that I just cannot fathom buying regardless of my curiosity, usually because of their exorbitant price. I'm talking… read more

Food news antipasto

We start the weekly recap with a bit of sad news. One of New England's preeminent chefs, Jasper White, has died at the age of 69. White is credited with elevating the cuisine of Boston and the broader region by pairing fine dining techniques with local ingredients. Named best chef in the Northeast in the first-ever national James Beard Foundation… read more

Ready, set, grow!

As gardening season ramps up for much of the Northern Hemisphere, hopeful gardeners gingerly plant all manner of fruits and vegetables in anticipation of a bumper crop of tomatoes, beans, corn, cucumbers, squash, and more. Earlier today I put in the majority of transplants and will be adding seeds tomorrow. One thing I love about gardening is it allows me… read more

What are your favorite festival foods?

Although next weekend is the official kickoff for summer here in US, festivals, fairs, car shows, swap meets, concerts, and other mainly outdoor gatherings are already taking place. One thing all of these events have in common is that someone will be selling food from a concession stand or food truck. The usual fare where I live includes tacos (street… read more

Love your leftovers

Are you someone who looks forward to eating leftovers or the type who grimaces at the aging container of leftovers at the back of the refrigerator and pushing them aside day after day until it's too late? If you are the latter, Sue Quinn wants to change your mind, saying that it's time for leftovers to shine. If you are… read more

Beware of Big Butter?

It seems fitting that a couple of days after I post about the increased demand for cottage cheese, I spied another article about how the dairy industry is using social media partnerships to drive up their sales. It seems that people are not just rediscovering the joys of cottage cheese, they are being paid to promote cheese, butter, and other… read more

Food news antipasto

Fans of the FX series The Bear were delighted to learn that Season 3 of the show would be airing beginning on June 27. In addition, the smash hit has been renewed for a fourth season, which will begin filming soon. The network stated that this season will follow Carmy, Richie, and Sydney as "they do what it takes to… read more

Influencers create demand for cottage cheese

While I was reading a recent article in The Guardian about how UK cottage cheese sales were booming, I recalled that I had written about this topic before. It was back in September of 2019, when experts predicted that the dairy product was poised to make a comeback. It may have taken a little longer than those experts predicted, but… read more

Kitchen perils demand a first aid kit

Most chefs have scars that tell of kitchen mishaps: burns, cuts, and abrasions are a job hazard. Home cooks face these same perils and most of us also have physical reminders of injuries that occurred at the cutting board, cooktop, or oven. When I was in college, I worked at a pizza place and for the longest time I had… read more

Taste Canada Awards longlist released

Now in its 27th year, Taste Canada / Saveurs du Canada has announced the longlist of 73 cookbooks vying for its coveted culinary writing awards. The Awards are presented to outstanding Canadian cookbooks in both English and French languages. The shortlist will be announced online on June 12, 2024 and the winners will be announced in autumn of this year (for reference,… read more

UK Guild of Food Writers announces 2024 shortlist

The UK Guild of Food Writers announced the shortlist for its annual Awards in food writing and broadcasting. The winners will be revealed at a ceremony at the Royal Institution in London on Wednesday, 12 June. The awards highlight emerging voices as well as the industry's best-known food writers and broadcasters. Without further ado, the First Book Award nominees include:… read more

Food news antipasto

Are you brand loyal or do you seek out bargains with off-brand items? If the latter, you might want to check out Walmart's latest foray into upscale store-label products. The brand is named Bettergoods and is targeted at younger shoppers who want chef-quality items at affordable prices. Walmart hopes to roll out 300 items by autumn including "frozen foods, dairy… read more

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

Everyone appreciates a reason to celebrate, especially when the festivities involve great food. This is evident in the widespread celebration of Cinco de Mayo far outside the borders of Mexico. It’s likely that many people who celebrate this day may not fully comprehend the history behind it: it is not, as many people believe, Mexico’s Independence Day, which is September… read more

How important is the recipe’s photo?

These days it's rare to find a cookbook that isn't filled with dozens (if not hundreds) of gorgeous, perfectly-styled photographs that accompany the recipes. Not only do these photos make one's mouth water, they also provide valuable context for the recipe. I've frequently used an accompanying photo to clear up confusion on how a dish is to be assembled or… read more
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