Food news antipasto

Shortly after Prue Leith shared the news that she was leaving the Great British Bake Off after nearly a decade, rumors began to swirl that Nigella Lawson was in talks to be Dame Leith’s replacement. This has not been officially confirmed by Channel 4, but they have not denied the rumors. Fingers crossed that this is true!

Custards are wonderful no matter the weather, the occasion, or the time of year. Saveur Magazine recently shared several of their favorite custard recipes, including a vegan sweet potato crème brûlée, panna cotta, flan, and zabaglione.

Alton Brown may have ruffled some feathers in Philadelphia with his recent declaration that his favorite cheesesteak is from Atlanta, not Philly. Brown did offer his opinion with an apology to the City of Brotherly Love, and he is not alone in his praise of said cheesesteak: the restaurant that makes it has been recognized by Michelin with its Bib Gourmand designation for three years running. Michelin also named the sandwich one of the best in North America in 2025.

Another reason to bring your lunch from home if you work in an office in almost any US city: it costs a lot, upward of $3,000 per year even for the ‘inexpensive’ fast food lunches. As more and more companies start demanding more in-office time from their employees, the prices of lunch options have soared to an average of $23.60 USD in major urban areas. With rent, medical costs, and other prices also rising, a “back to the office” command is like adding insult to injury.

Making every meal at home can be costly as well, as grocery prices eat away at budgets. Using the ‘high-low’ method of food shopping is one way to save at the supermarket. This means spending more money on important ingredients while pinching pennies (RIP) on things that don’t matter as much. For example, “pairing luxurious ’nduja with budget penne” is one way to have a meal that feels indulgent without breaking the bank.

This week has been tumultuous in Minnesota (where I live), so I had to give a shout out to a Minneapolis pizza shop that is near the center of much activity. Wrecktangle Pizza has been delivering free food to vulnerable neighbors during this trying time. They aren’t the only restaurant that has been feeding people, as mutual aid networks have sprung up in neighborhoods throughout the metropolitan area (and beyond). This is what community looks like.